Baby gear, fidgety toddlers or overactive older children can turn a family holiday into hard work. So, choosing your destination carefully is important. There are some great options with lots of activities, whether it’s holiday villas or a family-friendly resort, from Bali to the Maldives!
The Legian Seminyak, Bali
& The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali
These two adjoining beach resorts in Bali provide both options. Both offer spacious, elegant accommodation that provides the perfect backdrop for a family holiday with fabulous memories.
Suites at The Legian Seminyak, Bali not only have separate living and dining areas, but they come with outdoor terraces or balconies overlooking Seminyak Beach. Ideal for a sundowner with a sea breeze! Renowned Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim is behind the interiors, which combine Balinese materials, art and artefacts with modern lines.
Right nearby is a private retreat, The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali. The gorgeous holiday villas here come with their own walled gardens and swimming pools – not to mention a private butler! You can also access all the facilities of the main resort.
Among the many accommodation options for families across the two resorts are the roomy ocean-facing Two Bedroom Suite at The Legian Seminyak, and the secluded Two or Three Bedroom Pool Villa at The Club by The Legian. Rates include daily breakfasts for a nice easy start to the day. For stays of two nights or more, lunch and dinner from the Children’s Menu is free for those under 12 years. Mums and dads, meanwhile, can enjoy a complimentary one-time Balinese massage. It’s a one-hour
ritual that will refresh both body and mind.
As tempting as it sounds to stay put in your suite or villa all day, there are plenty of curated activities and experiences to try. Younger travellers can have fun with a Junior Activity Programme that includes the likes of cooking lessons, music and
organic gardening. Older ones can play beach volleyball or ride horses on the beach.
Other options include family surf sessions, hands-on cooking class at Begawan Biji in Ubud, and calming yoga classes. Want a higher-energy activity? Try a kickboxing session! It all makes for a family holiday in Bali to remember.
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Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach for a low-stress island break
A short ferry ride from Singapore, Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach is a practical choice for a low-stress island family vacation. Located around 10 minutes from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, the resort sits along Lagoi Beach, bordered by mangroves. It’s a relaxed, nature-focused family-friendly resort.
The 258 rooms and suites all have private balconies. Families are well catered for, particularly in the one- and two-bedroom Family Suites, with separate living areas and extra sleeping space for anyone travelling with kids or grandparents. Pool Access Rooms are also popular, allowing guests to step straight from their terrace into the water. Kids’ Suites add a playful touch, with bunk beds and jungle-themed interiors.
One of the main draws for families is the Mangrove House Kids Club, which includes a splash pad and a schedule of hands-on activities such as cooking sessions, simple STEM projects, outdoor play, guided nature explorations and evening movie nights.
Dining across the resort is designed with families in mind. Options include an all-day restaurant serving international and local dishes, a lobby café for light bites, a swim-up pool bar, and a snack bar near the children’s pool. For the latter, parents can pre-load an RFID wristband, allowing kids to independently order snacks like ice cream and fresh juices. Holiday Inn’s Kids Stay & Eat Free programme also applies here, helping simplify mealtimes.
The resort is currenlty adding even more to its family-friendly line-up, with several new experiences on the way. These include a food truck serving salads, burritos, tacos and nachos, alongside a Chinese restaurant. Active families can also look forward to a racquet sports club with padel, pickleball and other court-based activities.
The beachfront Wavy Waft outdoor activity centre offers paddle boarding, kayaking and beach sports. Also, several well-known golf courses are within a short drive, plus there’s a spa with a dedicated range of treatments for kids to round out the stay.
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The Residence Bintan, Indonesia for a family holiday near Singapore
This family-friendly resort is an easy one to tie in with a trip to Singapore. Owned by part of the Cenizaro group, it’s tucked away on the quieter southeastern coast of the island of Bintan. The resort offers 127 rooms and villas, ranging from one-bedroom garden units to beachfront or two-bedroom holiday villas. There’s plenty to keep everyone occupied, too. Try the biking trails, for example, or a batik painting workshop for kids and adults.
Families can explore the shoreline together during guided and self-guided marine walks. At low tide, the beach reveals a surprisingly busy ecosystem, where children can spot sea stars, hairy crabs and much more.
The Kakatu Kids Club is another highlight. Open to children aged three to 12 years, it offers yoga sessions, nature activities and local cooking and dance classes. While the smaller guests are happily entertained, parents can escape to The Spa for traditional Indonesian therapies or unwind by the beach.
There are a few dining options on site. These include Rica Rica, serving Indonesian-inspired dishes with a modern edge, along with casual eateries for snacks and poolside meals.
More great spots for family holidays in Asia
The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi for a rustic-luxe island resort
If your idea of a family holiday involves clear water, sandy toes and plenty to explore, this laid-back island resort in the Maldives will do the trick. The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi sits in the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll – known for being one of the largest and deepest in the world. The vibe here is rustic-luxe, with villas set right on the beach or over the water, and most built using natural materials that blend into the surroundings.
There’s a kids’ club, a long list of water activities, and even a house reef where you might spot turtles or reef sharks from your deck. Parents might appreciate the Spa by Clarins, perched over the lagoon, as well as the quieter restaurants like The Falhumaa, which is at the end of a jetty and offers proper ocean views.
The resort is connected to its sister property on nearby Dhigurah Island via a long bridge. Guests can access facilities on both sides. With so much to do between the two islands, you’ll never hear the kids say they’re bored on this family holiday.
The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah – an all-inclusive family holiday resort
Often counted among the best family-friendly resorts in Asia, this larger Maldives resort sits just across the bridge from Falhumaafushi. It offers a great mix of family bonding time and chances to unwind. Dhigurah is a 2km-long island, dotted with more than 2,500 coconut palms and calm turquoise waters. It’s also home to one of the Maldives’ longest bridges, so you can easily explore both islands on foot or by buggy.
All villas come with private pools and sunrise or sunset views. It’s an all-inclusive setup, so meals and drinks across both islands are covered. This is always a big plus when booking a family vacation with kids! There are five restaurants and three bars just on Dhigurah, plus a huge kids’ club, a spa with overwater treatment rooms, and plenty of nature and cooking activities to keep everyone entertained.
Snorkelling and diving are a natural extension of island life at both Dhigurah and Falhumaafushi. Experiences are designed to suit both first-timers and confident divers. Uncrowded sites make it straightforward for children to get comfortable in the water, while guided expeditions give parents the reassurance of experienced supervision. Night dives can also be specially arranged for an additional charge. This offers something a little different for older kids and teens, when bioluminescent plankton lights up the water and the reef offers a different perspective from daytime dives.
Close to shore, the coral gardens are healthy and fun to explore, making snorkelling a daily activity. Squeeze in a session before breakfast or after that inevitable afternoon ice cream!
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