Family Holiday Check-in: The Movenpick Resort & Spa, Jimbaran, Bali

Bali is a lot of things to a lot of people, including the little ones! If you are headed to the gorgeous island with the family, The Movenpick Resort & Spa in Jimbaran is perfect to keep both the kids and parents happy. We recently checked into this newly built (2017) property, and found out just how much fun a family holiday could be!

Are we there yet?

A mere 15-minute drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport makes the hotel an easy ride with impatient, tiny travellers. A welcome with healthy drinks, plushies and an exclusive check-in counter, complete with crayons and colouring sheets speaks volumes about the kid-friendliness that awaits at the resort. Inspired by the traditional five elements of Balinese design, the resort is a haven set between a series of beautifully landscaped gardens and pools. Dipping your toes in sandy waters a must? The famous Jimbaran beach lies a 100-m walk away.

Family sized rooms – and well equipped at that!

Increasingly tired of booking two rooms for a family of four, we adored the concept of family rooms at the Movenpick Bali. Built loft-style, a private bedroom on the ground floor with a king size bed (in case bubba decides to join in at night!), and a second bedroom on the upper level accompanied by a super comfy sofa bed; there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out in these rooms. They even come with 2 bathrooms, a luxurious bathtub included!

Travelling with a baby? There’s no need to pack extra essentials! Luxurious and comfortable, the rooms come specially equipped for little guests too. The baby amenity kit in your room includes a steriliser, baby bathtub, cot as well as shampoo, shower gel, powder, massage oil and lotion. If that’s not enough, you get your very own set of rubber duckies for the tiny tot. Older kids get to take their tropical holiday to the next level with child-sized bathrobes and adorable bamboo flip flops!

And so much to do!

If there were ever a reason to wax lyrical about a kid’s club, this is it! The Meera Kid’s Club at the Movenpick Resort & Spa, Jimbaran is one that your kids will never want to leave. A two-story area designed with a pirate theme, there’s a trampoline and ball pit, amphitheatre with children movies, a separate section for older children and even a sleeping room should the kids need a break.  Open daily from 9 am to 8 pm and suitable for 4-12-year olds, this indoor and outdoor playground offers activities such as children’s aerobics, yoga, arts and crafts, painting, jewellery and kite making. 

There’s also the free-form swimming pool with an artificial beach area offering over 2500 sqm of water fun! Need a nanny to accompany the kids? At under SGD 5 per hour, the babysitters at the hotel are affordable and come highly recommended!

Breakfast buffet, Chocolate Hour and more

The lavish breakfast buffet features a large-scale dining offer with dishes from across the world including some of that world-famous Movenpick ice cream. There’s also a healthy corner where you choose your ingredients (vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs et al) and custom make your own health shots. Speaking of indulgence, the resort hosts a complimentary chocolate hour for all guests – every single day. Pastries, chocolate, fondue and a selection of seasonal fruit make it the ‘happy hour’ your kids look forward to through the stay. Perfectly timed at 4pm, the chocolate hour offers a great way to meet other guests at the hotel as well as tank up on much-needed snacks for the kids.

From the extensive offering at Anasara (themed buffet nights), Katha Lobby Lounge, poolside dining and the Movenpick Cafe; the F&B options are all delicious and plentiful. Should you still like a meal outside, the resort is directly connected to the Samasta Lifestyle Village which too hosts a range of restaurants and a gourmet grocery to cater to all your needs. 

We insist you make the time for sunset drinks at rooftop bar Above Eleven Bali which offers breathtaking views of the island and a delicious Peruvian-Japanese inspired menu.  They also host movies every evening for their little guests – including the requisite bag of popcorn, but of course!

The Spa

With the kids busy, the grownups get to unwind in style at the 5 star Arkipela Spa. Drawing on ancient Indonesian traditions, the spa uses natural, organic ingredients for their collection of treatments. Our favourite though - The Arkipela Spa Signature Massage. Inspired by water, the treatment is designed to take away your blocks allowing energy to flow freely again. Combining Balinese, Lomi-Lomi, Swedish and Yoga-inspired movements, the massage leaves you deeply relaxed and with a sense of lightness. Ah, bliss!

Out and about

While the Jimbaran beach is a short 10-minute walk away, you may want to hire a driver and car to take you around Bali too. The hotel has a tie-up with their local provider or you could simply order in a Grab or Go Car (via respective apps). Need car seats and a bigger vehicle for your entire family? Bali Baby Hire offer that and tons of more kid-related equipment for hire. We also recommend Sila Tours and Bali Made Tours for car rental and tour options galore!

It’s a wrap

The Movenpick Resort & Spa, Jimbaran is an all-out kid-friendly, family hotel. Right from the word go, they will have your little ones (and you!) raving about the talented staff, excellent amenities and unending supply of fun things to do. If an unforgettable family holiday is what you are after, we promise you won’t be disappointed. But be warned – you may never want to leave!