Bonding on the Road: Extended Families Who Travel Together Want to Stay Together, Play Together

. October 14, 2008

LA QUINTA, CA, May 9, 2007. It's about staying close: When multiple generations of families travel together, they're seeking the opportunity to connect over leisure activities all ages can enjoy. In fact, "hanging out with the family" is the pastime of choice for 80 percent of the parents and grandparents responding to a survey sponsored by California-based KSL Resorts, which manages six resorts in the U.S.

As many as 70 percent of respondents would choose to spend their vacation time playing with the kids over adult-only activities such as golf (15 percent) and spa (24 percent), and 79 percent enjoy exploring towns and cultural sights with the younger set. The latter choice, however, might require a bit of bribery as respondents report that the vast majority of their kids and grandkids prefer to hang out at the pool (90 percent) over sightseeing (43 percent).

Survey respondents are speaking from experience, as all but 20 percent indicated they have traveled in the past two years with two or more generations of the family. The study, conducted by Equation Research, polled a random national sample of parents and grandparents who have traveled for leisure with an overnight stay at least once in the past two years (or who plan to do so in the next two years), either with a grandchild or, as a parent, with both their children and their own parents. Respondents had an age range of 25 and up, with an annual household income of $50,000 or more. A pool of more than 300 respondents provided the survey with a margin of error of +/-6%.

"With their vast array of on-site recreational options, our KSL Resorts properties have a great opportunity to be part of the 'family bonding' experience," said Arthur Berg, vice president of marketing for KSL Resorts. "The results of this survey only reinforce KSL Resorts' commitment to family travel."

The resorts of the KSL Resorts Collection complement their world-class adult-oriented appeals, including championship golf and luxury spas, with equally world-class family features. La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA, for example, opened a kid-friendly water feature, Splash Landing, in March 2007, and last year invested $1 million in a state-of-the-art kids club, Kidtopia, and separate teen lounge, Vibz. The resort also offers one of the largest selections of family activities in Southern California. San Diego's legendary Hotel del Coronado has its own teen spa and the ever-popular Tent City Kids Camp, an acclaimed children's program for ages four through 12. And all KSL Resorts offer separate healthy kids' menus that give young diners plenty of appealing, nutritionally sound choices in their restaurants.

Packages, Activities and Suites Designed for Families

Thirty-six percent of respondents who have traveled in the past two years with multiple generations visited a resort/destination spa. Of those who didn't visit a resort or destination spa, 19 percent would be very interested, and 43 percent somewhat interested, in doing so in the future. A family spa resort package would be an appealing option for the majority of respondents (21 percent very interested and 53 percent somewhat interested).

In choosing a spa resort for an extended family trip, 84 percent of respondents reported they were "likely to visit" a resort that offers activities for the whole family. At 55 percent, just over half are interested in a "kids only" area that would give adults a break from babysitting duties, and 50 percent would be interested in using their kid-free time to enjoy special spa options for adults. Large suites that allow everyone to stay together are an appealing option for 69 percent.

Pools Rule, Casual Dining over Fine

A swimming pool is the number-one feature a resort or hotel should provide to accommodate extended family travelers, according to 92 percent of respondents. Casual dining is also key at 91 percent (29 percent appreciate having the option of a fine dining choice). A kids' activity center is a big draw for 79 percent and day care for 19 percent. Spas were cited by 31 percent and fitness centers 38 percent as other appealing options.

Who Plans, Who Pays and Who Stays Home?

When three generations travel together, parents and grandparents typically share trip planning responsibilities equally (62 percent) as well as expenses (61 percent). If only one generation takes on the planning, grandparents tend to take the lead (18 percent) over their adult children (nine percent). And if only one generation pays, grandparents are also more likely to pick up the tab, at 30 percent compared to eight percent for their adult children.

The majority of grandparents (60 percent) prefer to travel with both their children and their grandchildren. For 87 percent, it's about staying close to their adult children, while 32 percent appreciate the opportunity to share expenses and 34 percent want the chance to carve out some free time for themselves.

For those grandparents who would rather leave their own children at home and take the grandchildren on the road, 75 percent want the chance to spend as much time with their grandkids as possible, and 30 percent don't want the added expense. For 10 percent, it's about getting away from the watchful eyes of their adult children who don't let them spoil their grandkids. And 15 percent grumble that "they don't control their children, so who needs them along?"

Stressful? Yes, But Worth It

For the majority of respondents, the chance to bond as a family is worth the admitted stress involved in traveling together. As many as 99 percent of grandparents say traveling with their grandchildren allows them time to get closer, and 94 percent extend the sentiment to traveling with their adult children. Of the parents responding to the survey, 91 percent said the same of travel that involves their own parents. At the same time, 48 percent find traveling with kids stressful and 50 percent say traveling with both their parents and children is stressful.

In the end, the vast majority of those who have experienced multigenerational travel in the past two years are likely to do it again (59 percent very likely, 31 percent somewhat likely). Seventy-two percent claim vacationing with extended family is the "best vacation possible" while 27 percent say there are "definitely better ways to spend a vacation."

Encouragingly, only 1 percent report they would do so again only "when hell freezes over."

About KSL Resorts

Founded in 1992, KSL Resorts manages six time-honored resorts with outstanding recreational amenities, including spa, golf, tennis and ski. Each is refined yet unpretentious, rich in legacy, and genuine in service. The KSL Resorts are:

o Hotel del Coronado (San Diego, CA)

o La Costa Resort and Spa (Carlsbad, CA)

o Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Rancho Mirage, CA)

o Vail Mountain Lodge & Spa (Vail, CO)

o Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Austin, TX)

o The Homestead (Hot Springs, VA)

For more information, call 1-866-KSL-7727 or visit www.kslresorts.com.