Most of us book a holiday hoping to have a bit of time to relax and recharge away from the distractions of daily life. However, if you are travelling with kids, holidays are often less than relaxing. Choosing a resort with a good kids’ club can make all the difference in the success of your trip. We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best kids’ clubs in Asia to help make your next family vacation a breeze.
JW Marriott, Phuket, Thailand
Resorts on Phuket are a dime a dozen and there are many that are great for kids. However, when it comes to the best kids club in the area, few can compete with the kids’ club at JW Marriot. There’s something for kids of all ages including slides, swings, toys, games, art activities and video games. For teenagers, they have a special section with karaoke equipment, video gaming systems, a pool table and more. Each day brings a full calendar of activities such as Thai dancing, crafts, fish feeding, yoga classes and special celebrations for any holidays that may occur during your stay. The Marriott’s kids’ club has one of the longer opening hours on our list with a full 11 hours each day for your kids to enjoy activities and mom and dad to relax with a cocktail on the beach.
Ages: 4-18 years, Babysitting available for younger children
Flight time from Hong Kong: 3.5 hours
Four Seasons Langkawi Malaysia
For nature lovers, look no further than the Four Seasons Langkawi. Experience a true retreat as the resort property is situated in Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Geopark. Step out of your beachfront villa onto the resort’s private beach which is one of of the best beaches on the islands. The Kids for All Seasons Club is right beside the family pool and offers a poolside sandy playground. The staff at Four Seasons have developed a typical schedule of kids programming with games, arts and crafts and free play. However, what really makes experience especially memorable for children are educational excursions to the nearby mangrove forest and kids yoga classes built around animal-themed poses which are led by the property’s resident yoga instructor.
Ages: 4-12 years
Flight time from Hong Kong: Approximately 6 hours
Angsana Laguna, Phuket, Thailand
The second property in Phuket to make our list, Angsana Laguna’s treehouse-themed kids club is one of the most elaborate ones in the region. The Tree House Kids’ Club is designed like a treehouse and is one of the more elaborate kids’ clubs in the country. Daily activities include cooking classes, Thai dancing, Zumba, Muay Thai, arts and crafts in the children’s art studio, and a ball pit for young children. There is library with plenty of books for kids, a children’s cafe and themed birthday party space. There is a large, covered playground outside and a padded, toddler-friendly play area inside for the younger guests. After a full-day of fun, your little ones can relax with a kid-friendly spa treatment at the resort’s full-service spa.
Ages: 3+ years, younger babies with caretaker
Flight time from Hong Kong: 3.5 hours
Shangri-la Rasa Ria, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Borneo brings to mind images of orangutans and other exotic wildlife, stunning beaches and lush rainforests. The Shangri-la Rasa Ria perfectly captures all of these images with a private white sandy beach, natural rainforest setting and stunning views of Mount Kinabalu. The property is located within a 64-acre nature preserve which offers close-up encounters with the exotic wildlife that has made Borneo famous around the world. Families can take nature walks and attend daily baby orangutan feedings. The Kid’s Club offers a selection of fun activities for your kids including many traditional Malaysian trades such as batik painting, weaving coconut leaves and more. For an even more in-depth experience, the property’s half-day Rangers Program for children will give your little animal-lovers a half day experience where they will work with rangers who take care of Sabah’s native Orangutans.
Ages: 5-11 years
Flight Time from Hong Kong: 3 hours
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Tucked away in the jungle of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this resort encompasses everything you go to the Maldives to experience, barefoot luxury, island simplicity and a memorable kids’ club – The Den. The Den at Soneva Fushi offers seemingly endless fun for kids in their multi-level kids club with separate rooms for music, dress-up play, Legos, movies and even naps! There are stations throughout The Den which offer games and activities such as making milkshakes, stargazing, sailing and making documentary films. For water lovers, there are two kid pools with a large water slide and a pirate ship. The kids-club is free of gaming systems and iPads, making it the perfect option for families who are hoping to limit screen-time while on holiday. As a special treat for mom and dad, drop the kids off for a movie night complete with dinner service and enjoy a blissful date night with your significant other.
Ages: 0+ years, drop off at age 4
Flight Time from Hong Kong: Approximately 6.5 hours
Victoria Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The impressive Angkor Wat temple complex is on many of our bucket lists. However, family-friendly accommodations in Siem Reap can be a bit hard to come by. This property will not leave you disappointed with an outdoor play area, children’s pool and crocodiles that your kids can feed. The kids’ club also offers plenty of kids shows, toys, slides, ball pits and more. The fenced outdoor area offers your children a great place to run and play while mom and dad enjoy a game of golf on the resort’s 18-hole course Victoria Angkor sits in a convenient location right in Siem Reap’s downtown with convenient access to shops, restaurants and Angkor Wat. The colonial architecture of the property as well as the bustling streets of downtown Siem Reap offer an interesting experience for children and parents alike.
Ages: 0-12 years, drop off at age 2
Flight Time from Hong Kong: Approximately 2.5 hours
AYANA Resort and Spa, Bali, Indonesia
AYANA Bali is well known among travellers for its fabled sunsets from the Rock Bar however it should not be overlooked as an option for family-friendly accommodations in Bali. The resort’s kids club has everything your kids will need to keep them entertained during your stay. Highlights include an outdoor petting zoo with turtles, puppies, chicks, rabbits and ducks. Indoors they have a trampoline, a TV with video game systems, billiards, foosball and more. They have special activities targeted for toddlers and older kids which include Balinese cultural influences like ceramics, traditional games and playing dress-up with Balinese outfits. The property’s other kid-friendly activities include a dedicated children’s swimming pool with two water slides surrounded by lush greenery.
Ages: 2+ years
Flight time from Hong Kong: Approximately 5 hours
Shangri-la Boracay, Philippines
Boracay is certainly known for its raucous nightlife more than it is as being a family friendly destination. However, if you are keen to bring the kids along, the Shangri-La Boracay is your best option as it is the only resort on the island that offers a full range of family facilities. There are two zones for kids, the Activity Zone for young children and the Entertainment Centre to keep your teenagers occupied. There are two large indoor slides in the little kid area as well as many activities and toys to keep them busy. The Entertainment Zone has video and arcade games, board games, karaoke and more.
Ages: 4-12 years
Flight time from Hong Kong: 5 hours, 1 stop in Manila
Lotte Hotel Jeju, South Korea
Popular vacation destination Jeju Island has a number of family-friendly options, but no kids club stands out more than Kid’s World at the Lotte Hotel. Kids will happily spend hours engaged in a score of activities and games, a miniature library and the 3,000 square foot activity zone. Add to that, themed rooms such as an all-pink Hello Kitty room and a Game Zone with video game systems, your kids are sure to be entertained. The Kid’s Lab area has been recently re-vamped and carefully designed to encourage emotional and intellectual development in children. The Lab has a functioning kitchen and kid-sized furniture as well as cooking, art and language lessons. So, you can drop your kids off and feel confident that they are not only having fun, but are actually learning while you enjoy some distraction-free time in the spa or relaxing beachfront.
Ages: 48 months-elementary school
Flight time from Hong Kong: Approximately 3 hours</em?
Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel and Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Once a destination populated mainly by backpackers, Vietnam’s coast is quickly becoming a popular destination for family travellers as well. Located just across the main road from stretches of beautiful beach, the modern condo-style Sheraton Nha Trang is a fabulous choice for families who wish to relax and unwind. Many of the rooms offer scenic panoramic views of the beach and surrounding bay. Sheraton’s Adventure Club has everything your kids need to enjoy their visit with games, toys, activities and movies. However, don’t expect your kids to spend hours in front of screens on this vacation. Your kiddos are sure to be kept active with Sheraton’s Mini Exercise programme that offers tai chi and yoga for young tikes as well as baby spa sessions.
Ages: 4-12 years
Flight time from Hong Kong: 2 hours 40 minutes
