Hotel Bans Video Games Over Holidays

A hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, has taken the unusual step of asking families to forego video games while they stay at the hotel over the holidays.

The Crieff Hydro hotel, founded in 1868 and still a family-run hotel, said it is trying to restore traditional family values to the holidays and wants families to spend time with each other instead of in front of a video game console, according to an article in STV.

The hotel's managing director, Stephen Leckie, said the idea is to build more family quality time between children and their parents:

"As a father-of-four, I'm well aware of the role that computer games play in youngsters' lives and they undoubtedly have a place. However with Christmas holidays being the ideal opportunity to spend quality time with our families, we're asking our younger guests to set their consoles and games aside for just a few days of the year and, instead, sample some new activities which they may never have tried before."

Leckie, who is the fifth generation of the family to run the hotel, said that Crieff Hydro is planning many activities to encourage family interaction and fun:

"We're realistic, acknowledging that teenagers may want some time away from their parents, and vice-versa, and there are plenty activities to break free and be independent with family friends or others in their peer group."

Among the activities to be offered at the hotel will be badminton, quad biking, outdoor laser quest, Higland games, archery and family quizzes.