We spend so much time planning kid-friendly itineraries: playgrounds, pool rules, snacks that don’t stain the upholstery and etc, that we forget an obvious travel truth: our parents (and grandparents) would love to see the world too. Stephanie Zheng advises how.
It was sunset cocktail hour at Devasom Hua Hin. I reached the counter just as it opened for the evening, and there was already a family of six in front of me: mother, father, two kids, granny in a wheelchair and grandpa hobbling along. They ordered four cocktails and two mocktails, before settling down onto a couch and coffee table mere steps away. The family raised a toast, from young to old, and started sipping on their drinks. As I watch granny sip on her cocktail, I thought about the last time I brought my ageing parents on a vacation.
In their golden years, our parents don’t want the same holiday we did at 30 or 40. They want comfort, predictability, dignity and even the occasional cheeky sundowner without having to clamber up three flights of stairs to get it. That got me thinking about the practical comforts older travellers usually prefer, and some of the real-world solutions we can put in place when planning a trip with older folks.
Travelling with older folks (Photo: Pexels)
What older travellers actually want (and how to deliver it)
1. Easy access & minimal walking
Older adults often have reduced mobility or simply don’t want to spend a holiday exhausted from navigating steps, long corridors or uneven paths. Hiring private transport in advance is one of the easiest and most fuss-free ways to get around a city.
Case in point: On a recent trip to Taipei with my Mum, Aunt and Uncle, I ambitiously planned on visiting four locations in a day with a dedicated driver for five days. Very quickly, I found out that two tourist attractions are more reasonable for the older folks, with plenty of toilet stops, and even a nap time between the day and evening activities.
Practical fix: choose ground-floor rooms, villas with private decks right on the sand, or hotels that explicitly advertise elevators and shuttle services. When booking, call the hotel and request a room as close to lifts/entrances as possible, not as a “favour,” but as a standard expectation. A dedicated driver for the entire trip will help to oil the travel cogs.
2. Bigger, quieter rooms and fewer surprises
Older travellers appreciate space for mobility aids (or just to move without tripping), calm decor and reliable temperature control. They’re not impressed by micro-rooms with party lighting.
Practical fix: book suites or family villas that offer separate sleeping and living areas — quieter and more convenient for daytime naps. Look for rooms with bathtubs and separate showers if bathing mobility is an issue; many older guests prefer bathtubs for safer seated washing.
3. Accessible, well-lit bathrooms
Slippery floors and tiny step-in showers are a hazard. A bathroom that’s easy to navigate reduces anxiety and the chance of accidents.
Practical fix: get rooms with walk-in showers, ample grab rails (ask if they can add them temporarily), non-slip mats, and seating in the shower if needed. If such rooms aren’t standard, hotels will often accommodate requests if you ask in advance. If you want to be safe, pack a small, portable non-slip mat.
4. Predictability and simple logistics
Older parents usually prefer fewer surprises: predictable transfer times, short commutes to medical facilities, and straightforward dining options. Chaotic itineraries are stressful, not “adventurous.”
Practical fix: choose resorts that offer airport shuttles, on-site clinics or easy access to pharmacies, and onsite or nearby restaurants serving familiar food. Arrange private transfers rather than relying on multiple changes of transport. AARP and similar groups recommend planning well in advance and routing travel to minimise transfers.
5. Health-savvy packing & local pharmacy access
Medication is non-negotiable. Packing it correctly and knowing where to refill it is part of a restful trip.
Practical fix: bring medication in original packaging, with a copy of prescriptions and a short doctor’s note for any controlled drugs. Identify nearby clinics and pharmacies at the destination and keep those addresses in both digital and printed form.
6. Comfort-first transport
Long coach rides, tiny planes and multiple flight legs are brutal. Older adults value comfort and simplicity over bargain-basement ticket savings.
Practical fix: fly direct where possible, book seats with extra legroom, and consider daytime travel to avoid night-time disorientation. For road transfers, private cars beat public buses every time.
7. Food that’s familiar (and flexible dining times)
Appetite and digestive routines change with age. A hotel that forces a fixed dinner time or serves only intimidatingly spicy food is not family-friendly in the broader sense.
Practical fix: pick hotels with flexible dining hours, a range of cuisine (or a simple menu), and the ability to provide lighter or softer meal options. Many resorts will adapt dishes if you explain dietary needs in advance.
8. Pace, privacy and dignity
Older travellers want to be included but not infantilised. They want privacy, dignity and the option to join family activities on their terms.
Practical fix: plan some family activities but also factor in downtime. Offer options, for example, a gentle guided walk one day, a restful pool day the next.
A note on budgeting: comfort costs more, and that’s fine
Older travellers often need an upgrade: better rooms, private transfers, travel insurance with medical cover, slightly slower itineraries, all of which add to cost. Plan for this and treat it as part of the holiday’s value: fewer emergencies, more memories.
A resort example: Devasom Hua Hin (what families with older parents need to know)
Devasom Hua Hin is a small luxury beachfront resort on a private stretch of sand between Cha-am and Hua Hin. The property has a limited number of large rooms and villas (around 23 guest rooms and villas), many with private decks and sizeable bathrooms — features older guests appreciate for space and accessibility. The resort offers predefined villa types (beachfront villas and suites with separate living areas and large bathrooms), a private beach, and complimentary/local shuttle services (Devasom advertises free shuttle transfers to/from Hua Hin market — multiple trips daily).
Read more about our Hua Hin escapade here.
How to book this right: quick checklist
- Call the resort before booking: request a ground-floor or villa close to lifts/entrance and confirm bathroom setup.
- Ask about transport: private airport transfer, shuttle schedules, and luggage help.
- Confirm meal options and quiet dining times.
- Pack a small medical file: prescriptions, emergency contacts, and local clinic addresses.
- Buy travel insurance that covers age-related conditions and repatriation if necessary.
If you can afford it, upgrade. If you can’t, pick a destination closer to home with simpler logistics. The whole point of taking your parents on holiday is to repay them with calm, convenience and the kind of small luxuries that make a day feel like a holiday: a morning with no alarm clock, a room that doesn’t creak, a meal where they don’t have to ask for low-salt gravy.
