When they were first built, they were met with hate. Now, more and more guests are visiting them, and hotels for adults are emerging all over the country. What are they and what are their advantages? As experts emphasize, hotels for adults only are not created solely with childless people in mind.
The idea of adult-only hotels came to Poland from the West. – They started appearing in the world in the 1970s. Initially, they were mainly established in the Caribbean, where wedding and honeymoon tourism was developing – says Marta Klepka, the hotel managing director, for tvn24.pl.
What are adult-only hotels? In practice, they are simply hotels that introduce a minimum age for their guests. Despite their name, they are not always intended exclusively for adult guests. In some of them, the minimum age of visitors is lower and is, for example, 16 or 12 years old. However, you will not find several-year-old children or infants in them.
Adults Only Hotels
Facilities of this type reached Poland less than a decade ago. – It will soon be 10 years since the first hotel for adults in Poland was established. This facility was a trailblazer – recalls hotel inspector Karol Weber in an interview with tvn24.pl. – At one time, it faced hate both online and in person. It happened that people called him unhappy with the age restrictions – he emphasizes.
Initially, interest was limited. Hotel service quality expert Viola Hamerska recalls the case of one of the first adult facilities in Poland, which initially lifted age restrictions for vacations, holidays and long weekends. According to the expert, this could indicate that at that time the demand for adult stays was not yet sufficient to make the facility profitable.
For several years now, however, experts have been clearly observing a growing interest in adult-only hotels in Poland and a rapid increase in the number of such facilities. Karol Weber estimates that out of over three thousand facilities operating in Poland, around 30 are hotels dedicated to adult guests or friendly to them. – Facilities of this type can be found in the mountains, through lakes, to the sea – says Marta Klepka. – There are also a few near Warsaw. Such hotels are often built in old castles and palaces, some are also more intimate. Sometimes they are boutique guesthouses with 7 or 9 rooms – adds the specialist.
Adult hotels – for whom
Why is this type of hotel so popular? – What motivates guests to choose hotels dedicated to adults is primarily the fact that they can count on peace and quiet there – says Karol Weber. – In such facilities, the concept of complete relaxation and rest is very important. These are places for guests looking for peace and quiet – he explains. Sometimes such hotels go further and adapt the offer of additional services to their clients. – Some hotels for adults offer their guests an extensive wellness zone or additional attractions, such as yoga or Tai Chi classes (Taijiquan – ed.), culinary workshops, horse riding, or dance lessons for two – indicates Marta Klepka.
Who is most likely to go to such hotels? Experts admit that they are unable to clearly indicate a specific type of clientele. Contrary to appearances, adult-only hotels are used by a very wide group of recipients at different stages of life. – The visitors consist of different groups of guests who have different needs – says Marta Klepka. She distinguishes, among others, people looking for a break from work and stimulation, for whom such hotels provide peace and quiet.
These are not necessarily people without children or retirees. – People who have children themselves also declare their desire to go to a hotel without children – emphasizes Viola Hamerska. – Hotels created for adults or adult-friendly are not created solely with childless people in mind – Karol Weber agrees.
Are adult hotels discrimination?
Experts emphasize that the initial hate and accusations that hotels for adults discriminated against people because they had children were completely misplaced. In hotels of this type, “it is absolutely not about discrimination,” emphasizes Karol Weber. – The vast majority of holiday resorts in Poland are facilities aimed at children. People who visit them are perfectly aware of what the restaurant or swimming pool area looks like, where children, quite rightly, want to play – explains Weber.
– But the hotel industry is diverse and opens up to people who value peace and quiet – Weber notes. – Just as we have hotels for families with children, we also have hotels for adults. We have a choice. It's good that everyone can find something for themselves – agrees Viola Hamerska.
– The hotel industry in Poland is growing stronger. Every year, new facilities are added and they are diverse – says Marta Klepka. Developing the topic, the specialist also points to hotels that try to reconcile the needs of different guests and decide on solutions such as designating child-free zones or limiting the hours during which children can spend time in the pool or use other attractions. Karol Weber gives an example of one of the Polish hotels, which has two restaurants. – One can be used by all guests. The other is more intimate, has fewer tables and is intended for people over 16 years of age. Thanks to this, guests have a choice. There are also no situations in which a couple wants to have a romantic dinner, and children are making noise at the table next to it – explains the specialist.
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