Thailand with kids: A luxury family-friendly itinerary
Thailand is an amazing place for a holiday with kids. Here mum-of-two Ally tells us about her multi-centre island trip with her little ones. Island hopping, sightseeing and exploring while staying at three of Thailands best family friendly hotels
Words by Ally Papasodaro
Published: 12th February 2026 | Last updated: 27th July 2026
There are some places you fall in love with instantly – and for me, Thailand is absolutely one of them. The trademark white-sand beaches and shimmering seas are even more beautiful in real life than in the photos
The first time I went to Thailand was during my backpacking days. The hotels were fairly basic, but that almost didn’t matter – it was the culture, the food and, most of all, the people that completely stole my heart. I later returned with my husband and we had the most incredible trip, hopping between islands like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan. That time we stayed in beautiful luxury hotels, and experiencing Thailand in that way felt entirely different – indulgent, romantic and unforgettable. From then on, we always dreamed of coming back to Thailand with children. And as soon as we could, we did
Last year, we set off as a family of four – me, my husband and our two little boys, aged three and one – ready to rediscover this magical country together. We spent two weeks in Thailand in April, which is actually a wonderful time to visit. The weather was glorious -hot, sunny and perfect for beach days
We flew from London to Bangkok, a 12-hour journey that we were slightly nervous about, particularly with our youngest, who wasn’t quite at the screen-entertainment stage. We opted for a night flight in the hope he would sleep – and thankfully, he did for most of it. Our eldest watched TV on his iPad for a short while before drifting off for the rest of the journey. We were thanking our lucky stars! Though I think it helped that my husband and I were so excited; even the possibility of a tricky flight didn’t dampen our spirits because we knew what was waiting for us at the other end. It was so worth the long haul
Having visited Bangkok before, we decided to skip the city this time. It’s vibrant and fascinating, but also big and busy — not ideal with very young children in tow. Instead, we headed straight off on our island adventure, which turned out to be absolutely perfect for our little boys. A short one and half hour flight to Krabi and then some wonderful boat trips transported us into the most stunning little cluster of islands and some truly outstanding hotels
Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta
Pimalai Koh Lanta
First up was the wonderful Pimalai Koh Lanta for six nights. This hotel was nothing short of breathtaking. It truly felt like we were living in a Thai dream. Tucked away on Krabi’s picture-perfect Koh Lanta beach, it’s a spectacular resort set within 100 acres of lush tropical forest, with 900 metres of powdery white sand lapped by the Andaman Sea
We stayed in one of their one-bedroom pool villas, and enormous doesn’t even begin to cover it. The villa had a huge bedroom suite, an expansive bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, a deep soaking tub, and a vast private terrace with an infinity pool overlooking the jungle and sea. The décor was contemporary with traditional Thai touches – dark wood, rattan textures and airy white linens. Everything was designed to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, so the jungle, beach and gardens remained the true wow factor
From the moment we arrived, the children were treated like VIPs. I’ve honestly never experienced anything like it. Every single staff member greeted them with the warmest smiles each day. For us, holidays are all about balance, and Pimalai made it effortless to properly relax
The resort is brilliantly set up for families without ever feeling overwhelmingly “kiddy.” There’s a supervised Kids’ Club for children aged four and up, and babysitters can be arranged for younger ones (around £8 per hour). The club runs a full programme of activities you can dip in and out of. The boys loved bracelet making, face painting, beach crab hunting at sunset, and trying tennis for the first time. There were also Thai craft sessions, treasure hunts around the gardens and fun beach games. They genuinely couldn’t wait to go back each day
There were so many thoughtful touches for families. At the beach and pool, toys were available to borrow. At meals, children’s plates, cutlery and bibs appeared without us even asking. Highchairs were brought over instantly – and one was even delivered to our villa for mealtimes, which made everything so easy
As a huge foodie, my expectations for Thailand were sky high – and Pimalai exceeded them. On our first night we went to their Surf & Turf evening at the beachside restaurant and were blown away. The seafood was unbelievably fresh. There are three restaurants in total: Rak Talay (beachfront dining), Spice & Rice (authentic Thai cuisine) and Seven Seas (international fine dining). The wagyu beef massaman at the Thai restaurant was out of this world. Breakfast was equally fabulous – with sweeping views of jungle on one side and the pools and sea on the other. I will never forget those mornings
I would 100% recommend Pimalai. When it came time to leave, I genuinely wondered how the next resort could possibly compare
Irene Resort, Koh Lipe
Irene Resort, Koh Lipe
Next up was pint-sized Koh Lipe – a tiny island reached by a three-hour speedboat from Krabi. Often referred to as the “Mini Maldives,” it absolutely lives up to its nickname
We stayed at the Irene Resort for four blissful nights. It felt like paradise – the definition of laid-back luxury. Perched on Sunrise Beach, it’s one of the most luxurious stays on the island. The beachfront villas are extraordinary, each with a private glass-sided swimming pool that appears to float directly on the sand
The resort has a boutique feel, with a small fitness centre, spa and two on-site restaurants. Days here are all about slow living – drifting between your private pool, the beach and the calm turquoise sea
It’s not a family hotel as such, but they truly went above and beyond to make the boys feel welcome — including ice cream at check-in, which is a guaranteed way to win over small children instantly. They provide cots, highchairs and children’s cutlery, which makes travelling so much easier
This is a brilliant choice for parents who don’t need a kids’ club or structured activities. If your children are happiest with a beautiful pool and a bucket and spade on the beach, Irene Resort absolutely ticks the box
This is a place where you forget about ‘itineraries’ or ‘schedules’ and just go at your own family’s pace. It’s not one of the big islands that’s super busy so you really do get a that ‘away from it all feeling’
The best part of this leg of the trip was the simplicity. We could step from our villa straight onto the sand within seconds. Koh Lipe is wonderfully walkable — everything is within easy reach. Walking Street, lined with restaurants, bars and shops, is just a 10-minute stroll away. We loved wandering the island, discovering quiet lagoons where the kids could paddle carefree. The sea was calm and crystal clear, and the boys adored hunting for shells and tiny crabs as we explored new spots each day
The food was fantastic. While the hotel serves a mix of Thai and international cuisine, Walking Street offers endless variety. Taking the children out to try new local restaurants became a real highlight. It felt like we were properly travelling with them and immersing ourselves in Thai culture together
Banyan Tree, Krabi
Banyan Tree Krabi
Last, but certainly not least, was Banyan Tree Krabi – and from the moment we arrived, we knew it would be special. The view from reception alone is unforgettable
The hotel has 72 stunning suites and villas, each with its own private pool, cascading down a hillside towards the beach. The décor is sleek, modern and incredibly luxurious. Every detail is considered — from Banyan Tree’s divine-smelling toiletries to a pillow menu so you can customise your sleep perfectly
Despite being five-star fabulous, the resort feels genuinely warm and family-friendly. For little travellers, there’s a dedicated Kids’ Club (ages 4+) with babysitters available for younger children (£12 per hour). The space itself is gorgeous – bright, airy and nature-inspired, with large windows and indoor-outdoor flow. There are arts and crafts stations, building toys, puzzles, books and plenty of space to spread out. Activities include Thai crafts, cooking sessions, painting, nature walks, beach games and mini treasure hunts. Outside there’s a children’s pool with slides, and older kids can try paddleboarding and kayaking
The childcare meant we could enjoy some completely guilt-free time together – something that felt like a real luxury. That perfect balance of family time and couple time made the whole stay deeply relaxing.
The beach is ideal for children, with soft sand that slopes gently into warm, calm water – almost like a bath. You can spot tiny tropical fish darting past as you paddle
Kids’ menus here are thoughtfully done – simple but genuinely tasty dishes children actually want to eat. Another bonus: under-fours eat lunch and dinner for free
The dining overall was exceptional. We had dinner at Bird’s Nest, set high among the trees, which made for such a magical evening. And the breakfast spread? Quite possibly the best we’ve ever experienced — pancakes, every conceivable fresh fruit, incredible coffee, and views that make you pause mid-bite
This is the kind of resort you dream about long after you leave. I would genuinely fly back to Thailand just to stay here again. We met so many families who return year after year – and I completely understand why. It’s the sort of place that spoils you for everywhere else. If you’re looking for all-out luxury in one of the most picturesque settings imaginable, Banyan Tree Krabi is truly unforgettable
Ally's verdict
We absolutely love Thailand. In fact, it’s the only country we would return to again and again (aside from Peru, where I have family). There’s just something so special about it. It’s incredibly family-friendly, and I have never experienced a place where the people are quite so warm, kind and genuinely loving – especially towards children. The way the locals embraced our boys made the trip feel even more wonderful
And then there’s the food. Thai cuisine is hands down our favourite in the world. We still talk about – and dream about – the meals we had there. From fragrant curries to the freshest seafood, every dish felt vibrant and full of flavour
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many countries, yet Thailand remains my favourite. Experiencing it through the eyes of our children, and staying in three truly exceptional, family-friendly luxury hotels, only deepened that love. Seeing how much joy it brought them made it even more meaningful
In fact, my eldest still says Thailand was his favourite holiday ever – and I have a feeling it won’t be the last time we go back. I would 100% recommend this awesome country for a family holiday no matter what age your children are
