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Getting the whole family together on holiday can create some of the best travel memories – but finding a resort that keeps everyone happy can take a little more thought.
When grandparents, parents, teenagers and younger children are all travelling together, one person’s perfect holiday might look very different to another’s. Some want activities from morning until night, others are happiest beside the pool, while having enough space – and occasionally a little time apart – can be just as important as the experiences everyone shares.
The good news is that there are some fantastic resorts designed to make travelling together easier.
From all-inclusive escapes in Greece and Egypt to family adventures in Mexico and Dubai, here are five resorts worth considering for your clients’ next multi-generational holiday.
Greece: All-inclusive made easy
For a larger family group, taking some of the decision-making out of each day can make a big difference.
All-inclusive resorts are particularly useful when different generations have different routines and appetites. Rather than coordinating every meal or constantly thinking about the holiday budget, everyone has the freedom to enjoy the resort at their own pace.
5* Ikos Aria, Kos
Set on the beachfront on the Greek island of Kos, Ikos Aria combines five-star surroundings with an extensive all-inclusive offering that works particularly well for families.
Younger guests are well catered for with a crèche, Heroes Kids Club and Just4Teens programme, while adults can make the most of the spa, pools, sports and excellent choice of dining. There are activities families can enjoy together too, giving grandparents, parents and children plenty of opportunities to make memories without needing to spend every moment of the holiday doing the same thing.
Portugal: Give everyone a little more space
Space can make a big difference on a multi-generational holiday.
Having different accommodation options, plenty of resort grounds and enough activities for family members to go their separate ways for a few hours can help larger groups find the right balance between time together and time to themselves.
5* Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort
Set above the Algarve’s distinctive red cliffs, Pine Cliffs Hotel offers a choice of hotel rooms, suites, residences and villas, making it easier to find accommodation to suit different family set-ups.
There’s plenty happening around the resort too. Younger children have Porto Pirata, an extensive children’s village with pirate ships, pools, mini golf and activities, while tennis, padel, golf, the beach, spa and varied dining give older generations plenty of choice. It’s the kind of resort where everyone can spend the morning doing their own thing before coming back together over lunch or dinner.
Riviera Maya: Make the children the VIPs
Sometimes the easiest way to keep a big family group happy is to choose somewhere where younger travellers have almost as much to look forward to as the adults.
A resort packed with activities can be particularly useful when travelling with children of different ages – giving them their own adventures while parents and grandparents enjoy a little downtime.
5* Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya puts family fun firmly at the centre of the holiday.
Its spacious suites are designed with families in mind, with connecting options available for larger groups, while Aqua Nick waterpark brings slides and water-based fun into the mix. Character experiences, Club Nick and entertainment provide plenty for younger guests, while the beachfront setting, restaurants, bars and spa mean the grown-ups haven’t been forgotten.
For families who want plenty happening from morning until night, it’s a stay where every generation can find their own kind of fun.
Egypt: Something for every age
Multi-generational holidays work particularly well when clients can enjoy a variety of experiences without constantly having to leave the resort.
That can mean pools and clubs for younger guests, activities for teenagers, somewhere peaceful for adults and plenty of opportunities for everyone to spend time together.
5* Rixos Premium Seagate, Sharm El Sheikh
Rixos Premium Seagate delivers the kind of extensive resort experience that can make larger family holidays feel easy.
The all-inclusive resort offers pools, a waterpark, sports and entertainment, alongside Rixy Kids Club with dedicated spaces and activities for different ages. Adults can enjoy the spa, fitness facilities, restaurants and time beside the Red Sea, while the variety of facilities means families can easily alternate between shared days and doing their own thing.
It’s particularly useful for groups where keeping everybody entertained is high on the holiday wish list.
Dubai: Go big on family experiences
For families who want plenty of memorable experiences packed into one trip, Dubai can be difficult to beat.
Beach time can sit alongside shopping, dining and sightseeing, while choosing a resort with its own attractions means families don’t necessarily have to venture far to fill their days.
5* Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm is made for families who like plenty of choice.
Family rooms and larger suites provide options for groups needing additional space, while resort stays include access to Aquaventure World and the Lost World Aquarium. Younger guests can enjoy Atlantis Explorers Club, while pools, beach time, dining, spa experiences and plenty of entertainment give the adults just as much to look forward to.
And because so much is available within the resort itself, grandparents can enjoy a slower day by the pool while parents and children tackle the waterslides – before everyone meets up again for dinner.
What makes a great multi-generational resort?
There isn’t one hotel feature that automatically makes a resort right for a multi-generational holiday.
Instead, it’s about finding a property that gives families choice.
Enough accommodation options to comfortably fit the group. Activities for different ages. Restaurants that work for different tastes. Space for quieter moments. And, importantly, experiences everyone can enjoy together.
When talking to clients, it can be useful to find out what each generation wants from the holiday rather than focusing solely on the person making the booking.
Does Grandma want plenty of pool time? Are the teenagers going to need activities and independence? Will younger children use a kids club? Does the family want to eat together every evening? Would connecting rooms work, or would a villa or multi-bedroom option make the holiday easier?
Understanding those details can make it much easier to narrow down the options – and help everyone come home feeling like they had the holiday they wanted.
