We went to Phuket, Thailand over Gavin's spring break in April of 2013 and were so excited to get away and have a relaxing vacation together as a family. We stayed at the Marriott Mai Khao Beach and spent a week at the resort. Our hotel was next door to another Marriott resort that we had access to as well so it was as if we were staying at 2 resorts! Our resort had swimming pools, a kiddie play area with a big slide, lots of restaurants, a playground, beach access, games, even a work out facility, which Brooks enjoyed a couple of days. We intentionally planned to relax this vacation. We wanted to explore the area and sight see, but we also wanted to sleep late, not be on a schedule, lounge around, and do whatever we wanted without being rushed. This vacation was the PERFECT mix between having lots to do, having fun, and not doing anything!! Loved, loved, loved it!
It just so happened that several other families from Saudi were going to the same resort and our vacations overlapped by several days so we weren't alone and got to spend time with friends and play together!!
We loved our resort!! Not only was it accommodating by having a shuttle that would travel back and forth from the other properties, which we took advantage of when going to different restaurants and exploring, it was condo style so we had a full kitchen, washing machines, they supplied pack n plays, offered baby sitting services as well as kids clubs, AND the kids had a separate room... SCORE!!
Several days we spent our whole days out at the kid friendly pool area. It was complete with a slide, shallow for our little ones and just deep enough for Gavin to swim around and still have fun. Brooks and I could sit and lounge close by and still play with the kids! It was a PERFECT set up!! Can you believe how little the kids look? Miles was fearless with the slide and pool and even got Brooklyn by the end of our trip to go up and down the slide by herself, willingly and cheerfully!
One evening the resort next door had a fire show so we arranged to do an early dinner so we could catch the show near sunset. It was sooo neat to watch and see the Thai culture come out. The kids were mesmerized and kept cheering on the performers!
One evening we had a sunset dinner, beach side at one of the Thai restaurants and it was complete with mangos and sticky rice.... all authentic food and was DELICIOUS! The waitresses loved our kids and often came by to play with them. It was a nice distraction for them.
We found an Italian restuarant on site that was to die for with some amazing foods... the kids were happy to get some pasta for a meal. Miles was a handful at times for meals, having a strong desire to not sit or even stay at our table at times. I put this picture of me holding onto his shirt to remind us of what was going on.
After dinners we would take the kids to the playground to let them run around and just be. They left us alone laying on lounge chairs and we left them alone-- meaning we didn't intervene in their playing. They were happy and content!
Around the corner from our resort was a shopping center where we frequented breakfasts there because it was so much cheaper then our resort breakfasts... the kids would get chocolate malts and croissants and everyone would be ready for their day after that meal!
Our resort had a baby elephant that made his rounds daily to the pool area. Our kids were a little hesitant at first, but eventually warmed up to him and LOVED him. Where else can your kids ride on an elephant?!!?
On mornings where we were going to explore the land, Brooks would go order take out from the breakfast place above and we'd eat it in our condo! Easy, convenient, and perfect!
The resort had some kind of festivity every day including slushes for kids, water parties, and more!
It just so happened we were in Thailand during their New Year Celebration when they have Water Festivals and our resort went all out. There were parties and festivities that were really cool! The staff shot water everywhere with water guns, there was a pool party, they had water game competitions that Brooks and Miles even tried out!
We took advantage of the baby sitting services one night and got a sitter to come to our room for Miles and Brooklyn, Gavin went to kids club, and Brooks and I enjoyed an incredible meal all alone. We went all out with lobsters, shrimp, steak and amazing desserts! A perfect night away for us!
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