Resorts for kids and kids at heart By Sheralyn Tay, TODAY | Posted: 12 June 2008 1059 hrs
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It was the first time I had seen parents look so relaxed while on holiday. My last vacation was marred by constant yelling from parents as they tried vainly to get their children to “please behave”. Here at Club Med Bintan, the kids are kept happily occupied with a wide range of activities while adults chill out. It’s a family resort and that means good times for everyone, not just the kids.
It’s easy to settle into a Club Med holiday. Not only do the white expanse of secluded beach and shimmering sea melt away stress, the guest officers or GOs — as the Club Med staff are called — are sincere, friendly and full of smiles.
They are patient too, as I soon found out. It’s perfectly fine if water sports such as sailing and snorkelling are not your thing, the GOs are only too happy to help you learn the ropes.
Landlubbers are also catered for. There’s a spa, gym, archery range, tennis and squash courts, and a golf course.
And when it comes to food, families will have a hard time finding something they don’t like at Club Med Bintan. The main restaurant, The Waterfall, offers sumptuous daily buffets that are woven around a daily theme. While pizzas, pastas and fries will keep the children happy, grown-ups can eat their way around the world with a wide range of cuisines from Asia, France and the Mediterranean. My advice is to go easy on the main courses and save tummy space for the delicious desserts.
And do make reservations to eat at least once, preferably at dinner time, at the scenic Le Terrasse, which offers freshly grilled seafood with views of the South China Sea.
And if all that sun and sport tire you out, do visit the spa. Try the Traditional Riau massage for an invigorating knead; or, for something a little more in line with the beach theme, the Exotic Coconut Treat gets my vote for leaving a body glowing and relaxed.
If you’re a parent, you can do all of this uninterrupted. The resort offers day-long programmes catered for children from 4 to 10, and 11 to 17. There’s a circus school where the kids can learn to swing on a trapeze and walk the tightrope; as well as sports, games and drama practice to keep the little ones occupied. Each day ends in stage performances by the children, who put on a song-and-dance act.
Except for the spa, all of these activities, plus the food and alcohol, are included in the Club Med package, so it’s all hassle free. The best part is that beach bum bliss is only a 60-minute ferry ride from Singapore shores. - TODAY/ra
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