Phuket for Kids
We were in Phuket three months ago and now back again! This time for a filming job I took up with Honeykids Asia and Hilton Asia Pacific. The trip was quite rushed because we could only leave for Phuket after Ewan's dismissal from school on Friday and be back by Sunday. Maybe I should have just written an excuse letter from primary school but then again, flying after school works too.
I think we were rather bold; heroic almost to catch the last flight out touching down in Singapore at 2300hrs. Technically, we spent only two full days in Phuket!
I crossed my fingers the children could still make it to school at 7.30am on Monday morning without dragging their feet. And boy they did without a fight.
My main priority this trip was to make sure they got enough rest. So every pocket of free/travelling time meant shut-eye time. Although our shooting call times had us on back to back from 7am to 7pm, we slept just as long for 11 hours through the night! Well done Yangs!
It is three days post Phuket now and I'm all excited to share all the fun we had at this beach getaway!
There are a few big tips about Phuket that every family should know:
1. Easy To Drive Around As long as you have a driving license, you can rent a car to tour the island on your own! Post-kids, Meyer and I always rented cars to drive around Phuket. We would rent manual cars and although the uphill climbs can be nerve-wrecking for fear of stalling, it's good fun!
2. Cover Up when visiting temples. You cannot walk into sacred grounds in your bikini for sure. No showing of shoulders, belly button or legs. Bring a sarong or scarf along! Some tourist spots provide free sarongs for cover ups and you can [no obligations] simply put a little donation in return.
3. Electricity and Plugs. Bring along an international adapter. You will need it!
4. Water is not potable in Phuket. Drink from mineral water bottles.
5. Tipping anyone for service is not mandatory in Phuket although it is welcomed.
I think we were rather bold; heroic almost to catch the last flight out touching down in Singapore at 2300hrs. Technically, we spent only two full days in Phuket!
I crossed my fingers the children could still make it to school at 7.30am on Monday morning without dragging their feet. And boy they did without a fight.
My main priority this trip was to make sure they got enough rest. So every pocket of free/travelling time meant shut-eye time. Although our shooting call times had us on back to back from 7am to 7pm, we slept just as long for 11 hours through the night! Well done Yangs!
It is three days post Phuket now and I'm all excited to share all the fun we had at this beach getaway!
There are a few big tips about Phuket that every family should know:
1. Easy To Drive Around As long as you have a driving license, you can rent a car to tour the island on your own! Post-kids, Meyer and I always rented cars to drive around Phuket. We would rent manual cars and although the uphill climbs can be nerve-wrecking for fear of stalling, it's good fun!
2. Cover Up when visiting temples. You cannot walk into sacred grounds in your bikini for sure. No showing of shoulders, belly button or legs. Bring a sarong or scarf along! Some tourist spots provide free sarongs for cover ups and you can [no obligations] simply put a little donation in return.
3. Electricity and Plugs. Bring along an international adapter. You will need it!
4. Water is not potable in Phuket. Drink from mineral water bottles.
5. Tipping anyone for service is not mandatory in Phuket although it is welcomed.
HILTON PHUKET ARCADIA RESORT AND SPA
Hilton Phuket is situated along Karon Beach with sprawling large grounds! We were surprised by the massiveness of this property. Imagine this: 8 restaurants and bars; 5 outdoor pools, 15 sanctus spa villas, fitness center, tennis and squash courts! And most importantly, children-friendly facilities.
ROOMS
We were housed in a 44sqm Deluxe Family Room for our weekend rendezvous. When I entered the room, I didn't like the non-carpeted floor but realised rather quickly that this is only practical because of the sand we would be bringing back from the beach!
We will always put the comfortability of rooms as priority. People may argue, “Rooms are not important because we spend less time in the room than we are touristing outside!” But I say, “If we don’t get a restful night, how can we fully enjoy our holiday?” And a comfortable room can help us unwind. The same reason why we put in so much effort doing up our home so we can come home feeling rested.
The Family Room we were accommodated in at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa is a modernly designed room, flooded with natural light. That two queen beds was a deal-setter! The kids were quick in choosing their sleeping partners, “I want to sleep with mommy!” Faye choped. “I want to daddy!” Ewan seconded.
Our room had children-friendly amenities which I, as a parent, appreciate - child toilet seat, a step stool for the wash basin, bright and cartoony bath mat, a chalk board for doodling, toys, children's table and best of all, a high chair! I know Faye's really over-age for it but she loves her high chair. This one even more because it's in pink!
KIDS PARADISE
The children discovered the Kids Club and went berserk! There are indoor and outdoor play areas which catered to both Ewan and Faye's personalities. Two and four wheel bicycles were available for them to ride around the compound. I felt safe watching them cycle in an enclosed outdoor area.
The indoor play area boasts an huge array of fun for children of all ages! There were very kiddish house play and puzzle toys for the younger kids on one end and Wii games on the other end of the room for the older boys.
As with all Kids Club, there will always be an Art and Craft table for children to engage in meaningful work like batik painting, colouring, etc. But what impressed me most were the Movie Room and Nap Room! We have been to so many Kids Club around the world and this is the very first I've walked in to find a Movie Room filled with bean bags and a Nap Room with a mattress on the floor. [videos can be found on our Instagram Highlights under the Phuket tab]
We dropped the kids off for 90 minutes on departure day and when we went to pick them up, the complaints were incessant!
SWIMMING POOL
You won't believe how vast the grounds are at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa until you hear they've got 5 swimming pools! Two of which with built-in water slides which Ewan and Faye kept going.
I brought my camera with me to photograph them having fun in the waters as always. But before I know it, I was pulled into it with them! The signage by the water tunnel said no adults over the weight of 45kg and I qualified! What fun is it without mom? And because I was in the moment with them, we chucked all devices [camera, GoPro, phone] away and focused on spending quality time together instead.
They were disappointed we couldn't give them another round of water play before checking out due to our tight schedule so we promised we will be back!
TRAM RIDE
You know how buggies are usually on property to ferry guests from lobby to villas and restaurants to beach? There at the hotel, they use trams instead. Smart way to cater to 662 rooms on site!
ANIMALS
Who would have thought? There were free-roaming animals within the property that weren't so afraid of humans. They came close to us whenever they thought we had food in our hands.
The children were excited to get up close and personal with a raft of ducks and a clutch of chickens. On our second morning of our trip, Faye suggested, "Let's bring some bread to the pond and feed those ducks we saw yesterday!"
Oh in the end, we had more than enough to go around and even fed the fishes too.
SUNDAY FAMILY BRUNCH
While you partake in delicious food in the company of adults, you will find your children indulging in endless play on the bouncy castle, balloon making station, swimming pool and gorging themselves crazy with that beautiful chocolate fountain!
Their specialty is the Seafood Bucket filled with mussels, crabs and prawns which is presented to every table booked. At only THB 999++, i.e. S$43++, you get to enjoy a beautiful selection of food from Indian to Italian!
Children under 6 years of age dine for free and the 6 to 12s get 50% off.
HAVING FUN WITH KIDS IN PHUKETROOMS
We were housed in a 44sqm Deluxe Family Room for our weekend rendezvous. When I entered the room, I didn't like the non-carpeted floor but realised rather quickly that this is only practical because of the sand we would be bringing back from the beach!
We will always put the comfortability of rooms as priority. People may argue, “Rooms are not important because we spend less time in the room than we are touristing outside!” But I say, “If we don’t get a restful night, how can we fully enjoy our holiday?” And a comfortable room can help us unwind. The same reason why we put in so much effort doing up our home so we can come home feeling rested.
The Family Room we were accommodated in at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa is a modernly designed room, flooded with natural light. That two queen beds was a deal-setter! The kids were quick in choosing their sleeping partners, “I want to sleep with mommy!” Faye choped. “I want to daddy!” Ewan seconded.
Our room had children-friendly amenities which I, as a parent, appreciate - child toilet seat, a step stool for the wash basin, bright and cartoony bath mat, a chalk board for doodling, toys, children's table and best of all, a high chair! I know Faye's really over-age for it but she loves her high chair. This one even more because it's in pink!
KIDS PARADISE
The children discovered the Kids Club and went berserk! There are indoor and outdoor play areas which catered to both Ewan and Faye's personalities. Two and four wheel bicycles were available for them to ride around the compound. I felt safe watching them cycle in an enclosed outdoor area.
The indoor play area boasts an huge array of fun for children of all ages! There were very kiddish house play and puzzle toys for the younger kids on one end and Wii games on the other end of the room for the older boys.
As with all Kids Club, there will always be an Art and Craft table for children to engage in meaningful work like batik painting, colouring, etc. But what impressed me most were the Movie Room and Nap Room! We have been to so many Kids Club around the world and this is the very first I've walked in to find a Movie Room filled with bean bags and a Nap Room with a mattress on the floor. [videos can be found on our Instagram Highlights under the Phuket tab]
We dropped the kids off for 90 minutes on departure day and when we went to pick them up, the complaints were incessant!
SWIMMING POOL
You won't believe how vast the grounds are at Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa until you hear they've got 5 swimming pools! Two of which with built-in water slides which Ewan and Faye kept going.
I brought my camera with me to photograph them having fun in the waters as always. But before I know it, I was pulled into it with them! The signage by the water tunnel said no adults over the weight of 45kg and I qualified! What fun is it without mom? And because I was in the moment with them, we chucked all devices [camera, GoPro, phone] away and focused on spending quality time together instead.
They were disappointed we couldn't give them another round of water play before checking out due to our tight schedule so we promised we will be back!
TRAM RIDE
You know how buggies are usually on property to ferry guests from lobby to villas and restaurants to beach? There at the hotel, they use trams instead. Smart way to cater to 662 rooms on site!
ANIMALS
Who would have thought? There were free-roaming animals within the property that weren't so afraid of humans. They came close to us whenever they thought we had food in our hands.
The children were excited to get up close and personal with a raft of ducks and a clutch of chickens. On our second morning of our trip, Faye suggested, "Let's bring some bread to the pond and feed those ducks we saw yesterday!"
Oh in the end, we had more than enough to go around and even fed the fishes too.
SUNDAY FAMILY BRUNCH
While you partake in delicious food in the company of adults, you will find your children indulging in endless play on the bouncy castle, balloon making station, swimming pool and gorging themselves crazy with that beautiful chocolate fountain!
Their specialty is the Seafood Bucket filled with mussels, crabs and prawns which is presented to every table booked. At only THB 999++, i.e. S$43++, you get to enjoy a beautiful selection of food from Indian to Italian!
Children under 6 years of age dine for free and the 6 to 12s get 50% off.
ONE
DINO PARK MINI GOLF
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun: 1000 to 2300 hours
Ticketing:
Game Charge - THB 240 [adult] | THB180 [child]
Admission Charge - THB120 [adult] | THB 90 [child]
Links:
Website
It was a fun place to be! Just three minutes drive from Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, we played 18 holes amongst dinosaurs and I even landed myself with a Hole In One! The special effects from the erupting volcano was impressive really. Firstly, it smoked. Then it fired and lava spewed out downwards into "land" with special sound effects! There is also a lava cave and a 12-meter waterfall as you walk through the experience from par to par.
This is by far the best designed, most engaging mini golfing attraction I've been to.
There is also a Dino Burger restaurant right outside the park which we didn't get to try. Let me know your reviews if you do!
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun: 1000 to 2300 hours
Ticketing:
Game Charge - THB 240 [adult] | THB180 [child]
Admission Charge - THB120 [adult] | THB 90 [child]
Links:
Website
TWO
BEACH
Who doesn't love a beach with surfer's waves? Oh the waves at Karon Beach were absolutely welcoming. Ewan was waiting impatiently for me to slap on sunscreen for him and he blurted, “Argh mom! Quickly now! I’m gonna kill the waves!” We jumped off our beach chairs and ran towards the clear waters!
After two hours on the beach, the children whined big time when we got them to pack up, especially after our Donut Speedboat experience. We were being swerved left and right from our ride and our bums lifted off our seats with every rough wave that hit us from below! It was exhilarating as we held on tightly to our respective handles. If I held on only with one hand, I would definitely be thrown off board.
With the beach right across from the hotel we stayed, they were asking us to go at every possible opportunity!
Ewan and Faye unanimously voted the beach as the best thing that happened in Phuket. Faye loved the waves and Ewan digged the Donut ride.
After two hours on the beach, the children whined big time when we got them to pack up, especially after our Donut Speedboat experience. We were being swerved left and right from our ride and our bums lifted off our seats with every rough wave that hit us from below! It was exhilarating as we held on tightly to our respective handles. If I held on only with one hand, I would definitely be thrown off board.
With the beach right across from the hotel we stayed, they were asking us to go at every possible opportunity!
Ewan and Faye unanimously voted the beach as the best thing that happened in Phuket. Faye loved the waves and Ewan digged the Donut ride.
THREE
ATV
The last time we were in Phuket [just in November], we had five kids and two grands with us. We decided to be as unadventurous as possible to cut ourselves some slack.
Now that we are back, it is a no-brainer that we go out and do what our adrenaline-seeking family loves to do! An adventure on a all-terrain vehicle was the first on out list since it’s only 20 minutes away from our hotel.
We went out on a guided ATV tour up to the Big Buddha on road. Meyer and I were hoping for jungle trekking but we also acknowledge that hard-core racing would pose as a danger to the kids riding with us.
The 30 minute practice on road gave us a good grasp and understanding of our ATVs. We were then surprised by a little treat off-roads onto a dirt track which had us all going WOOHOOO! Ewan LOVED IT and Faye said this was number one on her list! But I reckon that’s because she came so close to the elephants.
We went into the dirt track a herd of elephants were working along. Poor animals. They were busy working their tails off riding tourists on their backs for money the operators pocket. What do they get in return? Literally peanuts and bananas. And possibly abuse and assault from the taming training throughout the years.
Faye's favourite animal is the elephant and she wanted so much to spend time with them. I reminded her that riding on one isn't a way of spending time. Let us visit a sanctuary instead next visit.
This company that brought us out is Phuket ATV Safari Adventure. I see they also provide other services like Elephant riding, rafting adventures, horse riding, dolphin shows, etc. I do not think I'll highly recommend them for the animal tourism activities they are undertaking. Do your own research online for a better operator for ATV!
Now that we are back, it is a no-brainer that we go out and do what our adrenaline-seeking family loves to do! An adventure on a all-terrain vehicle was the first on out list since it’s only 20 minutes away from our hotel.
We went out on a guided ATV tour up to the Big Buddha on road. Meyer and I were hoping for jungle trekking but we also acknowledge that hard-core racing would pose as a danger to the kids riding with us.
The 30 minute practice on road gave us a good grasp and understanding of our ATVs. We were then surprised by a little treat off-roads onto a dirt track which had us all going WOOHOOO! Ewan LOVED IT and Faye said this was number one on her list! But I reckon that’s because she came so close to the elephants.
We went into the dirt track a herd of elephants were working along. Poor animals. They were busy working their tails off riding tourists on their backs for money the operators pocket. What do they get in return? Literally peanuts and bananas. And possibly abuse and assault from the taming training throughout the years.
Faye's favourite animal is the elephant and she wanted so much to spend time with them. I reminded her that riding on one isn't a way of spending time. Let us visit a sanctuary instead next visit.
This company that brought us out is Phuket ATV Safari Adventure. I see they also provide other services like Elephant riding, rafting adventures, horse riding, dolphin shows, etc. I do not think I'll highly recommend them for the animal tourism activities they are undertaking. Do your own research online for a better operator for ATV!
FOUR
BAAN TEELANKA AND GARDEN MAZE
Ahhhh... What can I say? This is not for us. However, I am not going to discount this from my list of Phuket for Kids because many other families may find pleasure in an upside down house. I personally found it hard to understand how we were supposed to pose for the cameras. Unlike the Trick Eye Museums with a "Stand Here" sign on the floor and picture exemplifications on the wall for the final product, Baan Teelanka did not have any samples. They do have staff on site to guide you on what you could do. Still, I couldn't get the novelty of this attraction.
We managed to get some hilarious shots of the children though!
At this attraction, you will also find a Treehouse and Garden Maze which we explored too. Slap on mosquito repellents if you do not want to get bitten in that maze! There is complimentary repellent too but it didn't deter the mosquitoes from attacking us while we were in there. Probably immune to it so bring your own.
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun: 0930 to 1800 hours
Links:
FIVE
CORNROWS
Every other shop along the tourist street is a salon offering to transform your locks into cornrows! I cannot tell you which is the best but really, it's only by luck you get a skilled hairdresser to tie your hair taught and neat. The girls had one hairdresser each and only one of them had their hair most beautifully tied. It took about 90 minutes to do up the whole head.
Price-wise, I walked into five salon to ask for rates and eventually settled with the one whom I can communicate best with. They made sure there was little price war going around and priced themselves all the same so you can't really compare.
Read also:
Our little Travel companions
Feb 2019 - Ewan at 6 years old and Faye at 4 years old
Click on our Travel tab to read all about our tips and tricks!
Click on our Travel tab to read all about our tips and tricks!
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A stay at home mum, blogging to widen her social life.
We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.
We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.
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