It doesn’t take much to convince families to go to Thailand. It’s only a short flight from Australia, it’s affordable, English is widely spoken and the cuisine has something to suit all taste buds.
The hard part is choosing the right place to stay.
To make it a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top Thailand hotels for families.
Bangkok
Anantara Riverside Bangkok
Anantara is far enough away from the city centre to offer a reprieve from the chaos, but still within easy reach of the must-see sights. The hotel has a great Kids Club, offering everything from Thai dance classes to friendly soccer matches. The resort pool is one of the largest in Bangkok and has a huge jacuzzi to relax in as well. Each room has a complimentary smartphone to help you navigate the city. The resort also offers free shuttle boats across the river to the city, departing every 20 minutes.
Room recommendation: Family Suites (3 adults + 1 child)
Rates from $186/night
www.anantara.com/en/
Picture: Anantara Riverside Bangkok
Siam Kempinski
Siam Kempinski is great for families who are looking for a bit of luxury. This 5-star hotel, in Bangkok’s premier shopping and entertainment district, has multiple restaurants and bars on site. But you can also eat out. The nearby Siam Paragon has plenty of food options including traditional Thai and international cuisine. Siam Kempinski has a dedicated children’s pool and Kids Club with a large indoor playground, Junior Chef program and daily craft activities.
Room recommendation: Premier King Room (2 adults + 2 children), Premier Twin Bed (2 adults + 2 children), Family Suite (2 adults + 2 children)
Rates from $400/night
www.kempinski.com/en/bangkok
Picture: Siam Kempinski
Phuket
Laguna Phuket
Laguna Phuket, in Bang Tao Bay, is a tourist mecca that sprawls over 1000 acres of tropical parkland. Families can choose from nine hotels and resorts, dozens of restaurants, bars and boutique shopping areas. The beachfront is a hub for water sports such as jet skiing, banana boating and team sports on the sand. Everything is within walking distance. If you feel tired, or have little ones, you can catch a free shuttle boat or bus. Of the nine hotels and resorts, Angsana, Laguna Holiday Club and Outrigger are the most appropriate for families.
Angsana Laguna Phuket – Laguna Premier Room King (up to 4 guests), 2 Bedroom Island Duplex (up to 4 guests)
Rates from $150/night
www.lagunaphuket.com/angsana
Picture: Angsana Laguna Phuket
Laguna Holiday Club – Two Bedroom Suite with Kitchenette (up to 4 guests)
Rates from $160/night
www.lagunaphuket.com/holidayclub
Picture: Laguna Holiday Club
Outrigger – Lagoon View (2 adults + 2 children), Oceanfront (2 adults + 2 children), Lagoon View 2 Bedroom Suite (2 adults + 2 children)
Rates from $132/night
www.lagunaphuket.com/outrigger
Picture: Outrigger Laguna Phuket
Centara Grand Beach Resort Karon
Centara resorts are renowned for their fantastic Kids Clubs and family-friendly facilities. At Karon Beach, kids are truly spoilt. The resort has a water park, lazy river, water slides, waterfalls and cliff jumping platform. At the beach, kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling activities are on offer for the whole family.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Ocean-facing (2 adults + 2 children), Deluxe Pool Suite (2 adults + 2 children), 2 Bedroom Pool Villa (4 adults + 3 children)
Rates from $200/night
www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand
Picture: Centara Grand Beach Resort Karon
ClubMed Phuket
The biggest drawcard for families is that ClubMed is all-inclusive. No need to get your wallet out over and over again – all your meals, drinks and activities are covered in the cost of your stay. And kids under four stay free.
Room recommendation: Interconnecting Superior Rooms (up to 6 guests), Deluxe Balcony Room (up to 3 guests), Interconnecting Suite Room (up to 6 guests)
Rates from $160/person/night
www.clubmed.com.au/Phuket
Picture: Club Med Phuket
Holiday Inn Resort Phuket
The Holiday Inn is opposite Patong Beach – one of Phuket’s most popular tourist hubs. It’s close to local markets, restaurants and attractions such as Dino Park Mini Golf and Phuket Aquarium. The Kids Club welcomes guests aged 5-10 with additional activities open to kids up to 12. Holiday Inn also has two kids pools with slides, caves and water spouts.
Room recommendation: Superior Room (2 adults + 2 children), Family Suite (2 adults + 2 children), Kid’s Suite (2 adults + 2 children)
Rates from $120/night
www.phuket.holidayinnresorts.com
Picture: Holiday Inn Resort Phuket
Khao Lak
The Sands Khao Lak
The Sands has an entire area dedicated to fun. The Aqua Wing is perfect for families – it has a mini water park, lazy river and multiple pools to splash around in. The Aqua Wing is also where you’ll find the family-friendly rooms and Sands Castle Kids’ Club.
Room recommendation: Family Room (2 adults + 2 children), 2 Bedroom Teen Suite (2 adults + 2 children)
Rates from $130/night
www.thesandskhaolak.com
Picture: The Sands Khaolak
Manathai Khao Lak
Manathai Khao Lak has suites and bungalows designed for families with kids. The family room has bunk beds, a basket of toys and a separate play area for kids to chill out in. The Kids’ Club has a ‘Little Bartenders’ program, but it’s not what you think. Kids can experiment with different combinations of local fruit to make their own signature juice mocktail.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Balcony with Extra Bed (up to 4 guests), Family Room (up to 4 guests)
Rates from $97/night
www.manathai.com/khaolak
Picture: Manathai Kaolak
Chiang Mai
Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa
Siripanna’s Kids’ Club features traditional ‘Lanna’ style toys so children can mix a bit of culture into their play time. The resort also offers private rice planting tours for young ones in the lush rice paddy located on-site. Families have plenty of dining options including a-la-carte and buffet style with both Thai and international cuisine.
Room recommendation: Royal Lanna Villa (up to 4 guests), Deluxe Gallery Family (up to 5 guests), Royal Lanna Villa Family (up to 5 guests)
Rates from $255/night
www.siripanna.com
Picture: Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa
Shangri-la Chiang Mai
Families are happily catered for at the Shangri-La Chiang Mai. It’s just a 5-minute walk to the buzzing Night Bazaar in the centre of town. Shangri-La hotels often have discounted packages for families so it’s worth enquiring about the latest deals. Kids under six eat for free at the buffet, and kids six to 11 eat for half-price.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Room (2 adults + 2 children – Extra bed on request)
Rates from $234/night
www.shangri-la.com/chiangmai
Picture: Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Pattaya
Centara Grand Mirage
If you flick through pictures of Centara Grand Mirage with the kids, they’ll be begging to stay there. The resort has it’s own water park called Monsoon Island. It has slides, waterfalls, water guns, miniature geysers and jumbo water buckets. The Camp Safari Kids’ Club and E-Zone have a program of activities that change daily. Families can also opt for snorkelling and kayaking expeditions at the resort’s pristine private beach.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Family Ocean Facing (2 adults + 2 children), Club Mirage Family Residence Suite (2 adults + 3 children)
Rates from $346/night
www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand
Picture: Centara Grand Mirage
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya
Hard Rock may not be the obvious choice for families but it has plenty of rooms that cater to up to four guests and they offer great nightly rates. The hotel puts on a free poolside party just for kids. The Family Foam Adventure has a DJ spinning the latest tracks, games, floats and activities. Teens also have their own spot to hang out with a mini theatre, video games and even DJ courses for aspiring musicians.
Room recommendation: Roxtars Family Suites City View (2 adults + 2 children), Roxtars Family Suite Sea View (2 adults + 2 children)
Rates from $133/night
www.pattaya.hardrockhotels.net
Picture: Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya
Hua Hin
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
The highlight of the Hyatt is its awesome pool area. The resort has three impressive interconnecting pools that split off into a river pool with a waterfall, a lagoon pool for shallow-water sunbathing and a free-form pool with a 22-metre slide. Plus, there’s a smaller beach pool for young kids to splash around in.
Room recommendation: 2 Twin Beds (up to 4 guests), 2 Twin Beds with Sofa Bed (up to 5 guests).
Rates from $141/night
www.hyatt.com/thailand
Picture: Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
Avani Hua Hin
This ocean-front resort has two pools and a scenic lake to sit around and sip a cocktail (or three). It’s close to the centre of town where you can go horse riding on the beach, check out the night market, visit temples and go wild at the nearby waterparks. There’s also a fully-supervised Kids’ Club free for guests between 4-12 years old.
Room recommendation: Avani Deluxe Pool Access Room (2 adults + 1 child), Avani Two Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa (5 adults or 4 adults + 2 kids)
Rates from $170/night
www.avanihotels.com
Picture: Avani Hua Hin
Holiday Inn Resort Vana Nava Hua Hin
Holiday Inn is a well-known, worldwide brand and it’s always a safe bet for families. The Kids’ Club activities, awesome sky-rise infinity pool and on-site restaurants cater to all ages. The Holiday Inn rewards scheme also has great offers for repeat guests including free breakfast and flexible dates and rates. The resort is a short walk to the city centre where you’ll find food markets, shopping streets and waterparks.
Room recommendation: Panoramic Suite (2 adults + 1 child), Kids Suite (2 adults + 2 kids)
Rates from $250/night.
www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts
Picture: Holiday Inn Resort Vana Nava Hua Hin
Chiang Rai
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
This is not just a resort – it’s a heartwarming experience, for you and for the special residents that call the jungle home. Anantara is part resort, part elephant conservation camp. The All-inclusive Discovery Packages gives visitors a peek into the award-winning programme that cares for rescued elephants.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Three Country View Room (2 adults + 1 child), Three Country View Family Suite (up to 6 guests)
Rates from $1,929/night. Remember – It’s all-inclusive and once-in-a-lifetime.
www.anantara.com/golden-triangle-chiang-rai
Picture: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
Trat
Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway
Families who travel to Trat are generally aiming to escape the buzz of the city and relax amongst nature. Sounds whimsical, right? The resort’s surroundings will reset your clock in no time. Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway offers fantastic opportunities to explore the nearby jungle and National Marine Park. After a day of adventure, you can come back to a selection of luxurious pools and delicious dining venues.
Room recommendation: Standard Room (2 adults + 2 children), Pool Villa with private plunge pool (2 adults & 2 children)
Rates from $53/night
www.accorhotels.com/koh-chang
Picture: Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway
Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat
The beachfront location of this resort is great for families who want to kick back on the sand and enjoy some water sports. Snorkelling, windsurfing and kayaking gear is free for guests to use and the beachside pool is great for days when the waves are a little rough.
Room recommendation: Tropical Family Suite (up to 4 guests), Beachfront Villa (up to 4 guests).
Rates from $77/night
www.centarahotelsresorts.com/trat
Picture: Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat
Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort
Koh Chang is an island off the coast of Trat, surrounded by the tropical waters of a National Marine Park. The resort’s pool and play areas will keep the whole family entertained. Older kids can take a Thai Boxing class on the lawn, while younger guests have an entire program of activities at the Kids’ Club. If you’re looking to get out of the resort for the day, check out the snorkelling, diving and island hopping excursions to surrounding islands.
Room recommendation: Deluxe Ocean View Cabana (up to 4 guests), Cabana Suite (up to 4 guests)
Rates from $94/night
www.centarahotelsresorts.com/tropicana
Picture: Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort
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I was blessed with parents who really saw the value in travel. After our first family trip abroad to Thailand, I became obsessed. I was hungry for anything new and different. I yearned to be in the middle of a city on the other side of the world with a suitcase in one hand and google maps in the other, stumbling around trying to figure out where I was going; literally and spiritually.