Thailand, Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Bali are ideal destinations for family travel. Whether you’re searching for a well-structured holiday or somewhere a little off the beaten track, a rewarding shared journey is only enhanced by these cultures that revere and welcome children.
Bali – The Island of the Gods
The beaches of Kuta and the emerald terraces surrounding Ubud are the most enduring images of Bali. And whether you’re a sand-and-sea family or a group of nature lovers, there are choices to suit all.
The Elephant Safari Park in Taro – near Ubud – has new villas, so guests can spend their days and nights enjoying the antics of the pachyderm. The Bali Bird Park in Ubud has over 250 species of birds – some from as far away as South America – and a Komodo Dragon. North of Ubud, Bedugul is a great “playground” with lake sports, a botanical garden and a tree-top adventure climbing park – with a suspended web of bridges and ropes in which you can fly through the cooling canopy.
Over to the east, the majestic sleeping volcano Mount Agung can be climbed by anyone with reasonable health. Start at midnight to greet the sunrise. Staying at Candi puts Mount Agung and the beaches of Ahmed within easy reach, with Ahmed offering snorkellers and divers an underwater adventure around the wreck of the SS Liberty.
The south Bali enclave of Nusa Dua has many fine resort hotels which offer daily activities in Kids’ Clubs, providing lively and energetic entertainment for youngsters while parents can reacquaint themselves with the art of relaxation and massage. Particular recommendations are The Nikko (www.nikkobali.com) and The Melia Bali (www.solmelia.com).
For pure thrills, take the family to Waterbom (www.waterbom.com) at Kuta for the day and enjoy the super slides and roller-coasters. The new “Boomerang” is a great ride for adults and kids and the park provides excellent services – including lifeguards.
WHEN TO GO Travel between March and October for the best of the dry season. August is high season.
CONTACT www.baliadventuretours.com
Text: Kayti Denham
Thais regard children as recent gifts from God. The touching of a child’s head is strictly forbidden – as it interrupts their connections to the heavens. And any voice raised to a child is sweetly, but decidedly, frowned upon.
Bangkok is a wonderland of action and fun with ice-skating at the WTC, wake boarding, mega-screen cinemas in Silom and open-air parks. The Pasteur Institute located alongside the beautiful Lumpini Park has a huge collection of poisonous snakes and hosts an educational show for visitors. If snakes are not your thing, visit the Thai Cat Palace on Boromarajajonani Road. Here you can see the pure Maeo Khao Mani – a diamond-eyed cat with two different coloured eyes – amongst other fine breeds of Siamese. A must-do in Bangkok is a cruise along the Chao Praya River. Go with one of the cruise companies near the Grand Palace or up and back on the public boats and witness the fascinating goings on of river life. Cruise past the Royal Barge Museum and float by palaces and temples, recalling the days when Bangkok was the “Venice of the East”.
Any family holiday can be made much more adventurous by boarding a Thai Railways train. Heading south, Phuket, Surat Thani and Krabi lead to the white sand beaches and islands of the Gulf of Thailand or the Andaman Sea. Here you’ll find crystal blue waters, limestone outcrops, fresh food and fun with water sports above and below sea level. Northward, Chiang Mai reveals the ethnic cultures of hill tribes, jungle adventures, the Shangri-La atmosphere of Mae Hong Song and the evocative mystery of the Golden Triangle.
STAY North: Four Seasons, Chiang Mai (www.fourseasons.com), Imperial Tara, Mae Hong Son Hotel (www.imperialhotels.com) – children under 12 years stay free. South: Diamond Cave Resort & Spa (www.diamondcave-railay.com) – stunning location in Railay Bay, Krabi. Bangkok: Centre Point Wireless Road Hotel (www.centrepoint.com) – close to Lumpini Park. WHEN TO GO October to May
CONTACT www.thailandguidebook.com
Text: Kayti Denham
Living up to its tourism catchcry, Malaysia is an extremely diverse destination with a lot to offer – from islands and beaches, to rainforests and mountains.
CAMERON HIGHLANDS
The Cameron Highlands is one of the coolest places for families to relax. The temperate climate ensures activities such as walking, golf and visits to strawberry farms, orchards and tea plantations can be done at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. Elegant gardens and colonial mansions add to the charm of this “olde world” resort area, two hour’s north of Kuala Lumpur. STAY Accommodation ranges from luxury five-star resorts to boutique heritage properties. Families will find Strawberry Park (www.strawberryparkresort.com) and the Equatorial Cameron Highlands (www.equatorial.com) the best for value and range of facilities – including kid’s activities.
Commune with nature at Turtle Islands – a small, isolated national park of three small islands 40 kilometres north of Sandakan, Sabah. Each evening, green and hawksbill turtles venture onto the soft-sanded beaches to lay a cache of eggs. Pulau Selingan is park headquarters, with a visitors’ centre, cafeteria and simple chalets accommodating up to 30 visitors. Spend your days swimming, learning about the turtles, bird watching, or relaxing on this island which be circumnavigated in under an hour. In the evening, rangers lead excursions to view turtles laying eggs and also help release hatchlings. This is a truly great wildlife experience kids will remember forever.
STAY Book with Wildlife Expeditions (www.wildlife-expeditions.com), which provides access to the park’s accommodation – plus their own on neighbouring Pulau Libarian.
TIOMAN ISLAND
The large, twin-peaked island of Pulau Tioman located two hours off the Johor coast was once the backdrop in the 1950s movie South Pacific. Almost 60 years on, little has changed at the tranquil and mythical island of Bali Hai. There’s only one international resort – Berjaya Tioman and one luxury, intimate couples resort – Japa Mala. Other accommodation options are mostly simple seaside chalets. While the island has idyllic qualities, it’s extremely accessible by sea and air from Singapore. Enjoy swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, jungle treks and a lifestyle that barely gets out of neutral.
STAY Opt for Berjaya Tioman Resort and Spa (www.berjayahotels-resorts.com) or any number of the simple chalets such as Salang Beach Resort (www.tioman-salang.com) – where you can dive off your verandah straight into crystal clear waters.
SARAWAK
UNESCO thinks so highly of Gunung Mulu National Park it was awarded World Heritage Site status. The park is located in a remote part of Sarawak – one hour’s flight or a half-day thrilling boat ride from Miri. Once in the park, it’s Indiana Jones country with lots of nature adventure including four huge caves – some of the world’s biggest, nature trails, boat trips, visits to Penan villagers and a host of plant and animal species. One must-do activity is watching thousands of bats depart the caves at night in search of food – one of nature’s most alluring sights.
STAY Royal Mulu Resort (www.royalmuluresort.com) offers a pool, restaurant, cable TV and other creature comforts in a jungle setting. Try the national park accommodation (www.sarawakforestry.com) for simpler surroundings.
Text: David Bowden
Family-friendly villas
These private retreats are renowned for accommodating children and offer superb facilities for a stress-free family vacation.
Aside from hotels with kids’ clubs, one family holiday option which continues to increase in popularity is the private villa stay. Fitted out with baby monitors, toys, DVDs, cots, sterilisers and more – all you need to pack is a change of clothes. Typically, a team of dedicated staff are also on hand to look after your every whim, prepare meals, organise activities and can even cover babysitting duty.
Kemah Tinggi is the LUXE Guide’s top recommendation for families in Bali. This fully-staffed private villa delivers sophistication and indulgence for parents, together with a strong child-friendly concept. Comprehensive facilities include optional pool fence and stair-gates, a tempting and nutritious children’s menu, safe yet spacious gardens, nannies and babysitters, a TV room stocked with DVDs, games and toys, plus massage and spa treatments for kids! Villa guests also have access to the exclusive Canggu Club offering a kids’ club, splash and lap pools, gym and tennis courts, just a short drive away. Tel: 9871 0334, www.kemahtinggi.com
Kemah Tinggi’s Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Horseriding with Umalas Riding Stables (www.balionhorse.com). Cooking lesson at Casa Luna Cooking School (www.casalunabali.com). Shop at Seminyak – check out Joy on Jalan Laksmana.
EAT Lunch or dinner at La Lucciola (Tel: 738 848). Ku De Ta (www.kudeta.net) – book a beach banquette for lunch or enjoy post-dinner drinks on double sun beds overlooking the ocean. The Terrace at The Legian (www.ghmhotels.com) is great for people watching at sunset.
Bali Dream Villas offers two family-friendly villas located side-by-side – each with their own private garden and swimming pool. Bordered by rice fields, Villas Kedidi (three bedrooms) and Kakatua (four bedrooms) are just a stone's throw away from Canggu beach. The delightful villa staff always aim to please, while in-house cooks prepare scrumptious meals. 
Bali Dream Villas’ Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Learn to surf on Kuta Beach with Odyssey Surf School (www.odysseysurfschool.com). A private lesson for two for two and-a-half hours is just US$40, inclusive of collection from hotel/villa, rash vest, board shorts and towel. Bali Dream Villas can also arrange white water rafting and elephant rides.
EAT For a relaxed meal with the kids, stroll along Canggu Beach to The Beach House Restaurant (Tel: 738 471) at Echo Beach. Popular with local expat families on Sunday evenings, enjoy the live band and casual ambience – complete with a vantage view of some serious surfing talent.
La Villa Rouge has full-time staff and also an in-house chef who whips up authentic Thai dishes upon request. 24-hour babysitting services are available and this villa is situated on the outskirts of the Laguna Resort area – which offers a variety of kids’ clubs – on Bang Tao beach. Four bedrooms plus a maid’s room – for La Villa Rouge’s in-house maid or your own helper – sleep up to 10 adults and children. Tel: 9018 7935/8189 7795, www.lavillarouge-phuket.com, Email: thistle@starhub.net.sg
La Villa Rouge’s Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Enjoy a wide variety of water sports plus elephant and horse rides on Bang Tao Beach. One of the highlights of the day is when Lily the baby elephant visits the beach for an afternoon dip. A visit to Laem Sing Beach is a real adventure, navigate the cliff-side dirt track carefully – very young children will need to be carried. Expect amazing views, a host of seafood restaurants, monkeys and a bright blue sea with fish swimming near to the shady beach. Mini golf at Dino Park (www.dinopark.com), Karon Beach is a guaranteed hit with kids. Each of the 18 holes features authentic replicas of prehistoric creatures and an exciting view of an ancient world.
EAT Lotus Restaurant (Tel: 8179 73 110) at Bang Tao beach serves fabulous Thai food at extremely reasonable prices and caters for children. This beachside locale offers children the freedom to play while parents enjoy a relaxing meal.
Villa Inara, located three minutes walk away from Bang Tao beach, is fully staffed and offers children’s toys, books and DVDs, plus babysitting services and 24-h
Villa Inara’s Top Finds
ACTIVITIES Go elephant trekking through rubber plantations and rainforest at Bang Pae Waterfall – also home to a gibbon sanctuary. Or at nearby Laguna Beach Resort Hotel, meet the two resident elephants over breakfast. Reptile shows abound throughout Phuket and adventurous teenagers will enjoy white water rafting, quad-biking and the local go-kart track. If it rains, go ten-pin bowling or to the movies at Central Mall. World-class golf is available at the Banyan Tree, just 15 minutes drive away.
EAT Layan Beach Restaurant and Babylon Beach Club on Bang Tao Beach offer casual fare. Five minutes drive away in the village of Cherng Talay, are some of Phuket’s most popular restaurants, such as the Siam Supper Club (www.siamsupperclub.com) which serves a delicious menu alongside live jazz.
Posted Jun 08
