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Wanna escape the haze? Here are six easy getaways with kid-friendly amenities, all within a few hours’ direct flight of Singapore
It’s hard to even think straight when you’re in a city blanketed with haze, trying to keep yourself and your family entertained and inspired indoors.
Luckily, these family-friendly escapes are fast and easy to get to (though as the haze spread wider, we had to knock a few places off the list). Some have the bonus of kids’ clubs for when parents (or working mamas) need some ‘me’-time, others are chock full of kid-friendly things to keep the whole family happy, and some are perfect to just rest, relax and breathe easy.
All are subject to wind directions, so do check the real-time air quality indexes, or better yet, call someone on the ground before you make your getaway. We’ve found AirVisual is a handy app to have downloaded, but not to live by.
Read more: Ultimate Guide to the Haze in Singapore: When is it ok to go outside, Where to buy masks, and more
Lead image via Andaman Langkawi
Air Quality Index: 0-50
Just 20 mins from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Crimson Hotel sprawls across 6 spacious hectares — with plenty of palm trees, large swimming pools, and an exclusive beach facing the aquamarine waters of the Hilutungan Channel to keep the little ones happy.
Kids’ Club: From a multi-level playground, to a Game Zone indoors, and the pool, playground, trampoline and sandbox outdoors – Crimzone (pictured above) is so fantastic it has its own membership! Its complimentary for guests of the hotel of course, taking kids ages 4 – 12.
Kids’ Meals: There are no specific menus for children, but there are tot-friendly options throughout.
Activities: The resort’s Marine Reserve sits a few metres from its private shoreline, so discovering the reef life through snorkelling or via kayak are options. Otherwise the Cebu Happy World Museum Miracle Art is great fun for all ages.
Adult-time: Aum Spa offers relaxing massages in a soothing, tropical-flower scented space, complete with steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. There’s also yoga for asana mamas.
How to get there: Direct flight to Cebu in under 4 hours.
Air Quality Index: 0-50
There’s smog in Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu too, so eschew those ‘popular’ spots for this off-the-beaten-track paradise in Tabanan. It’s a 1-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, but the ride is interesting and you pass through rustic Balinese villages as you make your way up the northwest coast of the island.
Kids’ Club: There’s no kids’ club but the main pool surrounded by lush lawn, the wide beach to run on and play games, and the private pools (which all but 6 villas have) will keep the kiddos entertained.
Kids’ Meals: There are children’s menus for in-villa dining and at the Waka Bar & Restaurant.
Activities: The resort is built for privacy and quality time with your loved ones – and there are plenty of activities to help facilitate. Craftier traditional Balinese activities such as Kite and Canang making, as well as sportier activities such as horseback or ATV riding, rice- field trekking and surfing lessons. There’s also a complimentary shuttle to the local traditional market and the Tanah Lot temple – where the sunset Kecak dance shouldn’t be missed.
Adult time: Bar and spa! We love the wind-swept, driftwood concept of Waka Bar, an effect that could be described as Crusoe- chic. Meanwhile, the compact but comforting Waka Spa is perfect to escape for a massage or manicure.
How to get there: Direct flight in under 3 hours.
Air Quality Index: 0-50
Posh mamas will love this new Ritz-Carlton in northeast Koh Samui, just 15 minutes from the airport. Stretching from hilltop down to their own private beach in Bophut, the resort houses 175 suites and pool villas, plus multiple dining options. It also boasts Southeast Asia’s first Ocean Pool – meaning a seawater pool segmented out in their bay.
Kids’ Club: Ritz Kids has a great programme from 9am – 5pm incorporating games, dancing, cooking lessons, body painting and even learning Thai. Activities are recommended for kids 4 – 12, while children under 4 require a parent or guardian to accompany.
Kids’ Meals: Breakfast is complimentary for under 6s and they also dine free for certain themed meals such the Sunset Seafood Barbecue.
Activities: There are some superb activities onsite such as snorkelling in the resort’s swim reef, mini golf and also Thai Boxing for kids! Samui is also home to numerous waterparks that might make a splash with the kids.
Adult time: The award-winning Spa Village brand makes their mark in Thailand (our favourite is the Campur – Campur), but the signature experiences are all designed to lull you into a terrific sense of relaxation.
How to get there: Direct flight in under 2 hours.
Read more: Ultimate guide to Koh Samui for families
Air Quality Index: 0-50
For some beach-time with a little bit of culture, Palm Garden is located on Cua Dai beach 15 minutes from the UNESCO heritage ancient city of Hoi An. This quaint beachside resort offers easy access to Hoi An’s great food, coffee and Instagram-worthy French colonial architecture. Hoi An is also known for its affordable art and many tailors for custom outfits.
Kids’ Club: The kids club is open 9am – 10pm daily, and there’s also an outdoor playground and acres of lush gardens and beachfront for kids to run free.
Kids’ Meals: The Terrace Cafe & Restaurant, Colibri Beach Restaurant and The Wessia Teppanyaki Japanese all offer children-friendly options but there are no specific menus for little ones.
Activities: The freeform pool surrounded by coconut trees is great for families to spend time all together, and various water sports are on offer as well, along with a games room with billiards, darts and table tennis, as well as a free shuttle service a few times a day to and from Hoi An’s ancient town.
Adult time: Palm Spa offers an array of therapeutic treatments in a tropical setting. Alternatively, the hotels Contino and Breeze bars are also great for sundowners.
How to get there: Direct flight in under 3 hours.
Image via Facebook
Air Quality Index: 0-50
We love this 9-villa boutique property located on a verdant hilltop because of the nature surrounding it, the fantastic views, its charming team and its strategic location just minutes from the cafes and restaurants of Pantai Tengah and a quick 20 minutes from the airport. The resort is also mindful of sustainability, with no plastic straws and mineral water bottles, and a restaurant championing local cuisine, plus a food waste program.
Kids’ Club: There’s no kids’ club, but each villa averages 180 sqm with a 10ft long infinity pool; for most kids, that’s enough to while the afternoons away. It’s also easy to spot giant squirrels, dusky leaf monkeys, hornbills and Brahminy kites from the terrace. A welcome soft toy is provided, and pool floats and puzzles are available.
Kids’ Meals: Meals can be made ‘kid sizes’ at Rimba restaurant, with a 50% discount, too. Breakfasts can be ordered in-villa at no additional charges, which makes for lavish and indulgent occasions.
Activities: Tengah Beach is a 10-minute walk down hill, or hop in the one of the resort’s cars — the hosts are happy to drop you off and pick you up all along Tengah Beach. Further afield, the Langkawi cable car ride is one of the best we’ve experienced (beat the queue with a VIP pass in a glass-bottomed car), and the Crocodile Adventureland or mangrove tour in the UNESCO Geoforest Park offer a few hours of excitement. A Damai Indah sunset cruise tops it all off (kids under 6 are complimentary!).
Adult time: The resort’s rooftop bar, Monsoon, offers some of the best sunsets and cocktails on the island. There’s also the opportunity to order massages in-villa from Ishan Spa.
How to get there: Direct flight in under 1.5 hours.
Air Quality Index: 0-50
A 40-minute drive from Langkawi International Airport takes you the The Andaman, tucked away in the 10-million year old rainforest of Teluk Datai. It is a true escape, because there is little else close to the resort, but once you get there it will take a lot to get you out to explore the rest of the island. Luckily, the resort has plenty to keep all occupied.
Kids’ Club: The Young Explorer’s Club (pictured above) is open 10am-6pm daily and has a schedule of guided activities from Nature Scavenger Hunts to ‘Stream Detective’, Seashell Painting and Sand Crab Hunting. In the club itself there are handicraft making activities, a play set, books and toys for younger tots. Kids 4-12 can be dropped off, but to be honest, once they experience all the outdoor activities at the resort, most kids forget about the club.
Kids’ Meals: Children under 3 dine for free when ordering from the Kids’ Menus (while eating with parents) and there are dedicated menus for 4-12s at each restaurant. Also, there’s free ice cream by the pool daily for Marriott Bonvoy members’ kids.
Activities: The freeform main pool is great because it has multiple sections and depths for every level of swimmer, and the single water slide is a hit for all. The resort also has complimentary Coral Snorkelling — seeing real clownfish in the anemone, touching sea cucumbers and learning about the effects of pollution on marine life; Rainforest Walks morning and evening to highlight the flora and fauna in the area such as the different plants, lizards, birds and monkeys, plus how to protect them; and a big box of sand toys by the pool towel hut for all to borrow. If venturing out, the Crocodile Adventureland and Cable Car are both reachable in under 30 minutes.
Adult time: The V Integrated Wellness Spa is tucked away in the rainforest, take advantage of the early bird promotions offering a good discount if you book a treatment before 1pm. Meanwhile the Beach Bar offers happy hours from 5pm-7pm daily with discounts based on the temperature of the day. Though note that the bar is not ‘adults-only’, many parents go for evening drinks and the kids are happy to accompany, drink coconut water and play in the sand.
How to get there: Direct flight in under 1.5 hours.
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lgklc-the-andaman-a-luxury-collection-resort-langkawi
