Phuket, Thailand
The Thailand hotspot isn’t strictly adults only, discovers Woman’s Day’s FIONA CONNOLLY
Asea of cheap designer knock-offs, one copied Adidas cap after another, pole dancers, “ladyboys”, endless massage parlours and cocktail bars, and the pungent sanitation smells of downtown… not quite your idea of a restful family holiday? “That’s a nice wristband, they’re the colours you’re looking for,” I say to my 12-year-old as we take in all the sleazy, bright lights of Patong Beach one night. “But Mum, it says the C word!” he enlightened me, before we both burst out laughing! We spent 10 days in Phuket and while the thought of Patong at night for a family holiday sounds like hell, our time there – which saw two 17-year-old girls, a 12-year-old and six-year-old boy and two hopeful adults in search of a relaxing break – was just what we were looking for.
Rule 1 Everything in moderation!
We sspent one or two nights in Patong madness, eating out, shopping and playing rooftop minigolf and they were great fun. We have special memories of laughing our way home in a disco taxi! But you also need a relaxing retreat. We spent other nights at beachfront restaurants away from the craziness, one night we entertained friends and another night we had a pool party watching Netflix, playing games and ordering room service.
Rule 2 Lock down a pure oasis
We stayed at tthe beautiful Banyan Tree in the Laguna areaarea, where families can conveniently shack up in one of nine luxury beachside hotels located in lush tropical parkland, while being shuttle-serviced from hotel to hotel and pay just one bill when it comes to checking out. Our hotel provided bikes, which the older kids loved riding to the beach and my partner and I enjoyed packing books into the basket and taking to the pool as we waited for yoga sessions, spa treatments and on lazier afternoons, poolside cocktails. Laguna is far enough away from the craziness of Patong (about 45 minutes drive) but close enough for a short taxi ride to more traditional markets, calmer beaches, great Thai restaurants and day trips to go fishing or kayaking and taking in nearby islands such as the famous James Bond Island named after filming took place there in the ’70s.
Rule 3 Encourage group exploration
ON a rainy day, I discovered the Upside-down House not far from Laguna, which the kids loved. We also took in a local hedge maze and an escape room, which is much more fun than it sounds! I even found a Tesco supermarket, where I picked up groceries to feed the team and a laundrette which, for less than the taxi fare, sent us home with freshly washed and ironed clothes. The older girls decided to take the bus into the local night markets, have a massage on the beach and returned with more sarongs and bikinis than a Kardashian would have!
Rule 4 Book the right room
It’s well worth your while if you’re a larger family (I counted 24 pairs of shoes at our door one day!) to consider a hotel villa. Most of the Laguna hotels have fabulous kids clubs and within the precinct they can play tennis, paddleboat, kayak and, of course, swim all day! Our pool came with an aqua gym and whirlpool, which the kids never tired of.
Rule 5 Research, then research some more
For an alternative place to stay, check out the many high-quality Airbnbs springing up. Most come complete with daily cleaning services and, depending on how far your budget stretches, can even include chefs and drivers to take you around the Island. Just make sure you have a pool and air-conditioning, especially if you have little ones – with highs of 30°C all year round, you’ll need both for a whinge-free stay.