I really have to say, Singapore is one of the most child friendly cities on the planet, and Sentosa is akin to a children’s theme park at the heart of this beautiful, lively, and very clean island. Capella is situated right at the entrance of Sentosa, a luxurious boutique oasis, if you are looking for only the best for your family. From the moment you arrive at the delicate and grand colonial building the attentive staff are at your disposal. The historic building is fused with modern addditions to create the stunning resort, complete with decadent private pool villas, suites boasting ocean views, and three lagoon pools. The limited number of rooms means the atmosphere is always tranquil and you’ll never feel crowded or wait for service. We loved their inviting restaurants with the mouthwatering Peking Duck at Cassia being one of the most delicious dishes we sampled during our trip. Don’t miss their luxurious breakfast service and grab an outdoor table if you want to liase with one of the famous resident peacocks. I honestly can’t recommend Capella Singapore more if you want a romantic getaway or an escape from the city with your family. Not only does the city make a fantastic getaway, it also makes for a great place to live. With so much to see and do, it really is no surprise why so many choose to relocate here to somewhere like the Piermont Grand Location.
Nestled at the heart of Ubud’s vibrant green jungle is Kupu Kupu Barong, a serene and luxurious sanctuary featuring awe inspiring natural views, dreamy romantic sunsets, spacious and elegant suites, and a tranquil semi outdoor spa. Our split level, two bedroom villa was one of the biggest we’ve seen, complete with a generous pool, gigantic marble bathtub, floor to ceiling windows in the bedrooms, and decadent decor fit for a king. We loved romantic evenings on our terrace and couldn’t fault the stunning private BBQ with insanely fresh seafood and impressively discreet service. After a long day of exploring the local area we could resist a relaxing massage in their unique and rustic spa. The beds are gently perched at the edge of the resort offering teetering views of Ubuds lush greenery and a refreshing, clean breeze. A truly amazing spot to experience an authentic yet decadent Ubud stay.
Trisara, translated as “The Third Garden in Heaven” in Sanskrit, lives up to its decadent description by offering one of the most luxurious resort experiences in Phuket. From the moment we stepped into the grand ocean facing lobby to the comfortable and smooth airport transfer on the last day, we were treated like royalty. All of their villas and residences boast some of the best ocean views on the island and feature unbeatable sunsets. A winding set of chic steps gently led down to our Signature Villa and opened right into the grand and secluded space. We felt immediately at home in the modern and sumptuous suite with a chic dining room and lounge, spacious lavish bathroom, and an amazing sleep inducing bedroom. The best part was the huge and refreshing infinity pool where we spent most of our days soaking up sunshine, serenely gazing at the Andaman Sea, and dining poolside from their extensive in room dining menu. Our active children spent afternoons playing at the fully equipped kids club while we napped on the nearly deserted beach. The dining options at Trisara are reason enough to visit with some of the best seafood we had on the island at Seafood and the innovative fresh fare at Pru. They even have their own sustainable farm where the majority of Pru’s organic produce is sourced. I spent my days living in a plush bathrobe or bikini and found it extremely difficult to will myself to pack and leave. You would find it hard to locate a more ideal place for a luxurious family holiday or romantic honeymoon in Phuket.
Travelling with a toddler and baby means we seriously value space and full kitchens at our accommodation. AirBnb can be a great option, but when you spend all day swimming and chasing after two little ones the appeal of housekeeping, room service, and friendly staff at the other end of the phone is more than tempting. This is why The Pavilions was infinitely the best of both worlds. Their two bedroom, modern loft has all that you would want from a well equipped city apartment with the welcome addition of a stunning infinity pool, and tranquil views. The mouthwatering Thai fare at The Pavilion Club, amazing sunsets at 360 Bar, and fun ambiance at Firefly ensured we had plenty of date night options when we needed time away from the little ones, and their spa has one of the most indulgent couples packages we’ve ever experienced. Evenings with wine on the huge terrace was just the relaxing treat we were craving and the insanely comfortable beds caused several late mornings of lingering a little too long. Ever and River had an abundance of play space in the gigantic living area and the modern kitchen was ideal for preparing family meals. A frequent shuttle was available to take us to the pristine beach only a few minutes away or the nearest supermarket to collect supplies. I couldn’t recommend The Pavillions more for groups or families looking for the comforts of home alongside hotel luxury and 5 star service.
Uluwatu boasts some of my favorite view points and Hidden Hills Villas was no exception. As soon as we were led into our private two bed villa, the noise and worries of reality dissipated. The tranquil space featured two spacious bedrooms complete with beds fit for a king and decadent outdoor baths and showers. We loved the open living areas which allowed for sunset gazing and the glittering infinity pool where we spent most of our days. Fresh seafood is always my staple when visiting beach destinations so I was throughly obsessed with the In Villa BBQ featuring perfectly grilled lobster, giant prawns and mouthwatering spiced fish. I was so relaxed the entire stay, we barely set foot out of the villa, and when we did it was to gather supplies so we could disappear again until it was time to leave. I can’t think of a better way to escape city noise and truly indulge.
Whenever we stay in Bali there’s a mandatory few days we park in Seminyak. I love exploring the local shops to top up the kids wardrobes and the boho jewellery and decor is always amazing for souvenirs and gifts. The boy and I are also obsessed with the trendy bar and restaurant scene and spend at least one evening exploring food street. The Seminyak Suite, with comfortable pool villas, fantastic service, and optimal location is the ideal jumping off point for a few days in the busy part of Bali. We loved being within walking distance to the main street, and the refreshing pool and spacious room provided a perfect sanctuary. With baby cots, a huge bath, and full kitchenette, it’s convenient for families or groups of friends. We had a fun filled few days during our stay.
Ever is entering that age of wonderment, just starting to become fascinated with nature and other elements of her surroundings. Meeting animals is probably the most extraordinary thing she can experience at the moment, so we couldn’t turn down the opportunity to stay a few nights at Mara River Safari Lodge during our trip to Bali. Not only are you able to visit all the park’s attractions, shows, and restaurants but you are instantly placed in a safari experience. As soon as we set foot in our rustic room and gazed out our window at elephants and zebras, we were transported to Africa. Bali Safari does an amazing job at suspending your disbelief, and creating a bubble where you fully immerse in the natural surroundings. We shared fresh carrots with zebras and rhinos from our balcony, took a bumpy elephant ride to breakfast, and had a tiger directly above us in a cage during their night safari. The experience was exhilarating, amusing, and incredibly amazing to share with our children.
Must do at Bali Safari:
Stay: Book at least one night in one of their rooms and wake up to panoramic views of zebras and elephants. Swim in their infinity pool while gazing at the animals and ride an elephant to breakfast in the morning.
Dine: Have dinner at Tsavo Lion Restaurant and make sure to grab a window seat. Feast on their fine dining menu suitable for the whole family and watch the lions laze in their habitat while you eat.
Do: Make sure to do their night safari your where you can feed everything from zebras and elephants to lions and tigers. Don’t worry, it’s very safe so bring along the kids and show them the animals up close. Also check out their Bali Agung Show which was beautifully presented and engaging for all age groups and we loved the tiger and elephant shows too. If you have younger children, take them to the petting zoo and teach them about ducks, chickens, goats and farm life.
For more visit their website: Bali Safari and Marine Park