Kids rule in Phuket

A couple of years ago when our young family arrived in Phuket in search of a resort with a decent children's club, we left disappointed. Now, JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa has set a new standard for family travel by offering a Kids Club that opens its doors from 9am to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm, for free.

The children's hearts were captured on arrival, thanks to gifts of brightly coloured soft toys in the image of the leatherback turtle mascot of the resort. (JW Marriott is known for contributing to conservation efforts through the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation for raising awareness of the endangered leatherback turtles that crawl to the nearby beach to lay eggs.)

While parents are filling in check-in registrations in the room, the children, personally attended to by Kids Club staff, are given their own check-in registrations to make them feel an integral part of the process. Instead of passport numbers and credit card information, they write down information of their favourite toys, food, people and colours.

The Kids Club offers a weekly timetable of activities, including use of the indoor playground, toys, arts and craft lessons with Thai flavours such as making batik T-shirts, learning the Thai language, making rain sticks and Thai boxing. Other creative pursuits include making a dream catcher, jewellery, wind chimes, masks, cards and cookies.

Handicraft courses incur a small fee to cover material costs.

There is also a line up to wear out the most energetic kids. They can learn snorkelling, yoga, aerobics, tennis and croquet.