Take the Whole Family!

The right accommodation is the foundation of a successful multigenerational trip. Separate hotel rooms work — but they can feel disconnected and the costs add up quickly. Think bigger and you’ll often spend less per person while creating a much better experience.

Accommodation options that work well for large family groups:

• Vacation rentals (VRBO, Airbnb) — A large house or condo gives everyone their own bedroom and bathroom while sharing common spaces. There’s usually a kitchen, which allows flexible mealtimes and significant savings on food. The cost per person is typically much lower than separate hotel rooms.
• All-inclusive resorts — These work beautifully because each generation can do their own thing during the day — grandparents at the pool, kids at the water park, parents at the spa — and come together for meals. Everything is on-site and prepaid, which simplifies the finances.
• Cruise ships — A top choice for multigenerational travel. Activities for every age are built into the experience, meals are included, and the ship moves everyone to a new destination while you sleep. Connecting staterooms are available on most major lines.

The biggest source of friction in multigenerational travel is pace. Young children need naps and early bedtimes. Grandparents need rest in the afternoon. Teenagers want stimulation and independence. Parents are trying to manage everyone. If you try to keep all three generations together for every activity, someone will always feel compromised.

The healthiest multigenerational trips build in structured together time for key moments — shared meals, a landmark activity or two — alongside genuine free time for each generation to pursue what they love.

• Let teenagers sleep in — and plan the morning activity without them if needed
• Give grandparents a quiet afternoon without guilt — they’ll come back to dinner refreshed and happy
• Give parents an evening out without the children — grandparents often love this arrangement too
• Designate one person as the “trip coordinator” who manages logistics — but make sure everyone feels heard in the planning
• Establish one shared daily tradition — a morning walk, a nightly card game, a shared meal — that gives the trip its family identity