• Ice cream for lunch (58%), a big pool with waterslides (57%) and staying up late (53%) ranked by kids as the best part about family trips away
• Having whatever they want at hotel breakfast (63%) and not having to tidy their room (30%) come in top when asked about the best parts about staying at a hotel
• 35% of British parents report already letting their kids help pick where to go and stay, while 72% say they would feel curious or excited about having their kid plan an entire trip  
• Four in ten (40%) of parents say it can be hard to please everyone when it comes to family holiday planning
• 39% of kids say being bored is the toughest part of a family break, followed by being forced to do stuff that’s for adults (35%)

When kids were asked to describe their dream holiday, the picture was clear: free rein at the breakfast buffet (63%), messy rooms (42%), ice cream for lunch (58%), plenty of waterslides (57%), and absolutely no “adult stuff” (35%). New research from Marriott Bonvoy reveals that when it comes to family holidays, kids know exactly what they want and their priorities are refreshingly simple.

The feedback was equally resounding on what kids don’t want on a family holiday, with nearly four in ten (39%) say boredom is their biggest pet peeve, while 35% dislike being dragged around doing things only interesting for adults.

"Kids told us they don’t want complicated itineraries, they want freedom, fun and quality time spent with their families,” said Andrew Watson, Chief Commercial Officer, EMEA at Marriott International. “That’s why family holidays are about more than just rooms and amenities; it’s about creating places where everyone can relax, play and make memories together. If you’re looking for inspiration on your next holiday this year, why not the kids to plan it?”

As it turns out, this may already be the case for many families, whether they know it or not. While four in ten (40%) of parents admit it can be hard to please everyone when it comes to family holiday planning, over a third (35%) report letting kids help decide on where to go or where to stay.

Parents aren’t resisting this shift, in fact, many are embracing it. Almost four in ten (39%) have already let their child plan a holiday, and 72% say they would feel curious or excited about letting their child take the lead next time. After all, two‑thirds (66%) of parents say their top holiday priority is quality time together as a family. Almost half (47%) also say making the trip easy and stress‑free is key, pointing to a growing demand for hotels that don’t just host families but actively make life easier for them.

Kids aren’t only influencing how families travel, but also where. When asked where they would like to go on their next family holiday, kids overwhelmingly chose sun-soaked, aquatic escapes, with Spain topping the wish list at 33%, followed by Italy (18%) and Greece (16%). When it comes to hotel bucket lists, kids' creativity really shone:

• A big pool with lots of waterslides (61%), for example at The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino
• A beach right next to the hotel for swimming and building sandcastles (47%), for example at Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection
• Sports and outdoor games to play (37%), for example at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
• A hotel close to home with swimming and lots of places to run around (36%), for example at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club
• A pirate ship in the middle of a pool with waterslides on each side (31%), for example at Algarve Marriott Salgados Golf Resort & Spa
• A treasure hunt (25%), for example at The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa, Benahavis, Marbella

As kids continue to voice what they want, family holidays are becoming less about compromise and more about understanding what truly makes everyone happy. And sometimes, that starts with ice cream at lunchtime.

Get your kids planning your next family holiday with Marriott Bonvoy here.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International's award-winning travel platform, connects travelers to the people, places, and passions they love through an extraordinary collection of hotels and experiences worldwide. The platform features over 30 hotel brands and 10,000 destinations, including the largest collection of luxury offerings, distinctive boutique properties, premium home rentals, and more, providing renowned hospitality across the globe. With unrivaled access to the best in entertainment, culinary, sports, outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and more, Marriott Bonvoy offers transformative travel experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Marriott Bonvoy membership is free and unlocks unique benefits including the ability to earn points through travel and everyday activities, like purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for free stays, experiences and more. Visit marriottbonvoy.com for more information and download the Marriott Bonvoy app here. Travelers can connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.