Not just a haven for loved-up couples anymore, this idyllic destination has something for everyone.
Not just a haven for loved-up couples anymore, this idyllic destination has something for everyone.
"You don’t take children to the Maldives,” exclaimed a good friend of mine when I told her I was heading to the turquoise atolls in the Indian Ocean to write a family-friendly piece about the archipelago. “You go there to make children.”
I ignored her at the time, but no sooner had I boarded the nearly five-hour flight from Singapore to Malé, that I began to think maybe she was right.
Looking around the airplane cabin, there were no families to be seen whatsoever. No pitter-patter of tiny feet, and certainly no ruckus emitting from rowdy little kids, restless to get their adventures started in a foreign land.
Instead, all I could see were strings of doting couples walking hand-in-hand, blissfully cocooned in their bubble of love and waiting for their ultimate romantic holiday to unfold.
When thinking about the Maldives, all that comes to mind are a myriad of desert islands, azure seas and untouched white sands – the kind of place couples go to reconnect and rekindle their love. Children are a surprise at this dream destination and sometimes, not welcome ones, with some hotels barring them altogether.
But I would soon find not all resorts are averse to a few little travellers. In fact, some brim with glee at the sight of them.
“While the Maldives has traditionally been thought of as a resort for honeymooners, we have found increasing demand from people with young families, so we’re delighted to be able to respond to that need. after all, why should couples have all the fun?” says Club Med East South asia pacific CEO, Xavier Desaulles.
Fun is certainly on the menu when it comes to children at this tropical getaway. at Club Med Kani alone, there are a slew of engaging things to do for those aged 17 and below at the Happy Children’s Corner, where parents can drop off their kids for a few hours and enjoy some quality alone time together.
Kayaking, snorkelling, arts and crafts are all on offer here. Fun fringe activities like dance shows and outdoor movie screenings are available for families, too. The wide range of activities will certainly keep both adults and kids preoccupied from sunrise till sundown.
“While most activities are available throughout the year, we do have seasonal events such as foam parties, pool parties and group sports games which are always a hit with families,” says Club Med Happy Children’s Corner Manager, Othmane.
It seemed every corner that I turned, there seem to be a subtle rebranding of what kind of holiday destination the Maldives was. Of course, couples still rule the roost, but it doesn’t mean kids can’t join in the fun, too.
The Maldives is still paradise for the mister and his missus, but more and more, they’re being encouraged to bring their children along for the adventure. With that in mind, I’ll be telling my child-averse friend when I get back to Singapore that the mistake isn’t in bringing kids to the Maldives: It’s keeping them away from it.
Photos: Club Med
