A decade ago, the “children free” solution was a scandal in Poland. Today it no longer surprises anyone and has a growing number of supporters. Mazovia’s Manor House SPA hotel has already given up hosting the youngest in 2014, becoming the first hotel for adults and a forerunner of this trend in the country.
Child-free leisure is growing in popularity in our country. Still, of course, there are people who are outraged by “child-free” zones, because how can you prohibit a child from entering a restaurant, hotel or swimming pool? With a dog you can, but not with a child? Leisure only without children? For the sake of holy peace? This is selfishness and convenience. Discrimination against families with children… Such and other opinions fall on the heads of hoteliers and restaurateurs who impose an age restriction on those who use their services.
Meanwhile, there is a growing group of Poles who are looking to relax in peace and quiet, which is often impossible when accompanied by children. This is because our approach to children has changed. We put them first, treat them with attention, respond to their needs. It’s natural that after years of authoritarian upbringing, we ourselves have become more liberal with our children, but unfortunately, upbringing is often simply lacking today. Children who are allowed to do literally anything, are not taught to behave appropriately for the place and situation, good manners and respect for the boundaries of others, become a real nightmare for those around them.
– It’s been 10 years since Manor House SPA became a child-free hotel. We were the first in Poland to directly communicate that we do not accept children under the age of 12, as we focus on our offerings aimed at adults. This was met with very extreme reactions at the time. On the one hand, heckling and even threats of lawsuits, on the other, surprise and full approval. Initially we had a few dates a year for families, such as holidays and long weekends, but at the express request of our guests, we gave up these exceptions as well. –Dorota Tokarska, Marketing Director of the Manor House SPA Hotel, mentioned.
Hotels without children are valued by different groups of customers. These include people who do not have children and want to relax in comfort. Those looking for blissful relaxation in a spa or romantic time for two. They are also people who already have adult children and are not used to the noise that toddlers can cause. They are also couples who are trying to have offspring for a long time and are looking for an asylum where they will not meet families with children. The peace and quiet of a hotel without children is also conducive to business meetings, conferences, training sessions and corporate trips. It’s also perfect for those who want to work creatively in a supportive environment. Sometimes it’s spa weekends with friends, a sister or teenage daughter or a senior mom, sometimes it’s a bachelorette party centered around spa treatments and health-promoting rituals. Other times it’s celebrating anniversaries, important events or a gift for a loved one.
– When we made the decision, surprising for that moment, to close the hotel for children, we were guided by the belief that the SPA is a place of tranquility and wellness, and for this we need peace and quiet, which are difficult to provide in the company of small children. We consciously gave up a very large group of customers targeting family stays. We decided to take this bold business step, because most guests come to us precisely because of the SPA and relaxation in the wellness area. Children do not enjoy the spa treatments. Nor will they enter the Roman Baths complex, which is a sex-free zone. In our complex there are no attractions and animation for children, extra beds in the rooms or a special menu in the restaurant, as in family hotels, which thus attract families with children. Focusing on adults, we develop an offer that meets their needs, and this approach works perfectly, as evidenced by numerous awards, including: Best Hotel for Adults, Best Holistic SPA Hotel, in 2023 the most important title in the industry Best SPA Hotel, and now by votes of guests and Internet users Best SPA Hotel in the Center -. Dorota Tokarska explains.
Interestingly, a very large group of Manor House SPA guests are parents who want to take a break from their kids. Go quietly for a massage, take a relaxing bath, swim in the chlorine-free pool, feel at ease during sauna ceremonies and open-air health rituals, enjoy a Tibetan gongs concert, a romantic dinner or an unhurried walk in the historic park. Getting away even for a few days without the children can be wonderfully restorative for the body and invigorating for the relationship. Parents overwhelmed by daily responsibilities also need time for themselves to recharge their batteries, gain distance and a different perspective. And when they return home rested, they are better, more attentive and patient parents. Such a parenting trip is also a great opportunity to build the children’s bond with their grandparents or family friends, when the latter take over the care of the children for those few days.
Read more: www.manorhouse.pl
