Ascott Gurney Penang promises kids a splashing good time at its outdoor play area. — Photos: Ascott Gurney Penang
FOR families with young children, choosing a suitable hotel for a family holiday is crucial; it can make or break the whole vacation experience.
On top of being a family-friendly hotel with comfort, safety and good service, the hotel also has to tick other boxes including activities for kids and kids’ food options. These additions help keep kids occupied, lifting some load off parents’ shoulders.
Here are some kid-friendly hotels and resorts that tick all the necessary boxes for a fulfilling, and hopefully stress-free, family holiday.
It is typical to assume that Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is a holiday getaway suitable only for couples or groups of friends. But the hotel, located at Desaru Coast – Johor’s integrated destination resort – has also set its stage for families.
The music-inspired hotel packs enough charm for children to make them stay in and explore the area; from the rooms to the outdoor pool to the Roxity Kids Club.
There are in-room music offerings like Crosley turntables and a personal 10-track playlist, and the music continues with the submerged sound system in the outdoor pool.
Kids can band together at Roxity Kids Club. — Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast
Parents who want some time to themselves can either have a spa or sweat it out at the gym, while their kids go to Roxity Kids Club.
The kids-exclusive space is where kids band together, entertained by Roxtars, its music-inspired characters.
If your kids are into music history, then the family can explore the hotel’s collection of iconic music memorabilia, on your own or by joining the daily tour.
Families who book directly on the hotel website will get complimentary tickets to the adjacent Adventure Water Park Desaru Coast, where kids can enjoy a whole day of water adventure.
If you’re planning to introduce your children to the great outdoors, Mangala Estate Boutique Resort in Kuantan, Pahang is the place to go. Located just 40km from the city centre, the resort nestles in its own world of tropical landscapes, oil palm plantations and pristine lakes.
The vast 70 acres area, which was interestingly an unused mining site, makes for the perfect site for outdoor recreational activities like cycling, kayaking, nature walk, birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
Mangala Young Explorer Kid’s Club is for children aged four to 12. — Mangala Estate Boutique Resort
On top of these family-friendly educational activities, the resort has a dedicated Mangala Young Explorer Kid’s Club that offers activities to children aged four to 12.
These include a visit to the resort’s farm to learn more about various fruits, vegetables and farm animals and handicraft classes tailored for little hands.
Besides the kids club, other on-site facilities are an infinity pool that opens to a lake view, a restaurant with a dedicated kid’s menu and spa. Kids also get their own bath amenities and swimming floaties.
For a vacation with great food, Penang is definitely the best destination to head to this school holiday, although the island would be congested with tourists and patience is required.
Ascott Gurney Penang, a serviced-apartment hotel located in Gurney Drive, has an indoor kids playroom and an outdoor playground that has both dry and wet areas.
The indoor playroom for kids.
While the indoor playroom is set as a safe and engaging environment for kids, the outdoor space thrills these little guests with dry and water slides, a splashing bucket and a water fountain.
Each room has a kitchenette and built-in washer and dryer, so parents can warm kids’ food or wash clothes if needed.
The island of Langkawi may have gotten in the news for reduced tourist arrivals, but it still hasn’t lost its charm. The azure water of the Andaman Sea, pristine rainforest and an impressive collection of resorts and hotels make Langkawi different from other island destinations in the country.
Many Langkawi resorts are made for families, and Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, that sits at the tranquil side of bustling Pantai Cenang, is one of them.
The resort is big in its family-getaway offerings with an animal farm, a kid-friendly swimming pool and a new kids club. It also has specially-designed family rooms to house a family of two adults and two children.
The pool has splash zones, water features and shallow areas that are suitable for young children. — Pelangi Beach Resort Langkawi
While Kiki Animal Farm offers an educational and interactive experience for children, its Kids Club offers a range of indoor activities from art and craft classes to board games.
The resort’s Dino Splash pool completes the fun for little guests with splash zones, water features and shallow areas suitable for young children.
