Travelling with children doesn’t always feel like a holiday, especially when you’re juggling tantrums and navigating unfamiliar surroundings. But our four-day stay at Club Med Phuket’s newly launched Family Oasis completely shifted this writer’s perspective! Marking Club Med’s first dedicated family space in the Asia Pacific region, the Lai Thai Family Oasis, which derives its name from the beautifully intricate traditional Thai patterns and design, was the perfect venue for us to rest, reconnect and recharge.
Here’s why this family-friendly sanctuary should be on your list of must-visit getaways too:
Club Med Phuket: A haven for families
Stepping into the Splash Park
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Club Med Phuket; yet, the Family Oasis has managed to completely up the ante! Tucked away at Phuket’s Kata Beach, this new wing of Club Med Phuket is meticulously designed for stress-free travel with kids. The Family Oasis comes with family suites, splash-worthy pools, a snack bar and free buggy ride services around the resort. We loved how every detail seemed to anticipate the needs of parents.
The Splash Park, a vibrant water playground designed just for children, features gentle, giggle-inducing water jets, toddler-friendly water depths, and shaded cabanas that practically whisper “nap time”. Lifeguards are also stationed throughout the day to help keep a watchful eye, offering families added peace of mind.
If you’re a parent of frequently hangry children, fret not. If someone gets peckish, there’s no need to dry up, pack up and rush to the restaurant as the snack bar is only steps away from the pool. Offering a variety of snacks for kids and adults, it became our go-to spot for quick bites – from fries and beer, to delicious churros.
A home away from home
The Lai Thai Family Oasis features 24 Family Superior rooms and 8 Family Themed rooms, each inspired by Phuket’s beautiful natural landscape and the creativity of Thai art and design. Families will love the fact that these rooms can comfortably accommodate up to two adults, two children under 11 and one baby. Thoughtful touches for little guests, such as baby essentials and amenities, as well as fun activity and welcome kits were also very much appreciated.
We stayed in one of the ground-floor rooms, which featured a terrace that led us directly to the Splash Park. Radiating a tropical-yet-calm decor (think: warm wooden tones with a tinge of colour), the inviting interiors made us feel instantly relaxed, affording us some much-needed time and space to decompress.
We also loved the fact that our room key was in the form of a wristband, making access to our room hassle-free (minus fears of misplaced keycards)! Truly, the Family Oasis was made not just for families, but with families in mind.
The Magic of Club Med Phuket’s Kids’ Club
Club Med is beloved for their Kids’ Clubs across their resorts – and Club Med Phuket is no exception. Our tiny traveller got checked in at the Mini Club Med+, which offered full-day programmes filled with fun treasure hunts, crafts, circus school, and lunch with new friends (How cute is that?).
As he happily settled in, his parents took some guilt-free time to explore the resort’s activities, nap, talk without getting interrupted, and enjoy the calm. Those few precious hours were blissful for overstimulated parents like us.
The Kids’ Club G.Os, aka “Gentle Organisers”, impressed us with their caring, multilingual, and attentive approach. We loved that sign-ins were secure (pro tip: aim to check in your child earlier in the day at 9.00am, as the kids’ club can get busy), activities were developmentally appropriate, and the kids came back with actual stories, not just screen-time reports.
All-inclusive dining delights
Part of the beauty of Club Med Phuket is its all-inclusive nature, which includes unlimited all-day meals, snacks, and drinks (yes, wine too!). Meals at The Mamuang, Club Med Phuket’s main restaurant, felt like an adventure. Each day, a new selection of dishes greeted us and for once, I didn’t have to plan a single meal. Even our picky eater found something to love, which was a huge win for me!
From made-to-order pastas and fresh seafood, to kid-friendly nuggets and desserts, there was no shortage of suitable options for the whole family.
We also had one scrumptious date night at Chu-da, the resort’s à la carte restaurant. Reservations are required, as they have limited seats and timings for the dine-in experience. Do note that they open during alternate nights during this season, so make sure to check if it’s open during your stay.
For those dining with children in tow, rest assured that there’s a kids’ menu to choose from here as well. Make sure to do yourselves a favour by ordering the mango sticky rice (we tried it, and it was absolutely divine)!
Real Me-Time: Spa, Zen and Beyond
Nestled away in a quiet part of the resort, The Spa by HARNN, offers a blissful sanctuary, using only natural ingredients and methods passed down through generations of Thai artisans. Whether you’re up for a spa, Thai massage, or if you’d like to lounge at the hot tub or the steam room, this place is definitely for you.
The moment we stepped into the space, there were cool towels and refreshing drinks to greet us. You can customise your session to your body’s needs, from gentle pressure to deep-tissue relief. We emerged from the massage feeling rejuvenated, our spirits lifted and our bodies light. You know it was a good experience if you wound up napping halfway through!
Do note however, that treatments at The Spa are add-on services and not part of the all-inclusive package. Please refer to their menu for more information.
Whether your perfect day is soaking up the sun or embracing adventure, there are suitable activities for everyone. Sign up for padel, golf, snorkelling, Muay Thai classes, or just zen out with a drink in hand! To stay updated on the daily activities and allocated times for each session, make sure to download and use the Club Med app.
Final thoughts: There were tears…
… from the little one, that is, when he had to bid farewell to Club Med Phuket! This lovely resort did all the heavy lifting for us as parents, and it’s definitely a place we would return to for another hassle-free family holiday. Our short break was a genuinely relaxing experience for the entire family – a rare and precious thing when you’re travelling with young kids.
If you’re a parent craving sun, sea, and sanity, then Club Med Phuket’s Family Oasis is absolutely worth considering. It’s the kind of place that remembers what we need, before we even ask. This was our first experience with Club Med, and we can safely say that it certainly won’t be our last!
By Sarah Goh
Sarah is a dedicated boy mum, and is always excited to create fun yet insightful content as makchic’s TikTok Coordinator. When she’s not on her phone, she’s enjoys cafe hopping and dancing to K-pop.
makchic’s stay at Club Med Phuket was sponsored. The writer’s opinions, however, are solely her own. For more information, please visit the website, check out their Instagram or download their resort brochure.
You can also check out our earlier article: makchic Reviews: Club Med Phuket (Plus, Why You Should Stay Around Kata Beach)
