With The Nocturnals, Chef Duff Goldman and a “Fort Architect,” Wyndham Grand hotels create a family experience so good you’ll forget to check your phone
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Wyndham Grand is changing the way we think about family vacations challenging kids and parents to achieve the seemingly impossible: putting the phone away.
The upscale hotel brand is piloting Reconnected, a Wyndham Grand Family Experience – a program addressing the dire need for quality time over screen time. While most family travel programs separate parents and kids, Reconnected enables imaginative play time together. Be it building the ultimate blanket fort, creating shadow-puppets or taking a literary adventure with The Nocturnals: Mysterious Abductions, this new offering reminds families to slow down and enjoy time together.
Created in collaboration with the Food Network Chef Duff Goldman; a Fort Architect; and The Nocturnals author Tracey Hecht; Reconnected combats the negative effects of smartphones on families by creating experiences that allow families to be truly present. 54% of kids think their parents check their phones too often and 32% say they feel "unimportant" when parents are distracted by their phones. And vacations are no exception – Wyndham Grand hotels have seen families bring up to three devices per person on trips.
"Vacations are all about memories, but it's hard to be in the moment when our phones are within reach – and we're all guilty of just checking for that one text or email," said Noelle Nicolai, Wyndham Grand's Resident Reconnector. "Reconnected is an escape from the pull of technology and everyday distractions, a chance to press pause on the moment and simply celebrate being together."
Reconnected encourages families to play together by providing all the tools they need to create a one-of-a-kind adventure:
Lock Down that Phone!
Upon check-in guests are given a timed lock box for their mobile device(s) enabling them to set a timer for uninterrupted play. Take the distractions away and create true memories, instead of fleeting Instagram stories.
Build an Epic Blanket Fort
Award-winning architects Ben Pell and Tate Overton (of PellOverton Architects) applied the principles of architectural design to the tried-and-true playtime essential: blanket forts. The result is an official blueprint for the ultimate in-room blanket fort, combining special toolkit materials only found at Wyndham Grand with elements of the hotel room, giving kids the keys to their own imaginary kingdom – complete with options for a royal castle, magical schoolhouse, or cozy cave.
Go on a Nocturnal Adventure
Bedtime stories are an important part of the hotel experience for families with children and a perfect alternative to screen time. That's why Wyndham Grand's young guests will receive a backpack full of activities – including The Nocturnals: Mysterious Abductions, an imaginative middle-grade book by Tracey Hecht that focuses on the unlikely friendships of The Nocturnal Brigade and solving mysteries. Families will be inspired to create their own adventures in the room – just like the three friends do in The Nocturnals – bringing a whole new dimension to reading as the shared center of family entertainment.
Join the Bedtime Brigade
Famed Ace of Cakes Chef Duff Goldman has developed an ultimate s'mores recipe only available at Wyndham Grand. Other s'mores inspired treats and cocktails for mom and dad will be available through a special expanded Bedtime Brigade menu.
Take a REAL Photo (It'll Last Longer)
Guests receive an Instax camera upon check-in, proving that memories can still be captured even when smartphones are out of the picture. Snap a photo – the analog way – with this instant, still camera. By the end of the trip guests will have a stack of real photos to remember their Reconnected experience.
Stories in the Palm of Your Hand
Bring the magic of The Nocturnals to life from the palm of your hand. Utilize the Shadow Puppet How-to Guide and flashlight for hours of imaginative story time.
Pilot hotels include family-centric destinations such as Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach; Wyndham Grand Orlando Bonnet Creek; Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront; Hotel Galvez, a Wyndham Grand Hotel; and The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel.
Families can trade in their phones for forts and family time starting on February 23rd, 2018, at participating hotels. Because family time is priceless, Reconnected is available at a 5% discount off best available rate through September 3rd, based on availability.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
