**UPDATED 2026**
Six years after our first stay we’re back at Grand Mirage and Samabe Villas in Nusa Dua, Bali we’re back….and this time I’ve got two kids with me (age 7 and 13) so we really gave the all inclusive experience a run for its money.

We spent 3 nights in each location, and both were fantastic but also very different in terms of family friendly facilities, room types, inclusions and price.

The Grand Mirage Nusa Dua

The Location

Set on the southern part of Bali in the Nusa Dua resort area the Grand Mirage is right on the beach, and if you’ve been to Bali before but always stayed in Seminyak, Kuta or Legian the first thing you should know is that Nusa Dua has white sand, much cleaner, nicer water and the beaches are much quieter. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, shopping and spas within walking distance.

The Accommodation at Grand Mirage Nusa Dua

There are two parts to the accommodation here, the main resort and the Family Paradise wing. We stayed in a in Family Paradise. The layout of this room is ideal for families of up to 5 with it’s separate “kids room” complete with a set of bunks, trundle bed, day bed/couch, kids ensuite bathroom and TV. They have their own little area away from Mum and Dad, but still in the same room. It was clean, new and nice! The Family Wing has a range of studios and suites right up to a 3 bedroom villa with it’s own pool.

The Facilities at Grand Mirage Nusa Dua

Family friendly facilities is where The Grand Mirage, in particular the Family Paradise Wing absolutely nail it! Multiple swimming pools, water slides, a mini water park, a brand new lazy river, indoor and outdoor playground, rock climbing, trampoline, pool table, ping pong, i-lounge gaming area, bikes and a really well organised kids club with daily planned activities and friendly qualified staff. My kids aged 7 and 13 found something to do for every waking minute of the day. It really is a kids paradise, and while they play you can relax.

Why choose All Inclusive at Grand Mirage Nusa Dua?

All inclusive is an add on, not a requirement but if you’re really after a holiday where you can completely relax and enjoy yourself just as much as the kids it’s really worth it. It’s basically everything you’d normally plan and pay for on a Bali holiday – minus the mental load! One kid hungry at 5pm and the other one looking for second dinner at 9pm? No worries. With All inclusive you’ll get daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at your choice of the resort’s 7 restaurants and cafes. A la carte options at places like Grand Café, Ibu Kitchen and Jukung Grill and snacks between meal times to refuel after a busy pool session. Multiple restaurants and dining options mean picky eaters or fussy days don’t derail your day.

You’ll also get all your drinks (Mum and Dad drinks as well) a daily restock of your mini bar, ice cream cones and the kicker for us 24 hour ROOM SERVICE is included. Not having to worry about timing your meals, finding a restaurant or hangry kids is such a holiday bonus.

All inclusive also covers non motorised sports like kayaking, windsurfing or catamaran sailing down at the beach and even a free wildlife show.

Knowing that all of your food, drinks and activities are covered means you don’t spend the whole holiday counting rupiah and avoid the stress of the check out bill.

All inclusive guests each get a bracelet which you show at any of the restaurants, cafes and bars when ordering, and it also unlocks your door. No more carrying around (and no doubt losing) your key! I’ve not seen this before anywhere else, it’s a genius idea.

Add Ons

While non motorised water sports at the beach are included, we chose to pay for a day of action with the resorts fun and friendly water sports team. Banana boating, tubing, jetskiing and even paragliding for the super adventurous. Prices were really reasonable and allowed us to try everything at least once…some of them twice.

The Grand Mirage also has an onsite spa. The located in the main wing offers a wide range of treatments including hand and foot treatments, hair treatments and of course massage. We also tried the Aquamedic Pool. Water heated to 38 degrees with powerful jets to massage your feet, back and shoulders. A new spa experience that left us completely relaxed, recharged. Even the youngest of our family was treated to her own “petite massage” experience just for kids.

The Family Wing also offers a few special kids activities for a small fee. We tried a mermaid class and couldn’t resist the foam party.

Booking Policy at Grand Mirage Nusa Dua

Children from 12 years and above are considered as adults.
Children from 0-3 years are free of charge.
Children from 0-3 years are free of charge with maximum 2 infants for All Inclusive package.
Supplemental charges apply based on the package for children from 4-11 years.

Find out more and book online at

Samabe Villas Nusa Dua

If the Grand Mirage is an all inclusive holiday for kids…….Samabe Villas is an all inclusive holiday for parents, especially if you have little kids under 5, or older kids older than about 12. This place is absolute Bali heaven on a clifftop.

The location of Samabe Villas

Perched on the cliffs of Nusa Dua Samabe Villas is spectacular to say the least. The grounds are huge and meticulously maintained. Think infinity pools with a view of the ocean, lying in hammocks, gorgeous lush gardens, cocktails on the beach and stunning dining areas.

The accommodation at Samabe Villas

One word…WOW! The accommodation at Samabe is nothing short of breath taking. Across the 8 hectares of the property there are 81 suites and villas. We stayed in an Ocean Front Family Suite which is an all out, no holds barred luxury stay. 2 huge bedrooms both with equally as huge ensuites. Separate living area, balcony with outdoor seating and uninterrupted views of the ocean. Spend your day floating in your own private pool, lazing in a hammock or enjoying a meal at the outdoor dining table. So peaceful, so quiet and so private.

The facilities at Samabe Villas

Samabe offers a relaxed but well-equipped family-friendly experience. Families can spend their days between the resorts ocean view infinity swimming pool and the stunning private beach, which is accessed via stairs or an inclinator and is ideal for swimming, sandcastles and non-motorised water activities like kayaking, snorkelling or stand up paddle boarding. The onsite Lumba-Lumba Kids Club is offers supervised daily activities for children aged three and up, including crafts, games, Balinese cultural activities as well as video games, a small playground and ball pit.

Why choose all inclusive at Samabe Villas?

From buffets to BBQs, afternoon tea in your private beach cabana, catamaran picnics and even cave dining, all inclusive dining at Samabe is a highlight. It also includes a 24-hour E-Butler service, 24-hour room service menu, daily mini bar restock, unlimited drinks and your choice from a range of signature activities including cooking classes, camel rides, massages, private yoga classes and watersports and for the kids private in villa foam party in your pool or a movie under the stars. From food and drinks to activities, entertainment and even your laundry is taken care of – all included!

Add Ons

Take your Samabe stay to the next level and book a private beach cabana for the day. Book 3 nights or more and cabana (access only) will be included. Then choose a sunrise breakfast, day at the beach or an intimate dinner package. This was the highlight of our stay at both properties and has made a memory we’ll all remember forever. Samabe also offers a babysitting service for an extra charge if you want to enjoy a few hours sans kids.

Booking Policy at Samabe

Children 3 years old and below stay free of charge
Supplemental charges applied based on the package for children from 4-11 years
Children 12 years old and above are considered as adults

Find out more and book online at

So, which one do you choose?

Both Grand Mirage and Samabe Villas are brilliant options for a Bali family holiday, but they deliver very different experiences. The right choice really depends on the kind of holiday your family is craving and your budget.

Samabe Villas sits high on the cliffs of Nusa Dua, which means popping out for a casual wander to the shops or a quick bargain massage isn’t quite as easy as it is at Grand Mirage. That said, the trade-off is pretty spectacular. The ocean views are breathtaking, and the entire resort feels calm, luxurious and beautifully slow-paced. If you’re travelling with a baby or toddler, or older kids who are content to swim, enjoy the beach, try some water sports or relax in a hammock, Samabe is an absolute dream. However, if your kids are high-energy, constantly on the move and need lots of stimulation, it may feel a little too quiet.

On the flip side, Grand Mirage is a standout for families with kids roughly aged 5 to 12 who love to be busy. If your children thrive on activity, noise, swimming, making new friends and being outdoors from morning to night, this resort is hard to beat. The kid-friendly facilities are impressive, and the location is incredibly convenient. It is right on the beach and also within walking distance to shops, restaurants and those irresistible Bali massages.

In short, Samabe is all about relaxation, space and luxury. Grand Mirage is about fun, energy and non-stop family action.

Neither is better. They are simply perfect for different kinds of families.

If you want to know more, or have any questions feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll answer them as best I can.

For more information on both visit their websites at
and

FYI, we stayed for free at the hotels mentioned above. No monetary payment was received for my comments and all opinions are my own.

We recently spent a few days exploring the recently opened and , and let’s just say… the bar for “family day out” has officially been raised.

Marine Safari Bali

If you’ve ever been to an Aussie zoo and forked out $50 just to look at a kangaroo from 10 metres away, this one’s for you.

Marine Safari Bali is a full-on, hands-on adventure that’s actually affordable and it’s more than just a day of fun. Part marine park, part conservation centre, it offers experiences that are interactive, educational, and designed to give kids a real connection with animals.

Spread across six immersive zones – Wetland Wonders, Rocky Shores, Ocean Odyssey, Lumba Lagoon, Jungle Odyssey, and the Interactive Program – there’s something new to discover around every corner. With over 10,000 fish from 300 species, plus marine mammals, land animals, and birds, kids can explore touch pools, enjoy Humboldt penguin encounters, feed rays, meet sharks, watch piranha feeding, and even get up close with dolphins. All of this comes at a fraction of the cost you’d pay for similar animal interactions back home in Australia or elsewhere in the world. There are also keeper talks, seal shows, and Pachamaya, a 25-minute traditional Balinese performance that adds colour, culture, and a short break from all the excitement.

For extra thrills, the Fun Zone offers rides like a spinning coaster and a flume ride, while Coralbay Waterpark is perfect for cooling off in the Bali heat, featuring a kids’ water play area, slides, and an infinity pool. Need a break? There are a couple of fab cafes and a restaurant onsite, ideal for a relaxed pit stop or, of course, a sneaky Bintang (when in Rome)!

For families who love a peek behind the curtain, the marine education team runs back-of-house talks, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art facilities and operations that ensure the animals are happy and well cared for. The conservation work is on full display, from marine labs and a veterinary clinic to breeding programs for animals in need. Families can see how water quality is checked, how filtration systems work, and how training helps animals stay calm during check-ups. Keeper talks even touch on ways your own family can make a difference back home like using reef-safe sunscreen or cutting down on single-use plastics.

One of the best things about Marine Safari Bali is how the park prioritises conservation and animal-led care. During our visit, the animals were healthy, lively, and full of energy, thanks to the dedicated teams ensuring their wellbeing. Of course, this is just our opinion, and we totally respect that others might feel differently.

General admission tickets for Marine Safari Bali are IDR 650,000 for adults (ages 12–99) and IDR 520,000 for children (ages 3–12)… roughly $65 per adult and $52 per child, depending on the exchange rate at the time. Or, opt to pay a little extra for a combo ticket that includes both the Safari Park and the Marine Park. Either way, it’s a day packed with hands-on experiences, laughs, and memories the kids will talk about long after the plane ride home.

Family fave: Ray feeding was my kids’ absolute highlight, they honestly could have spent all day there.

Top Tips for Families

1. Pack a change of clothes – the waterpark and pool are an absolute must for cooling down from that Bali heat.
2. Arrive early – mornings are cooler, quieter, and give you time to explore everything without rushing.
3. Stay hydrated – it’s hot and humid, so keep the water bottles handy (and maybe a few snacks for the kids, too).

Animal Care & Conservation – By Ken Kwan, Curator Marine Safari Bali

1. Are the animals at Bali Marine Safari Park taken from the wild?
   At Marine Safari Bali, the majority of animals are captive-bred, reflecting our commitment to education and conservation. Most of the animals come from local captive-breeding farms that meet strict welfare standards, from other facilities where they were born and raised in human care, or are rescued animals deemed unsuitable for release into the wild. Only a very small number of “least concern” species are occasionally collected from the wild to support research, breeding, and rewilding programs.
2. How does the park make sure the animals are healthy and well cared for?
   Our Life Sciences Department is made up of experienced managers and veterinarians with expertise across various fields. They oversee the welfare of our entire animal collection, carrying out regular husbandry care and assessments. The team also trains our animal care specialists to maintain international standards, ensuring each species receives the right diet, enrichment, and minimal stress for optimal wellbeing.
3. How do you make sure the animals aren’t overexposed to visitors or stressed by interaction?
   All of our habitats are designed to closely mimic natural environments, with both open and secluded areas that allow animals to roam freely and choose whether or not they wish to interact. Our animal care specialists and guest service teams are always on hand across every zone to explain this to visitors if an animal isn’t visible. We never force any animal to participate in interactions or exposure, their comfort and wellbeing always come first.
4. Does Bali Safari contribute to wildlife conservation or education?
   One of our biggest goals in opening the park here in Bali is to showcase the incredible aquatic life that surrounds the island. We want people to see that Bali isn’t just a destination for beaches and hospitality—it’s also home to a breathtaking variety of marine life. We’re proud to work with local and international organisations to promote conservation, collaborate on research, and be part of outreach programs that inspire people everywhere to protect our oceans.
5. What’s being done to ensure the park operates ethically long-term?
   Our managers regularly inspect their areas to plan upgrades, replace worn equipment, and provide ongoing husbandry training for their teams, ensuring the highest standard of care for all our animals. We also engage with the international zoo and aquarium community, hosting tours, workshops, and sharing sessions with industry leaders. Accreditation with organisations like SEAZA, WAZA, and AZA further ensures that our facility meets and maintains world-class standards in animal care and conservation.

Varuna Bali

If you want to really up the “wow” factor, is the place to be. It’s Indonesia’s first underwater theatrical dining show, a one-of-a-kind experience where mermaids, performers, and sea creatures put on a show while you enjoy your meal.

Located at Taman Safari Bali, Varuna is an experience like no other, with incredible food, mesmerising performers, and storytelling that keeps everyone from toddlers to grandparents completely engaged. The story follows a young prince on an epic underwater adventure. As a child of both land and sea, he discovers his inner strength and royal destiny, surrounded by majestic sea creatures. Told through stunning visuals, shadow puppetry, and Balinese storytelling, the show blends wonder, culture, and a touch of marine conservation.

Spoiler alert: toward the end of the show, you are greeted by a massive, actual aquarium with mermaids. Yep, real mermaids. The kids were glued to the glass the entire time, mouths open, eyes wide, and yes, Ivy woke up the next morning declaring she is going to be a mermaid when she grows up. And rightly so, because another spoiler alert, guess how long the mermaids can hold their breath? Three minutes. Seriously, THREE MINUTES…. I can barely hold mine long enough to find my kid’s other shoe.

The staff are exceptionally warm and welcoming, as we have come to expect in Bali, and the whole experience is very family-friendly. The food, a three-course meal fit for the Prince of the Sea himself, was delicious. Fine dining, Balinese style.

You can choose between lunch and dinner sessions, or if you are keeping an eye on the budget, opt for show-only tickets. But if you can stretch it, go for the full dining package. It’s totally worth it, I promise!

There are three ticket tiers, Regular, Deluxe, and Premium, and no matter where you sit, the view of the underwater show is spectacular. Expect beautiful costumes, a talented cast, and a mix of traditional and modern storytelling with a Balinese twist. It is theatrical, engaging, and truly unforgettable, with no screens in sight, just live performance.

The venue is also wheelchair accessible, spacious, and comfortable for families with little ones. Everything runs smoothly (and on time – a Bali miracle) so if you’re planning a trip to Bali, put Varuna on your itinerary, it’s one of those experiences that reminds you why travel with kids is so worth it. Magical, immersive, and so beautifully done.

Top Tips for Families

1. Opt for a premium package and thank me later!
2. All dining tables seat four guests so you may share with other people
3. All regular day tickets include admission to Marine Safari Bali

Location: Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra No.Km. 19, Serongga, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80551, Indonesia
Opening times: 9am – 5pm 7 days a week
Phone:
Find them on , or

From calm beaches and family friendly resorts to wildlife parks and cultural experiences, Bali makes it surprisingly easy to holiday with kids, as long as you do a little planning before you go.

Travelling to Bali with Children

Entry requirements for Bali have changed over time, and it is important for families to be aware that every traveller now needs to complete the declaration before arriving. This includes babies and children. The form combines customs, health and immigration details into one process and should be completed within a few days of arrival rather than weeks in advance. Once submitted, you will receive a QR code which you will need to show when you land.

Australian travellers also require a Visa on Arrival, which can be organised online or on arrival, and the Bali tourist levy is paid separately. As always, make sure passports have at least six months validity from your arrival date.

Where to Stay in Bali with Kids

Choosing the right area to stay can make a big difference when travelling with children. Sanur is often recommended for families with younger kids thanks to its calm beaches, footpaths and relaxed pace. Nusa Dua is another popular option, particularly for families who love resort style accommodation with pools, kids clubs and easy beach access.

Ubud appeals to families who enjoy nature and culture, with rice fields, wildlife experiences and a slower pace away from the beach. Seminyak or Legian can work well for families with older children who enjoy cafes, shopping and beach time, although it tends to be busier.

From our previous trips to Bali we can recommend:

• Samabe Villas, Nusa Dua – Our Nusa Dua pick for families who want space and privacy, with large villas, private pools and a calm resort setting that makes travelling with kids feel easy. See our full review here
• Grande Mirage, Nusa Dua – Ideal for families thanks to its all-inclusive options, kids club, multiple pools and activities that keep children entertained all day. See our full review here
• Holiday Inn, Baruna – A favourite with families for its beachfront location, family rooms, kids eat free perks and relaxed, child friendly atmosphere. Plus it’s just 5 minutes to the airport.
• Prime Plaza Suites, Sanur – Perfect for families needing room to spread out, offering apartment style accommodation, a great kids club and easy access to Sanur’s calm beaches.
• Bali InterContinental, Jimbaran Bay – Great choice for families who want a balance of luxury and kid friendly facilities, with spacious gardens, multiple pools and a welcoming family focus.
• Bali Mandira, Legian – is a beachfront family-friendly paradise, featuring lagoon-style pools with waterslides, a kids club, a beach club with ocean views, and warm Balinese hospitality all set within lush tropical gardens in an absolute perfect location.

Getting Around

Getting around Bali with kids is usually easiest with a private driver, especially for day trips or airport transfers. Many drivers are experienced with families and can provide car seats if requested in advance. We thoroughly recommend Gede as a private driver. He’s also great for recommending restaurants, day trip ideas, where to eat, where to go to buy particular things. Email gedem31@gmail.com or Facebook –  or text him on +6281337570130.

If you only need to travel a short distance and don’t need a car seat, consider downloading a ride-sharing app like GOJEK or Grab. It’s like Uber in Australia. Pick-up is from your location, the fare is set upfront, and you can share your location with others for safety. You can even link your Wise card (more about this soon) to skip cash. Quick, easy, and a total lifesaver for getting around Bali with kids.

Staying Healthy & What to Pack

Pack a small medical kit with kids’ pain relief, insect repellent, band-aids, antihistamines, and any prescription medications. Other essentials include sunscreen (it’s expensive in Bali and you’ll need lots), pads or tampons (often hard to find), reusable water bottles (water is cheap but try to reduce plastic), hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes, lightweight rain jackets or poncho (especially in the wet season), and a few comfort items for the kids.

There’s lots of talk about “Bali belly,” but honestly, this can happen anywhere. Practise good hygiene: use hand sanitiser before eating and after handling money, and never drink or brush your teeth with tap water. It’s not a reason to miss this beautiful place.

Travel insurance for the whole family is a must.

Things to Do in Bali with Kids

One of the biggest reasons families love Bali is the sheer variety of things to do. Waterbom Bali is a standout attraction, offering rides and play areas suitable for a wide range of ages. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the Bali Safari and Marine Park, Bali Zoo or the Bali Bird Park, all of which are popular with kids. Read our full review of these here

Beach days are a highlight for many families, particularly in areas like Sanur and Nusa Dua where the water is calmer. For something a little different, older children often enjoy cultural experiences such as visiting temples, exploring rice terraces or trying local craft workshops.

Eating Out as a Family

Eating out with kids in Bali is generally easy and enjoyable. Many cafes and restaurants cater specifically to families, offering kids menus, high chairs and familiar Western options alongside local dishes. Simple favourites like nasi goreng, satay and pancakes are usually happily gobbled up, and it is not uncommon to find cafes with play spaces that make mealtimes more relaxed.

If you’re not up for going out for dinner, Gojek makes it easy to have a wide variety of local and familiar meals delivered straight to your villa or hotel, which is perfect for tired little travellers.

Money in Bali

Cash is king in Bali, especially for markets, small shops, warungs, tours, and tipping, so it’s a good idea to always have some on hand. For larger restaurants, tourist attractions, and hotels, cards are widely accepted.

The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The easiest way to get cash is through authorized money changers in tourist areas. Look for real shops with a glass front door, always check the exchange rate online, and count your money carefully twice before leaving the counter. Avoid exchanging large amounts at airports or hotels, as the rates are usually less favourable.

The Wise card is your best friend in Bali. You can load money instantly from your bank, convert it to the currency you need, and use it overseas with low fees and fair exchange rates. It works for contactless payments, ATM withdrawals, and can even be added to Apple Wallet so multiple family members can use it. The app makes it easy to top up, check your balance, or freeze the card if needed, perfect for keeping your money safe while exploring Bali or anywhere else.

If you want to try it, my referral link gives you a free card or zero fees on a transfer up to A$1,000:

When Is the Best Time to Visit Bali with Kids?

The dry season, from May to September, is often considered the best time to visit Bali with children thanks to the lower humidity and more comfortable temperatures. The wetter months can still be a great time to travel, with warm weather and rain that usually falls in short bursts rather than all day.

Is Bali a Good Family Holiday Choice?

For many Australian families, Bali ticks all the boxes. It offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, caters well to children of all ages, and provides a gentle introduction to overseas travel. With the right preparation, Bali can be a memorable and enjoyable family holiday that keeps everyone happy. Check the links below for more information on specific places to stay and places to add to your itinerary.

What to Pack – Clothing

Our cruise was in April and took us from Sydney, where the departure temperature was a very pleasant 26 degrees, over to New Zealand where the temperatures could potentially drop to single digits. So you can imagine, between 2 adults and 2 kids, we packed a lot. Yes probably too much, and yes not enough of what we needed and too many of what we didn’t need. Of course packing lists will greatly vary depending on where in the world your cruising and the time of the year, but in general I would suggest that you;
Pack lots of underwear and socks. If you go for 10 days, pack enough for 15. Between being in and out of the pools and spas, participating in exercise classes, and freshening up for dinner each night, we went through loads of undies. Throw in a few extra pairs and you won’t regret it.
Don’t overdo it on the warm stuff. You won’t get cold inside the boat, we were more than comfortable in shorts and tshirt, or a dress most of the time. We did have to rug right up on the deck when we hit NZ but one jacket, scarf and beanie each did the trick. I packed too many jumpers and wished that they were tshirts by the end of 10 days.
Pack for your day trips. Make sure you have a rough idea of what you’re going to get up to on port days. If you’re mountain biking in Picton like we were, and it’s muddy…..you’re probably going to need an extra set of clothes on that day.
Take bathers. My kids swum in the indoor and outdoor pools almost every day. The outdoor pool was around 24 degrees and the indoor pool even warmer. We took bathers and we also threw in our 2mm Bailey and Bosun wetsuit for our 4 year old which was a winner.

What to pack – Handy Extras

Allsmalls Hanger – Depending on what type of room you have you’ll probably find there’s not lots of room for drying clothes. We had our own deck and at the last minute I threw in our Allsmalls hanger, which we take camping all the time and knew would come in handy. We tied it up to one of the chairs outside and it made the perfect spot to dry bathers and smalls. You can get one online (they’re an S.A local biz too)

Lanyards – A crusing must. Once aboard each of your family will be given a “SeaPass” which gives you access to your room and also acts as your payment method for anything not included in your package. eg – paying for extended iFLY sessions, paying for a massage, or paying for drinks if you haven’t bought a drinks package. You have to have it on you all day every day, and a lanyard is the perfect way to ensure it doesn’t get lost, especially for kids.
Magnetic Clips – The bathroom door and some of the walls of our stateroom were metal, so we found little magnetic clips really handy for hanging up our sea pass at the end of the day and also putting up a copy of the entertainment program.
Over the door hooks – Something else I threw in last minute and wished I had two of. This was really great for hanging our bulky jackets on or drying towels.
Medicines – Especially kids panadol, nurofen, antihistamines etc. We took plenty but have heard stories of people paying upwards of $100 for Panadol on board.
Magnetic White Board – We didn’t take this, but saw quite a few room doors with them on so that family members could leave messages about where they were or where to meet up “3pm – Mum gone to the pool” or “meet you at the buffet at 6pm” kind of thing. Great idea.
Chargers and Adaptors – Our ship had both US and EUR power outlets plus 2 usb outlets. We took two adaptors and had plenty of charging space.
Pop Up Laundry Bag – Another one I threw in at the last minute and was glad I did. We threw all our dirty washing into the one bag and stored it in the cupboard out of the way. Oh and speaking of laundry, keep your eyes out for and take advantage of any laundry specials on your cruise, they are normally delivered to your room when available. days. On Ovation of the Seas we had a full bag of washing done and returned in 24 hours for $25US (about $38 AUD)
Nappies – obviously if your kids are still wearing nappies you would bring them, but since my 4 year old is only a few months into being consistently dry and night time it was much easier for us to just pack some night time nappies to prevent any accidents. She actually didn’t have any, but glad we took them
Walkie Talkies for the Kids – now we didn’t take these BUT I saw quite a few kids running around with them and thought it was a great idea. I am not sure what brand or model would be best but make sure it’s got a decent range as our ship was over 300m long so you’d want one that covers most of that. Uniden have a 4 pack of walkie talkies that run off batteries (good idea to get some rechargeable ones if you will use them often) The UHF45-4 UHF model has a Kid-Zone function that lets parents block out unwanted conversations so you know your kids are only communicating with who you want them to. They’re around $100 for a 4 pack and you can get them from places like . Would come in really handy.

What NOT to pack

Towels – not necessary. There are plenty on board and you can take as many as you need, as long as they all get returned (you’ll once again use your SeaPass to check in and checkout pool towels and blankets.
Pillows or bedding. Once again there are plenty. If you’re not happy with your pillow they’re more than happy to swap it over for you. Our fold out couch was a bit hard the first night and we had extra mattress toppers put on which made a big difference.
Snacks – There is SO MUCH food available and you’re welcome to take a plate back to your room if you want to. Rooms have a small fridge so you can pop a little fruit platter or some crackers and cheese in there for snacking.
Coat Hangers – I always throw a couple of coat hangers in my bag on holidays, but I didn’t need to. There were plenty available and could ask for more if needed.

If you’d like to know more specific information about our recent 10 days aboard Ovation of the Seas – click here

Ovation Of The Seas holds almost 5,000 people although you wouldn’t know it – once the passengers are spread out between the four pools, twenty restaurants, many bars, theatre, sporting and entertainment facilities means that it feels as spacious as it looks! Plus once you factor in people going ashore for tours and sightseeing, it’s easy to find plenty of quiet spots to relax, enjoy a new activity or be entertained.

This cruise ship literally has EVERYTHING. You would never, ever be bored and no matter whether you are travelling as a couple, a family, a group of friends or even solo there is something for you.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip on Ovation of the Seas

THE FOOD AND DRINKS:

With the exception of alcohol and a the specialty dining restaurants, all food and drinks are included in your cruise package and what a selection! The Windjammer Buffet was my kids idea of a food dream. You couldn’t possibly go hungry. There are options for everyone. From curries to hot dogs, roast dinners to spaghetti, Windjammer is open for breakfast lunch and dinner and was our go to food spot.

When you want a break from the buffet, you can grab a slice of pizza anytime you like from Sorrentos, have morning tea at one of the many cafes, enjoy breakfast with a view or a roast beef roll in CafeTwo70 or enjoy the flavours of the world at the Solarium Bistro Restaurant. The options are endless – oh and there is no extra charge for room service either, so if you feel like a meal in your room, it’s easy as! You can also grab a plate of food and take it back to your room if you want to, or if your kids get a case of the late night hungries like mine do, we made sure the mini fridge in our room had a few bits of fruit and a cookie or two in there in case of emergencies.

You could eat somewhere different every day of your cruise or find a favourite and stick with it! Talking about favourites, the soft serve ice cream got a work out from my family. Ice cream literally on tap – is that not what holiday dreams are made of?!

Even if you are cruising as a family, make sure you stop in at Bionic Bar – in this funky bar, robots make your drink (each robot can make one per minute!), served with a side of technology as the screen tells you the most popular drinks by age group and gender. This bar is a spectacle in itself, so make sure you check it out!

Or you are celebrating a special occasion or just love fine dining, it is well worth booking into one of the specialty restaurants. Be taken on a whimsical culinary adventure in Wonderland, feast on Italian cuisine at Jamie’s Italian, or meet like minded foodies at the Chef’s Table. We visited Wonderland, Izumi Japanese and our highlight meal at Chops Grille where the steaks were sensation and the staff were wonderful – highly recommend. Other members of our group also went to Jamie’s Italian and raved about it. By the time we went to book it was unfortunately sold out but if you want a food tip, Jamie’s and Chops are our pick. If you plan to dine at some of the specialty restaurants it’s a good idea to check out the before you board, you can save $$ to pre book

Absolutely all dietary requirements can be catered for which is great to know for families.

Drinks wise, included in your package you’ll have access to unlimited water, cordial, tea and filtered coffee. Alcoholic drinks can be paid for as you go, or you can purchase a drinks package before you board which will cover you for almost any alcoholic drink you can think of. Wine by the glass, beer, sprits and cocktails. Drinks package are also available for soft drinks and for coffee. You can read more about those

THE ACTIVITIES:

If you finish your trip and say there was nothing to do, you are either lying or didn’t cruise properly! I honestly could not imagine any kid honestly claiming to be bored. there is just SO MUCH to do, for adults and kids alike. The kids and teens can spend time in the Adventure Ocean kids club or teen hangout (where adults are strictly prohibited!) while parents relax in the adults only area complete with cascading pools, spas and a bar overlooking the back of the ship. Go rock-climbing, chuck a few laps around the bumper car track, book in a rollerskating session, take it to new heights with Ripcord by iFLY sessions, riding the Flowrider, swimming in the many pools (indoor and outdoor pools are heated), grab a cocktail or an ice cream and watch the kids at Splashaway Bay waterpark or take part in one of the many classes, trivia, BINGO, gameshows and other planned activities organised for each day. There was even a flash mob group who practiced a routine over the trip and performed it on the last day. This was so fun.

For something really special take a trip in the North Star – a jewel shaped capsule that will take you 90 metres above sea level so you can check out the views from above in complete 360 degree glory! Each passenger will get one free ride in the North Star but I really recommend booking an extended experience and trying to time it on a day where the views are something like the below. What a unique experience.

There are plenty of quiet activities too, trivia, hanging out in the library, catching a movie in the theatre or an outside movie on the pool deck, playing pool or checking out the incredible artwork all over the ship.

Once aboard you can access the Royal Caribbean app where you can get a run down of all the activities on offer for that day, and there is A LOT so it’s a good idea to use it so you don’t miss anything.

THE ENTERTAINMENT:

When Robbie Williams said “Let Me Entertain You”, I’m pretty sure he was singing on behalf of the Royal Caribbean crew! The Royal Theatre seats almost 500 people and stages Broadway style shows, bands, comedians, movies and more. The entertainment area at Two70 is spectacular and the technology behind the staging and AV will blow your mind. Head to the bars for musicians, head along to a 70’s night or get involved with another themed night!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

I loved to see what I refer to as “SURPRISE AND DELIGHT” aspects in any experience and there are plenty of things onboard the Ovation Of The Seas that will surprise and delight you! As you get into the lifts, look down – here you’ll find the day of the week which changes daily so holiday makers can keep track of what day it is. So simple, but very cool! Along the centre of the ship, you’ll find a butterfly wall – touch the butterflies and watch them flutter across the screen. There is a trick to getting all the butterflies to fly at once, but we were sworn to secrecy! See if you can convince one of the crew members to let you in on the secret! There is something to see and something to do at any minute at any spot on this ship.

KIDS CLUB

Is there any other holiday that offers FREE kids club from 9am – 10pm every day?? I can’t think of one.
There are a few options available onboard if you want to sneak off for a drink or dinner alone. Adventure Ocean programs (kids clubs) are divided up into age groups. Aquanauts (age 3-5) Explorers (age 6-8) and Voyagers (age 9-11)
There are three sessions per day from 9am-12pm, 2pm – 5pm and then 7pm – 10pm. Go to one or go to all three.

I can’t tell you exactly what they do in those sessions but what I can tell you is that my 4 year old BEGGED to go back every day and actually cried if we came to pick her up early!! From what she told me there were plenty of games, craft, movie nights, dancing, a pj night, a birthday night. She absolutely LOVED it, which was wonderful because it meant we got some time with eldest daughter, and even some time to grab a drink ALONE!! Yes kids club……YES!

Older kids can attend the Tween and Teen programs onboard. Organised games, sports and parties and teen-only hang out spots looked great and were popular. There are also paid babysitting options for babies or after hours.

THE ROOMS

There are a range of room types available aboard Ovation of the Seas. From interior, ocean view or balcony staterooms right up to Royal Suites you’ll find something to suit your family size and budget. We chose a balcony stateroom and we were happy with our choice, especially being able to wake up to view like the below and go out on the deck to see seals swimming underneath us, or waterfalls rushing from above. If you’re worried about seasickness I think having direct access to fresh air is important too, so I’d pay the bit extra for a balcony if you can. If you’d like some tips on what to pack visit our Crusing with Kids feature here

THE STAFF

The staff were a real highlight for us! They really know how to make your kids feel welcome and went out of their way to make sure they were having fun. From our room attendant Wayan who came each morning and night to make up and pack up our fold out couch/bed and left us a towel animal on the bed each day, to the WONDERFUL Fernanda (allllll the way from Mexico whoop whoop), to Ilias at Windjammer who knew my daughter’s name from day one and made her feel so special every time we visited. The staff were a real highlight and a credit to Royal Caribbean. It really feels like they love their job.

Special shout out to the Kids Club crew. I don’t know what you guys got up to there at Adventure Ocean but whatever it was, keep doing it. My 4 year old could not get enough and begged to go back each day for more.

YOUR QUESTIONS FROM INSTAGRAM

While we were onboard I asked our IG audience to ask any cruising questions they had for me to answer. Here are a few of the most common questions.

Did we get seasick?
For the most part, no. I woke up on the first day feeling a bit iffy but that may have been due to one too many excited Proseccos the night before. It was nothing that a few laps around the deck in the fresh air and a couple of Buderim Ginger Bears didn’t fix. The entire rest of the trip none of us felt sea sick. I did see a few families looking a bit green around the gills so I would definitely suggest packing some Kwells, some ginger tea or ginger bears and maybe a few just in case.

What was the food like?
We thought the food was great! Plenty of it, plenty of variety and the buffet was my kids DREAM. Pasta every night as well as burgers, hot dogs, curries, soups, salads, fried chicken, stirfries and SO MANY DESSERTS. So many….so, so many! We also went to 3 of the speciality restaurants with the highlight for us being Chops Grille where we found the food delicious and the staff excellent. Other members of our group went to Jamie’s Italian and raved about it, by the time we tried to get in it had booked out 🙁

What it expensive?
We paid just over $8000 for 10 nights. 2 adults + 2 kids in an Ocean View Balcony room. This price covers the room + food from the main restaurants and/or the buffet, unlimited hotdogs, pizza, fish and chips and ice creams + basic drinks (water, filter coffee and juice) + activities onboard including the pools, iFLY, FloRider, Rock Climbing and the North Star. Activities at the SeaPlex which is an indoor sports facility with rollerskating, dodgem cars, air hockey, table tennis. You’ll also get free entry to the live shows AND you also get free access to the kids club! Our cruise left from Sydney so we had to also pay for flights, which brought the total to $8500 which is really not too bad for an overseas holiday for a family of 4.

What’s not included in that price?
– Alcoholic drinks are not included in the price and you’ll need to add a drinks package or pay for them as you go. There is also a kids drinks package for unlimited soft drinks, and a coffee package for the coffee lovers. There is free filter coffee and tea available but if you love your coffee you might want to consider the coffee package so you can go your hardest at the onboard Starbucks.
Look out for the that you’ll be emailed after you’ve booked. You can save heaps.
– Any services from the day spa have a fee
– Extra or extended sessions on iFLY have a fee as well as extended or 1:1 FloRider sessions
– North Star also offers extended sessions at an extra price.
– Specialty Dining – There are quite a few speciality restaurants onboard Ovation of the Seas which come at an extra price. These include Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, Wonderland and Izumi Japanese. Take a look at the menus and if you’d like to try them you’re probably going to save some money by purchasing a

Is there WiFi or Internet?
First of all, these are two separate things onboard. The ship has FREE WiFi which allows you to connect to the Royal Caribbean app on your phone and to make reservations, see what activities are happening for the day. This feature is great and really helpful for planning your day, seeing what’s on, booking shows etc. It also includes a chat function where you can message other members of your group, but we found that the connection for this was really glitchy and we all kept dropping in and out, making it virtually impossible to communicate between the 15 people who were in our group
The internet however, wasn’t great.
To access the internet onboard you’ll need to purchase a VOOM package. The cost varies depending on the number of devices and type of package you purchase but it was roughly $25ish per device per day. I tried one day to connect my laptop and check emails but gave up after a very frustrating 30 minutes of trying. There are locations on the ship where the WiFi definitely works better than others, but when you’re paying a couple of hundred bucks to access it I thought it would be better. Maybe it was just our ship or our destination, not sure but we were disappointed with the internet.

If you’d like to know more specific information about cruising with kids, what to pack, what not to pack, tips, tricks and FAQ check out our Cruising with Kids post here.

Ovation Of The Seas has a range of itineraries ranging across multiple cruise lengths and endless destinations. The Australian Summer Season will kick off from November ’24 next year packed with returning favourites, firsts, and new itineraries across three award-winning ships.

Or for some holiday inspo or just to tease yourself,

We paid for this cruise entirely from our own pocket, but after we had booked we were very lucky to be given 2 drinks packages + 3 restaurant dining package + VOOM internet from Royal Caribbean so we could experience everything onboard and write a full review. I was not paid anything for this review.

If you want to know first hand what it’s like aboard stay tuned in December where one of the KiA Nanna’s takes one very lucky KiA Kid ONBOARD! We can’t wait to tell you more later in the year. But for now, here’s what we know.

There are THIRTY 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 night cruises, leaving from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Auckland. Itineraries, prices and what’s included can be found

Of course you can expect all the magic of Disney for the littlest fans, right through to us adult Disney tragics. Here is some of what you can expect on board:

• Disney entertainment – we’re talking Broadway style musicals, deck parties & more!
• Culinary delights – Disney invites you to BE OUR GUEST & experience dining Disney style – just watch out for poison apples!
• Kids Clubs packed FULL of fun experiences & to balance it out – ADULTS ONLY areas, nightlife & pools
• World Class accommodation on-board
• Character encounters – meet your favourite Disney characters on-board
• Relaxation, fun & of course, Disney Magic!

Tickets for the new season go on sale 10pm AEST Monday 26 June 2023. – click here:
But you’d better bibbity bobbity boo, because we are guessing it will sell out QUICK SMART!

There are SO MANY options for accommodation, things to do and places to see that trying to put together an itinerary can be a bit of a brain explosion.

I recently spent a mind blowing 4 days in Dubai with my 7 year old visiting my sister who has lived in the UAE for 5 years, so we had a bit of insider help. I’m sure there are MANY more things to do and see in Dubai, but in 4 days there was no way we would even scratch the surface, so I’ve just included the ones we did, and loved which will hopefully help if you’re planning a visit.

Where to stay

Dubai has almost 100,000 hotel rooms available in over 500 hotels and with World Expo next year (2020) that number will grow even higher. That’s A LOT to choose from. I spent ages comparing, researching and asking around for suggestions and ended up choosing Zabeel House The Greens who are part of the Jumeirah group. If you’re looking for family friendly accommodation in Dubai, stop looking, just stay here.

Zabeel House The Greens is located in a neighbourhood suburb of Dubai, around 20 minutes by car to Downtown (where the Burj Khalifa is), 10 minutes to The Palms and around 25 minutes from the airport. There are over 200 rooms all with a very cool New York loft style about them. There are single rooms all with King beds to sleep 2 adults and 1 child (under 12) or for families there are larger style apartments (where we stayed) that are really spacious and very very VERY cool! The furniture, the decor, the artwork, the big bathtub, the HUGE bed had us both high fiving that we’d be spending the next three nights here!
The apartment can be booked with an adjoining second room with a king bed and a sofa which will comfortably fit 6 people in 2 bedrooms.

There’s a great pool which is next to a big courtyard area complete with lots of seating, restaurant and…..A GIN BAR! This space is often used for hotel organised activities including outdoor movies, jumping castles and while we were there they even had a doggy day out. There’s also a kids playhouse for kids ages 2-12 with a TV, games, toys and regular fully supervised activities and events, which might give you some time to explore the city on your own.

Oh and can we just talk about the breakfast. So many hot and cold options, nice coffee, eggs to order AND fresh pancakes with Nutella EVERY SINGLE MORNING.

The staff at Zabeel were excellent, which I’m sure it’s to do with the fact that the the General Manager Luke James is a South Oz expat. Everyone was really friendly and super helpful. We loved this little spot in the foyer where visitors are encouraged to write little tips for what to see and do in Dubai and leave them on the board for other people read and use. We left a few of our own that you’ll read further on.

Find out more about Zabeel House The Greens and book online from their website at

How to get around

OK so first thing to mention is that in my opinion, Dubai is not a city built for walking. First of all, it’s almost always hot, stinking hot.
There’s traffic, lots of traffic (which is on the other side of the road to us here in Oz) and most of the things you’ll want to see and do are definitely a car ride distance away.

Dubai has a metro bus and train network, but my tip…..download an app called Careem (which is just like Uber) and use a car. No it’s not the cheapest way to get around but if you’re after a cheap holiday……Dubai is not the place. All of the cars are really nice and will 9/10 times be a Lexus with leather seats (or was that just our weird luck?!?)
You can choose your car type and size (economy, business, first class, maxi etc) and also request Careem Kids which will come fitted with child seats.
All of our drivers were excellent and more than happy to answer the one million questions my 7 year old had on each trip.
“How many people live here?” “How tall is that building?” “Why is that mans face on EVERYTHING?”
Read more about Careem

Eating Out

In a city where I once paid $35AU for a KIDS Mac and Cheese I’m not going to lie and not tell you that eating out with kids in Dubai can sometimes be a cringe worthy experience. If your kids are anything like mine they’re STARVING one minute and as soon as their food comes out their suddenly not hungry anymore. That little change of mind can soon see you $100 down on kids food for a day which still makes me break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.
My only advice here is to not be surprised by it, and just budget for it. Food, drinks and especially wine can be very expensive. Try and stay somewhere that includes breakfast, check out the cafes inside some of the malls (they’re not all junky fast food) and check for some cheap eats in Dubai. I’m sure they’re around – we just didn’t find any.
We also got a great dinner at , the restaurant at our hotel. I had curry which was delicious and around $30 and the kids meal was about $18 with spaghetti, a drink and an ice cream.

On the other hand, if your kids are good eaters or your out without them for a meal, Dubai has some of the best restaurants in the world and there are A LOT to choose from. for a list of some of the best in 2019

Where to go/What to see

OK so here’s where it gets tricky. There are just SO MANY incredible things to see and do in Dubai that we had a really hard time choosing. It really depends on what you’re into, how much time you have and what kind of holiday you’re wanting so here are a few of our favourites below.

The Burj Khalifa – The tallest building in the world

Can you come to Dubai and not go to the top of the Burj? This was at the very top of my 7 year olds to do list from the minute I told her we were going to Dubai. At 828 metres tall (160 floors) it really does have to be seen to be believed. And how convenient that the world’s largest building just happens to be attached to the world’s largest mall complete with indoor aquarium, fountain show, and Olympic size ice skating rink. #dubai
Hot Dubai Tip: , if you’re an early riser or your flight gets in early like ours did, book a sunrise tour! It’s cheaper, MUCH less crowded and you’ll get to see the incredible view of the sun coming up over this huge city.

Other buildings to check out

If architecture and REALLY big buildings are your thing you’ll probably also want to make stop at the Burj al Arab, the twisty Cayan Tower, Atlantis The Palm and my favourite The Frame. Hot Dubai Tip: You probably don’t need to pay to go to the top of ALL of these buildings. Choose one (probably the Burj Khalifa) and then just go to the bottom of the others. You can still get some great photos and sometimes it’s just as cool to look all the way up than it is all the way down.

Make tracks in the desert

One thing high up on my to do list was to get out into the desert and once again there are LOTS of ways to do this. There are many tour operators offering desert experiences so whether its camel rides, dune bashing, sunset dinners or desert safaris you’re bound to find something to suit your family. We were lucky enough to have my sister to drive us about an hour out of the city to climb some dunes and take some photos. We visited in December so although it was definitely hot, we weren’t roasting and spent about an hour looking around, taking photos, dune jumping and trying (but failing) to slide down on a piece of cardboard.
Hot Dubai Tip: If you’re after a personal desert experience, or don’t want to do a tour, try and organise a driver for a half or full day so you can go and see what you want to.

Visit the Old Town and jump on an abra

Dubai’s Old Town is home to traditional markets, authentic meals and cultural experiences. We loved walking through the spice souk and smelling ALL the smells. It’s a busy market so be prepared to be
Hot Dubai Tip: After you’ve been to the souks jump on an abra (traditional boat) and cross the Dubai creek. Boats leave every few minutes from 5am to midnight. It’ll take 5 minutes and only cost you 1 dirham each.

Go to a Waterpark

There’s actually a few waterparks to choose from in Dubai and we ended up choosing Wild Wadi which is owned by the same group as the hotel we stayed at. It’s located right near the Burj Al Arab on The Palms so you can easily do both in one day. We were planning to just do a few hours here, but that very quickly and easily turned into half a day by the time we left. This is a great park for under 10’s who aren’t quite up for super thrill rides, but still want something that goes fast and is a bit scary. If your kids are over 110cms they can go on ALL of the 30 rides at this park including single and double tube rides, wave pools and for the little ones there’s a fantastic splash park that would keep them entertained for hours.
We went after lunch on a weekday and it seemed to be a great time to go. The lines ups were max 10 minutes and we got LOTS of them in.
To find out more about Wild Wadi Waterpark

Check out Green Planet

One of the newer attractions in Dubai, and a recommendation from my sister was Green Planet. Dubai’s first bio dome and home to over 3000 plants and animals. It’s a four level building with a huge Avatar-esque tree right in the middle of it FULL of exotic birds including a tucan!
After passing under an impressive aquarium tunnel, you take the lift to the top and slowly walk your way down. On the way down you’ll see all sorts of animals including monkeys, snakes, lizards spiders and even a sloth! You’ll even get a little taste of home on the bottom floor at the Australian Walkabout zone. Am I the only person who didn’t know that a Kookaburra was a type of Kingfisher? I thought they got the label wrong!
We took about 45 minutes from top to bottom, but if you stay for the presentations you could easily spend a couple of hours here.
Hot Dubai Tip: Green Planet is located at City Walk which is a great area for a walk around, has a view of the Burj, and also lots of restaurants to choose from.
Get 10% off when you book tickets online at

Other things we didn’t get time for but looked great

Al Qadra cycle track Bike track – something for older kids
If I’d known about this before we saw it I would have definitely done it. Hire a bike and cycle part of this whopping 180km track that will take you through the desert. It’s long, it’s flat, it’s off the road, it looked awesome. Only for older kids and confident bike riders who know the rules though, there are lots of cyclists who use this track at high speed so you’ll need to make sure you’re staying to the side.

Ski Dubai
Snow skiing in the desert? Of course you can in Dubai! Located inside the Mall of the Emirates there’s a huge slope, chair lift, sledding, zorbing, snow tubing and other wintery activities.

Dubai Miracle Gardens
I was gutted to miss out on the Miracle Gardens but we just simply ran out of time. Every year from mid-November to mid-May, a 72,000 sqm space is FILLED with floal displays arranged in all sorts of colourful arches, designs and patterns

Dubai Garden Glow
And if lights are more your thing, how about the worlds largest glow in the dark garden. We drove past this on the way out to the airport and there was a collective “OH NO! We missed that!”

Oli Oli
Lots of people recommended this indoor interactive play museum but once again #notime. Lots of hands on STEM activities that looks like a lot of fun. A good one if you need an indoor activity to beat the heat.

Kidzania
Another place that we heard a lot about, Kidzania is a kid-sized world where it’s all about children. Over 70 role-playing activities for children aged 2-16, where they’ll learn all about jobs, money and the real world. Be a doctor for the day, a fireman, work at the Kinder Chocolate Factory, sample life as a videographer.

You can fly direct to Dubai from 91������ý with Emirates. The flight will take around 13 hours with a 6 hour time difference (we’re ahead).

Dubai is a truly mind blowing place to visit and there is really so much for kids to do and see you’ll probably struggle to fit it all in. It’s also the half way point to many other destinations around the world so next time you’re off overseas, get out of the airport and spend a few nights, you won’t regret it!
Hopefully this gives you a little help in deciding what to put on your itinerary. I’d love to hear below if you have been to Dubai with your family, and what places your family loved.

FYI, we stayed for free at Zabeel House The Greens. No monetary payment was received for my comments and all opinions are my own.

Only because it’s got THE BEST snow in the world! Add to this the awesome side of experiencing another culture, the comparably short travel time to get there and such lovely people and you’ve got enough reason to consider a visit.

This year we took the kids to Japan for a 2 week holiday in early March and cannot recommend it highly enough! The best bit is that it didn’t cost us much more than it would if we went to Falls Creek for the same time! Yup, seems crazy, but we picked up some good flights, got some good accommodation in Tokyo and found the awesome Kuma Lodge in Madarao to be our home away from home on the slopes.

The awesome Madarao Ski Resort – amazing snow, authentic village, easy access from Tokyo

We looked at dozens of ski resorts and accommodation options in Japan before deciding on Madarao and Kuma Lodge in Northern Nagano. Yep, near where they held the Winter Olympics so you KNOW the snow is great! Situated just a couple hours bullet train ride from Tokyo, Madarao has amazing seasonal snow falls of over 10m – that’s 3-4 times the season average of any Australian resort! Even though March is pretty late in their season we still had 50cm of fresh powder snow in the week we were there and it was SO GOOD!

The season usually runs from December to late March, with heaps of snow late in the season making Feb/March an ideal and well priced option for Australian visitors. Another reason we chose Madarao is because it is a relatively small and authentic Japanese village, so allowed us to combine amazing powder snow with a gorgeous Japanese village experience and fantastic dining options all in one place!

Kuma lodge – ski-in-ski-out and perfect for families

Kuma Lodge is the perfect option for a family stay – situated right on the slopes for ski-in-ski-out access and overlooking the ski school area to keep an eye on the kids. Kuma Lodge is owned by some of the few Australians in the area – who also have kids of their own! Perfect for families and couples, but we would also LOVE to go back with 1-2 other families as this boutique hotel with 9 rooms of varying size and setup would be amazing for a few families together.

We stayed in the triple room with an extra mattress on the floor and there was plenty of room for that and all our bags. Kuma Lodge have private or shared bathroom options (we had a shared bathroom and that was completely fine!) and great views of the mountains from just about every room. Kuma Lodge also has a number of relaxed common areas for when you’re not outside enjoying the snow, with a dedicated games room (including table tennis and tv with Netflix), snug reading corner and a large dining area for a delicious (included) breakfast before hitting the slopes! Our kids made friends with a lovely Singaporean group with 3 young kids and they all had such a blast playing together on and off the slopes.

The Kuma Lodge owners know ALL the locals in Madarao and are really cool about supporting the local Japanese people and businesses. Taka, the lodge manager, helped us work out what dining options would suit our family and even took care of booking meals at the amazing Madarao options nearby.

We LOVED the authenticity of the places we went for dinner including okonomiyaki (think Japanese savoury pancakes), Japanese BBQ, ramen noodles and the kids couldn’t get enough of the local gyoza (dumplings) too.

Madarao Ski Resort

Kuma Lodge opens directly onto the snow with just a 50metre walk across the road. From there you can ski down to one of the many chairlifts located at the bottom of the slope at Madarao Mountain Resort. Madarao is the perfect option for families with gorgeous, open beginner runs aplenty and heaps of fresh powder snow to enjoy. Combined with the neighbouring Tangram Ski Circus resort (accessible on one ski ticket), they offer some of the world’s best skiing conditions, PLUS two snow play parks for kids!

These safe, fenced-off kids play areas have magic carpet rides for the kids to get up the hill quickly and safely, real igloo’s (AWESOME), snowman making equipment, snow bikes (these were cool!), toboggan courses and our favourite the “banana boat” – pulled along a snow covered golf course on the back of a ski-doo!

The Madarao snow play park is just a few minute walk from Kuma Lodge, so if the kids get tired, hungry or cold its easy and quick to get back to the hotel!

Across the road from Kuma Lodge you’ll also find where you can sign the kids (and adults) up for ski school with English speaking instructors. The owner Aki is a super cool guy, hires great instructors who the kids LOVED, is an awesome back country guide AND makes a mean espresso and pizza! Our kids learnt to ski with Aki’s native English speaking instructors and begged to go to ski school every day! This was awesome as it meant that mum and dad could enjoy the fantastic powder snow by ourselves some days, and on others we spent the time exploring the mountain together. By day 3 our kids were skiing blue runs thanks to the great ski instructors so we really enjoyed skiing together after that.

If I’m honest then I’ll admit that I didn’t go to Japan *just* for the kids to ski. I wanted somewhere the adults would also enjoy, which was another reason we chose Madarao with its 10m+ of annual powder-iffic snowfalls, the most tree-runs of any resort in Japan and plenty of intermediate/ advanced terrain, much of which remains ungroomed for full enjoyment! With ski lift tickets starting from just AU$26/day that means a week’s pass here is the same as a day pass back home in Australia!

Other activities for families at Madarao

In addition to the awesome snow activities, one of the highlights of a ski trip in this area is the close proximity to the snow monkeys. We took a rest day mid week and headed out on an easy half day trip from Kuma Lodge (yep, they will help you organise it!) to yet another fun day out for the whole family and seeing the very cool local monkeys chilling out in the hot springs!

While you’re in Madarao also be sure to visit a nearby onsen (natural hot spring spa) to give those tired muscles a soak. Kids are welcome at most too and they are a wonderfully traditional Japanese experience. We spent an or two in the Maradao Hotel onsen one afternoon – the boys went with dad because its single-sex onsen only! so I got some amazing relaxation time to myself too! BLISS!

Getting to Kuma Lodge, Madarao

Depending on what time you touch down in Tokyo, you can be on the slopes at Madarao within a few hours of arrival! With a new shinkansen (bullet train) service from Tokyo Central to Iiyama taking under 2 hours, its just a short taxi or shuttle bus ride from there to Madarao where the Kuma Lodge folks will meet you on arrival! Easy, quick and awesome! With so much going for it, what’s not to LOVE about the thought of skiing and staying at Kuma Lodge, Madarao? Our family had THE BEST time there recently and really feel it is the perfect mix of great snow, lovely little town, wonderful people and super easy and quick to access. Now is the time to start planning to ski Japan with kids – but be quick as next holiday season is nearly booked out already! So get booking and join us in enjoying it before all the other Westerners find out first!

1. Beaches – obviously one of the best parts of Oahu and Hawai’i is the beaches, but you need to be careful of strong rips and big beach breaks at a lot of them. If you’ve got younger kids and looking for a nice safe spot to swim check out
Ala Moana Beach Park
Hanauma Bay
Diamond Head Cliffs Beach
Kualoa Beach Park
Kailua Beach or
Waimea Bay (but only when there are no waves, it can be very dangerous here during winter when they get gigantic surf)

The beautiful North Shore of Oahu

2. Animal Lovers – if you need a break from the beach (as if!) but anyway, if you do, check out or for a good day trip idea. Or if you’re more into animals in their natural habitat take a drive out to the North Shore and see if you can spot any turtles at places like or .

Sea Life Park

3. One of the best days of our holiday was . For $32 for adults and $18 for kids it’s actually really reasonable. The buffet breakfast was huge and yummy with loads of choices and Winnie got heaps of one on one time with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy (apparently the characters change day to day so you don’t know exactly who you’ll get – I think your pretty much guaranteed Mickey and Minnie though) My tip would be to book in for one of the late breakfast sessions, apparently the buffet and the characters stay until the last guest has left the restaurant, we were there for close to 2 hours and didn’t once feel rushed to leave. It was excellent, we loved it! ps – the resort itself is AMAZING and if it’s in the budget I’d suggest you look at treating the kids to even just one night.

4. If you’re not hiring a car and want to see a bit more of Oahu than Waikiki Beach, check out the . you can buy single tickets and multi day passes that can be used over their four lines – the panoramic tour, the scenic tour, the historic tour and the all important shopping tour. Some of the buses are open top double deckers and what kid doesn’t love a ride on one of those!

5. Shave Ice – is everywhere, and is so yummy. Make sure you try lychee and mint flavour. We had one pretty much every night after dinner and either sat to watch the sunset on the beach o in one of the parks. It became our little holiday routine.

Yum! Shave Ice

6. If you’re staying in Waikiki and planning on catching taxis take a while to get your bearings. A lot of the streets are one way and sometimes a short stroll to the right corner can cut out an extra few bucks off your ride by not having to drive around the block.

7. Coffee Spots – my favourite coffee was at nice coffee, really yummy acai and yoghurt bowls minus the huge line that some of the more popular places have every morning!

8. Food Spots – we had some fantastic hits, and some really bad misses this trip. Places we loved were The Cheesecake Factory – HUGE serves and lots of family friendly options especially if you have fussy eaters. Dukes on the beach – has lots of room outside for kids to play while you drink cocktails and my ALL TIME favourite . If you love Italian food, and you’re REALLY HUNGRY please check this place out, the pizzas are epic (in size and taste) and it’s definitely a sharesy type arrangement so don’t order one thing each off the menu, a dish between 2 and sometimes 3 is enough.

9. Right above Buca Di Beppo is , a big arcade game place which is a gamers idea of heaven (aka my 12 year old nephew) It’s actually a pretty fun way to spend a couple of hours, especially if you go on Wednesday where they have half price games. Both the kids had a ball both times we went there.

Trying to win EVERY toy in the Skill Tester!

10. Horse Riding – if you’ve got older kids, and especially older ones who love the Jurassic Park movies, going horse riding in the famous Ka’a’awa Valley (where Jurassic Park was filmed) is really great. has some great tour options and they can cater for kids as young as 10.

11. Fireworks -if you’re around Waikiki on a Friday night there is a cool fireworks show on the beachfront of the Hilton Hawaiian Village from about 8pm. A great way to end a night out in Waikiki

Anywho, this isn’t our first overseas trip with Winnie, so we felt like we knew what we needed from our accommodation and after a few nights of trawling tripadvisor, wotif and expedia we finally decided on The Warwick. Mostly excellent reviews, apart from a few who seemed to just be from the standard complainers saying things like “the chair in the corner of the room was too hard” or “it rained” (like that’s the hotels fault) Lots of people commenting on the excellent facilities for kids, great food options, swim up bar, plus images like these = SOLD!

From the minute you arrive in Fiji you’ll straight away notice two things.

1. Fijian people are in one word, lovely. Super smiley, super friendly, super happy.

2. They have their own time, Fiji time, yes it’s really a thing. So if you like your holidays scheduled down to the minute, this might not be the place for you. My suggestion, just roll with it, you’re on holidays on a tropical island, don’t sweat the small stuff, take your watch off and just enjoy it!

Apart from one tour, we spent every day in the resort enjoying the onsite facilities and activities, but there are plenty of tour/sightseeing to do so if you’re up for some adventure make sure you speak to the tour desk or do some google-ing before you go.

If you go at this time of the year (June/July) maybe pack a long sleeve shirt and a pair of thin pants. The weather certainly wasn’t cold (especially compared to an 91������ý winter) but it did get a bit cool in the evening, cool enough for a thin long sleeve anyway.

Below is a quick pros/cons list from our few days at The Warwick. We loved it, and everyone we met there was loving it too. It really is a great choice if you have a family, especially if your kids are over 3.

The Pro’s

1. The FREE kids club was great. It’s open from 9am – 9pm every day and available for kids between the ages of 3 and 12. There is an indoor kids room, mainly for the younger ones with toys and games, they also do arts and crafts, and a daily “kids cooking” activity that Winnie loved. The older kids have a really fantastic program that changes each day (they drop a flyer under your door each night with the next days activities) and for us included things like boat making, beach games and face painting. The kids club staff are sensational, actually ALL of the staff are sensational, especially with kids. They made Winnie feel really special greeting her by name every day.

2. The babysitters. The Warwick offer an onsite baby sitting service for $15AUD per hour that we used twice and would definitely recommend. It was great to be able to order room service dinner for Winnie and then leave her with the baby sitter for a few hours to go and enjoy dinner (and mainly enjoy some cocktails) on our own. In case you haven’t got the idea already, the staff at The Warwick are fantastic with kids, so we had absolutely no dramas or hesitation leaving Winnie with a babysitter.

3. The FREE onsite activities. Last time we stayed in Fiji we had to pay to hire equipment, but at The Warwick all of the water sports are included, so you can feel free to grab a kayak, stand up paddle board or snorkelling gear and go your hardest. And the water straight out the front of the hotel is magic. Super clear, warm and great for “nemo spotting”
You can also feel free to play tennis or squash, use the gym or beat your husband in a few games of ping pong.

4. The Teppanyaki restaurant. We had a really great family dinner at the onsite Teppanyaki restaurant “Sazanami” We were a bit worried about taking Winnie with us in case she had one of “those” nights, but she absolutely LOVED it, and once again mainly due to the staff making it super special for her. Watching Dad have egg flung at his bowl (and face) was hilarious, and she has been talking about this dinner NON STOP since we got back. A definite highlight and make sure you order the fried rice.

5. The nightly activities were great. Winnie really enjoyed the traditional dancing, and we had planned to take her to the fire twirling, but an 8pm “I’ve had a big day and I’m really tired and I’m going to have a complete melt down in the foyer” put an end to those plans. Apparently it’s very cool though so plan to see that. The kids club also put on a movie each night so there’s another chance for a “grown ups” dinner opportunity.

6. If you’re desperate for some retail therapy, there are a little group of local shops at the end of the property selling a few touristy bits and pieces. You can also grab a massage or get your toes painted, or get your washing done before you leave for about $30AUD a bag.3

7. Hot tip – If you’re after a tour, make sure you check out . We took off for a few hours while Winnie was at kids club to do the Zip at Pacific Harbour (about an hours drive from the hotel) it was SO MUCH FUN! The website says 6 years and over, but would probably say it’s more suited to over 10’s at least. We both loved it! You can book from their website, or from the tour desk at The Warwick.

8. The hotel is very clean and well maintained. Nothing to complain about in that department.

The Con’s (and how to avoid them)

1. The hotel is around 2.5 hours drive from the airport in the airport transfer bus, this time can be affected by the time of the day you arrive, and can sometimes be quicker, but apparently sometimes also take longer.

If you can afford it, I would definitely recommend a private airport transfer. The hotel can arrange it for you and it’s around $95ish AUD. Still takes around 1.5 hours which can be quite painful with a tired and hungry 3 year old (TRUST ME) but I think the private car is the way to go, if you can

2. The internet is REALLY annoying. Yes yes I know before you start rolling your eyes and thinking “why does she need internet on holidays” well the answer is, I have a small business so checking and replying to some emails is important for me, and yes I’ll admit a 15 minute Mother Goose or that wacky Kinder Surprise lady on youtube is sometimes all I need for a little quiet time for Winnie. Errrr and hello, how can you make all your mates jelly without posting many many many images to Facebook and Insty without internet!

The hotel gives you one free hour of internet per day, but it’s done by room, not device, so we kept having the problem of one device using it and then not being able to connect on any others. I ended up paying for 3 days premium internet for (yikes) $40, which still wasn’t amazing. But you know, truth be told, yes, we were in Fiji, so who cares!?

BUT if you do HAVE to have internet, be prepared for it to not be great. Not super bad, just not great.

3. Food/Snacks – The hotel has 5 restaurants to choose from, with two of those providing kids FREE meals. We struggled a bit in the snack department though. There just wasn’t really anywhere to go and grab a quick toasty cheese sambo or a muffin, or even just a piece of fruit. If you’ve got kids that like to pick and nibble all day, might be a good idea to ask your driver to stop at one of the local supermarkets on the way to the hotel and pick up some nibbles. The rooms have fridges (small ones but ok for a few things)

There are gift shops onsite that have a few snacky type things, but mainly chips and chocolate and of course at hotel prices.

Hot Tip – stop at the shops on the way and grab some chips, crackers, some fruit, muesli bars etc so the kids can snack on those when they need to.

The restaurants  – As I mentioned there are FIVE restaurants to choose from at The Warwick. A buffet that changes theme each night, we arrived on Mexican night, and for those of you who know my husband, that went down VERY well! As well an Italian restaurant, Japanese restaurant, Seafood Restaurant and Lagoon Bar and Grill.

Problem is, you need to book a table every night, and while we were there, tables booked up quick. Takes a bit of the spontaneity out of it when you need to pre book each dinner. Plus as I’m sure most of you know, sometimes when you SAY you’re going to have dinner at 6:30pm that doesn’t necessarily mean that your kids are going to run with that plan. There is a great room service menu though, so we actually found it easier to order room service for dinner, and then venture outside after for some dessert or to watch one of the nightly shows.

As I mentioned before, make sure you make use of the fantastic babysitters at The Warwick. Grab some room service dinner with the kids, get them bathed and pj-ed, organise a babysitter and then go out for dinner CHILD-LESS! Yes, go on do it!

The Deets
The Warwick Hotel
A: Queen’s Road, Korolevu, Coral Coast, Viti Levu, Fiji
W:
E: info.fiji@warwickhotels.com
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