Choosing Amongst the Many Family-Friendly Resorts in Phuket

Even if you’ve been to Phuket many times as an intrepid solo travelling or loved-up couple, once you embark on a family holiday, everything changes.

You will have to reconsider your itinerary from every angle. When children – no matter their age – are involved, you need to approach how you get about, what you eat, where you stay and what you do with fresh eyes. To help you navigate this island paradise with a family unit in mind, we’ve put together a quickie survival guide covering the three critical areas of resort selection: Entertainment, Transport, Accommodation. We have this vital information top of mind; you’ll have no problem choosing amongst the many family-friendly resorts in Phuket.

Entertainment 

Of course, we agree that spending the bulk of your vacation lazing by the pool and playing on the beach is a great idea. But there will be times when you and the kids get cabin fever and need to venture further afield for a change of scene. Do you research in advance, if all the activities (snorkelling, ziplining, wakeboarding, go-karting, zorbing, elephant trekking, etc.) you want to do are located in a certain part of the island (i.e., around Patong), you would be wise to choose a nearby hotel. The main road that runs through Phuket can get quite congested, so if you can avoid travelling it often, so the better. Also be advised that certain activities don’t run year-round because of weather conditions (i.e., the monsoon season from May-Oct will impact anything on the ocean), so check that it’s available during your stay dates.

Transport 

One of the important things to take into consideration when choosing your Phuket escape destination is how you’ll get about the island. If you don’t plan to hire a private car and/or driver for the duration of your stay, how will you and your family get from A to B? Keep in mind that Phuket has cluster zones and many of the things you’ll undoubtedly want to see, do and experience will be several kilometres from your hotel. For shorter distances you can walk or take taxis and tuk-tuks; for longer journeys, you’ll need to book a tour or hire a car. For safety reasons, we don’t recommend you ride a motorbike with young children. With this in mind, try to choose a resort that is not too isolated as they will considerably cut down on the expense and hassle of getting around the island.

Accommodation

There is an abundance of excellent family-friendly resorts in Phuket; the trick is finding the one that best suits all your criteria. Some of the critical things to consider are: 

• Price – an essential factor if you need to book two or more rooms. Does your hotel of choice offer a good deal on longer stays or a family package?
• Services & amenities – check to see that your preferred home away from home has a kids’ club, children’s menu, kids’ pool, babysitting service, tuk-tuk shuttle, connecting rooms, family suite, etc.
• Location – is your selected resort within easy reach – by foot or car – of a hospital, supermarket (emergency nappies!) and a selection of eateries?

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