Three of Hyatt’s most aspirational properties in the United States have quietly changed their policy to no longer be adults-only. While kids are now allowed, I wouldn’t say that they’re really welcome…
In this post:
Alila resorts in United States no longer have age restrictions
Alila is Hyatt’s luxury nature-focused brand, with a portfolio that (in part) includes three resorts in California — Alila Marea Encinitas, Alila Napa Valley, and Alila Ventana Big Sur. Historically, the Napa Valley and Ventana Big Sur properties have been adults-only, while the Marea Encinitas property became adults-only earlier this year.
However, all three properties have quietly walked back these policies. As you’ll see, the websites of all three hotels no longer make mention of the hotels being adults-only, and it’s possible to book a room while selecting a child as one of the guests.
However, all three properties maintain a strict policy of restricting rooms to two guests. It doesn’t matter how big the room is or how young the child is, you’re only allowed two guests per room.
For example, if you go to the FAQs of the Alila Ventana Big Sur, you’ll see the following:
Is the resort adults-only? Ventana is a resort tailored to adults and is best suited for couples. To preserve the guest experience, each room can accommodate a maximum two individuals. This includes infants and children.
Similarly, if you go to the Alila Napa Valley website, you’ll see the property referred to as being “tailored to adults,” a change to past phrasing:
Enjoy experiences that are tailored to adults while being immersed in the region, and restore your mind and body at our spa, with its extensive wellness experiences and rejuvenating treatments.
What has driven this adults-only policy change?
As you can see, this policy change doesn’t seem to be driven by any commercial decision, in the sense that these resorts still appear to be heavily targeted at adults, and seem to discourage families. After all, having a cap of two people per room (including infants), even for large suites, sends a pretty clear message.
Instead, it sure seems like these properties have just updated their adults-only policy to avoid any potential legal issues. Section 51 of California’s Civil Code, known as the Unruh Act, prevents discrimination based on a variety of protected characteristics. Here’s what it says, specifically:
All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.
So while age isn’t explicitly stated as one of those characteristics, attorneys have argued that banning children from hotels in California is illegal. Now, this isn’t necessarily so cut-and-dry.
For example, the Unruh Act has been used to prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to families with children. At the same time, California also has senior communities which “discriminate” against younger people, so there are exceptions that are allowed.
What’s interesting here is that the two Northern California Alila properties had the adults-only policies for quite some time. Then earlier this year when the Southern California property decided to change its policy, it got a bit of scrutiny and bad publicity, based on the Unruh Act.
So I suspect that Hyatt pushed the properties to update their policies, to avoid legal issues. With the updated policies, I imagine it still squashes virtually any family demand for stays at these properties, given the limit of two guests per room.
Bottom line
Hyatt’s Alila properties in California are no longer adults-only. That being said, they don’t actually seem to be particularly welcoming of families, given that the strict limit of two guests per room, even if some of the people in the room are small children.
Instead, I imagine these policy updates are just intended to avoid a possible age discrimination lawsuit, given California’s Unruh Act.
What do you make of California’s Alila properties no longer being adults-only?
I'm all for it. We need more places that are children free.
Back in May of this year I was at the Alila Napa Valley and noticed a family of four at breakfast with kids. I was wondering about the policy change, so I appreciate this article.
I think you are underestimating the power of money. These hotels are nice enough that wealthy couples with small kids and nannies won't think twice about booking a nice room for them and one or two rooms for each kid with a nanny to be with them. There is enough money in LA and SF that a couple would love to get a weekend out of the city. I have stayed at many nice hotels...
I think you are underestimating the power of money. These hotels are nice enough that wealthy couples with small kids and nannies won't think twice about booking a nice room for them and one or two rooms for each kid with a nanny to be with them. There is enough money in LA and SF that a couple would love to get a weekend out of the city. I have stayed at many nice hotels in Europe which usually only allow 2 people in a room and I have seen many families with up to 3 nannies taking care of their kids while the parents sip wine and drinks by the pool without been bothered.
I was unfamiliar with this law. So are retirement communities in CA being challenged, too? Can adults become cub/brownie scouts? This seems like it could have a lot of unfortunate consequences.
Bougie throuples are going to get hosed by this policy as well