Top 5 Family-friendly Destinations in Asia and Africa, Just in Time for a Stress-free Summer
Follow these five kid-friendly itineraries for holiday bliss.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
We all know how troublesome it gets when kids want to do different things during a family trip. The Family Getaway package at the Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is here to help, with a four-day, three-night stay at the picturesque resort, rounded out with an array of kids’ activities.
Wake up to beams of sunlight pouring through your floor-to-ceiling terrace doors in the thoughtfully decorated Colonial Suite with a view of the lush gardens from the roomy balcony. The little ones will love riding the resident water buffalo and venturing knee-deep into the in-house rice paddies, while moms relax during the complimentary 60-minute spa at the Dheva Spa and Wellness Centre. At the Lanna Kids Club, juniors can learn traditional Thai dances, paint paper umbrellas, and perfect their high-flying Muay Thai kicks.
No need to fuss over where to eat at night: The package includes a gourmet dinner for four at Le Grand Lanna restaurant, where you’ll savor the sweet, sour and spicy range of Thai cuisine.
Parent Perk: Babysitters are available onsite so parents can take a break. $15,450 for a family of four, four days and three nights. Through Sep 30, dharadhevi.com
Belmond Jimbaran Puri
Think Bali is just sun-drenched beaches and cobalt waters? Dive deep into the age-old traditions of one of the world’s most intricate cultures at the Belmond Jimbaran Puri, settled on the serene oceanfront of Jimbaran Bay, south Bali.
The Family Package fits four in the two-bedroom deluxe pool villas, with traditional aesthetics such as a wooden terrace lined with lotus ponds juxtaposed with modern amenities and a high-tech entertainment system. Enjoy a buffet breakfast every morning before embarking on the day’s adventures, including a full-day tour of the magnificent islands.
Kids can also take egg painting and wood carving workshops, while parents learn traditional Balinese massage techniques in a 90-minute class. At night, bunk down in
a plush king-sized bed—but not before soaking in a warm aromatic bath in the privacy of your own villa.
Parent Perk: Book a babysitter for the kids while you enjoy a fruity cocktail at the hotel bar as the sun sets. $7,563 per villa per night, belmond.com
Cape Weligama Resort
Who wouldn’t love to take a deep plunge into cool waters underneath the baking sun? One of the biggest draws of the Cape Weligama Resort on the southern coastline of Sri Lanka is its stunning infinity pool, where you can swim and enjoy a drink while gazing out at the coast, skirted with thick jungles and stone temples. Little swimmers under 12 can strap themselves in resort-provided inflatables before taking a dip in the shallower cove pool. If you want to explore outside the resort, take a five-minute walk to East Beach to go scuba-diving and banana boating. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of whales or dolphins bobbing up from the water’s surface.
Back at the resort, the commodious Master Room 130 is a showstopper. Treat your body with a cleansing remedy in the suite’s steam room before plopping down on dual queen-sized beds.
Parent Perk: Get your personal butler to organize a private BBQ party for you, so you can really get some lazing time in. $3,428 per room per night from smithandfamily.com
Sabi Sand Safari and Table Mountain Tour
Get lost in the majesty of nature at &Beyond’s nine-day, eight-night Sabi Sand Safari and Table Mountain Tour. During this unforgettable adventure, you and your family will get up at the crack of dawn to track down the Big Five—lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos and elephants—at the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where exotic animals roam the fenceless lands.
Travel back to 1920s South Africa during your stay at Kirkman’s Kamp in Kruger National Park, the handsomely restored homestead of former ranger Harry Kirkman. On top of modern amenities there’s a roaring fireplace in every room.
In the second half of the journey, you’ll find yourself discovering the unique blend of old and new in Cape Town. Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for a breathtaking view, or board a ferry to Robben Island to visit the jailhouse which famously housed Nelson Mandela.
Parent Perk: &Beyond takes care of all the intermediate transfers, including an escort from Tambo International Airport at your arrival and the flight to Cape Town. $22,731 per person for nine days and eight nights, andbeyond.com
The Residence Maldives
Searching for a breathtaking beach escape? Head to The Residence Maldives, a family-friendly resort on the secluded Falhumaafushi Island, one of the deepest atolls in the Maldives.
Amongst the stunning setting, the resort offers fun for the whole family, from coconut bowling tournaments and crab races along the white sand beach, to swimming lessons and free ice cream daily for the kids.
The family package also includes a “Culinary Adventure” where guests will learn how to make Maldivian dishes under the tutelage of the resort’s executive chef at The Falhumaa. Hungry from all the fun and games? You’ll get free breakfast and dinner daily for the whole family, so be prepared to fall asleep in your beautiful villa every night under a food-induced coma.
Parent Perk: Children under 12 dine for free during the stay. $6,640 per room per night (minimum four nights, sleeps four), cenizaro.com/theresidence/maldives-fm
