How to Make Your Resort More Attractive to Families This Summer
Summer is one of the best opportunities for resorts to welcome new guests, encourage longer stays and give families a reason to return. But with so many holiday destinations to choose from, offering a comfortable place to stay is only part of the equation. Families are also looking for activities, shared experiences and amenities that make their time away feel special.
For resort owners and operators preparing for the Australian summer, now is the time to look at your property through a family’s eyes. Are there enough activities to keep children entertained? Can parents relax while the kids have fun? And are there experiences that give the whole family something to look forward to?
The good news is that creating a more family-friendly resort doesn’t always mean undertaking a major renovation. The right attractions, thoughtful amenities and a few strategic upgrades can help you make better use of your existing facilities.
Here are five ways to make your resort more appealing to families this summer.
1. Make a Splash with Water-Based Attractions
When the weather heats up, water becomes a major drawcard for families. A swimming pool is a great starting point, but adding an activity that encourages guests to play, move and spend more time together can make your aquatic facilities even more engaging.
For resorts with suitable waterfront or pool areas, inflatable waterparks offer an opportunity to create an interactive attraction. With obstacles, climbing elements and slides, these floating courses can turn a swimming area into a destination for family fun.
Wibit inflatable waterparks offer modular floating obstacle courses that can be configured to suit different locations and operational requirements. Depending on the chosen setup, they can provide a shared activity for families, groups of friends and other guests looking for something more adventurous than a traditional swim.
Before investing in a new attraction, consider your available space, water conditions, intended users, supervision requirements and local safety regulations. These factors will help determine which setup is appropriate for your property.
The goal is to give guests another reason to spend time at your resort — and to make your water facilities part of the holiday experience.
2. Turn Your Pool Area into More Than a Place to Swim
Not every guest wants to spend their holiday racing down a slide or tackling an obstacle course. For families, a well-designed pool area should offer different ways to enjoy the day.
Some guests might want to swim, while others would prefer to sit back, chat and keep an eye on the kids. Creating spaces for both activity and relaxation can make your facilities more comfortable and appealing to a wider range of visitors.
Consider how your existing poolside or waterfront area could be improved. Could you introduce more comfortable lounging options? Is there enough room for families to gather between swims? Are there shaded areas where guests can take a break from the sun?
Floating furniture from Looft can offer an alternative to conventional poolside seating, bringing lounging onto the water itself. Depending on the product and the suitability of your site, floating furniture can help create a distinctive social space where guests can relax and enjoy their surroundings.
When planning any new poolside or floating furniture installation, consider access, stability, supervision, water depth and the needs of your intended users.
A few well-considered additions can help your pool area serve different purposes throughout the day, from active play to a slower afternoon by the water.
3. Give Families More Reasons to Stay Active
Family holidays are often a mix of relaxation and adventure. While some guests may be happy spending hours by the pool, others are looking for opportunities to move, try something new and challenge themselves.
Offering a variety of activities can help your resort cater to these different preferences without relying on a single attraction.
For properties with suitable aquatic facilities, Wibit Fitness provides a way to introduce exercise and group activities into the water. Depending on the setup and intended audience, aquatic fitness experiences can appeal to guests who enjoy active holidays, organised challenges or a different approach to working out.
You can also consider how your existing facilities could support simple, organised activities, such as family pool games, supervised challenges or group sessions. These experiences may require less infrastructure than a new attraction, while still giving guests something extra to enjoy.
When introducing activities, make sure the format suits your guests, staffing capacity and safety procedures. Clear information about age suitability, supervision and participation requirements can also help families decide which activities are right for them.
The aim is to offer more than one way to enjoy your resort, so guests can choose the pace that suits their holiday.
4. Create Experiences for Different Ages and Interests
One of the challenges of catering to families is that not everyone wants to do the same thing. Younger children, teenagers and adults may have very different ideas of a perfect holiday.
A resort that offers a mix of experiences can make it easier for families to spend time together while still allowing individual guests to enjoy their own interests.
Start by reviewing what your property already offers. Are there activities for younger children? Can older kids find something challenging enough to hold their attention? Are there comfortable spaces for parents to unwind? Could you introduce activities that bring different age groups together?
Your answer will depend on the size and style of your resort, but the principle is simple: variety matters.
For example, a resort with a pool could explore adding a floating attraction for active guests, comfortable lounging areas for those who prefer to relax, and scheduled family activities during busier periods.
You can also think beyond the water. Recreation areas, outdoor games and organised group experiences may help fill gaps in your activity offering.
Rather than adding attractions simply to increase the number of amenities on your website, focus on how each addition fits into the overall guest experience.
5. Plan Your Summer Upgrades Before the Rush
A successful summer season starts well before the first holidaymakers arrive. Leaving upgrades until the last minute can limit your options, particularly when a project involves equipment selection, site assessments, delivery, installation or approvals.
Start by reviewing the performance of your facilities during previous busy periods. Which amenities were most popular? Where did guests tend to gather? Were there bottlenecks around the pool or activity areas? What feedback did your team receive from families?
Use those observations to identify improvements that make sense for your property.
Your summer preparation checklist might include:
- Reviewing your existing facilities: Identify areas that could be more engaging, comfortable or functional.
- Choosing the right upgrades: Match new attractions and amenities to your guests, site conditions and operational capacity.
- Checking installation requirements: Confirm space, access, utilities, water conditions and any relevant approvals.
- Planning staffing and supervision: Make sure your team can operate new activities safely and consistently.
- Updating guest information: Prepare clear details about activities, age requirements, availability, pricing and safety rules.
- Allowing enough lead time: Speak with suppliers early to confirm product availability, delivery schedules and installation requirements.
If you're considering a new aquatic attraction or floating furniture, early planning gives you more time to assess your options and determine what will work best for your site.
It also helps you avoid investing in an amenity that looks appealing on paper but proves difficult to operate once the summer rush begins.
Make This Summer One to Remember
Making your resort more attractive to families doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, the biggest opportunity is to rethink how your existing facilities are used and identify the experiences your guests are missing.
An inflatable waterpark can add an active attraction to a suitable aquatic area. Floating furniture can create a different way to relax by or on the water. Aquatic fitness equipment can introduce new opportunities for movement and group activities.
The right choice will depend on your location, facilities, target audience and operational requirements. What matters is choosing upgrades that serve a clear purpose and contribute to a better guest experience.
At MIZU Leisure & Sports, we work with businesses looking to enhance their leisure facilities with products designed for aquatic recreation, fitness and relaxation.
Whether you're planning a new water attraction or looking for ways to make your existing facilities more inviting, our team can help you explore options for your property.
Start planning your summer upgrades with MIZU Leisure & Sports and make the most of your facilities for the season ahead.