The IKFT Tiers
of Excellence
A transparent, independent framework that guides 3★, 4★ and 5★ hotels toward sustained excellence in family hospitality. Built on publicly available data, updated annually, and completely free.
International Kids Friendly Travel Tiers How Recognition & Advisory Works
Many managers rarely see how staff interactions truly affect families or whether guest reviews reflect day to day reality. IKFT tiers bridge that gap by offering an independent, experience based view of family hospitality within each property. Our reports help leaders identify genuine talent, highlight teams that perform well with families, and support fair recognition and development grounded in observable behavior.
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Online reviews alone rarely show what is truly happening. IKFT evaluations reveal the human aspect of service the warmth, patience, and interactions families actually experience. These insights help management understand staff impact and recognize those who genuinely excel with families.
IKFT Recognized
The Sole Public Badge
IKFT uses one public recognition system. Every hotel is assessed independently using the same desk-based methodology and publicly available data.
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Four tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Assessed within the hotel's star category (3★ / 4★ / 5★); a 3 star hotel is measured against 3 star expectations, not 5 star ones.
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The 2026 Inaugural Edition launches in May, with additional markets and hotels added throughout the year. From 2027, all badges follow the annual May Edition. Valid until the next Edition.
No hotel pays for a badge. Recognition is free, independent, and based on publicly available information.
Platinum requires two consecutive years at Gold level. The earliest possible Platinum awards will be in the May 2028 Edition.
IKFT
Advisory Services
Hotels that want to go further can engage International Kids Friendly Travel Advisory Services private, paid consultancy that helps hotels improve their family readiness.
Advisory services include: desk assessments, hybrid remote reviews, and full onsite family readiness evaluations.
Advisory findings are confidential. They do not influence badge outcomes. Payment guarantees execution of the service only not badge upgrades, score increases, or tier changes.
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Hotels that improve through advisory naturally improve their public presence, better reviews, updated websites, stronger listings which the International Kids Friendly Travel Kidmetrix™ framework reflects at the next May Edition.
Below are examples of how recognition levels apply within each hotel class.
All recognitions are independent evaluations based on the information available at the time of the review.
No Guarantees of personal experience.
The IKFT Badge Matrix
12 recognitions across all hotel levels
12 Badges - IKFT Recognized™
Above are examples of how recognition levels apply within each hotel class.
THE PLATINUM RULE
& GOLD STANDARD PATHWAY
The Platinum badge is awarded only to hotels that maintain Gold status for two consecutive years, showing sustained excellence. The earliest possible Platinum awards will be in the May 2028 Edition.
IKFT Experience Hotel Tags
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International kids friendly travel uses three Hotel Experience Tags to clarify the style of a kid ready stay, without changing the award tier:
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1. IKFT Splash & Play: high energy, kids programming heavy stays (e.g., waterpark signals, major attractions access, strong play infrastructure).
2. IKFT Nature & Retreat: restorative stays where nature + comfort/wellness signals are present.
3. IKFT City & Discovery: balanced all rounders with strong fundamentals for kids and the adults travelling with them.
Badges (Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum) reflect performance. Tags reflect style.
*Recognitions reflect information verified at the time of review.
How We Ensure Fairness
OUR COMMITMENT TO OBJECTIVITY
​Anti-bribery & COI
IKFT prohibits any inducement or advantage that could influence, or appear to influence, results. Auditors and committee members declare all conflicts of interest. Attempts to influence outcomes lead to exclusion from IKFT programs.
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Appeals
If you disagree with a recognition outcome, you may submit evidence through the free Public Appeals Process (available only for IKFT Recognized level). Formal procedural appeals may carry an administrative fee.
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If your Hotel is not in listed in IKFT Recognized
You may contact us and check if it was checked and did not pass, or if it will be checked free of charge.
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Want to see if your hotel could receive the IKFT Recognized™ badge?
Our initial online checks are 100% free, NO costs and NO hidden fees. Contact us!
Questions? Contact Us or Visit FAQ B2B page
Did you do the utmost for your little guests & the un-little ones who travel with them?
Prove it!
Badge Policy (Summary – 1st Edition)
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IKFT Recognized™: independent assessment based on publicly available information (hotels 3★ / 4★ / 5★).
Validity: part of the annual Edition; valid until the next Edition.
Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Platinum requires two consecutive years at Gold level.
No hotel pays for a badge. IKFT Recognized badges are determined through independent editorial review.
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Integrity Statement
IKFT Recognized badges are determined through independent editorial review of public data. No hotel pays for a badge. Advisory Services are a separate, voluntary consultancy. Payment for advisory services does not influence badge outcomes.
Beyond IKFT Audits: Strategic Partnerships!
We are searching partners in the Markets we operate that offers Products or Services for Kids.
Do you produce goods or offer services for kids? Contact Us!
International Kids friendly Travel is seeking partners in every IKFT markets to connect hotels with trusted industry suppliers offering products or services designed for children and families.
If you create or provide kid high quality focused solutions from amenities and play equipment to inclusive service concepts we invite you to contact us.
Together, we aim to create added value for hotels while promoting innovation that benefits families.
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Partnership listings are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or approval by IKFT.