Post Category - TravelTravelGet festive with the family at one of these holiday havens from the boutique-hotel hunters at Mr & Mrs Smith. Spend your days strolling from the watersports of Nha Trang Bay to the turquoise-hued infinity pools of Evason Ana Mandara, or let the super staff at the kids’ club keep the little ones entertained while you indulge in a spa treatment at Anantara Phuket Villas. Travel a little further to London for a white Christmas at The Berkeley, which has teeming-with-treats welcome packs for Junior Smiths, a hard-to-beat location and fabulous fine-dining.
Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang
Venture to Vietnam this silly season, staying at family-friendly Evason Ana Mandara in buzzy Nha Trang. Villas take advantage of their position on the charismatic curved coastline, with large tropical-tableau-facing windows and pagoda-shaded porches. Open-air sunken bath tubs will keep mum and dad happy; the outdoor space will be the kids’ new playground. The two infinity-edged pools, resembling turquoise-hued ocean inlets, both have shallow ends for babies to play in and a lifeguard supervising from 8am to 8pm. The whole brood can try their hand at watersports at Nha Trang Bay: snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing and fishing are all on offer. After working up an appetite, everyone will appreciate the kids’ menu on offer at both restaurants. The Beach is better suited to younger guests, with a comforting menu of pizza, burgers and home-made ice-cream as well as healthy mini morsels of Vietnamese fare, including prawns with green mango and pork spring rolls. With little ones occupied by the free activities at the kids’ club, Mr and Mrs Smiths can indulge in a spa treatment for two in one of the palm-frond flanked, thatched open-plan pagodas at the Six Senses Spa.
Smith Extra One 30-minute hand/foot or facial massage for two and a Design your Cookie Class
Anantara Phuket Villas, Phuket
Just a hop away from Phuket’s longest beach and boasting private pools and a lily-padded lagoon, Anantara Phuket Villas will satisfy everyone’s watery whims. Large families will love the Two Bedroom Family Pool Villa, featuring a master bedroom with a king-size bed and dressing room, a twin bedroom and bathroom that includes an oversized terrazzo bath, right next to your private pool. Junior Smiths can frolic in the shallow areas of the vast, infinity-edge communal pool while parents lounge on the shaded day-beds. The Turtle Club entertains guests aged 4–12: open from 10am until 6pm, activities include learning local craft techniques and heading out on nature excursions. While the kids are occupied, mum and dad can sneak away to Anantara Spa for a therapy in one of seven open-air rooms. Book the signature treatment: over two hours, you’ll enjoy a foot soak, Chinese massage and anti-ageing facial. Over-12s are also welcome, making pampering a family activity; dining is equally inclusive: La Sala, the hotel’s casual restaurant, offers cherub-friendly fare including pizza, noodles and penne with either bolognaise or carbonara sauce.
Smith Extra Free organised activities at the kids club; mum and dad also get unlimited Anantara signature cocktails for one hour
The Berkeley, London
Commit to a white Christmas at The Berkeley, a family-friendly hotel just steps from some of London’s most iconic landmarks. Super helpful staff will pamper children as much as parents, with welcome packs that include age-appropriate toys and treats. Families with one tot in tow should plump for a Robert Angell-designed Balcony King room, with a king-size bed, roll-top bath and private south-facing balcony looking over St Paul’s Church. Bigger broods can book interconnecting rooms: the Deluxe or Superior King rooms can be joined to other categories, adding a second twin bedroom. Accompanied children are welcome in Berkeley Health Club & Spa’s heated rooftop pool at designated times – Roman steps and borrowable floats make it ideal for family swimming lessons. Of the hotel’s three restaurants, the Caramel Room is the best choice for children, with an all-day menu of comfort-food classics, salads and small plates. Book a babysitter (from £15 an hour, minimum four hours) for a meal at the hotel’s double Michelin-starred destination, Marcus. Expect a modern European menu from eponymous chef Marcus Wareing in the hotel’s leather booth-lined dining room. When you’ve thoroughly explored the hotel, a few steps outside will get you to the Christmas markets of Hyde Park.
Smith Extra A welcome bottle of champagne
