Marriott Elevates Its Kids Club Experience with Exciting New Offerings

Most parents who travel with children will agree that their hotel choices differ significantly when on family vacations compared to trips with just adults. During family getaways, parents look for amenities such as spacious rooms equipped with mini fridges, kid-friendly swimming pools (ideally with slides), on-site dining with children’s menus, child safety features, and the ultimate prize—a fantastic kids club.

Recently, the world’s largest hotel chain announced new initiatives to enhance the experience for children and families. Earlier this week, Marriott Bonvoy, the collection of over 30 hotel brands under Marriott International, revealed its latest interactive kids programming in partnership with Camp, a company specializing in family experiences.

Camp uniquely blends retail, media, and entertainment across the United States. Since its inception in 2018, Camp has established eight interactive experiential retail locations. The brand is renowned for its character collaborations and engaging activities such as kid karaoke, slime-making, and crafting, alongside recreating environments from popular TV shows and films like Bluey (now open in Los Angeles), Encanto (in Washington, D.C.), and Trolls (in New York City) for children to explore.

After a successful pilot program in 2022, Marriott Bonvoy and Camp are set to introduce Camp Club experiences designed for toddlers to tweens, featuring a diverse array of activities. The new Marriott Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, opening in spring 2024 with bookings now open, will be the first to offer an immersive Camp Club. This kids club, which was initially tested at the Westin Reserva Conchal in Costa Rica, will provide physical, cultural, and creative experiences; a futuristic design that encourages interactive fun; and Camp counselors dedicated to educating and entertaining kids, with programming inspired by the local destination.

Marriott Bonvoy has experience with kids club initiatives: Westin Hotels & Resorts provides kids clubs at select locations, and several Marriott Hotels already feature various kids programming and clubs. However, the new Camp-branded clubs will elevate the kids club experience through Camp’s immersive adventure style. For instance, Marriott Cancun will host a make-your-own-guitar activity where children can use craft supplies to design their own instruments. Afterwards, kids can participate in a lively movement class filled with play, dance, and singing.

Every Camp Club at a Marriott resort will be tailored to reflect the local culture, emphasizing sensory, visual, and experiential play. Each club will feature a “creative corner” for guided arts and crafts, slime-making sessions at Camp’s signature Schmutz Bar, and other interactive activities. Kids will enjoy engaging play through a variety of games, storytelling, and immersive “themed environments” designed to spark creativity with vibrant graphics, colorful pennants, and “disco cabins” adorned with floor-to-ceiling sequins. Marriott intends to broaden Camp Club offerings to more All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy locations in 2024, with plans to expand into additional brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in the coming years, though specific brands have not yet been disclosed.

The Marriott Cancun marks the brand’s first venture into the burgeoning all-inclusive market. Currently, Marriott's all-inclusive properties operate under other brands within its portfolio, such as Royalton, Planet Hollywood, Elegant Hotels, and Westin. The Cancun location will be the inaugural resort operating under the Marriott name.

In addition to the Camp Club, the 450-room Cancun resort will feature nine specialty restaurants, water attractions like a lazy river and water slides, and unique entertainment options. The hotel is dedicated to supporting the local endangered turtle population by protecting nests, assisting in turtle releases, and restricting beach access after 9 p.m. during turtle nesting season. Furthermore, the resort will conduct beach cleanups five times each year.

Marriott is reinforcing its dedication to kids through various initiatives. Alongside its expanding collection of family-oriented vacation rentals under the Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy brand, the company recently opened bookings for its first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy location, Casa Costera, Isla Verde, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy in Puerto Rico. These accommodations offer studio, one-, and two-bedroom units with full kitchens, perfect for families seeking the comforts of home during their stay.

The hotel chain has also recently reintroduced a program in partnership with UNICEF, allowing guests to conveniently contribute to the nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding children globally. The new Checkout for Children initiative encourages guests to add an extra $1 (or more) to their nightly bill at checkout for UNICEF. This initiative is especially fitting during the holiday season, as it allows families to foster a spirit of generosity in the next generation of travelers.