Latest news with #familyFriendly
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Adults-only hotels risk being BANNED in popular European country - as they are a 'threat to society'
Adults-only hotels, campsites and restaurants could be banned in France as part of a planned government crackdown. Sarah El Haïry, France's high commissioner for childhood, has said that the country's 'no kids trend' has caused 'violence against children', reports The Times. The commissioner said that people who complain about children being noisy are spreading the 'idea that children are a nuisance'. She claimed that adults-only venues were dividing society and putting pressure on parents. El Haïry told RTL: 'There is a growing intolerance and we must not allow it to take hold. 'It's not in our culture, it's not in our philosophy, and it's not what we want to see as the norm in our country.' She explained that government lawyers are currently looking at taking legal action against hotels that refuse to allow children. France 24 reports that adults-only venues currently represent around three per cent of the country's travel market. A socialist senator, Laurence Rossignol, is now planning to introduce a bill to make it illegal to ban children from venues. El Haïry is reportedly planning to bring together those in the travel industry to encourage them to take a 'pro-kids' approach. Adults-only venues - and flights - can be a divisive issue among travellers. A mother recently went viral after she slammed Japan Airlines for its controversial booking feature where people can see where babies are seated before picking their own seat. Sophie Kalimeridou, a 'mumfluencer' who specialises in family-friendly travel content, took to Instagram earlier this month to vent her frustration with the airline's policy after flying with her toddler daughter and young son. Sharing a video from her business class seat, she accused Japan Airlines of alienating parents and children in favour of passengers who prefer a quieter journey.
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Children are not a nuisance': France weighs crackdown on adult-only hotels and restaurants, urges society to be more inclusive
PARIS, May 28 — The French government is mulling measures to clamp down on adult-only hotels and restaurants, with a top official warning that hospitality venues excluding children in a so-called 'no kids' strategy were dividing society. While Paris is considered one of the most child-friendly cities in the world, more and more venues in France have been shunning children in an effort to shield customers from kids' unpredictable behaviour and noise. The government yesterday held a roundtable meeting with key industry players to discuss a trend that France's high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Hairy, has said should end. Socialist senator Laurence Rossignol has introduced a bill that would make it illegal to ban children from venues in France. 'Children are not a nuisance,' said Rossignol, adding that the bill is aimed at promoting 'a society that is open to children'. 'We cannot accept that some people decide they no longer want to tolerate a particular section of the population, in this case children,' she told AFP. El Hairy said excluding children was infringing on their rights, putting pressure on their parents and dividing society. 'There is a growing intolerance, and we must not allow it to take hold,' El Hairy told broadcaster RTL. 'We are pushing children and families out, and in a way, this is real violence,' she added. 'It's not in our culture, it's not our philosophy, and it's not what we want to see as the norm in our country.' On Tuesday, she brought together representatives of the tourism and transport industries, including Airbnb, to discuss the 'no-kids' trend. In France, adult-only services are currently limited. According to estimates from a travel industry union, they represented around three percent of the market in 2024. Questions about children's place in society have been at the forefront of the public debate in France in recent years. The French Federation of Nurseries has repeatedly called on lawmakers to ensure children's right 'to make noise'. In the spring of 2024, a report submitted to President Emmanuel Macron said authorities needed to create alternatives to help children reduce the amount of screen time and 'give them back their rightful place, including their right to be noisy'. A few months later, the government's High Council for Family, Children and Age (HCFEA) warned about the lack of spaces for children, pointing to the 'harmful consequences for their physical and mental health'. Rossignol praised El Hairy's initiative to gather together tourism and transport executives, but said more needed to be done. 'Now we need to go further,' she said. 'The president's camp must put this issue on the parliamentary agenda.' — AFP
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Adult-only hotels and holiday resorts could be banned in European country – as they are a ‘threat to society'
THE French government is planning to crack down on adult-only hotels, campsites and restaurants. The decision comes after some people claimed that there was a growing intolerance towards children in the country, which is also facing a falling birthrate. 4 4 Sarah El Haïry, the high commissioner for childhood, said the "no-kids trend" has caused "violence against children" and poses a threat to society, reports The Times. She also addressed those who complain about noisy children and how they are spreading the "idea that children are a nuisance" and putting pressure on parents to make sure they stay quiet. She added: "A child shouts, laughs and moves … we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury." El Haïry also said that government lawyers were currently looking at taking legal action against some hotels that refuse children completely. Many hotels in France advertise that they are adult-only, including Saint-Delis in Honfleur in Normandy, which charges €334-a-night (£280.12). The hotel promises an 'exclusive' and 'peaceful' experience. Some campsites are also adult-only, like Camp Laurent in southwest France. There are fears that France will follow the example of Belgium, where one in 10 restaurants now ban children, according to Paris Match magazine. Laurence Rossignol, a socialist senator, is leading the campaign against adult-only venues and she plans to introduce a private member's bill making it illegal to ban children from hotels, campsites and restaurants. However, some lawyers are saying that there is no need for it to go this far, as banning children from such places is already illegal. The luxury hotel claims to make guests 'feel like they're abroad' with an adults only spa and golf course They argue that the ban falls under a law prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of "origin, gender, family situation or age". El Haïry will now be bringing together tourists and travel industry executives to encourage them to adopt a "pro-kids" approach. Some of those who argue for child-free zones claim they are necessary as children are becoming more unruly following a more 'positive parenting' approach that has grown in popularity over the past decade. Others have disagreed claiming that it is natural for children to be loud and want to run around. 4 Some travellers like having the choice for child-free hotels, with one person commenting on social media: "I only book adult-only and have loads of choice, both budget and luxury. "If only there were adult-only flights too." However, others felt differently, with one person stating: "I've never stayed adults only and can't really see the appeal, for me. "I like children and young people and imagine that adults only places are full of loved up couples and old grouches." Also, one woman visited an off-the-radar paradise island off the French coast – and flights from UK cost just £40 return. Plus, Eurocamp holidays in France cost less than UK breaks this summer – with £5pp a night stays, on-site pools & waterparks. 4
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
How to participate in the Trailblazer for Cancer
Atlantic Watch The ninth annual Trailblazer for Cancer fundraiser is coming up, and Crystal Garrett gets details on the family-friendly event.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- The Independent
10 best family-friendy hotels in Paris that little ones (and adults) will love
Paris has so much to offer people of all ages. Many of the world-class museums have exhibitions and activities specifically geared to kids, there are oodles of workshops for creative families and activities like climbing the Eiffel Tower or taking a trip above the Parisian skyline in the Paris balloon keep everyone entertained. It needn't be stressful either. Plenty of Paris's hotels bend over backwards to accommodate all ages, with kids clubs, games, and last-minute babysitting services organised by the hotel concierge taking the strain off parents. From ultra-early check-ins and ultra-late check-outs, to rooms that can sleep families of six, to the hotels with the best swimming pools and facilities for kids, we've rounded up the best family-friendly hotels that the French capital has to offer, all while bearing in mind close and convenient transport links for tired little legs. Best budget-friendly hotels in Paris 2025 At a glance 1. 25 Hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord hotel Right next to Gare du Nord, 25 Hours couldn't be more convenient for families arriving by Eurostar. The restaurant has a dedicated kids corner at weekends at their all-day restaurant, and a daily special children's menu. There are plenty of interconnecting rooms, and four-legged members of the family are welcomed as warmly as two-legged. Grown-ups will appreciate the stylish cocktail bar, but the appeal of the brightly-coloured rooms, with plenty of African and Asian influence in the design, is ageless. 2. Hôtel Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon Travelling as a family can be expensive, but family-orientated offers at the Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon makes it good value. Children up to 16 years old stay for free when they're sharing a family room with their parents, and get free breakfast to boot, or reserve a second room for the kids at 50 per cent off. There are plenty of activities for all ages, including a large swimming pool, table football and a kids play area with games consoles. Address: 2 Rue Hector Malot, 75012 Paris 3. Hotel Panache For a hotel of this size (just 40 rooms), there's plenty of choice for mixed age groups, including triple and family rooms, each one unique in design. At the heart of the Grands Boulevards, there's retail therapy for the adults while the kids benefit from all the complimentary perks at the hotel, including scooters and board games. A babysitting service can be booked through the hotel concierge, and it shows that the friendly staff are used to welcoming younger guests. Address: 1 Rue Geoffroy-Marie, 75009 Paris 4. Hotel Maison Mère Teenagers will love Maison Mère, where the decor is ridiculously cool (think multi-coloured sneakers displayed on bookshelves). There's a co-working space on site, guaranteeing an excellent wifi speed. Special packs are provided at check-in to younger members of the party, and there's a babysitting service that can be organised via the hotel concierge. The breakfast buffet is extremely generous, ample enough for even the hungriest teen, and adults can unwind in the evenings in the chic cocktail bar. 5. Hotel Adele et Jules A stylish boutique hotel which offers complimentary snacks and soft drinks daily at teatime. Many of the interconnecting rooms share private corridors to give extra space to families. The hotel gives welcome packs at check-in to younger guests, and their babysitting service can be arranged with as little as three hours' notice to work around last-minute plans. Le Grand Rex, the largest cinema in Europe, is just a five-minute walk away, as is the waxwork museum, Musée Grévin. 6. The Disneyland Hotel It goes without saying that all Disneyland hotels are extremely family-friendly, but nowhere creates magic quite like the Disneyland Hotel, which reopened after extensive renovations at the start of 2024. The rooms are all Disney-themed, children can meet their favourite characters (who wander around the hotel) and there are some really special extras on offer, such as a Disneyland 'makeovers' to transform your child into the Disney character of their choice. Plus, it's conveniently situated at the park entrance. 7. Shangri-La Paris hotel Look no further for high-end luxury with kids of all ages. The glitz of this 19th century palace would give Disneyland castles a run for their money, and many of the rooms have Eiffel Tower views. There's a large swimming pool and a gym for active families, and among the vast selection of room categories are interconnecting rooms and family suites. The location is exceptional, squarely between the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe (within easy walking distance from both). Address: 10 Av. d'Iéna, 75116 Paris 8. Hotel Piapia The kids room at Piapia is superior, stocked with tipis, table football, films, board games, art supplies, comics and more. It can be booked privately if your child is celebrating a birthday on your trip, whether you're an in-house guest or not, and catering (soft drinks, birthday tea and cake) can be organised directly through the hotel. There's an excellent selection of room categories, including triples, interconnecting and single rooms for families travelling with a teenager that likes their space. Address: 14 Rue des Maraîchers, 75020 Paris 9. Hotel Joke The rooms at Hotel Joke have been designed with kids in mind. All of the rooms are colourful, but it's the crocheted decorations that make it truly unique, with everything from crocheted racing cars to radios. Under 12s get free breakfast, and the generous check-in/check-out times are particularly welcome when sightseeing with children — you can check into your room at 3pm and check-out isn't until midday. The complimentary soft drinks from the minibar (restocked daily) are another nice touch. 10. Pullman Paris Centre-Bercy hotel The enormous swimming pool is the big selling point at the Pullman, and it even has dedicated family time slots, where you don't need to worry about the kids being noisy. The largest rooms sleep up to six people, or a second room for children can be booked at 50 per cent off the regular rate when travelling with two adults paying full price. Many child-friendly sights (such as the Natural History Museum and Jardin des Plantes) are right on the doorstep.
