By the numbers there’s no hotel on Bali quite as child-centric as Ayana Bali, a 90-acre resort property perched on a clifftop in Jimbaran Bay that has 14 swimming pools including multiple water slides, a whopping 31 different dining venues, 12 tennis courts, and a pair of extensive and creative indoor-outdoor playgrounds. Along with Rimba Jungle Adventure, designed to spark curiosity and engage kids in interactive play, and Ayana Ocean Adventure, the coastal-themed playground with climbing zones and puzzles, there’s a private beach that’s families ride an exciting glass-walled inclinator to reach.
Starting at age three and up to six, little ones can join the English language Guidepost Montessori Camp Adventure for one, two or four days during the week (joining international students enrolled in the resort’s fantastic Montessori school, where my daughters happily attended pre-school), and immerse in seasonally themed learning focused on local culture and nature. Field trips might involve harvesting or planting vegetables in the adjacent Ayana Farm or an outing via trolley to the impressive onsite SAKA Museum, which celebrates and educates on Balinese beliefs, traditions and rituals through striking exhibits. For kids seven to 12, the adventurous full-day Green Camp Ayana is an option; held on the farm, it’s centred around sustainability and nature. For older families, too, there are many activities such as batik painting, photography classes, Indonesian botanicals workshops, and cake decorating.
Address: Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia
Price: Rooms from about £200 per night at Rimba.
The St. Regis Bali, Nusa Dua
The team at The St. Regis Bali, in the super-safe resort-filled destination of Nusa Dua in Bali’s southeast, is well versed in making magic for its littlest guests. Case in point: Under swaying palms, my daughter first met and then brushed a Shetland pony named Jessica before being helped into her saddle for a ride through gardens and then the sugary sand beach as aquamarine water lapped. While we were away from our beachside villa, staff set up a tiny tea party complete with a wagon of books, towers of sweets, a teepee, stuffed animals and decorations, plus a friendly gal from the Children’s Learning Centre – the resort’s fully supervised kids’ club – as a playmate. My girls were enchanted. We also got mommy-daughter massages at Iridium Spa and, and the masseuse was so tender with her, especially when she fell asleep.
Though the ocean right in front is swimmable and friendly, the resort has plenty of other water in which to play, including a massive beachfront saltwater pool that bleeds into the Indian Ocean, and an even larger meandering lagoon pool – there are even some accommodations with direct access to the latter. There’s a kid’s pool, too, and free dining for those 12 and under is supplemented by a free scoop of ice cream per child per day. Petite robes, slippers and step stools are de rigueur, and there are regular family-friendly movie nights held under the stars, not to mention cooking classes and other workshops that are appropriate for virtually all ages.
Address: Kawasan Pariwisata, Nusa Dua, Lot S6, PO Box 44, Nusa Dua, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Price: Rooms from about £469 per night.