An upscale luxury hotel brand has introduced kid-free stays at some of its California properties. Alila Hotels, part of the Hyatt family, operates three locations in the state, including one in the Bay Area town of St. Helena.
What we know:
The Napa Valley property enforces an adults-only policy, prohibiting guests under 18 from staying at the resort.
The hotel promotes its location in the heart of Wine Country, highlighting the best the region has to offer.
“Alila Napa Valley is a journey of epicurean discovery in a scenic landscape rich with culture and history. Here, expansive vineyard views and golden sunsets showcase the region’s unspoiled beauty,” the hotel’s website said.
The hotel also states, “Alila Napa Valley is an adult-only hotel (18+).”
It’s not clear how long this no-children policy has been in effect.
However, Alila’s Marea Beach property in Encinitas, located in San Diego County, recently implemented the same rule, officially becoming an “adult-only” resort last month.
On its website, the hotel explained, “This transition allows us to provide a serene and tranquil environment tailored to adult travelers seeking relaxation, exploration and a peaceful stay by the beach .”
Policy shift
Alila also operates a third California property in Big Sur. The resort, which previously enforced an adults-only policy, said it recently changed its rule to allow children, accommodating families by designating certain suites that are more kid-friendly.
However, Alila Ventana Big Sur emphasized that guests are informed the property may not be ideal for children. The resort noted it features a clothing-optional area that some parents may find uncomfortable.
The property sits along the rugged Pacific Coast and is surrounded by nature and wildlife, factors the resort said could also discourage families with young children.
For guests considering traveling with kids, the hotel said it provides information about its nearby sister property, Carmel Valley Ranch, which offers on-site children’s activities and is designed with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Pets allowed
At both the Encinitas and Big Sur locations, Alila allows pets for a $150 fee per dog.
The Napa Valley property does not permit pets.
Dig deeper:
Questions have surfaced about whether the adults-only policy could violate discrimination laws.
KTVU contacted the California Civil Rights Department to ask about the legality of Alila’s policy.
In an email response, a spokesperson said, “We’re generally unable to provide legal advice or analysis regarding specific applications of California’s civil rights laws,” but shared a fact sheet outlining California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which is intended to protect consumers from discrimination by businesses.
Under the Unruh Act, California businesses, including hotels, must provide “full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services” without discrimination based on more than a dozen factors, including sex, race, disability, and immigration status.
Age was not listed as a protected characteristic.
An example of an Unruh Act violation would be a hotel charging an additional service fee only to guests of a specific racial group while not charging others.
‘Reasonable’ service restrictions allowed
The law also states that businesses may place limits on who can receive services, as long as there is a rational basis for the restriction.
“A business may establish reasonable policies that are ‘rationally related to the services performed and the facilities provided,’” the Unruh Act fact sheet explained.
One example cited is a rental car company that refuses to rent vehicles to drivers under 25.
KTVU also reached out to Hyatt and Alila for comment on whether the adults-only policy raised any legal concerns but did not receive a response before publication.
Front desk staff members, who were not speaking in an official capacity, said that based on their experience, they had not heard of any complaints regarding the child-free policy.
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