Top 5 Luxury Travel Trends for Parents: Discover the Best ‘Hyocang’ Experiences in 2026

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[Sports Seoul | Reporter Won Seong-yun] With Parents’ Day coming up, the gift game for moms and dads is changing. Gone are the predictable vitamin packs and cash envelopes; now, premium trips that create memorable experiences—nicknamed “hyo-cations”—are stealing the spotlight. As more retirees embrace active lifestyles and prioritize leisure, luxury travel packages tailored for this growing “active senior” audience are becoming a major focus for hotels and retailers.

The most striking shift is how quickly Korea’s top luxury hotels have adapted. Packages that combine fine dining and true relaxation—designed with seniors in mind—are consistently selling out. The Shilla Seoul pairs La Yeon’s refined Korean tasting menus with the upscale Guerlain Spa for a seamless, indulgent retreat. Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, famous for private in-room relaxation pools, promotes treatments by expert therapists. The Westin Chosun Seoul highlights a special course of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall at its Chinese restaurant Hongyeon, and Signiel Seoul wins favor with a premium in-room service that sets up carnations and cakes for guests.

Hotel dining for family gatherings and Jeju getaway packages have also evolved for Parents’ Day. The Yeouido Marriott offers commemorative plates and family latte art with early-May dinner courses, giving diners a sweet way to show appreciation. Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeong-dong added the luxurious banquet dish jeongabok to its all-day buffet in response to older guests’ preferences. For families looking to escape the city, JW Marriott Jeju pairs family-friendly suites with access to the hotel’s natural hot-spring and sauna complex, Oreve Hot Spring & Spa, delivering a complete Jeju hyo-cation.

For overseas trips, parents who prefer shorter flights but luxe amenities are driving demand to convenient yet high-end destinations. Beyond longtime favorite Da Nang, hotspots on the rise include Phu Quoc, Vietnam, known for its cluster of top-tier pool villas; Chiang Mai, Thailand, the go-to wellness refuge; Takamatsu, Japan, where art and hot springs blend; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for sunset views and golf; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, offering premium retreats amid expansive nature. socool@sportsseoul.com