There are plenty of family-friendly hotels out there, but kinderhotels take the concept to a higher level. These are hotels designed specifically for families. Think play areas, children’s amenities, rooms stocked with baby equipment, strollers and baby bike seats on loan, kids’ activities all day long, and, perhaps most importantly for parents, on-site childcare.
The idea goes back to the 1980s, when a group of hoteliers in Austria worked together to develop hotels that would redefine family vacations. It wasn’t long before other independent hotels got on board with the idea.
Today, kinderhotels are popular in Austria, Germany and northern Italy. They lend themselves well to mountain destinations, where parents might want to ski but need childcare for children not able to take on the slopes just yet, and where kids can take advantage of supervised outdoor activities.
If you’re visiting northern Italy this winter (especially for the 2026 Olympics) a kinderhotel could be a great option for your family.
Why stay at a kinderhotel?
- Packing convenience: many kinderhotels are stocked with gear like bottle warmers, baby formula, diapers, car seats and more, so you don’t have to travel with bulky items.
- Relaxation: Parents can enjoy a mountain hike or a nice meal, take time at the spa or simply get some remote work done without worrying about their kids, thanks to on-site childcare.
- Kid-size fun: Kinderhotels are designed for children, meaning they’re child-proofed and have fun, kid-friendly elements like kid-size sinks and lots of play areas.
- Activities: Most kinderhotels have professional kids’ clubs with all-day activities for kids aged toddler to teen. Kids can learn new skills, go on hikes, make crafts, do science projects and more.
- Cost: Kinderhotels aren’t cheap, but some parents find that by the time they book childcare, find play areas, pay admissions to pools, buy ski lessons, pay to check kids’ supplies, eat out for every meal, and on and on, the price is about the same as cobbling together your own family trip.
A Kinderhotel for all ages in Northern Italy
The AKI Family Resort, from luxury hotel brand Adler, sits amid the Dolomites in Brizen, Italy, and prizes its connection to nature. From the natural wood furniture (the resort is plastic-free) to the kids’ programs in the forest and the adults-only spa overlooking the mountains, the resort feels a world away from city life. With childcare and activities for everyone from babies to teens and their parents, it’s a true family escape.
From the moment you arrive kids are catered to—there’s a play structure right at check-in–and they’ve been thought of at every turn. Rooms have child-size beds and sinks, kids’ towels, and robes for all ages. On request, the hotel offers baby bouncers, cribs, baby baths and other equipment. Bathrooms throughout the hotel have changing tables, and there are amenities like breastfeeding booths, baby formula and baby food at designated ‘baby bars’, bottle warmers, diapers and more.
You and your kids will want to spend time at the pool. It’s spacious and the outdoor area has stunning views over the Dolomites. But there are also large water slides and baby splash pad area. Kids can even take part in a warm, not too hot, sauna and get kids’ massages. Adults, however, shouldn’t miss the sauna and spa nestled in the forest, and should take part in the daily sauna ritual where a coach leads groups through timed sessions of increasingly hotter temperatures.
Dining at AKI is a family affair. Each family is assigned a table for the duration of their stay and kids get Stokke high chairs and special bibs and silverware, depending on their age. The buffet—an extensive feast of Alpine and international dishes—has lower tables with dishes at children’s reach and step stools so kids can stand and watch the kitchen.
If you’re here for a ski vacation, there’s on-site ski and toboggan rental and ski lessons. The hotel even has its own kids’ ski slope. For smaller children, the AKI offers baby backpacks or heavy duty Thule strollers that can traverse snowy hiking trails. Outside of skiing, kids can take part in painting and other craft workshops, learn to cook and more as part of the kids’s club. That runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., which are also the childcare hours. That means adults can have a cocktail at the bar, take on the slopes, or enjoy dinner on their own.
Not everything is structured. There’s a petting zoo with goats and alpaca, and a large outdoor play area that can be visited anytime. Indoors, the play barn offers opportunties to climb ropes and suspension bridges. Toddlers are kept safe in their own designated play area with lots of space to roam. Meanwhile, teens get a special ‘chill’ area where they can play air hockey and ping pong and get away from their younger sibings.
One of the main reasons for booking a kinderhotel is for the childcare. AKI is one of the few kinderhotels that offers the service for babies under one-year-old. Babies as young as 30 days are welcome in a separate room of the daycare from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Or, you can organize individual childcare for a fee.
Family trips are about family memories, but sometimes, different family members have different needs. Kinderhotels help families of all ages and sizes help facilitate actual fun for the whole family.