Looking for a family-friendly resort with excellent facilities and a kids' club for the children? Jump into this handy guide...
We fondly remember a time pre-kids when we booked boutique hotels in the most exclusive parts of town on vacation. While we still manage to slip in the odd girl’s weekend and even an infrequent romantic getaway, now the focus is very much on short escapes in Asia with the kids. And when selecting the perfect hotel for our holiday, kids clubs are high on the agenda.
With so many resorts around the region offering the perfect blend of sun, surf, sand and sea for families, it can be hard to sort through the pretenders and find the true gems. So, we’ve done that for you – from personal experience and recommendations from friends. Here’s our hit list of family-friendly resorts in Asia with kids clubs your crew will be begging to return to day after day. And we all know what that means – precious time for you to indulge in massages, poolside naps and cocktails. Now, that’s our kind of holiday.
Incredible kids clubs at resorts we love in Asia
DESARU COAST, MALAYSIA
1. Anantara, Desaru Coast
When talking about the best kids clubs in Asia, Anantara Desaru Coast definitely lives up to the Group’s global reputation for being luxurious. If you’ve got both big kids and younger kids, everyone will be taken care of at the Anantara. The hotel itself is in a great location and offers all the things we would want for a fun family holiday that will be both relaxing and adventurous. There’s a choice of swimming pools, watersports, excellent gym facilities, and a world-class spa (we tried a treatment here and can guarantee that it is a little slice of heaven). On top of that, there is both a decked-out Teen Club with everything from Playstation games to foozball and pinball machines, bean bags and movie nights, as well as a spacious Layang Layang Junior Club for the littles where they can craft and play to their heart’s content!
Anantara Desaru Coast, Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
2. The Westin, Desaru Coast
Looking for a spacious room to fit the whole family? The Westin Desaru Coast has you covered! Active families will love the beachfront watersports. The Els Golf Club is a short drive away and is the setting for sunrise running (or power walks), guided by The Westin Running Concierge – we enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful views over the rolling greens. The kids club is quaint and well-stocked with arts and crafts, with lots of natural light and fun activities.
The Westin Desaru Coast, Jln Pantai 3, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
3. Hard Rock Hotel, Desaru Coast
Do your kids love waterslides? This is the hotel for you as it is attached to a waterpark! With a giant swinging pirate ship, a toddler play area with fountains, mini slides and a tipping water bucket, a lazy river and a roller-coaster, there is plenty to keep the family cool and entertained. Hire a cabana by the wave pool for some respite and enjoy lunch in the shade. The kids club here is for age 4+ and is in true Hard-Rock style – there’s even a drumkit for budding musicians to bust their skills! After dinner, there are live bands in the foyer area to get your groove on.
Pssst.. Note that the food and rooms are less luxurious than The Westin or Anantara, but the price tag matches this. You could also combo a stay at The Westin with a visit to Hard Rock, as they are just across the road from each other (Anantara is also within walking distance!)
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Jln Pantai 3, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
DANANG, VIETNAM
4. Hyatt Regency Danang
Danang and Hoi An in Vietnam is right at the top of our list as a great location for a family vacation. And the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is the pick of the hotels, and it has one of the best kids clubs in Asia. We’re talking casual family dining next to a sandy pool for kids, beach access and huge grounds for your kids to roam about. The family style accommodation is also excellent.
For the sub-12s, Camp Hyatt is where it’s at. With a raft of indoor and outdoor activities available like wall climbing, adventure playground, mini-cinema and pool table, there’s something for all ages. Our kids loved joining the resort walk and family yoga sessions and making keepsakes like lanterns, sand paintings and ceramics. And so long as you book a babysitter, kids under three are welcome – music to the ears of parents with two kids under two.
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, 5 Truong Sa Street, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang, Vietnam
PHUKET, THAILAND
5. Avani+ Mai Khao, Phuket
If you’re looking for a kids club for kids aged 8 and under, where you won’t hear from the little tykes all day long, then Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket is where it’s at! The Avani+ kids club is intimate with lots of fun crafty activities, games and sing-a-longs, our kids didn’t want to leave (even for an ice cream – so that’s saying something). There’s also a sweet playground and bikes to ride around the resort when you aren’t catching a golf cart to take you to the beach.
Older kids will love getting involved in the Avani+ Fit activities like rock climbing and Muay Thai boxing – a good way to tire them out ready for an afternoon of poolside relaxation. There are also pizza-making classes and even a visit to the turtle sanctuary down the beach just waiting to keep them entertained. Partner these fun activities with gorgeous two-bedroom private pool villas and sunset virgin mojitos during happy hour, and you have one unforgettable family holiday!
Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket, 887 Moo 3, Tumbon, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
6. Tinbox at The Slate Resort
In 2017, we took our gang off to review The Slate (formerly Indigo Pearl) and LOVED IT – and the kids loved the kids club! Quirkily Inspired by the tin mining industry, The Slate has three swimming pools (two are adult only – bonus!), five restaurants and cafes, a gym, and the ultra-unique Coqoon spa.
The Tin Box kids club is decked out with nice wooden toys, unlike some plastic fantastic zones we’ve seen. There are activities every hour to keep little people busy like bracelet making, seashell collecting, art from nature, a blow-up water slide activity, pom-pom making, Thai kickboxing and rock painting. Accommodation-wise the spacious D-Buk Suite (76sqm) is far more comfortable than squeezing a family of four into a standard hotel room.
The Slate, Nai Yang Beach and National Park, Phuket 83110, Thailand
7. JW Mariott Resort & Spa, Phuket
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is a 5-star, super family-friendly resort just steps from Mai Khao Beach. From the resort, enjoy easy access to the islands of Phang Nga Bay, Old Town Phuket and the Royal Phuket Marina. Not only is there a bangin kids club suitable for tiny ones all the way through to teens, but resort guests are also treated to an award-winning spa, three outdoor pools, a modern fitness centre and activities such as Thai cooking classes.
Relax in family-friendly hotel rooms, suites and villas filled with five-star amenities like plush bedding, marble bathrooms, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi and outdoor space overlooking tropical gardens or the ocean. Select resort rooms have whirlpool tubs, extra living space and private pools (lush!) They also happen to have one of the best kids clubs in Asia – our littles didn’t want to leave!
JW Marriott Resort & Spa, 231 Moo 3 Mai Khao, Talang, Phuket, Thailand, 83110
KOH SAMUI, THAILAND
8. Hyatt Regency Koh Samui
An awesome kids club, a waterslide, and a splash park for the littles? Yes, please! If you’re looking for water play fun for the whole fam, this is a great pick for you. A five-star resort located in the vibrant area of North Chaweng, only eight minutes from the airport, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui offers a gallery-inspired setting where nature is the art on display. From the stunning ocean along the rocky coastline to the lush surrounds with over 600 protected Yang Na and coconut trees, come here for energising experiences, relaxing moments, and a haven of fun for the kiddos and adults alike!
Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, 99/11 Moo 5, North Chaweng, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand, 84320
9. Kimpton Kitalay Samui
Ahoy there! A sweet pirate-themed play room that will keep the kids entertained for hours? Check. A luxury resort with a restaurant, free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre on Choeng Mon Beach? Check. Water sports and a bar for mum and dad? Check! Shall we just check in?
Kimpton Kitalay Resort Samui, 10/79 Moo 5. Bophut Koh Samui 84320, Thailand
10. Chaweng Beach Resort
We’ve also got to give mention to the Chaweng Beach Resort: a destination we’ve boomeranged back to many times (with and without the kids). Its beachfront location, excellent kids’ menu, friendly staff, babysitting service and top-notch all-important kids’ club (for kids aged four to 11 years) seal the deal on a heavenly fam vacay.
155/4 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand; www.chawengregent.com
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
11. The Westin, Langkawi
Just a stepping-stone from Singapore, Langkawi is a top destination for a family holiday. Our pick of the family-friendly resorts is The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa. It’s in stunning condition and the Westin Family Kids Club rivals the best in Asia. As the resort is surrounded by a perfect white stretch of beach and a rainforest so the kids club runs a range of outstanding outdoor activities for kids. Pick from bird watching, nature walks and beach discovery. For those wanting to escape the sun, the daily calendar of indoor offerings is just as good. They’ll even feed your munchkins with wholesome grub.
Jalan Pantai Dato Syed Omar, Kedah, Langkawi, 07000, Malaysia; www.westinlangkawi.com
12. The Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
Another good choice for a family break. The Family Kids Club, complete with a sand adventure playground, is located next to the family pool in the main area of the resort. It’s also just steps away from one of the best (private) beaches on the island. The kid’s club team has designed holistic programs that go beyond the usual painting and sandcastle building, including kids yoga programs, Junior Masterchef cooking classes and parent-free mangroves & monkeys safari cruises. Super-fun!
Four Seasons Langkawi, Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia
SIBU ISLAND, MALAYSIA
13. Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base
If you’re after a rustic, cheap weekend escape from Singapore, then Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base is your spot. It’s back to basics in terms of accommodation – think camping-style mosquito nets, wooden huts and cool refreshing showers. We had a wonderful long weekend at Sea Gypsy with a group of families namely because the kids’ club is unbelievable! Not only do the fun staff feed your kids dinner, they then treat them to an outdoor activity before retiring to the club for secret kids’ business until 10pm. You are left to enjoy an adult dinner in peace.
If your kiddos are on the younger side, and they don’t fall asleep on the beanbags in front of a movie, they’ll be returned to your table for a cuddle. There are also great optional morning and afternoon child-centric activities including T-shirt painting, jungle hunts and pirate costume workshops.
Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base, Pulau Sibu, Johor, Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA BORNEO
14. Shangri-La Rasa Ria
Out of the two Shangri-La resorts in Sabah, Shangri-La Rasa Ria is by far our favourite as it sits between a 64 acre nature reserve and a stretch of white sand beach exclusive to the resort. It was until recently the site of a successful Orangutan rehabilitation sanctuary.
Kiddie facilities include a huge children’s playground, and a shallow family pool with a fantastic slide. The fully-staffed Kid’s Club offers daily activities such as coconut leaf weaving, kite making, pony rides and more. For kids who really love animals, the Rangers Program is an hour-and-a-half activity that gives them the opportunity to assist the rangers with their daily tasks.
Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Pantai Dalit Beach, Tuaran, Sabah, 89208, Malaysia
BALI, INDONESIA
Honeycombers, Bali
Our sister site, Honeycombers Bali, has a whole list of the best kid-friendly resorts and kids clubs in Bali for you to consider, along with ideas of where to eat and what to do!
15. InterContinental Bali
We do want to shout out one of our newly-renovated faves.. We had one of the best family summer holidays ever at the InterContinental Bali Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Everything about this experience was five-star – from the gorgeous Balinese styling to the delish dining options (in and outside the hotel) and the kids playground. We spent the mornings alternating between the multiple pools and beach with the kids, and then come noon booked them into the Planet Trekkers kids club for a quality lunch and five hours of fun. With daily activities like hair braiding, swimming, Bahasa lessons, recycled art classes and fishing, our kids are still raving about the place. The childcare staff was so lovely we wrote tear-stained farewell letters.
InterContinental Bali Resort, Jalan Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran: Bali ,80361, Indonesia
KOH KOOD, THAILAND
16. Soneva Kiri
One of Thailand’s hidden gems, Soneva Kiri is a luxury property a flight away from Bangkok on the island of Koh Kood. While that may sound like honeymoon paradise, trust us that this has one of the best kids centres in Thailand. Drop your children off at The Den, designed as a little retreat where they can escape and let their imagination run wild. From the minute they scamper over the arrival drawbridge, over to a multi-levelled bamboo structure tucked away in the jungle, you know you’re set for a few hours of peace and quiet. Professional child-minders are on hand to watch your children and ensure their time spent is both educational as well as fun. It’s not hard given the number of facilities such as the music room complete with local Thai instruments, a library, an art room, and of course a game room. There’s also a dedicated zone for kids aged one to five which is a rare find! The highlight of every little guest’s visit to Soneva Kiri is a visit to Ever Soneva So Chocoholic, an amazing Willy Wonka-like chocolate ‘factory’.
Soneva Kiri, 110 Moo 4, Koh Kood Sub-District, Koh Kood District, Trat 23000, Thailand
BORACAY, PHILIPPINES
17. Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa
Back in 2016, we road-tested the Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa with a toddler and deffo give it the green light! Our little traveller loved the Activity Zone in the kids’ club. It’s full of toys and a massive slide and there are daily kids activities from fish feeding to crafts. For teens, there’s a well-equipped Entertainment Zone with basketball, air hockey and foosball, arcade games, billiards, table tennis, karaoke rooms, and even board games for those who want to take their eyes off the screen at some point! Because the resort has such extensive grounds and three pools, including one dedicated kid’s pool, it hardly feels overcrowded, even when at full capacity. The whole island recently shut down for a ‘refurb’, so now’s definitely a great time to visit.
Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa, Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, 5608, Philippines
CEBU, PHILIPPINES
18. Crimson Mactan
A while ago we spent a very happy week in the Philippines and the whole fam gave Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan a giant hurrah when it came to the kids’ club and family activities. With a whole pool (with lifeguards and life jackets for kids on standby) for kids, plus an indoor soft play area and playground dedicated to smaller guests, the CrimZone is the place to head for art, craft, gaming, kids’ menus and water play fun. And there are plenty of other family zones happening around the resort, too. Our kids loved the giant chess, the foam party and nature tours too. Add in the friendliest staff on the planet, a beautiful little beach and an excellent buffet brekkie, and you’ve got yourself one awesome, easy getaway.
Crimson Mactan, Seascapes Resort Town, Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu 6015 Philippines
MALDIVES
19. Per Aquum Niyama
If you want to head a little further afield, we can’t sing the praises of Per Aquum Niyama, one very special pocket of the world, enough. This is one of those rare resorts that capture a boutique feel with all the luxe treats. We’re talking award-winning restaurants, a divine spa, snorkelling and diving trips. Plus, we’ll say it: one of the best kids’ club we’ve seen on our travels.
Olhuveli, Kudahuvadhoo Dhaalu Atoll, 13080, Maldives; www.minorhotels.com/en/peraquum/niyama
