Luxury hotels arent just for honeymooners and couples. Families with young children who truly want a relaxing vacation know to head to a luxury resort that offers a great kids club, so kids can have fun with other kids while parents get some time to themselves to explore, relax and recharge. Here are my top picks for luxury resort kids club programs. As an added bonus, all of these programs are complimentary and included in the room rate. There may be a nominal charge for extra activities or special sports or dance lessons, but theres always complimentary alternative.
Four Seasons Kids for All Seasons
Some of my sons favorite resort experiences have been at Four Seasons Kids for All Seasons kids clubs, for example making Balinese pastries and playing tennis at the Kids for All Seasons kids club at the Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay, playing air hockey and making a pop up Fathers Day card at Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, painting coconut shells at Four Seasons Koh Samui, and playing games with other kids at the Four Seasons Marrakech. In each case, it was a great group of kids and very caring, charismatic staff. In fact, the only problem was getting him to leave when it was time for dinner or to go back to our room.
Even some Four Seasons city hotels such as Four Seasons George V Paris offer incredible experiences for kids: a treasure hunt searching for answers to clues, a special tour of the hidden doors and passageways, and a wonderful pastry class making delicious mini madeleine pastries!
Rosewood Rose Buds for Children
Rosewood Resorts offer a complimentary Rose Buds for Children kids club for guests who are 4-12 years old at Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexicos Riviera Maya, Rosewood Tuckers Point in Bermuda, and Rosewood Little Dix Bay and for kids 3-11 years old at Rosewood Jumby Bay in Antigua. Activities include nature walks, scavenger hunts, folk art, yoga, cookie making and Spanish lessons. At Jumby Bay, youngsters have the unique chance to participate in the Hawksbill Turtle conservation program, watching a turtle nesting on Pasture Bay Beach, and help release the hatchlings into the sea.
Amanpulo Kids Club
Most Aman Resorts are very much luxury boutique properties that appeal mainly to honeymooners and couples on romantic getaways. Amanpulo, on Pamalican Island in the Philippines, has the best beach Ive ever experienced in the world, and appeals to many returning families in addition to couples. So much so, in fact, that it offers a complimentary kids club, where in addition to the usual kids club arts and crafts, games and outdoor play, the kids learn to make their own pizza at the Windsurf Hut, where its fired in a traditional wood-fired oven, learn all about the marine animals that inhabit Amanpulos clear waters, and also plant their own tree. While not formally part of the kids’ club, another fun activity for older kids is being able to drive a golf cart around the island (each casita or villa has its own golf cart for the duration of the stay).
Andaz Kids Club
As with Amanpulos Kids Club, Andaz Maui at Waileas and Andaz Papagayos kids’ clubs are not heavily promoted, but are complimentary and available to children ages 4-12. Theres both indoor arts and crafts and games, including time for some unstructured play (my son helped build a cool fort) as well as outdoor games on the lawn and beach and pool time.
What are your favorite complimentary luxury resort kids club programs?
