From a treehouse in Thailand to a Super Mario-themed stay in Tokyo, Airbnb has the most unique and affordable accommodation for families. Plus, HoneyKids readers enjoy a special offer!
Ready for your a family holiday or short escape from Singapore? If boutique hotels were your style pre-kids, and the idea of a generic hotel chain or super-sized resort makes you shudder, there’s still hope for affordable family holidays with a unique twist: head to Airbnb to find a special spot in the heart of a new city, or tucked away in nature for a holiday with the kids that’s just your style. We’ve picked our top five favourite destinations in South-East Asia and beyond, and have been getting a serious case of wanderlust…
PS: Need tips for travelling via plane with kids? Check out our guide to surviving a plane flight with children… and while we’re on the subject of holidays, check out our packing list for mums: what to wear on a tropical escape…
The HoneyKids Top 5 of fun family escapes with Airbnb – plus a SPECIAL OFFER for HoneyKids readers!
Check out or top picks below, which are sure to get you in the mood for an Asian escape with the family. As a special treat for HoneyKids readers, enjoy $29 off your first stay with Airbnb if you sign up via www.airbnb.com/honeycombers.
Cambodia: Siem Reap
Villa Medaisa, Krong Siem Reap, $161 per night
Cosy and colourful, this airy home that sleeps five (pictured top) has captured a cool Mediterranean vibe in Siem Reap. The open-plan kitchen is fab for whipping up breakfast for the brood before sightseeing, or family dinners if you’re doing a longer stay and crave home-cooked meals. We’d love to chill out in the garden and let the kids run around on the grass after exploring the sights in Siem Reap – and the house boasts great views of the sunset from its verandah. The owner is an architect and photographer – we’ve had a snoop through her pics of the house and absolutely love her style!
Pssst: Check out our guide to visiting Angkor Wat with kids to help you plan your family holiday in Cambodia!
Thailand: Chiang Mai
Star (Chomdao) Family Treehouse, Luang Nea, Chiang Mai, $131 per night
Escape to nature with the family in this fantastical treehouse, surrounded by forest. The owner is a retired architect who has created a family owned treehouse resort. Each one is unique – we love the ‘Star’ tree house, which has two bedrooms and sleeps five. This secret getaway isn’t accessible via public transport (don’t worry, the host will arrange a shuttle), so it really is a special retreat. Surrounded by forest and close to a village with a Buddhist temple and tiny school, your family can explore the area, meet forest animals and go hiking. Don’t miss the waterfall and amazing sunsets from the viewpoint!
Japan, Tokyo
Mario World, Meguro, Tokyo, $110 per night
Older kids (and the children of the ‘80s among us) will love this Mario World-themed apartment in the heart of Tokyo. Lovingly curated by the owner, this spot offers pop-culture immersion with a retro computer game twist. This two-bedroom apartment sleeps five guests and is a comfy size for a Tokyo pad. The apartment is just a short stroll from Tokyo’s prime cherry-blossom viewing neighbourhood and is smack-bang in ramen district. The kicker? The apartment is equipped with retro video games that will take you back to your childhood. We say it’ll make for one family trip that will help you regain your cool status with the tweens and teens…
Indonesia, Bali
Wooden house in Umalas/Seminyak, North Kuta, Bali, $220 per night
Ah, beautiful Bali. This gorgeous, open-plan wooden villa for six people has the luxe vibe of a boutique resort and is fabulous for families. It’s right in the heart of Seminyak with lots of great restaurants offering local fare to pizza, but offers an airy oasis with ample space for little ones to roam and play – and the pool is fantastic for cooling off in Bali’s tropical heat. This may be a bit more of a splurge, but you can completely relax here with the help of the villa’s gracious host, his lovely household helper (who gets rave reviews for her cooking) and a driver. And if you’re thinking of heading away on your first minibreak in Asia with a baby, we hear the staff love bubbas and are extremely helpful. If you’re concerned about fencing around the pool, the owner can arrange this for a small fee!
Sri Lanka, Habarana
Far Cry Kumbukkalli Forest Retreat, Habarana, North Central Province, Sri Lanka, $169 per night
We’re dreaming of a family trip to this villa where we can really unwind and get away from it all. If you’re after a digital detox, Far Cry is wi-fi free, but you certainly won’t be craving social media when you see the surrounding wildlife reserve and tranquil lake on the property. We’re already imagining ourselves going on strolls through the walking trails, taking a cool dip in the pool, and relaxing on the open deck in the evenings, listening to the local owls. Don’t cheat and bring iPads, folks: there are plenty of board games here to get stuck into! The villa is decorated in a beautiful, minimalist style and it can sleep up to eight, so consider planning an escape with family friends!
Don’t forget to visit www.airbnb.com/honeycombers to claim your special gift of a $28 SGD voucher, on us!
This post is sponsored by Airbnb.
