The Ultimate Holiday Hack? Pack the Grandparents

• New research reveals the rise of “Gran-ual Leave” - the positive impact grandparents have on family holidays - boosting downtime, playtime and shared memories for everyone involved
• Parents gain a full day of extra child-free downtime (24 hours*) over a week-long trip, while kids benefit from an additional 14 hours** of playtime when the grandparents come along
• Grandparents are rewriting the parenting rulebook, with 77% openly admitting to breaking the rules they once strictly enforced, and 30% suggesting this double standard is causing tension with their adult kids
• However, nearly three quarters (73%) say that multi-generational holidays with grandchildren have strengthened those same relationships - even making them feel young and alive (33%)
• To celebrate the magic grandparents bring to family trips, Hilton partners with national treasure and grandfather of seven, Gyles Brandreth, who explores the joys of ‘Gran-ual Leave’ in a new video.

LONDON, UK – New research uncovers a surprisingly effective way to get more out of family holidays: packing the grandparents. Dubbed the “Gran-ual Leave” effect, the trend is reshaping how families travel together - and benefiting the whole clan. 

A new study of 1,000 British grandparents by Hilton shows that multi-generational travel is firmly on the rise. A quarter (25%) say they’re holidaying more with their children and grandchildren than five years ago, with more than two thirds (69%) having done so in the past year - and everyone is reaping the rewards.

On average, grandparents spend four hours a day entertaining their grandchildren on holiday, giving parents an additional 24* hours of kid-free downtime over a typical week-long trip. Meanwhile, the little ones enjoy nearly two and a half additional hours of playtime and bonding with their grandparents each day. This equates to almost 14 extra hours** of playtime a week.

And it’s not just parents and little ones who benefit. Grandparents say it deepens their bond with both their grandchildren (83%), and their adult kids (73%), while allowing them to create special memories (59%). They also report personal benefits too - from feeling young and alive (34%), to improvements in both their physical (34%) and emotional wellbeing (33%). Other advantages include deepening family bonds as a whole (59%) and helping everyone get more out of their holiday (47%) - making everyone a winner.

Grandparents take their role of adding magic to every trip very seriously - from treating their grandkids (70%), to stepping in for date-night babysitting (66%) and keeping the fun flowing with games and activities (55%). While nearly a quarter (23%) say they love being the rebellious grandparent whilst away.

According to the research from Hilton, 70% of grandparents admit they’re much more relaxed and fun with their grandchildren on holiday than they ever were with their own children. In fact, over three quarters (77%) confess to bending the rules and making allowances for them that would never have flown when their own kids were young.

This more indulgent style can spark the occasional difference in approach. Three in ten grandparents (30%) say rule-breaking can cause some tension with their adult children, and a quarter (25%) are told they spoil the grandkids too much. It’s no surprise, as over two thirds (69%) admit they dial up the spoiling on holiday, with four in ten (40%) saying it’s their favourite time to do so.

To launch the “Gran-ual Leave” initiative, Hilton has teamed up with broadcaster, author, and grandfather of seven, Gyles Brandreth, whose grandchildren - aged 10 to 21 - means he knows a thing or two about multi-gen travel.

Gyles Brandreth said, “For me, holidays together with my children and grandkids are all about maximising time and creating magical memories together - from the laughter over the breakfast buffet, to impromptu games around the hotel. And much to my own children’s envy, I find myself relaxing the strict rules with the grandchildren which I once held dear with them - saying ‘yes’ more to embrace the fun, freedom, and joy that us grandparents can bring.”

The ways that grandparents indulge include letting little ones stay up past bedtime (63%), saying ‘yes’ to extra treats (62%), playing more games (56%) and relaxing rules around meal times (41%) - all in the name of making magical memories with loved ones.

Multi-gen travel is already a familiar experience for many. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report found that almost half (48%) of Brits went on trips with their grandparents as a child, while one in five children (20%) travel exclusively with their grandparent, highlighting the special role grandparents play in family travel.

John Rogers, senior vice president, Brand Management, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, said, “Family holidays create lasting memories, and our research shows that grandparents can help everyone get more from the trip - giving parents extra time to unwind and children more time to play and connect. Hilton simplifies multi-generational trips with confirmed connecting rooms, a diverse brand portfolio, and more than 1,000 hotels across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to suit any travel style or budget.” 

With the Hilton Sale starting on 14^th May, guests can get up to 20%* off stays from 4^th June to 7^th September 2026, book your next stay with Hilton and experience the Gran-ual leave effect for yourself.

The top 10 ways grandparents indulge grandchildren on holiday

1. Let them stay up past bedtime (63%)
2. Say “yes” to extra treats (62%)
3. Take more photos / videos to capture memories (61%)
4. Play more games (56%)
5. Give them extra spending money (52%)
6. Encourage them to try new experiences they wouldn’t usually try at home (47%)
7. Join in activities grandparents wouldn’t normally do at home (47%)
8. Let them spend longer in the pool (45%)
9. Relax rules around mealtimes (41%)
10. Let them make decisions (36%)

Notes to editor

* 4 (hours) x 6 (days a week - removing 1 day of travel) = 24 hours

* 2.28 (hours) x 6 (days a week - removing 1 day of travel) = 13.68 hours (rounded to 14) Consumer research was conducted by 3Gem with 1,000 UK grandparents of 4 - 12 year olds who have been on holiday with them. The survey took place between 31st March - 9th April 2026, on behalf of Hilton.