Three ideas for a twin-destination summer holiday in Southeast Asia, for different types of family.
Southeast Asia has so much to offer for all ages, from quiet beaches and new resorts to evocative histories and cultures.
There’s so much to experience, yet the highlight can also be doing nothing at all.
This region is ideal for a two-stop holiday, especially now there is easy flight access between very diverse destinations. It also offers exceptional value for a family travelling in summer.
Here are three suggestions from the EliteVoyage team.
1. Angkor + Desaru (Cambodia + Malaysia)
Angkor, the magical and mesmerising wonder of the world, the mystical journey through history that can be very exciting for children.
And Desaru, a tropical hideaway between jungle, sand and sea, where a One&Only resort provides space for everyone in the family to relax and play.
First the history of Angkor
Angkor is not a destination to rush in one day, especially with kids. You can easily spend up to a week exploring.
The vast temple complex is scattered throughout a forest, just outside the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, which has Southeast Asia’s best collection of five-star resorts.
We can happily recommend Amansara, Raffles Grand Hotel and Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Angkor (note that La Residence D’Angkor by Belmond is closed for renovation until October 2024).
However, our top two choice Zannier Phum Baitang, a super stylish resort of free-standing villas with private pools, where Angelina Jolie stayed with her family for four months when she directed her Netflix movie set in Cambodia.
Angkor is actually many Khmer cities, palaces and temples, it’s not a single historic site like Machu Picchu or the Pyramids. You can explore it as a family in a private minivan, electric tuk tuk, electric scooter or bicycle.
Do one Angkor experience each day, which as well as exploring temples, can include dining in a temple, learning a sacred Khmer dance, and a treasure hunt amid the ruins.
Then Siem Reap has plenty of children’s activities for the other part of the day, from art and design workshops to mountain biking or just playing by the pool.
Then the beach at Desaru
Siem Reap is a one-stop flight from Vienna on Austrian Airways, via Bangkok. From Siem Reap it’s a 2h25 direct flight to Singapore, then a short transfer to Desaru on the Malaysian coast.
Here we recommend the excellent One&Only Desaru Coast, a contemporary and relaxing beach resort with good facilities for children aged older than four years.
Desaru is a nice option because of its ease and convenience, the great quality and a relatively low price point of this One&Only, plus the quiet nature-based location.
You may choose to add a day or two in Singapore to your holiday, although it’s not a necessity as there are various good one-stop flight options back to Prague or Vienna.
2. Thailand: Chiang Mai + Tranquil Beach Retreat
The best of Thailand: authentic, relaxed, interesting and fun. And a long way from the over tourism that has blighted parts of the country.
This trip idea combines an immersion in traditional Thai culture, with a quiet beach escape. Perfect with kids aged four to 12.
First the culture in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s cultural heart and although it’s a popular tourist destination, it’s not been ruined by tourism. You’ll still find very authentic places and experiences, in an enchanting and relaxed town.
We recommend staying at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, it’s the best option for families, nestled amid the rice paddies around 30 minutes outside the old city.
The residence-style accommodations are great for families and there’s both a good kids club and a great spa.
Tailor a program to your family’s energy and interests. Balloon rides, bike tours, cooking classes, meeting with monks and tribes, temple ceremonies for all ages and a lot more.
We really like the resort’s location. You can easily visit Chiang Mai’s iconic attractions, while also having quieter, more local experiences on the resort’s doorstep.
Then the beach, at Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai (or Phuket)
From Chiang Mai fly direct to Phuket for your beach holiday. Later, from Phuket there are one-stop flights back to Prague on Emirates.
Our number one recommendation is Six Senses Yao Noi, a quiet island resort 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket.
Surrounded by limestone pinnacles and jungle-covered hills, this all-villa resort is a barefoot paradise that’s surprisingly good for all ages (of course you can benefit from the legendary Six Senses spa).
Alternatively, Anantara Koh Yao Yai is a new beach resort on an island close to Phuket, designed specifically for families. Like Yao Noi it offers real luxury away from the tourist crowds.
Also worth considering is Soneva Kiri, accessed via a flight to Bangkok then the resort’s seaplane transfer.
On Phuket you can also consider Rosewood Phuket, quite simply the best family resort on the island of Phuket.
Or Amanpuri, which offers complimentary stays for children under 12 and spa treatments for kids aged six and over.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a more adventurous destination for families. It’s ideal with older children, especially teenagers. There’s more travelling around and also more impressions in terms of culture and things to do.
Travel From Hanoi to Hoi An
Vietnam works best by focusing on the northern and central parts of Vietnam, starting off by flying to Hanoi. It’s a one-stop flight from Prague to Hanoi on Emirates or Qatar Airways.
You can customise this part of the trip in so many ways, depending on the destinations you’re most interested in and how much travel you want to do.
Hanoi is a very interesting city, a bit of a culture shock to many but a lot of fun and a real travel experience. We recommend staying at Capella Hanoi or Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
From Hanoi you can easily travel by seaplane to explore the famous Ha Long Bay, on a private boat cruise for two nights.
Or go into the mountains and see some of the hill tribes and landscapes of north Vietnam.
It’s possible to travel overland to Hoi An, roughly ten hours of travel with two or three stops on the way. The simple option is to fly.
Hoi An is an enchanting little town evoking Vietnam from a bygone era, with bicycles, wooden houses, and lanterns illuminating the streets at night.
Here you can stay at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, which also gives you all the pools and kids facilities you’d expect from the Four Seasons.
Beach Holiday at Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô
Now travel on The Vietage, a vintage train between Da Nang (next to Hoi An) and Quy Nhon. Operated by Anantara, this train is on par with the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe, with just 12 passengers per carriage.
It’s a day experience, rather than an overnight journey, with specific activities for children on board – as well as the great gastronomy, free-flowing Champagne and cocktails. The highlight is a glorious view of rural Vietnam through the window of your private cabin.
Arrive in Quy Nhon by mid afternoon and transfer 30 minutes to the sublime Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô, probably our favourite hotel in Asia.
It’s a beach resort on a remote peninsula nobody has heard about, very authentic in terms of Vietnamese architecture and style, very contemporary in terms of service and what families expect.
We like it because it’s highly original and genuinely Vietnamese, while also being a barefoot-style beach retreat for families with kids of all ages.
Southeast Asia in the Summer for You
July and August is generally an excellent time to visit Southeast Asia and we find it gives our clients excellent value versus European summer destinations, which have elevated peak season prices.
We love how we can curate individual itineraries for every family, from super active multi-destination itineraries to straightforward two-stop holidays with activities to decide once you arrive.
Contact us to see what a Southeast Asia holiday could look like for your family.
