Business FAQ

IKFT Recognized is the sole public trust mark — free, independent, based on public data. Advisory Services is voluntary, paid, private, and does not influence badges. The two are completely separate. No hotel pays for a badge.

Definitely NO! Advisory services and badge outcomes are completely separate. Payment guarantees execution of the service only — not badge upgrades, score increases, or tier changes. The outcome of any IKFT Recognized assessment is based purely on the evidence gathered.

Yes — use the FREE Public Appeals Process. If you believe factual information in your assessment is incorrect, you can submit a Public Appeal at no cost. IKFT reviews all appeals independently.

Badges are granted through independent desk-based research of publicly available information using the IKFT Kidmetrix™ framework. No hotel pays for a badge. The outcome is based purely on the evidence gathered. IKFT Recognized is an unsolicited, independent assessment.

Timelines vary by service: Desk advisory takes approximately 2–4 weeks. Hybrid assessment takes approximately 4–6 weeks. Full onsite advisory takes approximately 6–8 weeks. These are indicative timelines and may vary depending on hotel size, availability, and scope.

Platinum requires two consecutive years at Gold level. Earliest achievement is the May 2028 Edition. Platinum cannot be purchased or accelerated — it is awarded only through the same independent assessment process as all other tiers.

Definitely No. Any attempt to influence IKFT's evaluation processes through payments, gifts, or benefits is treated as a serious breach of ethics. IKFT prohibits any inducement or advantage that could influence, or appear to influence, results. Such attempts may result in disqualification.

The B1st Program is IKFT's early-adopter initiative for hotels, cruise liners, and airlines that engage with IKFT Advisory Services before the broader market. Early adopters gain priority visibility, preferred rates, co-marketing opportunities, and PR positioning in their market.

IKFT currently reviews 3★, 4★, and 5★ hotels and resorts. Assessment is calibrated by star category — hotels are compared against peers within the same star class and country, not across different categories.

IKFT Kidmetrix™ is the structured framework of family suitability indicators used in all IKFT assessments. Reviews may draw on 250+ indicators across seven core areas: family-relevant sentiment, family positioning, family dining signals, accessibility clarity, hotel operation standards, family facilities evidence, and location suitability.

IKFT launched in May 2026 across 27 countries. Mid-2026 expansion adds further markets. IKFT follows a structured market expansion plan. Hotels outside current scope may be added through the nomination process or future expansion.

IKFT publishes one annual Edition each year. The 2026 Inaugural Edition launched in May. From 2027, all properties are reassessed at the annual May Edition. Badges remain valid until the next Edition is published.

The Desk Advisory service includes a structured Kidmetrix™ review of publicly available information with a prioritized improvement roadmap. The Hybrid Assessment adds remote video walkthroughs and submitted documentation. The Full Onsite Advisory is our flagship in-person assessment including a full report, scorecard, executive brief, and optional senior management debrief. All advisory findings are confidential.

No. Advisory findings are entirely confidential and do not influence the public IKFT Recognized assessment. The two services are independent of each other. Public recognition is based solely on independent desk research of publicly available information.

Hotels can contact IKFT to express interest in an eligibility check, which is free. IKFT assessments are unsolicited and independent. Hotels may also be nominated by families and guests. Our preliminary eligibility check has no fee and carries no obligation.

IKFT uses only publicly available information at the time of review: the hotel's own website, publicly visible booking platform listings, publicly accessible photos and descriptions, and other verifiable public data sources. IKFT does not use information provided confidentially by the hotel for the public badge assessment.

Hotels listed in the IKFT Directory have received an independent public recognition. The directory represents IKFT's independent editorial record. Hotels may submit factual corrections through the Public Appeals Process. For other requests, contact IKFT directly.

Travel Mode Tags (Splash & Play, Nature & Retreat, City & Discovery) describe the style of stay — they are separate from the badge tier. A hotel may carry a badge and one or more tags. Tags are informational descriptors based on the hotel's publicly available signals. They are not safety ratings, award levels, or guarantees of experience.

Advisory Services are paid, private consultancy. Pricing is provided on request and varies by service type (Desk, Hybrid, Full Onsite) and hotel size. The IKFT Recognized badge assessment is always free. Contact IKFT to discuss Advisory Services pricing.

Yes. IKFT offers managed programs for hotel groups, including portfolio-level KPI dashboards, highlight reports, early trend analysis, and continuous governance oversight. Subscription-based programs are available for groups managing multiple properties across markets.

The Public Appeals Process allows hotels to submit factual corrections to their IKFT Recognized assessment at no cost. If a hotel believes specific factual information in its assessment is inaccurate, it can submit supporting evidence for independent review. Formal procedural appeals may carry administrative fees. All appeals are reviewed independently.

Accessibility and inclusion are part of every IKFT Kidmetrix™ assessment. IKFT evaluates step-free practicality, sensory considerations, and accessibility clarity based on publicly available information. However, IKFT does not verify accessibility features onsite at the Recognized level. Families should confirm specific requirements directly with the property.

IKFT is currently developing its Kidmetrix™ framework for airlines and cruise liners. Both programs launch in January 2027. The B1st Program allows airlines and cruise liners to register early-adopter interest now. Contact IKFT for details.

Staff guidance is included as part of IKFT Advisory Services. The Full Onsite Advisory and Hybrid Assessment both provide recommendations for staff approach and family readiness. IKFT Advisory findings are confidential and designed to be actionable within existing hotel operations.

IKFT is funded through professional review and advisory services. IKFT does not accept donations, gifts, or advertising. IKFT Recognized badges are never paid for by hotels. This independence is fundamental to the integrity of IKFT's recognition system.

IKFT badges reflect publicly available information at the time of review. If a hotel's family suitability changes significantly, this may be reflected in the next annual Edition reassessment. Hotels may also submit factual updates through the Public Appeals Process. Always verify current details directly with the property.

IKFT Kidmetrix™ is calibrated by star category and country, not by hotel size. A boutique 4★ hotel is assessed against other 4★ hotels in the same country. Excellence is achievable at every scale. IKFT's approach is designed to be relevant to independent hotels and large chains alike.

Recognized hotels receive digital badge usage guidance. Badges must show the Edition year and must be removed if recognition status changes. Badges are licensed under a limited, non-exclusive, revocable license. Commercial reproduction, modification, or use without current recognition status is prohibited under IKFT's Terms of Use.

Fake or incentivized reviews hurt good hotels and mislead families. IKFT reduces reliance on unverifiable claims by using structured Kidmetrix™ signals based on publicly available information. IKFT's independent methodology provides a consistent, time-stamped baseline that is not affected by review manipulation.

Start with a free eligibility check — no fees, no obligation. Contact IKFT through the contact page. For hotels interested in Advisory Services, ask about the B1st Program for early-adopter rates and priority positioning. Our preliminary eligibility check costs nothing and gives you a clear picture of where your hotel stands.