Gramping – The New Travel Trend
What is ‘Gramping’ and where to find it…
Family trips are a long time favorite type of vacation for many of us, but the definition of it is rapidly evolving. Once you have children, you want to give them the world, or, quite literally – show it to them when travelling.
However, for millennials this is no longer enough, as treating their own parents with exciting trips is the new way of giving back. And as they build families of their own, the travel groups become larger, making multi generational travel more popular than ever.
While multi-gen getaways have been on travel agents radars for a few seasons now, “gramping” is a new travel trend that we should all be aware off.
According to the Collins dictionary, Gramping is camping with three generations of one’s family. But the trend is much bigger than that and spreads out from the camping grounds into exotic destinations and luxury hotels, that now strive to accommodate big family groups of different ages and interests. Even more than that, now grandparents are becoming more confident in travelling abroad, they’re taking it as a chance to bond with the grandchildren, leaving the parents out of the picture. This is how family getaways turn into a so-called “skip-gen” – the parents save up their holiday leave for a romantic couple getaway while the kids and the grandparents are sent off to explore the world together.
While sending your little ones to exotic destinations might come with a certain amount of stress for the parent, accommodation is something they can now be sure about. For example, in South East Asia, hotels are aware of this trend and a lot of them have started offering special packages for multi generational groups, both for “3-gen” and “skip-gen” travellers.
So, how to find these offers and how to pick the right one?
We did the job for you and selected five of the most interesting multi-gen offers out there:
Memoire Palace Resort & Spa, Cambodia
If your destination is Siem Reap, Cambodia, you might want to consider staying at the Family Suite at Memoire Palace Resort & Spa.
Attention to the smallest details in the design ensures a feeling of comfort and warmth for the family, making the room a home away from home. One of the services offered for this room is a 24-hour doctor on-call which brings peace of mind for all.
While the kids are having fun in The Clearwater swimming pool, their grandparents can relax at the spa before trying some of the joint activities, such as cycling or a cooking class.
The Slate, Phuket, Thailand
When heading to Thailand, Phuket will always be a good choice for children. Stay at the Slate Phuket, conveniently situated across the beautiful shores of Nai Yang Beach and a short drive away from Phuket International Airport – a great location to save time and get those few extra hours of the holiday. This is an ultimate destination for multi-generational travellers with a sophisticated design and roomy suites and villas to fit a big family.
The children will be busy here with an activities-packed kids’ club and a dedicated family pool, junior cooking classes, and a little sommelier programme that encourages the little guests to enhance their taste buds. While they are distracted, adults can enjoy rejuvenating spa experiences that incorporate traditional Thai healing and holistic wellness. With eight restaurants and bars on site, you are sure to get a new culinary experience every day.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, Thailand
For the beautiful city of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is the place to go. Lanna Kids Club offers an exciting range of activities for younger guests aged 4-12, providing not only fun, but also a chance to learn some of the local traditions. They can learn Thai, try Thai dancing, rice planting, fan and umbrella painting and even have a go at yoga and kid’s Thaiboxing. And that’s not all – a resort tour gives the kids a chance to try horse riding or a buggy ride and meet the resort’s resident buffalos.
Grandparents will have a blast as well, with the ability to join the Dhara Dhevi Culinary Academy, visit a local Craft Village and the resort’s Organic Vegetable Garden – or simply relax in the Spa and Wellness Centre.
Akaryn Hotel Group, Thailand
If busy cities are more your cup of tea and Bangkok has been on your bucket list for a while, Akaryn Hotel Group is a good choice of accommodation with its family packages. It has two hotels in the capital of Thailand, both offering fun activities and free meals for the kids.
At Akyra Thonglor Bangkok, the grandparents can enjoy high tea with the grandchildren and bond over the love for cooking on a cupcake decoration workshop. Babysitting service is also included to make the vacation more relaxing for the adults.
For families choosing Akyra TAS Sukhumvit, the kids will get free Imaginia Playground Passes while the parents will enjoy complimentary sparkling wine.
Samabe Bali Suites & Villas, Bali
With Bali being an extraordinary location famous for its spirituality and fun activities, it is one of the most sought-after destinations for multi-generational groups.
Samabe Bali Suites & Villas is one of the most family-friendly hotels out there, offering activities for all ages. The kids here receive a truly royal treatment with welcome surprises, in-room kids amenities including their own bathrobe and slippers, ice-cream service, supervised kids club activities, kids camp and pool toys in the villa garden. Adults can enjoy cave dinners, bicycle tours, batik painting classes, cultural tours, relaxing spa treatments, romantic scavenger hunts and helicopter rides.
Contact us for more information about the hotels mentioned above.