12 Amazing family-friendly hotels and resorts in Asia
Spring is approaching and there are many beach resorts across Asia that offer a blend of culture, experiences, and excellent facilities for you and your family. Expats Holidays has hand-picked a selection of resorts that feature world-class wellness, signature dining, fun kids’ clubs, luxurious rooms, and beautiful white sandy beaches. Plan your trip now to explore the colours of Asia this year!
Movenpick Resort & Spa Boracay Island, Philippines
Admire the world’s most beautiful islands
Visit the Philippines and explore one of the most stunning islands in Western Visayas. The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay is located on the northernmost tip of the island in Punta Bunga Cove, just a 90-minute drive from Caticlan airport. This upscale resort is perfect for families looking for a peaceful retreat and a variety of activities for children. The Little Birds Club offers fun activities like baking pizza and cookies. Instructors for children are available to lead games, cultural programs, and environmental tours. While you relax in the Sagay Spa, they can also teach how to make shell bracelets. The resort boasts seven restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, such as Korean, Japanese, Italian, and British pub food. Additionally, there is a beach club featuring international DJs and performers.
Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
A feast for the eyes and stomach
This award-winning resort epitomizes nature, elegance, and the best in Vietnamese service. Each guest bedroom, penthouse, or residential villa features spacious indoor-outdoor living areas, allowing you to enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze and stunning views of the East Vietnam Sea. Located in a secluded bay, you can indulge in beachside relaxation and immerse yourself in the local culture. Dining options are exceptional, with Long Bar offering light bites and expertly crafted cocktails, Barefoot providing casual beachside dining, and Citron serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The resort is located within the Son Tra Nature Reserve, which spans over 6,200 acres of old-growth forest and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including butterflies, birds, mammals, and reptiles, as well as thousands of plant species. The resident zoologist offers an educational adventure for children, teaching them about the environment and indigenous flora and fauna. With luck, they may even spot a red-shanked douc langur monkey. As a family, you can learn how to steer a traditional basket boat, which is a common sight on the Vietnamese shorelines.
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Full in love with the Cambodian private island
Song Saa, a breathtaking resort on its own private island, is just a speedy boat ride away from the little port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The resort offers over-water, jungle, and ocean view villas that are built from locally sourced, sustainable, and repurposed materials. The resort is perfect for children who are adventurous and want to explore. They can enjoy picnics and freshly husked coconuts in one of the island’s many hidden coves. Your children can also meet the local community and explore the country’s first marine reserve. Additionally, the resort offers a mini spa, playhouse, and a children’s library for young readers. There are various water sports available for both children and adults, as well as activities for families such as learning how to prepare a Khmer afternoon tea, exploring nature trails, practicing yoga, or taking a traditional boat to one of the nearby beaches. The Song Saa Foundation aims to assist local farmers in promoting local organic agriculture and implementing initiatives to combat climate change.
Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia
Deep into the rarest nature
Located just a 20-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, Gaya Resort is an exclusive sanctuary surrounded by age-old mangroves, coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and lush rainforests. The resort is situated within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, giving it a sense of being on the edge of the Bornean wilderness. Guests can board the resort’s boat or, at low tide, walk to the exclusive Tavajun Bay, which is home to the marine center, a daytime restaurant, and a family of pigs. Immerse yourself and your children in the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the region. Join the resident naturalist on a nature walk to discover the island’s dipterocarp forest and its rare and diverse wildlife living in harmony under its dense canopy. Learn to make over 30 Sabah handicrafts, including Rungus brightly colored beadwork and plant fiber weaving. Additionally, you can learn to scuba dive at the marine center, which champions initiatives to protect the reefs.
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia
Sweet dream with Lemurs
The resort is nestled in the wilderness, with a pristine backdrop of a ten-million-year-old rainforest that is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, including colourful chatty tokays, dusky langurs, and Sunda colugos. The expansive 46-acre resort boasts 121 rooms and villas and is a world model for ecotourism. The resort’s meandering footpath leads to private, idyllic white sandy beaches. Choose from three room categories: rainforest, canopy, or beach collection. The Datai Langkawi estate rainforest villas are elevated on stilts above a stream that flows into the sea. The main building canopy collection is perfect for those who prefer a swimming pool, while the limited edition one and two-bedroom beachfront villas offer full butler service and private gardens. Your backyard is Gunung Machincang, and just steps away, your playground is the tranquil Datai Bay. Embark on a guided nature walk through the resort with your children and spot dusky-leaf monkeys, exotic birds, and flitting butterflies. Alternatively, indulge in the signature spa treatments that incorporate the healing properties of the plants and herbs found in the rainforest. Additionally, children can enjoy a refreshing dip in the cooling waters of Crystal Creek, located near the resort.
Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa, Thailand
Enjoy water park all day long
Renaissance Pattaya Resort offers five-star service and uncommon sophistication. The resort is situated in the tranquil surroundings of Na Jomtien, and is a charming beach resort on the outskirts of Pattaya. Accommodation options are varied and may include a private balcony, beach access, and a villa with a private pool and bunk beds for children. The resort features a family swimming pool, 24-hour gymnasium, lawn yoga, spa, and steam room. The kids club offers a variety of enjoyable activities at Treasures or the Cartoon Network Water Park to keep your children entertained. Additionally, childcare services are available if you would like some time to yourselves. With five on-site restaurants and bars, you will have plenty of options to choose from. Indulge in delicious Thai, European, and international cuisine.
Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
Immerse yourself in the jungle
Located on the secluded Con Dao atoll, Six Senses offers elegant villas with private infinity pools, outdoor bathrooms, wood paneling, lush vegetation, and stunning landscapes. The resident chef, No, prepares a variety of dining options, including traditional Vietnamese favorites at the Market, contemporary international cuisine at By the Beach, and takeaway dishes for in-villa or picnic dining from Eat Lab. The Sense of Laughter kids’ club is open daily for children to enjoy activities such as building sandcastles, exploring the beach and jungle, decorating cookies, and creating fun things with recycled materials. In addition, there are numerous spa treatments, dining options, and water-based activities available to keep families entertained. The spa, surrounded by tropical gardens, features five treatment rooms, an outdoor yoga and meditation pavilion, a nail bar, and a coconut oil workshop studio. There are various activities that can connect you to nature, local life, and the history of the area.
Kimpton Kitalay Samui, Thailand
Enjoy the beach fun
The Kimpton Kitalay in Koh Samui is a boutique resort located on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand and is part of IHG. The resort’s name is derived from the Thai words ‘kita,’ meaning ‘song’ or ‘singing,’ and ‘lay,’ which means ‘sea.’ It is a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Thai elements, with double-tiered, stilt-suspended rooms that have a village vibe. The resort offers 138 rooms and pool villas, all of which come with in-room beach picnic baskets and signature sea salt and patchouli-scented bath amenities. Joali boasts five dining venues, including a coffee and artisanal tea lounge, a Thai lifestyle café called Boho, and the Fish House restaurant and bar. Parents can relax at the spa while their children enjoy Junio, a kids club inspired by a busy seaside port. The club offers stimulating, non-tech activities that are both fun and educational.
Joali, Maldives
Live with the art
Joali is committed to sustainable glamour. The island, which is inspired by art and surrounded by greenery, boasts 73 beaches, over-water villas, and spacious residences suitable for larger families and groups of friends. Art enthusiasts can participate in interactive projects, view stunning collections of nature-inspired art, attend imaginative events and workshops, and take an art tour. The Muramas Kids Club encourages children to explore nature, ignite their imagination, and discover new ways to have fun and learn. Children can enjoy a range of activities at Joali, including ceramic art, Maldivian arts and crafts, foam playground, treasure hunts, native storytelling, a kid’s spa, and a junior chef’s workshop. They can also explore the underwater gardens and reefs by paddling around in a glass-bottom boat. Joali’s cuisine is inspired by South East Asian, Chinese, and Indian dishes. Experience the resort’s exceptional dining options, including private barbeques on secluded sandbanks, brunches in the chef’s garden, and picnics in the Manta Ray treehouse.
Shangri-La Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Unlock the wonder of Sri Lanka
Located on the southernmost coast of Sri Lanka, Shangri-La Hambantota boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, a unique artisan village showcasing local arts and crafts, and an expansive spa offering traditional Ayurveda treatments. It is the perfect destination for families looking to explore the breathtaking nature and traditional culture of the area. There are several protected parks in the vicinity, such as Yala and Bundala. Sithulpawwa, the Debarawewa wetlands, and the Palatupana salt pans are located further away. You can engage in various activities both within and outside the resort to stay active. The dining options are diverse, featuring authentic Sri Lankan specialties and dishes inspired by the hawker stalls of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand’s tom yang goong, Singapore’s laksa, China’s Peking chicken, and locally caught seafood. The hotel boasts 274 rooms, including 20 luxurious suites decorated in a contemporary Sri Lankan style. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the tropical gardens, golf course, and Indian Ocean. Parents can leave their children in the capable hands of the Cool Zone Kid’s Club, where they can participate in various activities such as arts and crafts, splashing around in the Aqua Zone, or going on a fun nature trail.
The Slate Phuket, Thailand
Combination of raw and nature elements
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and has a rich and colourful history, including a long tradition of Chinese settlers who brought tin mining to the area. The Slate resort combines industrial elements with natural beauty to create a unique experience. Situated on Nai Yang Beach and surrounded by protected parklands, The Slate offers charming accommodation for families in a tranquil and lush environment. If you can tear yourself away from the resort, visit Phuket Old Town to explore its beautiful Cino-Portuguese streets, graffitied walls, and colourful shophouses. If your children are adventurous, they can discover the magic of the underwater world and learn how to snorkel and dive. They can also explore history in The Tin Box, which offers a variety of activities such as toys, games, origami, mask-making, hair-weaving, petit chef and sommelier classes, and Muay Thai. The Slate boasts an extraordinary collection of dining experiences within the resort, including the multi-award-winning Black Ginger, which has been certified by the Michelin Guide for two consecutive years. Parents can relax at the Coqoon Spa and enjoy the frangipani wrap, a body-firming treatment that uses rice bran oil for its moisturizing properties and rose Na Jomtien floral water for its therapeutic benefits.
Ayana Komodo Resort, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia
Discover the Komodo iIsland
If your kids love dragons, Ayana Komodo Resort is a must-visit destination. Located on Labuan Bajo’s Waecicu Beach, it’s in close proximity to Komodo National Park, the only place in the world where your kids can meet reptiles that are almost real dragons. There are different types of rooms available, ranging from those with stunning ocean views high up on the hillside to those closer to the gardens and beach. Children can participate in nature-inspired activities, such as wildlife tours, snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The resort’s surrounding waters are protected, ensuring their pristine condition. The glass-bottomed boat by AYANA Lako Taka is an excellent way to observe the underwater gardens, which are teeming with colourful reef fish. The Yana Lako Sao sunset dinner is an excellent way to spend an evening aboard a three-deck boat while cruising the harbor to toe-tapping tunes.
For more travel inspiration and more details about your family trip, talk to our travel consultants right ahead!
