Sonesta International Hotels Corporation has introduced Young Royals, a family programme bringing themed adventures to six Royal Sonesta hotels. Announced on 1 October 2026, the initiative combines storytelling, creative activities, hotel exploration and dining experiences for younger guests.
The launch covers properties in Boston, Chicago, San Juan, Washington, DC, New York and Toronto. Children can create crowns, receive locally inspired plush mascots and follow scavenger hunts through participating hotels.
For families, the programme gives accommodation a larger role in the holiday experience. Instead of serving only as a sightseeing base, the hotel becomes a setting for shared activities and discovery.
Six Properties Introduce the Experience
The initial participating properties are Royal Sonesta Boston, Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown and Royal Sonesta San Juan.
The launch also includes Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill, The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York and The Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel Toronto.
These locations give the programme a presence across several North American destinations, including Puerto Rico.
However, Young Royals is launching at selected hotels rather than throughout the Royal Sonesta portfolio. Individual activities and enhanced room experiences may differ between properties.
Families should confirm availability, inclusions and additional charges with their chosen hotel before booking. That check is particularly relevant for castle-style setups or other experiences requiring specific arrangements.
Storytelling Connects the Guest Journey
The programme’s Once Upon a Stay element introduces children to its fictional world through a colouring and storybook.
Royal mascots, destination-inspired illustrations and interactive activities establish a narrative that continues throughout the stay.
This shared story connects experiences that would otherwise function separately, from arrival activities to dining and hotel exploration.
For parents, the materials offer opportunities to participate alongside their children. They also provide an activity families can enjoy between sightseeing trips.
The book can become a keepsake after departure, preserving part of the holiday through illustrations and completed creative tasks.
Local Mascots Add Destination Character
Meet the Royal Court introduces a plush mascot inspired by each participating hotel’s local character.
Children receive the animal as a companion for their stay, with the character appearing in storytelling, activities and photographs.
The local connection allows each property to express its identity within the common royal theme. A family visiting Toronto, for example, may encounter a different character from one staying in San Juan.
The mascot also becomes a souvenir children can take home.
This approach gives the programme consistency across hotels while allowing individual destinations to shape elements of the experience.
Crowns and Quests Encourage Exploration
Crown Yourself Royalty provides a hands-on kit for children to design their own royal headwear.
The activity introduces a creative task before younger guests continue into the wider adventure. Families can make the crown together and retain it after the trip.
The Royal Quest then turns hotel exploration into a scavenger hunt involving clues, challenges and storytelling.
Designated spaces become stops within the adventure, encouraging children and parents to discover the property together.
The format can also introduce families to hotel amenities through participation. Property-specific details allow the hunt to reflect the setting rather than follow an identical experience everywhere.
Castle Surprises Extend the Theme
A Castle Fit for Young Royalty adds larger themed elements at selected properties.
Depending on the hotel and booked experience, families may encounter dedicated play areas or castle-style setups in guest rooms or banquet spaces.
These features create a surprise within the stay and offer another setting for imaginative play.
However, families should avoid assuming that every participating hotel provides the same installation. The programme allows experiences to vary according to the property.
Confirming the available setup before arrival helps parents understand what their booking includes and plan around their children’s interests.
Family Dining Joins the Adventure
Dine Like Royalty extends the theme into food and beverage through child-friendly menus and branded cups.
The dining element links mealtimes with the wider programme, giving younger guests another point of participation.
For travelling families, suitable dining options can influence the convenience of a hotel stay. Bringing children’s activities and meals into one experience may simplify time spent at the property.
The programme also gives hotels another way to distinguish their family offering through services beyond the guest room.
Its tourism value lies in enriching the stay rather than establishing a measured increase in visitor demand.
For families choosing among participating destinations, Young Royals adds a new consideration: how their children can engage with the hotel after arrival.
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