Our favourite family hotels in Thailand

With its balmy sunshine, soft sandy beaches, ethical elephant camps, stylish and welcoming family hotels, Thailand has to be one of Asia’s best destinations for a holiday with kids. The travel infrastructure is modern and reliable, and the opportunities for fun and relaxation are many and varied. Several of the Selective Asia team, who all began visiting Thailand as backpackers, now return to show their offspring why mum or dad go all starry-eyed whenever the place is mentioned. Here they share some of their favourite resorts for the perfect Thailand holiday with kids...

Elephant Hills

We love this ultra-responsible conservation project, which takes care of rescued elephants in a sensitive manner whilst allowing visitors to observe these humbling creatures and participate in their care. You'll stay in a luxurious safari-style tent, and enjoy activities such as river trips through the jungle, and nature walks.

Anantara Bophut, Ko Samui

This spectacular boutique resort sits in tropical gardens by Bophut Bay, and its spacious accommodation allows plenty of room to relax with your family. Splash in the pool, knock around the tennis court, take a cooking class together or disappear into the spa - it's the ideal spot for chilling out. 

Belmond Napasai, Koh Samui

This luxurious resort makes families feel very welcome, with children's menus in the restaurants, and special activities for kids such as nature-spotting walks. There's a babysitting service so that you can enjoy a little grown-up time, and some of the villas are equipped with kitchens if you need to cater for little ones. 

Anantara Sathorn

With its pizza parlour, children's pool, kids club and rooftop tennis court, this central Bangkok property is an ideal base for a family visit to Bangkok. The kids club can keep your offspring entertained while you relax in the renowned Anantara Spa or on the sundeck, or perhaps you can all take a cookery class together in the hotel grounds. 

Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort & Spa

An excellent luxury option for families, this versatile resort offers stylish private villa accommodation right by an unspoilt, uncommercialized beach. Whether you choose to dine at the restaurant or in your villa, there is a great range of local food to choose from, and the impressive Ayurah Wellness Centre offers true relaxation while the kids are being entertained.

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Situated in large gardens on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, which runs through Bangkok, the Anantara Riverside offers a glamourous family stay, within easy access of Bangkok's key sights. Its cooking school offers a fun way to get hands-on, and the kids club is on hand to keep your offspring entertained while you make the most of the more sophisticated facilities.

The Slate, Phuket

This trendy beach resort offers an excellent choice of facilities for families, with a family pool (pictured), a brilliant kids club, and spacious accommodation with separate sleeping and living areas. While the kids are enjoying themselves at the club, you can luxuriate in the unique spa with its blissful cocoon 'nests', and the numerous dining options will ensure that everyone's catered for.

New family hotels often appear on our radar; we’re continually inspecting more and updating our recommendations, so if you’re reading this a few months after we published it, the best thing to do is get in touch with us directly on +44 (0)1273 670 001, or send us your enquiry.