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Family holidays create memories that last a lifetime, but coordinating everyone’s needs while managing costs can be a challenge. The good news? With some tactical planning and insider knowledge, you can design a dream family escape that delivers maximum fun without financial stress. From choosing the right accommodation to finding activities that please everyone, here’s how to craft the perfect family getaway while keeping your budget intact.
Find a family-friendly hotel
Finding the right accommodation is key to a hassle-free family holiday. Grand Hyatt Bali is a kids’ paradise with its dedicated Oceania Kids’ Club, offering a full schedule of unique activities like duck feeding, leaf painting and canang making, not to mention the impressive 50-metre waterslide and five lagoon-style pools. Paradise Resort Gold Coast also offers swathes of family fun, featuring an ice-skating rink, two waterparks, Dusty’s Safari Train Ride and a packed program of daily entertainment and activities for all ages – all just 250 metres from the iconic Surfers Paradise beach.
Nearby, Sea World Resort is a total game-changer, with theme parks practically on your doorstep for endless fun. Water-loving families will flip out at The New Atlantis, Sea World’s newest and most immersive entertainment precinct. Get ready for a wild ride on The Leviathan’s wooden coaster, feel the rush of the Vortex’s swirling currents or unleash your inner adventurer as you crack codes in The Garden of Cyphers. While the kids making new buddies at the kids’ club or meeting their Nickelodeon heroes, parents can sneak off for some well-deserved chill time at the spa.
Choose a room that works for you
Squeezing your entire crew into a standard hotel room is a surefire way to feel cramped. Splurging on that family apartment, private-pool villa or genius interconnecting rooms means you’re not tiptoeing around in the dark at 7pm when the little ones crash. Plus, having a kitchenette means you can satisfy late-night cravings, enjoy breakfast on your own schedule and store leftovers with ease – saving both money and potential meltdowns. Kids get space to be kids, parents score that rare commodity called “alone time” and everyone has room to decompress after days of family togetherness.
Seek out the best kids’ clubs
Let’s be honest, a quality kids’ club is the secret weapon for family vacation success. It’s parents’ ticket to guilt-free me-time while the little ones have an absolute blast under expert supervision. Shangri-La Yanuca Island knocks it out of the park with the Little Chief’s Club, full of activities ranging from T-shirt tie-dying to an inflatable water park. At AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Malaysia, kids can dive into culture and creativity at the AVANI Kids’ Club – crafting bath bombs, experimenting with henna tattoos and dancing it out poolside with Kylo, the resort’s lovable otter mascot.
Pro tip: Don’t just pick a resort because they slap “kids’ club” on their website. Dig deeper. Check what activities they offer (screen time on beanbags doesn’t count), scope out staff credentials (who’s watching your precious cargo?) and double-check age groups (nobody wants their teen stuck making finger puppets with toddlers). Do your homework and thank yourself later.
Save on family flights
The commute is where your holiday begins, and savvy timing is your ticket to significant savings. Booking flights midweek or during off-peak periods can dramatically reduce costs, so opt for a Tuesday take-off over a weekend departure, or travel during those golden shoulder seasons when crowds thin out but the weather still delivers.
Consider early morning flights for the best deals. Sure, dragging sleepy kids out of bed before sunrise might seem like mission impossible, but it’s well worth it. Airlines typically slash prices on the first departures of the day, and those savings could easily cover that special beachfront dinner or those extra theme park tickets the kids have been begging for.
Maximise value with LuxPlus+
For families who love to get away often, joining Luxury Escapes’ LuxPlus+ membership program offers incredible added value. Members snag exclusive deals on limited-time offers, plus bonus inclusions beyond standard packages: free hotel credit for poolside mocktails, fun activities, complimentary breakfasts and room upgrades.
Perhaps the most valuable feature for parents juggling busy schedules is early access to the most popular offers. This means first pick of room type and date. Add in secret member-only hidden offers and VIP priority support whenever you need it, and you’ve got vacation planning that actually feels like a vacation.
Feature image: Grand Hyatt Bali
