Asian Adventures: Four Seasons Family Edition

How does your family like to play? At Four Seasons Resorts of Asia, family time is about out-of-the-ordinary experiences in breathtaking destinations: paradise islands, lush rural hideaways, mystical river valleys, luxury tented camps, and a floating “final frontier” resort.

This summer, discover holiday-long happiness at Four Seasons Resorts of Asia – from the moment kids wake to way past their usual bedtime. From breakfast with rescued elephants in Thailand's Golden Triangle to a wild waterfall picnic in Palau, hands-on activities and storybook wonder await.

“The best soundtrack to a holiday is a child's laughter,” comments Rami Sayess, Four Seasons President of Hotel Operations - Asia Pacific. “In our age of constant stimulation, engaging and inspiring young minds with life beyond the screen has never been more important. At Four Seasons Resorts of Asia, our teams take pride in creating experiences that awaken the young and young-at-heart to a wider world of wonder and strengthen bonds through real-life movie moments."

Out-of-the-Ordinary Excitement

Four Seasons Resorts of Asia specialise in truly one-off experiences that will stick in families' minds forever. Prioritise adventure from day one with a thrilling river raft arrival into Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Ride pillion on vintage vespas around the UNESCO streets of Hoi An during a family foodie tour at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An. Submit to the snorkel-based magic of “Manta On Call” at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, complete with a “Manta Phone” that rings to herald the proximity of the world's largest known population of manta rays. Extreme adventure awaits surf-loving families via heli-surfing to Indonesia's famous G-Land from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. And for the most extreme bragging rights, how many kids can say they've snorkelled with 600,000 golden stingless jellyfish or danced with disco clams? Ask those who have cruised aboard Four Seasons Explorer Palau.

Knowledge is Power

Educational adventures expand young minds; and the best lessons are those that kids don't even realise they're having. The Junior Cooking Academy at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An nurtures budding culinarians, while Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle gives naturalist-led lessons on elephant etiquette, anatomy and the relationship between each rescue elephant and its mahout. Over at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, marine awareness takes on greater meaning when a Swamp Skipper introduces weird and wonderful UNESCO Geoforest Park inhabitants such as walking fish and sleepy bats. Meanwhile, in the hilltop Muay Thai training ring at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, kids not only develop flexibility and coordination but also the key martial arts principles of respect, trust, integrity, and discipline. Discipline is also a core component of the six-day-long Trainee Marine Biology Modules at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, which offer environmentally-minded older teens a serious deep dive into the realities of a career in marine conservation.

Wellness for Young Bodies and Minds

It's never too early to teach kids the importance of taking their health in their hands. The award-winning Wara Cheewa Spa at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai has plenty of child-focused treats including the Angel Bliss Massage to soothe the nervous system – perfect for little balls of energy. Over at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, kiddie-focused calm comes via a Sacred Nap cocooned in a silk hammock. The Family Time treatment in The Secret Garden Spa at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui fosters a meaningful connection between child and parent, family and destination via the natural goodness of local virgin coconut oil. Fun-seekers of all ages will enjoy mastering gravity-defying poses a la Spiderman with AntiGravity Yoga at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, The Nam Hai, Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa. Or how about a spa to call one's own? The Ocean of Consciousness Kids Ritual at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah treats youngsters to yoga, a gentle massage, and crystal singing bowls in their own exclusive-use spa.

Room to Flourish, Space to Breathe

At Four Seasons Resorts of Asia, villas and residences are designed around the needs of modern-day families. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, all rooms and facilities – including surfing for kids as young as six – are arranged around a central garden promenade, ideal for keeping tabs on little ones and transitioning between activities. At Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, the mile-long (1.6 kilometre) beach is not only flanked by pools, rock-climbing, and archery but huge Family Beach Houses, each accessed via a quiet garden path. At Four Seasons Resorts Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, vibrant Thai decor and a home-away-from-home feel meet in exquisite one- to five-bedroom Residence Villas. The Pool Villas at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An also draw from local elements, including Phong Thuy (Feng Shui) principles to optimise natural lighting and air circulation. At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, four-bedroom residences have large pools in walled gardens and butlers to ease on-site planning. And for the ultimate in space and privacy, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah accommodates one booking of up to 22 guests in seven bedrooms across five pristine acres (two hectares).

When Mealtimes Become Memories

Hungry tummies, over-excited emotions, and later-than-usual bedtimes: unusual circumstances can be a recipe for parental stress during vacation family dinners. At Four Seasons Resorts of Asia, the secret ingredient at every meal is understanding, from complimentary meals for under 6 years and subsidised menus for 4-12 year-olds to picky palate requests and early restaurant sittings.

Then there are those magical moments that turn mealtime into memories: breakfast with rescue elephants at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle; a floating in-villa pool breakfast at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa; a Family Thai Cooking Class with lunch at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui; the bliss of a beach BBQ and s'mores at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi; or a dramatic dinner by a treetop lotus pond at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

Connect with Culture and Conservation

Experiences rooted in culture and care pepper family vacations with meaningful moments. Off-grid fishing trips along the Mekong and Ruak Rivers at Four Seasons Tented Camp combine with the chance to learn the art of Chiang Rai's Bear Mountain baristas – from sorting coffee cherries to craft-roasting beans in traditional clay pots. At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, families can plant rice shoots with local farmers, followed by a traditional bathing ritual in the adjacent river. Budding Jacques Cousteaus can transplant a coral frame to boost the reef and help to rehabilitate injured sea turtles at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa. In Thailand's “cultural capital,” families can gather on the traditional Chaan Baan living terrace at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai to spin magic with clay at the potter's wheel, create art with natural dyes and make Thien Ram aromatic soy candles. And the collection's floating resort, Four Seasons Explorer Palau offers privileged access to a 4,000-year-old culture of bead money and story-telling dance underpinned by omengull, respect for all and everything.

Kids For All Seasons

Alongside magical family experiences, Four Seasons Resorts of Asia offer carefully conceived kids' clubs that combine playtime with experiential learning: batik making at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi; Balinese art and dance classes at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan; Thai clay moulding and tie-dye experiences and Saa paper making at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai; coral conservation snorkelling and Thai boxing at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui; sea life safaris, sandcastle making and kite flying at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay; night snorkelling, treasure hunts and singing bowl lessons at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah; and Vietnamese lantern making and mask painting at Four Seasons Nam Hai. And in the absence of a kids' club aboard Four Seasons Explorer Palau, the entire archipelago is a canvas for discovery, from learning how to husk coconuts on a remote island to snorkelling adventures with a marine biologist in search of elusive mandarin fish.