Four Seasons Koh Samui will always have a special place in my heart. We headed to the beautiful island just as River began walking and Ever started her reign as the sassiest toddler in town. They were both eager to test their independence and Four Seasons Koh Samui offered the ideal, dreamy family vacation perfect for creating unforgettable memories. The lush and picturesque resort features sweeping views, a private white sand beach, rustic treehouse kids club, mouthwatering and romantic dining venues, decadent pool villas, and impeccable service. Our villa was suitable for families with small children with a decadent and large master bedroom and a snug and baby proofed room just off the bathroom, perfect if you want privacy but still have your kids nearby. The luxurious bathroom incorporated a deep and indulgent bath and plenty of light and space for the whole family. Our refreshing pool overlooked the vibrant green garden and had ultimate privacy from the rest of the resort. Only a few steps away was the well equipped and friendly kids club and the luxurious beach complete with attentive service, clear waters, and plenty of sandy nooks for the kids to enjoy. After full days of sun and sand, Dan and I indulged in tranquil treatments at the spa and tropical cocktails and sunset gazing at Cocorum. Their dining experiences are a must do while you are in Koh Samui even if you are not staying at the resort. We loved the delicate and decadent dining at Pla Pla and their elevated Thai cuisine at Koh. For relaxed family meals, the In Villa BBQ is perfect with fresh fare and a great set up for children. Don’t miss getting recommendations from their extremely talented sommelier who can help you expertly pair your meal with the best wine no matter where you are dining. A truly magical experience for our little family of four in paradise, and somewhere we would return again and again.
After visiting a few resorts that required domestic flights and seaplanes to reach the destination, I was eager to explore an island that would only require a boat ride from Male. To my surprise, after a short 20 minute journey on a luxury catamaran, we found ourselves on a very secluded and private resort. The waters sparkled clear and palm trees swept bright blue skies as we were warmly welcomed to the beautiful Jumeirah Vittaveli. The resort has a distinct rustic feel alongside the brand’s usual luxury. Structures and decor are created from natural resources from the island keeping a true Maldivian charm. I loved that the resort was fully equipped with plenty of activities for groups or families and found myself missing the children as I could see how much fun it would be for a family vacation as well as a romantic getaway. You can indulge in sunset cruises where you may even spot a few dolphins, relax at the serene and decadent spa, enjoy water sports or snorkeling with the guidance of their friendly and knowledgeable team, or ride in a cute yellow submarine and discover the marine life. Our water villa was incredibly spacious with a gigantic bed boasting ocean views and a luxurious plunge pool. We had so many options at meal times it was incredibly hard to decide, but I loved the tropical ambiance and fresh grilled seafood at Mu Grill and highly recommend their traditional Indian cooking class in the stunning and bohemian outdoor venue, Swarna. It was truly the best of both worlds with engaging and interactive activities as well as long breakfasts on our sun deck and afternoons swimming in the crisp blue ocean just below our villa. If you are looking for ultimate luxury for groups, weddings, or families this is the ideal Maldives resort.
The Maldives is one of those heavenly destinations, where every single photo captured evokes luxury, beauty, and romance. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi encompasses this picturesque image throughout their resort, creating a honeymooners’s paradise with a private island vibe. As soon as we stepped off the speedboat and entered the resort, the attentive and personalised service began. We were led to a gigantic beach villa complete with a hidden private swimming pool and one of the biggest bathtubs I’ve ever seen. The island is small and simple to navigate with the beach only a few steps from your back door, and breakfast a short stroll away. We spent days swimming along the fine white sand beach, gazing at a clear blue expanse and excitedly engaging with the incredible marine life. Snorkelling is well guided, with their house reef only a short swim away, and easily done even by the most novice swimmers. The dining options are decadent and beautiful with beachfront relaxed tables, and a modern over the water venue located near the water villas. For an unforgettable evening, The Sunken Dig was truly unique with a private table dug into the beach, adorned with an abundance of candles, flowers, and mouthwatering fare. If you are lucky enough to catch the full moon, you will have one of the most beautiful views in the world. What I loved most about Dhevanafushi was the fact that although the island is small we often felt alone, making the experience intimate and tranquil. Truly an amazing place to escape city noise and enjoy a slice of five star barefoot luxury.
Taiwan is a second home to us but we rarely venture outside of the captital city to explore, so during our last stay we decided it was time to discover another town. Yilan is a popular spot that locals love for weekend getaways, great food, natural hot springs, and child friendly fun. At only an hour car journey from the centre of Taipei, it was a smooth and simple journey with two kids and only $1200 NT for the entire ride. Our first stop was Silks Place, renowned for their children’s facilities and the unmissable Peking duck. After a quick and smooth check in we were led to our top floor room complete with a spacious balcony, five star amenities, and beautiful views. Our bathroom was already outfitted with every toddler amenity you could imagine and the staff were extremely welcoming, introducing us to the many activities available to our family. We’ve been to hotels with impressive kids clubs but Silks Place is on another level. Two floors of the hotel are dedicated to children, with themed guest rooms, a racing track in the hallways and electric cars the little ones can drive right up to their doors. There’s a complimentary refreshments cafe decorated in cute Western theme, which serves snacks and juice for the kids and coffee for the tired parents. A small nook upstairs houses inviting beanbags and an array of storybooks for a quiet afternoon or a calm play area for younger babies. Outside is an outdoor playground which is a children’s paradise including two bouncy castles, towering slides, a plethora of electric cars and mini streets, colourful ball pit, and so much more. Parents get ready because we had great difficulty pulling our children away from their version of heaven. If you are lucky enough to bring someone to watch your kids, head to the decadent spa for an afternoon of pampering and check out the large and relaxing indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Meals can be had at their international buffet restaurant where the Silks Place characters (a life size monkey, bee, and bear) are available for photo ops during breakfast. A family dinner is a must do at Red Lantern where you’ll melt over the mouthwatering duck skin nigiri and traditional Yilan specialities. The resort is located within the regions largest shopping mall and close to all the local shops and sights, which are are easily accessible by taxi or a short walk. If you have kids under 5 this is the place to be.
After a few days full of fun and play, we decided to retreat to a quieter corner of Yilan known for their natural hot springs. WellSprings By Silks located in Jiaoxi, is a beautiful and serene boutique hotel featuring distinct, modern Japanese design and boasts an outdoor hot spring in each room. We loved our family suite with a minimal and stylish aesthetic alongside tranquil and relaxing ambiance. The sliding wooden screens that allowed us to separate the bedroom and lounge were a parent’s dream after a long day when we could unwind with wine, while the kids slumbered in close vicinity. The cozy nook housing our two plush and decadent double beds was an ideal sleeping situation if you are traveling with co-sleeping toddlers. We loved the rooftop pool and jacuzzi featuring 360 degree views and their traditional and abundant Japanese style breakfast spread. Make sure to dine at Mihan Jiaoxi, where they serve a mouthwatering shabu shabu experience and salad bar, and check out the children’s facilities at their sister hotel, Just Sleep, located next door. Wellspring by Silks was perfect for a relaxing few days away from the city but would be amazing as a romantic escape as well.
Don’t forget to devour the regions famous scallion pancakes during your visit and take the kids to a few local farms. Taiwan has amazingly fresh produce and we couldn’t get enough of the flavourful variety of greens on offer in the region.
36, Minquan Rd., Sec. 2, Yilan City, Taiwan
No.67, Wenquan Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
When I travel, I find the journey is just as important as the trip itself. The anticipation before you arrive and the sheer excitement of descending into your destination is a huge part of visiting another part of the world. Dan and I planned our trip to the Maldives in celebration of not one but two special occasions, so when we found out Cathay Pacific offered the only direct flight from Hong Kong to Male, we knew it was the only option if we wanted comfort and luxury. We arrived early for check-in eager to start our trip and we melted into vacation mode the minute we set foot in Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge. The vast space features modern, minimal design and enough relaxing corners for you to enjoy a glass of wine or read a book in peace. As it was Dan’s birthday we toasted our trip at the fully stocked bar with two glasses of champagne and started to revel in the calming atmosphere. We indulged in steaming hot bowls of soup and wontons from the nostalgic noodle bar, lounged while gazing at airplanes taking flight in the tranquil Relaxation Room, and finished with cups of fragrant coffee and conversation in the inviting lounge area. Time passed quickly and before we knew it, we were boarding our flight for Male. We were grateful to be comfortably settled in our Business Class seats where we could sit side by side but still have a sense of privacy and serenity. The staff were welcoming and attentive, greeting us by name and quickly learning our preferences ensuring personal service throughout the flight. We sipped wine and chatted during the mouthwatering tablecloth dinner service before fully reclining in the cozy seats and enjoying the varied and extensive in-flight entertainment on offer. I loved the little details that made their business class unique, such as double sided cotton blankets that were soft and luxurious, as well as the natural and fragrant Jurlique products ensuring moisture for my flight parched skin. We arrived in Male refreshed, rested, and content, starting our vacation on a very good note. I can’t think of a better way to have commenced our Maldives getaway.
We have a beach addicted little family, always pining for the next white sand beach, so when a string of well traveled friends started recommending Palawan we knew it would be our next stop. Club Paradise, located on a private island in Coron, is only a short boat ride from Busuanga Airport and offers all that would dream of for an idyllic beach getaway. Our jaws dropped as the boat approached their white sand shores, slowly gliding through the sparkling gemstone turquoise waters. The beach villas are an amiable combination of luxury and rustic charm, giving you plenty of privacy and prime location. The children waded confidently into the calm and clear waters and spent hours building lofty sand castles on the pristine white sand beach. We enjoyed leisurely lunches at the beachfront restaurant tasting fresh local seafood and mouthwatering Filipino flavors. Evenings were spent lazing at the inviting and charming bar, where we caught numerous postcard worthy sunsets and cooled down with refreshing cocktails. One of the highlights was an impressive private boat trip to a neighboring island where we enjoyed a blissful and unforgettable dinner. If an island escape is your dream holiday then this is a must visit. For both romantic weekends or a family vacation, you will be able to experience an ample dose of paradise.
Over Christmas we embarked on our first long haul flight with both children and surprisingly survived the experience without any disasters. Any parent of babies and toddlers knows how daunting flying can be, and crossing time zones while trying to convince your children a seat is a bed can almost be impossible. Lucky for us Turkish Airlines allowed us not only a smooth journey, but an enjoyable one. Their business class is arguably the most child friendly in the business with accommodating staff, welcome packets that include children’s headphones, and plenty of space in your bulkhead seat if you have an infant in your lap. To top it off they offer very competitive rates so you don’t feel guilty about buying your child that coveted seat and indulging as a family. The lie down beds are artfully set up with cushions and a duvet so all of us snuggled up and slept through the majority of the HK to Istanbul leg. Although you have a short layover in Istanbul, there’s no better sanctuary than the Turkish Airlines lounge. We gorged on mouthwatering authentic fare and lounged in the comfortable sofas. The coffee was some of the best I’ve ever tasted and the children were occupied in the fully equipped kids club. I also cannot fault the delicious meals served onboard our flights either with an relaxing candlelit dinner service, fresh juices and teas, and amazing Turkish flavours. What a comfortable and luxurious way to travel from Hong Kong to Europe.
Our first stop on the stunning and tranquil island of Koh Samui. Renaissance, located on an enviable beachfront location, is a welcoming and luxurious spot complete with pool villas, five star facilities, and friendly service. We felt instantly at home in their two bed pool villa which was only steps away from the white sand and crystal waters. This was the first beach vacation since our little River a.k.a. The Destructor has been walking so we had plenty of fun watching him discover and eat sand. We found a little hidden area neatly tucked away from the main pool and set up a little camp for us and the kids. Weirdly enough, nobody seemed to walk by and it felt as if we were on our own serene, private island. Ever overcame her fear of oceans due to the inviting calm water, and was able to wade out by herself and engage in her favourite activity of collecting clams and shells. When they they were drowsy from the sun, we were still right beside our villa so the kids went in for nap time while we enjoyed an ice cold beer on the breezy terrace. Our small yet refreshing pool was Ever’s sanctuary and allowed me to sunbathe while she paddled around.
This Renaissance was slightly quieter and more intimate than others we’ve stayed and we actually preferred it this way. The service was incredibly personable and the restaurants never felt crowded. We had privacy in our villa but moved down to the beach for sunsets drinks and to join the weekly seafood BBQ. The selection of food was fresh and plentiful with something for everyone. The best part was the incredible fire show that both kids enjoyed. We were even shocked to silence by the impressive finale.
I couldn’t recommend Renaissance Koh Samui‘s pool villas more for families traveling with children. There’s so much space and if you don’t have childcare you won’t get cabin fever as there’s so much to do as a family only steps away from your room.