5-Star playgrounds: The ultimate luxury for parents

Here are luxury resorts in the country with a 5-star playground for parents who desperately need a relaxing island getaway.

5-Star playgrounds: the ultimate luxury for parents

Be honest: did your last family trip leave you needing a vacation from your vacation?

From panic-packing to stressful car/plane rides (to realizing en route that you forgot to pack this and that)—too often, the blissful promise of a relaxing vacation for mommy and daddy vanishes barely halfway through day 1. Five-star hotels and resorts know this; and they’ve arranged for you to get into that dreamy bed or onto a massage table as fast as possible with these two wonderful words—KID ZONES.

You deserve a break, and 5-star playrooms are the secret to getting one.

El Nido Lagen Island, Palawan

Bet you didn’t know about this one. While mommy and daddy get a luxury escape with the raw beauty of Palawan as the backdrop, the kids get to have their own adventures in this posh playroom that definitely tickles the imagination.

Kids and grown-ups can then bond over the resort’s traditional straw hat-making activity (it’s a pretty useful keepsake!) Add to that, play areas at the beach clubs, children’s movies and games at the library, and baby-sitting services—making El Nido Lagen Island one of the most kid-friendly luxe resorts around.

Photo: elnidoresorts.com

Dreamplay, City of Dreams Manila

Here’s a tip, parents: tell your kids about Dreamplay and they’ll be on their best behavior for weeks leading up to your staycation at City of Dreams Manila. Open daily from 10am to 10pm (hourly and day rates apply), this indoor adventureland gives kids the chance to interact with their favorite DreamWorks Animation characters like Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, and the rowdy Madagascar crew. Parents love it too because its playspaces focus on educational, interactive, technology-driven play.

Let the kids go wall climbing and toy building or check out the 4D cinema and cooking classes at Gingy’s kitchen and they’re sure to be knocked out and ready for bedtime at day’s end. The night is young, mommy and daddy! Now it’s time for the adults to check out the best of what City of Dreams has to offer.

Photo: cityofdreams.com.ph

Discovery Shores Boracay

While there isn’t a playground on the property, Discovery Shores Boracay (DSB) has The Sandbox kids room—filled with toys, board, and computer games for children aged 0-12 -- open daily at 4pm. Kids can also participate in arts and crafts activities, Filipino games, scavenger hunts, and cooking lessons!

This luxe resort has a very expansive pool, which kids love to splash in, especially since they get poolside treats like snow cones and cookies.

DSB also has a private, pristine beachfront manned by very attentive staff so parents can be sure that their kids are safe while building castles with Boracay’s famed white sand. So go ahead mommy and daddy, clink your mojito glasses and enjoy that gorgeous sunset.

Photo: discoveryshoresboracay.com

Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa

Yup, those kids are having the time of their lives. The Adventure Zone of Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa features a drop slide that no kid can resist. They can also participate in daily activities such as mask making, fish feeding, and slipper decorating. Air hockey, foosball, board games, and a basketball arcade are available for bigger kids.

Photo: shangri-la.com/boracay

Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa

The resort’s Eco Centre is a great place for kids to learn about the island’s diverse flora and fauna. With nature as their classroom, kids are bound to appreciate the day’s lessons and take the message of caring for the environment to heart.

Photo: shangri-la.com/boracay

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa likewise has its multi-level indoor playground "Adventure Zone”. When the adrenalin’s died down, kids can participate in activities such as mask decorating, ceramic painting, and treasure box decorating.

Photo: shangri-la.com/cebu

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu

Bigger kids will love the E-Zone, with video and mechanical games you’d expect to see in a full-fledged arcade—not in the middle of paradise.

Photo: shangri-la.com/cebu

Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu

Now THIS is a kids’ pool. Open from 9am to 6pm, Aquaplay, as this majestic playspace is called, is where the kids can go wild while their parents enjoy fruit shakes under the shade of a resort umbrella. Imagine your neighborhood playground ON WATER WITH WATER spouting from it. Cool beans.

Photo: shangri-la.com/cebu

Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island

What’s great about Misibis Bay is that it’s a private island. The resort is super safe, with its own beach and this awesome lagoon pool that kids could play in for hours. You can see it already: the kids challenging each other to a swimming race with the bridge as the starting/finish line, again and again until they get tired. All the while, you’re sitting poolside, reading that book you bought 6 months ago.

Photo: misibisbay.com

Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island

There’s a BALL PIT! Plunk your toddler into it and watch as he giggles with glee while getting lost in that plastic pool of happiness. Floor mats make the space extra child-friendly so mommy doesn’t have to worry.

Photo: misibisbay.com

Misibis Bay, Cagraray Island

Ready to take the play outdoors? Make the most of the island’s lush beauty and bring the kiddos to this play area. The day you see a jungle gym that blends seamlessly into island greenery is the day you realize you’re in paradise.

Photo: misibisbay.com

Gymboree @ Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila

Located conveniently near Spirals and the hotel pool area, Gymboree Sofitel is where you leave your kids while you happily enjoy your cheat day and they happily let you leave them. Afterwards, with a full tummy and a joyfully tired child, take a stroll on the property grounds fronting Manila Bay and if the family isn’t ready for the fun to be over yet, check out the outdoor play area with an activity center for kids and the nearby giant hammocks for grown-ups. Don’t forget to take a family photo when the sunset rolls in!

Photo: sofitelmanila.com

5-Star playgrounds: the ultimate luxury for parents

Do you have a luxe hotel/resort that you'd like to add to our list?

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Dazzle Ng Sy

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