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Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Over-the-top kids' clubs are creating an entitled generation of travellers
This summer my eight-year-old son will be installed in a kids' club at a resort on Santorini learning how to animate a robot arm as I sip a tropical negroni (pineapple-infused rum!) at an Aegean-side beach bar. Typical of its type, Andronis Arcadia's luxury kids' club offers Lego Education robotics workshops in a dedicated Lego lab; 'yoga for the young', 'mini spa experiences tailored for little people' and expert-led cultural and nature excursions around the chic Greek island. It assures worried parents like me that the ARCADemy follows a Steam-based educational philosophy 'encouraging innovation, imagination and the development of soft skills'. Contrast this with my childhood experience of being deposited in a kids' club on Costa Daurada in Spain in the 1980s. Of this I recall a long walk in midday sun to collect the shells of dead snails ('Caracol muerto! Caracol muerto!'), and that my brother, Adam, had a sugar crash after consuming too many syrupy grenadine drinks and tried to pull a limb off my baby doll toy Samantha. In truth, resort kids' clubs have been on an upward trajectory since the 2000s, because 'conscious' parenting has become the norm, safeguarding standards have improved and resorts have stretched to ever greater lengths to hook the affluent middle-class family traveller. 'Luxury kids' clubs are all part of resorts adding experiential services to stand apart,' says Noel Josephides, the head of Sunvil Travel, who says he 'remains unconvinced' about such elite services' appeal. 'It's unclear whether they do drive family footfall, or whether they just increase the overall cost of package rates where they are offered,' he says. • 14 of the best kids' clubs in Europe Dr Jo Mueller, a clinical psychologist and parenting expert, has mixed feelings too. While structured and educational offerings may benefit children with special educational needs, 'free play and relaxation' that holidays offer 'are also essential for child mental health and learning'. It is also good to be bored. That said, Mueller adds, child-free time can 'contribute to parental mental good health and create a virtuous circle [of family well-being]'. The all-inclusive provider Club Med was a pioneer in kids' clubs and launched its first in 1967. Nicolas Bresch, its UK managing director, says the original iteration of Mini Club Med was to give 'parents a proper moment to relax' (AKA get on the Babycham and do the twist). However, trends have shifted through the decades. In the 1980s Club Med installed the first flying trapeze at Club Med Eleuthera, paving the way for the sporty 1990s. These days, parents are after 'personalised, socially conscious and tech-savvy experiences for their children', with the brand's baby-to-teen offerings including a circus school by Cirque du Soleil and collaborations with elite sports academies. This summer ambitious parents can send their offspring off on everything from reef snorkelling with a marine biologist (at the new Teens Hut at Seaside Finolhu Baa atoll in the Maldives) to an expert-led archaelogy dig at a Minoan excavation site on Crete. • Seven of the most fun-filled kids' clubs at sea Smaller and one-child families like mine are partly behind the rising spend on individual kids' holiday experiences, according to the economic theorist Ali Shourideh. We are able to invest more in our lone offspring or 'resource concentrate'. The cost of summer camps — middle-class parents spend an average of £1,000 a month — puts it in perspective. Of course, this doting carries risks: are we creating an entitled generation who expect their niche whims to be catered for at home and abroad? Is there anything wrong, after all, with a can of pop and a few desultory board games? This summer isn't my son Leo's first rodeo. In 2024 we spent a spring weekend at Château Capitoul, a vineyard hotel in Languedoc. Here Leo took a junior wine buff's class: quaffing merlot and grenache-blanc grape juice with his pinkie stuck out and concluding that merlot 'tastes a bit like socks'. This year's cohort there will enjoy a viticultural school amid the vineyards of La Clape (which is as middle-class aspirational as it gets). So would Leo rather be drinking syrupy sodas and collecting snail shells in the sun than swotting up on his coding and construction this summer? 'Robots please,' he says, without pause. 'But can I have the pop too?' What experiences have you had with kids' clubs? Please let us know in the comments
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Hotel review: Andronis Arcadia, Santorini
Perched on a hillside in the picturesque village of Oia, Andronis Arcadia is a secluded resort with incredible views, capturing the essence of Santorini's natural beauty. With 114 suites and villas, this expansive yet intimate resort stands out as a tranquil retreat from the island's lively energy. Its combination of chic design, modern indulgence, and timeless charm makes it one of the most memorable stays in Santorini. Rooms and facilities From the moment I stepped into the hotel, I was mesmerised by the view: a seemingly infinite stretch of blue where the sea and sky blur into one. Each room at Andronis Arcadia faces west, so all guests can enjoy Santorini's famous sunsets. From my private terrace (every room has one, as well as a small pool), it was impossible to tell where the horizon ended, the deep blue waters of the Aegean merging effortlessly with the sky. Every aspect of the hotel's design feels intentional. The suites and villas embrace an organic, earthy aesthetic with natural tones of stone and wood, perfectly mirroring the landscape of Oia. Think clean lines, airy spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the rooms with light and showcase those incredible views. The resort has the largest infinity pool on the island: a spectacular centrepiece that feels as endless as the sea itself. It's one of the most peaceful places to take in the island's panoramic beauty and the swim-up bar and soothing beats of the resident DJ add even more luxury. Food and drink The culinary offerings at Andronis Arcadia take already fabulous Mediterranean cuisine to a new level, with inventive and often surprising twists. The hotel's signature restaurant, Pacman, offers Greek classics adapted into innovative sushi rolls for a unique fusion of flavours that you won't find anywhere else on the island. The fresh, local ingredients mean dishes are every bit as vibrant as Santorini's landscape. Wash it down with an expertly crafted cocktail while listening to live DJs. For meat lovers, the Beefbar restaurant is an absolute must. Specialising in anything protein, this upscale restaurant redefines the traditional steakhouse with Mediterranean influences – think quesadillas with wagyu beef and mash with jalapeños. Mornings begin with delightful breakfast spreads featuring fresh pastries, Greek yogurt with honey and other local delicacies, all served outdoors so you can take in the sunrise. Hotel highlights The Evexia Spa was one of the main highlights of my stay. It offers a range of treatments, all designed to restore balance and well-being. I opted for a full-body massage, and the therapist's expertise combined with the serene environment made for a deeply soothing experience, leaving me rejuvenated and completely at ease. The spa also has signature Kneipp pools: a special 'L' shape with one side cold, the other hot. Different shaped stones that ignite reflexology points in the base of the feet line of each pool's floor, for a unique water therapy experience. Blissful! What to do Nearby Try the local fine dining option Visit Lycabettus restaurant at the Andronis Suites just up the road for cliffside fine dining. There's a nine-course tasting menu packed with amazing ingredients from lobster and scallops to wagyu striploin and red shrimp tartare. With the restaurant's iconic views over Oia, it was by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever eaten. Hop on the ferry to Paros Andronis Minois, on the nearby island of Paros, is the perfect place to continue with the relaxation. While Andronis Arcadia offers dramatic caldera views and high-energy sophistication, the Paros retreat delivers a more laid-back, island escape. There's a second-to-none dining experience at Olvo, the hotel's renowned restaurant, while the nearby town of Naoussa is fantastic for an evening out. You can soak in the vibrant local culture, explore charming shops, and enjoy the buzzing nightlife.
