Kid-free Hotels: A luxury or an outrage?

by Jordan Running (RSS feed)
Oct 14th 2005 at 7:03AM

When Ronald Ballner, proprietor of the posh Hotel Cortisen on Austria's Wolfgangsee lake, announced that, as of next May, his hotel would no longer be lodging guests with children under twelve years old, he expected a positive reaction. What he got instead was public outcry. "My guests have a right to quiet and relaxation without the noise of children," he said, but even the deputy governor of the province called the move "outgrageous" and the President of the Austrian Association of Hoteliers cited it as an example of how the hotel business is "getting more and more intolerant and more and more egotistical."

What do you think? If a no-kids-allowed hotel opened up in your state, would you book your reservation right away or cry foul? Do parents have a right to lodge with their children at any hotel, or do travelers have a right to lodging without hearing the pitter-patter of little feet?

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

psyton Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I'd much rather see hotels with thick and padded walls and bedroom isolation so you couldn't hear the pitter-patter of little feet, a baby wailing, or your neighbors going at it like a couple of walruses in heat.

Brad Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I think it's a great idea. They do it with cruises and resorts, why not with hotels? Some of us would prefer to relax without the screeching tykes, and might even by willing to pay a little extra.

As a compromise, how about kid-free floors within a hotel?

Jen Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

It's a good idea. I wish more hotels and even malls would do this.

Emil Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

Can they do this on American Airlines?

Steve Combe Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

Excellent! I wish restaurants would take the same stand.

Mical Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

It's obvious that some of the people commenting don't have little kids. Instead of banning the kids just have a separate section for them.

I do this in my home business and it works well. While I am working the kids are on the other side of the house. I don't get disturbed often and they are always around to brighten my day.

Banning, in my opinon, is not the answer. Try instead to have a separate section designated for the kids. The hotels do this is some degree with other things, like smoking and pet. Now they can add kids to their list.

-Mical
http://www.MyHomeBasedBusiness101.com

Willy Volk Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

Hotels, travel agencies, restaurants, etc., frequently sponsor family events, where kids are not only invited but are often provided incentives to attend (think: kids under 12 eat free). Similarly, there is no reason for a hotel or restaurant to offer incentives (read: no kids) for other prospective guests.

Moreover, there are only about a billion hotels around the world. If you don't like the policies of that establishment, you are free to spend your money elsewhere.

vc Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

LUXURY.

I stayed at Kona Village resort in Hawaii during their twice-annual "no kids month." It was HEAVEN to sit on a beach and not have to endure screams and shrieks. One can actually doze off on a shaded cot in such circumstances. It's bliss.

Jen Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

There are plenty of child-friendly hotels. I wouldn't want to never be able to travel with my kids again, of course, but I'd stay at one of these hotels sans kids, and be happy to do so. :)

Victor Agreda, Jr. Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

Oh gimme a break. People will get mad about anything. I don't like th color red. There, everyone who DOES can hate me. Especially the Australian Dept. of Red.

And what's with the "egotistical" comment? Sure, luxury hotels are going to have a certain, uh, attitude. You shouldn't show up in your flip-flops and cutoffs to the Four Seasons, should you? But the industry as a whole? Yeah, OK... Bitter much?

Personally, I think it's a great idea. I have kids, so I'd never stay there, but I wouldn't take my kids wilding either.

WG Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I've got kids too and I get my fill of them at home. I'd love to have the option of a vacation with no kids around.

I love to hear the pitter patter of little feet running away from me.

Chris Meisenzahl Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I think it's a fine idea. It's freedom and free markets working at their best. If some people don't like it, they can stay elsewhere and vote with their dollars.

Should athletic clubs that are women only be forced to admit men?

Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/

aawakinglife Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

The Horned Dorset (Rincon, Puerto Rico) does this and noone complains...

marty Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

Is this not a perfect example of free markets. If not allowing children is that bad of an idea then the hotel will not book guests and they will change their policy. I personally welcome the idea and hope more hotels adopt a similar policy. If not the entire hotel at least section of the hotel.

Usually the root of the problem is not the children but the parent that have no desire or ability control their children.
Umm excuse me YOU were the one that decided to breed don't make me pay for it.

Liam McNulty Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I'm 20 years old, and I've had over 2 years of experience working at the front desk. It's people my age that cause most of the noise problems, not younger children.

Kid-free floors probably won't work in a hotel that sells out (is close to selling out). Most 2-4 star hotels don't assign rooms to guests until they actually check in, and many hotels don't even bother to ask how many people are staying in a room, let alone how many children are staying. The front desk person would have to assign rooms on a first come, first served basis. Since there are only a finite number of double rooms per floor (most parents with young children will rent a double rather than two singles), the children end up on every floor.

Here's a few tips for "avoiding children" based on my experience:
-Ask for a single room, and ask for a single room that is surrounded by other single rooms. You may end up in a handicapped accessible room, but this shouldn't impact your stay (besides having a roll-in shower).
-Don't get something near the elevator, if there is one.
-Request high floor or low floor. Rooms on the low floor of a hotel and rooms on the high floor of a hotel are generally the last to be assigned, becomes sometimes people have a preference for them -- if it's a slow night for the hotel, you could end up being the only one on the floor. Older and handicapped couples will frequently be on the first floor, becuase they don't want to deal with an elevator (or more specifically, deal with stairs if the elevator stops working for some reason). People often think the high floor is the quietest, but I'd say the first floor is for this reason.
-If you've made a reservation at a chain, be aware of the brand image of the hotel. A place like a Holiday Inn will attract a big weekend crowd, and thus lots of couples with children. If you're going somewhere on a weekend, try to stay at a place more oriented towards business customers (like a Hampton Inn) -- not only will the place be nearly empty, the rates may even be cheaper.

Captain Lumpy Dog Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

HEY!!!!

I just so happen to be the President of the Ritz-Carlton Red Flip-Flops and Corduroy Cut-Offs Appreciation Club!!!!

I take great offense to your insinuation that I shouldn't be able to wear the aformentioned articles of clothing into some hotels. Did you take off your tin-foil hat today? I ask this because whenever I do that, I start getting flak from the Kraft Macaroni Lobby. Hoefnagel Hoenagel, buy me a bush!

Cheers,
Captain Lumpy Dog

P.S. In case it wasn't PAINFULLY obvious, I was being a stoopd idiot, and in reality, I think having a little segregation from your kids on vacation, and I say this as an eighteen year old still living with his parents. Just as I always say to my folks, "Kids were put on this Earth for one reason: to ruin their parents lives!" I think this is a fairly good idea, but taken a mite too far. Thanks!

Jeff Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I have a problem with bans. Whether it's children or pets, a sweeping assumption that either is a problem is troubling. I know that when I was 6 years old on a European tour with my family, the other tourists were initially concerned. They presumed that I would be a nuisance. Boy, were they surprised! They actually enjoyed my company. When I was 8 years old, an antique shop proprietor in Maine, insisted that my brother and I keep our hands behind our backs when browsing with our parents. After several purchases by our parents and model behavior by us kids, the owner was pleased.
Of course, we were good kids, others are not so good, but at least they should be given the chance.

bc Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

It's a no-brainer. Why is there any outrage at this?
It's not like there aren't plenty of places that allow children.

It has nothing to do with a "presumption" of bad behavior. The hotel is simply eliminating the risk of guests being annoyed. It's an excellent idea.

Stephen Johnson Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I am elated that a hotel FINALLY understands that there are couples with no children who like to vacation too! The world is going to hell in a handbasket because everyone believes we need to cater to the little demons. I would book to a hotel as fast as lightning if I knew it excluded children!

crista Dec 18th 2005 6:13PM

I think it is a great idea. I work as a nanny and, after months having to deal with the stress of being around them, would love to be able to go to a child-free hotel with my beloved husband.

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