Are ‘adults only’ hotels becoming more common?

[MidnightPatrol]

I am not sure if I have just not noticed this in the past, but I am amazed how many hotels are now ‘adults only’.

Theres obviously a market for it, and I can see why people might want a child-free holiday experience.

I feel like at least half of the ‘nice’ hotels I look at turn out to be adults-only.

I even stayed in one recently where I hadn’t even clicked they were adults only (it was a boutique hotel with a handful of rooms) and it was touch and go if we could stay.

Has this always been the case, or is it a newer phenomenon?

Ive never stayed adults only and can’t really see the appeal, for me. I like children and young people and imagine that adults only places are full of loved up couples and old grouches.

To add to Sartre (if that is allowed) ‘Hell is other people’s children’.

I hope so.

This is the reason we’ve always done villas abroad. I like holidaying with my own children. I don’t want to holiday with other peoples. Now they’re old enough for adults only anyway which doubles our options.

You couldn’t pay me to stay in a hotel that allows kids. Our kids are grown, we’ve done our time.

We’re currently in an adults only hotel in Barbados, squealing kids would ruin it.

Last year we had to listen to one family constantly threatening to take their kids back to the room. They never did, it was just a stream of very loud empty threats. I mean either follow through or shut up! We are going adults only this year.

I always book adult only hotels and campsites if they’re available. The reason for that is what I want on a holiday and what families want on a holiday is completely different. I want to lounge by the pool, in relative quiet and calm, and read a book, maybe have a dip and a swim. Kids want to run around and scream and shout, dive in and out of the pool, play games etc. and, as long as they’re behaving, why shouldn’t they? Just because we want different things doesn’t mean we’re wrong. Kids should be able to enjoy their holiday, I should be able to enjoy mine. I think hoteliers have cottoned on to this and are now catering more to what different groups of people want. In fact, my favourite hotel has both, on different parts of their site. We do occasionally stay in family hotels or campsites, and to be honest, if you accept kids being kids, it’s not too bad but not my first choice. It’s not the majority of kids that cause the problems, it’s a minority whose parents let them run wild, cause chaos and then say ‘they’re just being kids’ and take no responsibility.

Same here. We also used to do villas before children. An adults only hotel sounds bliss, just need to find a babysitter!!

Pre COVID our youngest was too young for adult only (most were 16+). We got so fed up with screaming kids, kids (and I have to say over excited Dads) dive bombing in the pool, being constantly hit by stray balls, and bit being able to use the pool because some parent couldn't be bothered to use a swim nappy. Also constant chicken nuggets at the buffet and hands in the ice-cream.

Thank goodness we can now use adult only hotels.

The rise in these seems to correlate with the rise in children whose parents can't be bothered to teach them how to behave in public.

We choose adult only wherever possible, or at the very least hotels with an adult only section, which should include an adult only dining room and bar.
Our kids are adults so we’ve done the family holidays, no more, I don’t know about others but when you are in a family resort, as a parent, albeit of adult kids, I find I still watch young kids, especially when I can sense that their parents aren’t. That’s not relaxing and I don’t want to be around noisy kids who, let’s face it, should be allowed to enjoy their holiday just as much as I am. Often it’s parents who can’t be bothered to watch their kids properly because they’re too busy on their phones, on their sun lounger drinking or just letting their kids irritate the hell out of everyone else.

I have noticed it more recently….but I think that might be because my DCs are a little older now and I’ve had the chance to enjoy the adults only resorts and hotels 🤷🏻‍♀️😂
As much as I love a family holiday, doing all the beach/pool/sports things with my DCs, the holiday DH and I went on a few years ago without the DCs was truly blissful.
It was an adults-only resort, and we paid a bit more for the exclusive experience with the private pools, private dining spaces etc.
Spending an afternoon laying in a hammock suspended over the pool, having my wine glass periodically filled by the wonderful waiting staff without moving from the hammock?
Actual slice of heaven.

I stay at adult only hotels over 18 i will and have paid more to do this i cant deal with kids i want a nice time and chill.
I dont want to constantly hear MOMMMYYY DADDDYYY crying screaming tantrums ruining a peaceful pool side sunbathe.

I first stayed at one last year having never heard of it as a thing before. It was so lovely. I'm back there now. I work with kids. I love working with them. But I also enjoy a holiday without the soundtrack of the 20 thousand questions kids can ask in 10 minutes.

I have noticed that 'adults only' hotels are becoming more common lately. As a PP said,I think it's because of the self-entitlement of people taking babies and young children to places that really aren't suited to their needs,then getting in a strop about it. Easier just to say children can't go there in the first place. I haven't ever stayed in an 'adults only' hotel (usually too expensive!) but I do make sure that I book holidays during school term times to avoid there being too many kids around.

I hope so.

The types of hotels I mainly stay at are not the sort to allow badly behaved children to disturb other paying guests anyway. Or even the sort that attract people with young children at all.

i’d love to hear recommendations as I can’t seem to find that many plus I want to avoid ‘party’ hotels - more refined relaxation. Any in Sardinia/Portugal/Sicily - or any wild cards in other destinations?

Not got any in that area specifically but if you can, the more expensive spa hotels usually are quiet and childfree. The more expensive the better.

Ones not near a beach/water park or anything that might attract people with children. No kids club/child friendly restaurants. City break style or rural remote.

Check the photos of the hotel online - if none feature a family with kids that’s a good sign.

Adults only for us, every time! I remember years ago reading by the pool but still a few rows of loungers away from the pool itself and was constantly hit by balls flying out from the pool! I totally get kids are having fun but I was on the third row of loungers and this happened about 4 times until we left. The same holiday, I ventured into the pool for a dip and was relentlessly splashed and soaked. I appreciate I was in the pool but I like to keep my face and eyes dry due to my contact lenses as they can come out if splashed. The parents weren’t even suggesting the children splash kick in the opposite direction. DH and I ended up splashing out on a beach club for the day to escape the kids. It was a fortune but sheer luxury and money well spent!

I would never stay anywhere but an adults only.

I’m surprised the boutique hotel let you stay. If you’d ruined my holiday by bringing your child into it I’d have been furious and asked for a refund.

As someone who falls into both categories I can wholeheartedly recommend an adults-only hotel.

Ooh where did you go?

So you turned up with your kids to an adults only hotel, that I presume you booked but didn’t read closely enough to notice, and then requested that you be allowed to stay? Touch and go? How awkward and uncomfortable for the staff having to bend the rules for you. Why is this even a thread honestly? Can’t parents fathom that not everyone loves their children and everyone deserves peace and quiet?

Did our first adult only last year -OMG it was bloody amazing!!!! Youngest dd was 16 so allowed in for the first time! I will not be returning to family hotels!

Currently away with extended family who have young children (mine late teen). Have clocked the adults only pool ….