For many families, the holidays are a time for togetherness: Thanksgiving dinners around the table, Christmas mornings in matching pajamas, and New Year’s countdowns with loved ones. And for some families, these moments start with travel. The long car rides, busy airports, cranky kids, and even the stress of packing can leave parents exhausted before the celebrations even begin.

Hotels play an important role during these family trips. You’re not just providing a place to sleep—you’re giving families a chance to catch their breath, regroup, and recharge before or after precious time with relatives. This is a golden opportunity to create experiences that not only ease the stress of family travel, but also sprinkle in a little holiday magic. Here are 10 ways hotels can deliver festive, family-centered hospitality during the holiday travel season:

1: Make reservations stress-free

When families are traveling to visit relatives, they often need flexible options—bigger rooms, adjoining suites, or a simple rollaway bed for a cousin tagging along. Make sure your hotel site is comprehensive and easy to navigate. If a family is forced to split up between rooms, offer them adjoining rooms or perhaps a discounted rate if none are available. “Does this room come with a cot?” is an avoidable phone call with just a little website TLC (especially for focused-service teams). 

2: Give a warm, cozy welcome

Check-in time isn’t always a speedy process, and kids can be left bored and anxious, especially after a long day of traveling. Keep the process smooth and cheerful. Offer kids a small treat like cookies or hot cocoa while parents handle paperwork, or set up a small play area where little ones can stretch their legs. A warm, festive touch helps parents feel like they’ve finally reached a “safe zone.”
Once they are settled in their rooms, send them a welcome text and make sure everything in their room looks good. This first impression lets them know that they can rely on you for great service while also giving you the opportunity for service recovery. Use these welcome text templates for inspiration!

3: Leverage the silence of texting

As a parent to a baby or toddler, there is nothing more annoying than a loud ringing telephone that wakes your child soon after they went down for a nap. Why not find a better way to reach out? If you’re providing the family with room service or any kind of maintenance, shoot the parents a text to let them know someone is on the way. Quiet, efficient communication is a simple but powerful way to show you understand family needs.

4: Provide comfort and entertainment for family downtime

When families are in town to visit relatives, the hotel often becomes their “home base” between gatherings. Stock rooms with kid-friendly entertainment like TV with cartoon channels or coloring kits. That way, children have something to do while parents recharge. Common areas can also double as cozy hangouts! Having a corner with board games,  your TV playing holiday movies, or even hot cocoa in the lobby gives families a place to relax together.

5: Stay ahead of the winter weather‍

It’s not winter travel without snowstorms, icy roads, and flight delays. Families appreciate hotels that help them stay informed and safe. Use guest messaging to share weather updates about road advisories, shuttle delays, or local weather conditions. If flights are canceled, offer late check-outs or flexible extensions so families aren’t left scrambling. Even a simple text like “The roads are icy—drive safely and let us know if you need extra blankets or hot drinks before heading out” shows that you care.

6: Offer kid-friendly goodies‍

Nothing makes kids feel special like being treated as a guest in their own right. When there are complimentary items catered to children, it makes them feel special. Have shampoo or soap with fun scents like watermelon or bubble gum. Leave a stepping stool in the bathroom so they can reach the sink. To make it festive, leave holiday treats in their room like candy canes.  Adding a personal touch creates small moments of delight that parents will remember.

7: Support parents traveling with babies‍

Parents bringing babies to meet grandparents for the first time already have their hands full. Offer conveniences like cribs, high chairs, or baby-changing stations in public restrooms so families don’t have to trek back to their room. A private, comfortable space for nursing can be a lifesaver for moms during holiday travel.

8: Save the day with laundry services!‍

Spills and accidents are a regular part of a parent’s daily routine. Having easy access to laundry is crucial. Especially when kids are dressed in their nice clothes for dinners, church services, or holiday photos, last minute stains that can be saved by laundry service will be a huge relief - especially when they’re just a text away. It would also be helpful to offer some packets of detergent or spot-stain removers in the hotel rooms for quick fixes.

9: Help families find the festivities‍

While visiting family may be the main reason for travel, parents often want to fill downtime with something festive. However, they may not know where to start and what activities are available. This is where you can step in. Provide guides to local holiday light displays, skating rinks, or family-friendly attractions. Have your staff make it more personal by sending a text with their suggestions or their favorites that might be under the radar for visitors. By sending them PDFs with local attractions, parents can keep everything in one place, without having to worry about a kid turning their activity sheet into a paper airplane.

10: Train staff to connect with families‍

This is the most crucial step to providing families with outstanding hospitality. The holidays are emotional for many families—joyful, busy, and sometimes stressful. Encourage staff to be patient, warm, and attentive to kids while also addressing the parents’ needs. A kind word to a frazzled parent, a smile for a shy child, or a cheerful “Happy Holidays!” can leave a lasting impression. It’s what turns a standard family stay into a fond, lasting memory.

By creating a supportive, family-friendly environment, hotels can ease the stress of holiday travel and become part of the cherished memories that families carry with them and be excited to come back year after year. With some personal touches, your hotel can become a holiday tradition for all kinds of families and travelers.

Kipsu loves to help hotels bring holiday cheer to their guests. Check out these text conversations between staff and guests and see how hotels made merry moments for families!