Experiences: Best Family Resort
Winner: Sentosa Island (Singapore)
Shedding its past as a British army base and Japanese prisoner of war camp, Sentosa was reinvented in 1972 as a tourist destination. The island now has a multitude of family-friendly entertainment from Universal Studios to Sentosa 4D Adventureland (which has Southeast Asia’s first four-dimensional theatre) and Madame Tussauds. More is set to come, with plans to relocate the current port terminals to make way for additional commercial and entertainment facilities. Three new mid-market hotels are also scheduled to open in a bid to attract more Singaporean staycationers.
Experiences: Best Family Resort Shortlist
Banyan Tree, Da Nang (Vietnam)
Jet skiing, speed boats, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and archery are just some of the activities on offer for adventurous families. A gorgeous pool and Unesco-listed World Heritage sites on the doorstep add to the appeal.
Hong Kong Disneyland (Hong Kong SAR, China)
The world of Mickey and friends awaits at Hong Kong Disneyland. Stay in one of three themed hotels and take your time soaking up every bit of Disney magic, before heading on to Inspiration Lake where you can rent paddleboats and picnic on the lawn.
Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin (Thailand)
This seaside destination is the first Holiday Inn water park resort in Asia, with 19 rides and slides that all guests can enjoy for free.
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Vietnam)
This five-star resort tumbles down Monkey Mountain towards a private white sand beach. Resort activities range from lantern-making classes to treks through the jungle, plus there’s a full sports centre and gym. Meanwhile the Planet Trekkers and Teen Centre will keep kids occupied while mum and dad enjoy the spa.
The Mulia, Bali (Indonesia)
Kite-flying on the beach, extensive gardens, swimming pools that go on forever and a truly excellent rage of Asian dining options: The Mulia is a large (and we do mean palatial) resort with a genuine soul.
Nihi Sumba (Indonesia)
Surfing, fishing, spas, yoga, waterfall treks and local market excursions: guests at Nihi Sumba won’t have trouble packing out their itinerary. Or just enjoy lazing by the rugged beach – the resort is set on a stretch of private beach backed by dense jungle.
Rosewood Phuket (Thailand)
This resort has a long list of activities and dining options, but the star has to be its array of swimming pools – from an organic free-from infinity pool, to a lap pool, activity pool and children’s pool: this is the spot for water babies.
Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood (Thailand)
Not many resorts can lay claim to an observatory, but stargazing is very much an option at Soneva Kiri – as is watching a movie under the stars at the giant outdoor cinema. Guests are also bound to get a thrill from dining in the treetops or the mushroom cave. Alternatively, guests can learn to make authentic Thai dishes in a cooking class.
More 2018 Experiences Award Winners:
Explore all the results of the Marco Polo Club Members’ Choice Awards
