‘A literal oasis for parents and kids': Bali hotel you need to book now

News.com.au

6 days ago

If the thought of hopping on an international flight with small children makes you want to bury those passports in the backyard for the next three to five years, then let's just say you're part of a very big club.
But if there's any inclination to dust off the travel documents and go deep in the wardrobe searching for everyone's cozzies – call it sheer desperation for some form of getaway to break up the chaos of home life – then hear me out.
The biggest questions for any parent with little ones while contemplating the pros and cons of a trip away with the family are always – is it even worth it? Will it be at all relaxing? Will we get a break from the kids? Will we enjoy ourselves? Will everyone get sick? What if the weather sucks and we're all trapped inside?
Basically, will it inevitably just be a 'same sh*tshow, but with a better view and stronger cocktails' scenario? All signs point to yes.
I've always been a big believer in holding off until the kids are a little older. Until nobody needs a daytime nap, everyone can swim confidently, and most importantly, once every child can skip off to Kids Club without a care in the world.
I've braved enough holidays in recent years that turned into an exhausting game of tag team with my husband – one of us watches the sleeping child in the hotel room, while the other wears out the two older kids in the pool or at the beach – to know better.
To some, this may sound like a perfectly acceptable break, but not if you want to actually spend any time with the other family member splitting the bill with you.
Enter Movenpick Resort & Spa in Bali.
At first glance, this five-star resort located walking distance to Jimbaran Beach on the wildly popular Indonesian island ticks a lot of boxes for families with youngsters.
Kids Club? Tick.
Kid friendly pools and activities? Tick.
Kid focused menu? Tick.
Interconnecting rooms perfect for larger families? Tick.
Babysitters on standby for really little ones? Tick.
Amenities for babies such as cots, high chairs and prams? Tick.
A not-so-scary flight time to reach said amenities? Tick.
A 24-hour fitness centre, rooftop bar, Balinese spa and strong cocktails? TICK.
I'd seen this resort on Instagram, with fellow parents singing its praises and sharing idyllic photos of not one, but four outdoor swimming pools, a water slide, jacuzzi, artificial beach, swim-up bars, even a giant inflatable obstacle course floating in one of the pools.
Knowing what we know about the Instagram Vs reality of holidays on social media, I turned to my other trusted source - Google reviews. A quick scan of the five-star resort's some 7,000 reviews confirmed all I hoped to read. Endless comments from guests, many of them parents, all raving about their experiences. 'This is one of those rare places where you can completely relax, knowing you (and your children) are in good hands,' was one such review that stuck with me.
So, we packed the mountain of sh*t you need for a week away as a family of five, braved the 6.5 hour flight with our five, three and one-year-old daughters, and arrived – after what seemed like an eternity – to a literal oasis for parents and kids.
The hotel room
We were lucky enough to stay in a Family Prestige Room, which is two connecting rooms over 76 sqm and the perfect option for travellers with children. Our two older daughters were able to sleep in king single beds in one room, with my husband and I in the connecting room, along with our baby in a cot beside our king bed. Not only were there bathrooms in each room, with a shower and bathtub in each, there was also a (lockable) balcony for each room with spectacular views of the pools. The resort also offers a variety of other rooms, including a Classic King, Classic Twin, a Junior Suite, Family Duplex and a Premium Suite, depending on your needs.
It's all in the details
In terms of cute, kid-friend touches, the staff had thought of everything in our suite. Toddler sized table and chairs, plush toys on the beds for each of the girls to keep, night lights, a step stool and toilet training seat in the bathrooms, non-stick mats in the tubs, and a sweet welcome note with each of their names, along with a fruit and sweets platter upon arrival. Beyond the hotel room, every day at 4pm in the lobby, the resort hosts Chocolate Hour, which is exactly as it sounds (picture stepping into Wonka's Chocolate Factory for a quick sugar fix) and not to be missed.
The kid-friendly features
It would be a crime to not mention hands down my favourite feature, the Meera Kids Club, which is certain to have become the best friend of every parent who has ever stayed at Movenpick Resort. The picturesque facility is pirate-themed and caters to kids from 4 – 12 years old. Children under 4 years can also attend with full supervision from parents or legal guardians – or for a small additional fee, an on-site babysitter.
My bigger kids were besotted with the kids club, and most days raced to the front door straight from the breakfast buffet, ready to be the first ones inside. This meant Mum and Dad got some one-on-one time with our littlest in the splash pool, and occasionally booked her in for an hour or two with the babysitter to enjoy a few mojitos in peace.
Activities at kids club include everything from tie-dye T-shirt design, to ice cream treasure hunts, mermaid hair braiding, jewellery and kite making, dance parties and an indoor playground with a trampoline and ball pit. All super fun options that also mean the kids get to escape the heat for a few hours each day.
The resort is also home to a gorgeous trio of pet dogs (two Golden Retrievers and a Labrador), as well as a family of fluffy rabbits and a stingless bee house sanctuary. Children are always welcome to play with the dogs, and even feed the rabbits throughout the day.
All in all, the kids club was a 12/10 experience.
The dining experience
Admittedly, we didn't venture beyond the resort much during our stay. Parents with older kids would easily be able to book a car and explore Jimbaran in more detail, or even see different parts of the island. The beach itself is only 100 metres away and boasts some of the best seafood restaurants in Bali.
But after a full day in the water or running around with new-found friends at kids club, my three were always cooked and ready for a quick and easy feast by about 5pm. The Movenpick has four options for dining; Anarasa Restaurant, which is the resort's main restaurant for breakfast lunch and dinner; Jejala Pool Bar, offering quick bites, Western options and frozen margaritas by the pool; the Movenpick Cafe, for coffee and tea, baked goods, and of course ice cream.
Our package included access to the breakfast buffet each morning, and while I know this isn't everyone's speed on holidays, I'll just say this - I am STILL thinking about that buffet, weeks later. Quite simply, it was the buffet of anyone's dreams - coffee brewed to perfection as you take your seat, fresh food options from around the world, and - most importantly - a mini breakfast buffet for the kids in their own corner. Meaning you can actually enjoy your meal without a toddler on your lap, while they do laps around their own tailored buffet and catch a quick episode of Bluey or Peppa Pig at the same time. I'm telling you, when it comes to fuss-free, kid-friendly dining, these guys have thought of everything.
Finally, the resort's newest dining experience is the Adriana Cucina rooftop bar, located on level 7 and with a view of the gorgeous Jimbaran Bay that rivals any other in Bali. The urban-style restaurant boasts a fusion of Mexican cuisine with traditional Balinese flavours. Fresh seafood, hot grills, guacamole made by the chef at your table, and a killer tequila line-up. It was so good, and the staff were so accommodating of our three weary little travellers, we ate there three times! My husband even got the T-shirt.
If you're keen on exploring a little, but not jumping in a car, next door to the resort is the Samasta Lifestyle Village, with a handful of shops and restaurants. My kids loved watching the evening Kecak Dance performance in the main square.
One of the things we loved about the Jimbaran area in general is that it's a slower, more peaceful pace than the likes of Kuta and Seminyak, and not as trendy as Canggu. For those hoping to see more of the island, from Jimbaran you've got easy access to places like Uluwatu, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur.
The details
Movenpick Resort and Spa is approximately 15 to 30 minutes by car from Denpasar International Airport, which is Bali's main international airport. Prices start at around $210 per night, for a classic room accomodating up to three people. Suites and family rooms start at around $350 per night.