The IKFT® Mark of a Kid Friendly
Welcome
Understanding the International kids friendly Travel Awards.
IKFT Recognized™ highlights 3★, 4★ and 5★ hotels and resorts where IKFT has identified family suitability signals under the IKFT Kidmetrix™ methodology.
Recognition is based on structured review of publicly available information at the time of assessment.
How IKFT
Recognized Works
IKFT Kidmetrix™ reviews selected family suitability signals using
structured criteria and publicly available information.
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Public information reviewed​​
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IKFT Kidmetrix™ structured checks​​
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Category and market context​​
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Directory status published​​
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The review is designed to help families compare hotels more clearly within each hotel’s category and market context.
Category and market context
IKFT recognition is assessed within hotel category and market context.
A 3★ hotel is not compared directly with a 5★ resort, and a city hotel is not expected to offer the same family facilities as a large resort.
This helps families understand how strongly a hotel appears to support family travel within its realistic operating context.
3★
​France
compared with
​France
3★​​​
4★
Italy​
compared with
​Italy
4★​​​
5★
USA​
compared with
​USA
5★​​​
Like for like recognition within category and market context.
HOTELS
Recognition Levels
IKFT Recognized uses four public levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Levels reflect the strength of family suitability signals identified under the Kidmetrix™ methodology within the hotel’s own star category and market context.
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Bronze: Core family suitability signals identified.
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Silver: A stronger range of family-facing signals identified.
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Gold: Strong & well-rounded set of family suitability signals
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Platinum: Reserved for future sustained recognition
12 public recognition outcomes
across hotel categories
Platinum requires two consecutive years at Gold level.
The earliest possible Platinum recognition is the May 2028 Edition.
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International Kids Friendly Travel recognitions assess family suitability based on publicly available information at the time of review. They represent our independent professional opinion and are intended as helpful guides, not guarantees of service quality or personal experience. They do not certify compliance with health, safety, or regulatory requirements. Conditions may change, and families should confirm current details directly with each hotel.
Travel Tags
International kids friendly travel Experience Tags
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Travel Mode Tags describe the general style of stay highlighted in a hotel listing. Tags help families understand whether a hotel appears more suited to water and play, nature and retreat, or city discovery.
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Tags are not safety ratings, award tiers, or guarantees of experience.
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Splash & Play
Water, ride, leisure, themed parks, wahter parks, pools or child focused activity signals, where available.
Nature & Retreat
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Calmer, nature connected, outdoor, sports, wellness, or retreat-style family travel signals, where available.
City & Discovery
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City access, cultural discovery, practical location, or exploration-friendly family travel signals, where available.
Independent recognition · IKFT receives no payment from hotels in exchange for badge inclusion or upgrades.
Before You Book:
How to Use IKFT Results Wisely
Know a Great Hotel for Kids?
Help us discover the world's best kid-friendly hotels. If you've had an exceptional experience in one of the Country we cover presently, that is not listed, tell us about it. Your nomination can help thousands of other families travel with confidence. Your insight helps us refine our public evidence base and guide more families to the right stays.
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​*Nominations are reviewed for factual accuracy before inclusion and do not imply endorsement.
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Expanding Our Standards...
Cruises & Airlines
The principles of child comfort, inclusivity, and thoughtful design are universal. We are currently adapting our IKFT Kidmetrix™ for Airlines and Cruises. Launching January 2027.
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These upcoming programs will also integrate an APP, digital assurance tools, remote verification models, and live traveler feedback loop.
IKFT Awards for Airlines & Cruise Liners launch in January 2027, following a separate annual January Edition cycle
Know a Great Airline or Cruise liner for Kids?
Help us discover the world's best kid friendly Airlines and Cruise liners. If you've had an exceptional experience tell us about it. Your nomination can help thousands of other families travel with confidence.
Nominations are checked for factual accuracy before inclusion and do not constitute endorsement by IKFT.
Badge Policy (Summary – 1st Edition)
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IKFT Recognized™: independent assessment based on publicly available information (hotels 3★ / 4★ / 5★).
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Validity: recognitions are valid until the next annual Edition, regardless of when awarded.
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Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Platinum requires two consecutive years at Gold level.
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No hotel pays for a badge. IKFT Recognized badges are determined through independent editorial review.
Scope note: recognitions reflect information available at the time of review and are not guarantees of personal experience.