THE PARENT
9
PERFECT HOTEL
Impression Nº3•February 2018 |
‘We’re taking the kids on this one, so want to make sure that everyone has a good time and that we don’t have to worry about them getting bored in the hotel room. It’s got to be a place we can treat as our own, whilst trying to remain as far away from our actual home.’
‘A lot of hotels still get it wrong when it comes to the family market. A roll-out or Z-bed option for kids is just too downmarket for anything but the budget sector. If this is a serious target demographic for the operator, then clever design – and resorts do this especially well – means a wellmanaged footprint at x1.5 normal size, with a good quality daybed converting into a bed at night or, ideally, a smaller connected room that still permits adult autonomy.’ MARTIN GODDARD, DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER, GODDARD LITTLEFAIR
‘The one thing parents with young children want is somewhere safe and comfortable for them to crash in. Families with young children are often working around nap times to plan their days away and so will tend to have a lot of evenings in. The perfect hotel room will have a small area where parents can escape to whilst the little ones sleep. Have well-resourced kitchenettes and bedding – the last thing parents want is to have to call services every five minutes!’ NATASHA GUPTA, FOUNDER, BLUE FEATHER DESIGN STUDIO
‘Kids, especially younger ones, will use a room quite differently from adults and need more robust materials, versatile storage and a colour scheme that’s less muted than the currently-prevalent sophisticated shades. Families will often have the greatest number of users of technology and so free WiFi and a good number of power ports are important to minimise stress, as well as comfy chairs and flat surfaces for play and tablet use.’ CHRIS GWYTHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PHOENIX WHARF
‘A key factor is the entertainment and leisure activity either in the hotel or in the local area, where families can spend time together and kids have something to do, like a good games area with cafe. There should be sufficient space for opening luggage, as well as connecting rooms, in-room entertainment and easy connectivity to WiFi, preferably free. Parents and families must feel that someone cares about who they are and about their needs.’ CHARLES LEON, PRESIDENT, THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF INTERIOR DESIGN f Sufficient space, robust materials and a colour scheme seen here at the Abode Hotel in Glasgow
i Guests can choose from distinct types of rooms at the Abode Hotel