"Upon arrival, each young visitor receives a lion-shaped plaything as a gift"
Luxury hotels around the world are crafting distinctive children's programs that blend education, local culture, and environmental awareness. These innovative initiatives offer themed activities and symbolic toys, creating an enriching experience for young guests while reflecting the hotel's unique character.
One such example is the St. Regis Bal Harbour Miami, where the children's program, known as the Sea Turtle Club, aims to educate guests about the importance of sea turtle conservation. The resort takes measures to protect nesting sea turtles, such as using yellow lighting, which is less disruptive to these marine creatures, and encouraging guests to keep their curtains closed at night. The symbol for the Sea Turtle Club is a turtle toy, a constant reminder of the need to protect these endangered species.
In a similar vein, the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel in Hong Kong has a children's program symbolized by a giant panda named Edward. The choice of this symbol may be due to the significance of giant pandas in bringing revenue to Hong Kong. Smaller Edward the Panda toys were once given away at the hotel but are now for sale.
This trend of using animal symbols as part of the branding for children's programs is not limited to these two hotels. The Wawelberg hotel in St. Petersburg, for instance, has a children's program symbolized by a playful lion cub named Vava. All young guests receive a lion cub toy upon arrival. Interestingly, Vava's birthday is celebrated on August 10, which also coincides with World Lion Day.
The Westin Resort Costa Navarino in Greece offers a "SandCastle" youth hub with age-specific activities inspired by the local history and environment. Kids engage in adventures with Messinian pirates and recreating life in ancient Messinia, using toys and costumes linked to historical themes like Heracles.
Similarly, the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort and the Ikos Andalusia in Spain have children's programs that focus on creative, mindful play and developmental skills. The St. Regis Resort offers environmentally friendly crafts like origami and painting, while the Ikos Andalusia includes an indoor playroom with books, toys, and coloring activities alongside outdoor features like splash pads and adventure playgrounds.
These unique children's programs are part of a larger trend among hotels to create initiatives that focus on ecology and animal protection. The Sea Turtle Club at St. Regis Bal Harbour Miami is not only a testament to this trend but also emphasizes the importance of sea turtle protection during nesting season.
By integrating these thematic settings and carefully curated toys—often inspired by local folklore, history, or natural surroundings—luxury hotels are transforming playtime into an educational and engaging experience that ties children to the locale. This approach enhances the luxury experience by providing thoughtfully designed, meaningful play rather than generic entertainment.
[1] The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Greece
[2] The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
[5] Ikos Andalusia, Spain
- The Westin Resort Costa Navarino in Greece, with its "SandCastle" youth hub, offers an enriching home-and-garden environment for children, immersing them in local history and environmental awareness through age-specific activities.
- Ikos Andalusia in Spain, like other luxury hotels embracing this trend, provides a unique home-and-garden experience for its young guests, blending creative play with educational activities that promote ecology and the local culture.
