Island Adventures
Home of the world’s first underwater restaurant and residence, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island upholds its 20-year reputation of inspiring awe in every guest—at every age.
“Family life is very important to all our guests, and we put a lot of focus on making it a holiday to remember both for the parents and the children,” says Stefano Ruzza, general manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. “There is so much excitement that awaits young guests on the island.”
The property features a “split island” design—with the resort’s larger island wholly dedicated to families. Rangalifinolhu island’s family-friendly beach suites open to warm sands, crystal waters and front-row access to sunrises and sunsets. Family suites are just a short walk to the resort’s children’s pool and the meeting point for all water sports and cruises.
Depending on their age and appetite for adventure, kids can choose from the water sports center’s many marine activities. Family activity packages include water-skiing, windsurfing certification, catamaran sailing and snorkeling.
Children interested in the Indian Ocean’s spectacular marine life can begin simple diving courses at age 5, and as they get older, they’re eligible for more advanced, age-appropriate lessons. Parents are welcome to come along to any program—but they don’t have to.
Through the Bubblemaking for Kids course (ages 8 and up), participants learn to take their first underwater breath and use children-specific scuba diving equipment. At age 8, they’re also eligible for PADI Seal Team diver certification.
“In this class, they can float effortlessly like an astronaut and marvel at fish up close,” Ruzza says. “Or they can upgrade to Master Seal Team and learn to take pictures underwater—highly engaging and educational.”
Thanks to the expertise of the resort’s culinary team, even mealtimes are an adventure. The kids’ menu features entrees like Peter Pan’s Pizza (ham, cheese and pineapple pizza), Finding Nemo (breaded fish fillet), Captain Hook (spaghetti Bolognese) and Winnie-the-Pooh (penne pasta with mushrooms and vegetables).
More adventurous eaters can select a children’s portion from the adult menu, sampling gourmet meals like roasted spicy marinated spatchcock and potato nouvelle.
Each day of the week at the property’s Majaa Kids Club, a new lineup of complimentary activities introduces guests ages 3 to 12 to the Maldives’ remarkable culture.
All activities are taught by a team trained from the leading childcare consultants Worldwide Kids Company based in London. On Maldivian Mondays, for example, children try their hand at local crafts like palm leaf-weaving; take traditional bodu beru drumming lessons; and learn about the local Dhivehi language and folklore through storytelling.
On Wednesdays, little chefs don their aprons for pastry- and chocolate-making with the pastry chef. And every Saturday after making their own pirate costumes, children set sail—water gun in hand—to the resort’s lagoon for a pirate boat stand-off.
“Our childcare team is chosen because they are able to communicate with children and bring the Maldivian culture to life,” Ruzza says. “Parents like that their children are learning about what makes the country beat.”
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Rangali Island Rangali, 20077, Maldives
+960 668-0629
conradmaldives.com
Take the time to relax with your little ones at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Lagoon Life
On the small South Pacific island of Bora Bora, lush green mountains extend to an enchanting lagoon filled with marine life. From its perch on the island’s longest stretch of white sand beach, Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the perfect home base for families longing to explore this tropical paradise.
It’s not every day you can invite your kids to join you on a swim with sharks. At the Bora Bora Lagoonarium, docile blacktip sharks and sea turtles glide through turquoise waters, and they don’t mind if you share their space.
The resort offers complimentary snorkeling equipment, so you can get the best views of all the lagoon’s marine life, including coral gardens and manta rays.
Not ready to jump in? From your family’s own thatched-roof overwater villa, you have the best seat in the house to see marine life without ever getting your feet wet.
The resort’s stylish accommodations built atop the lagoon come equipped with your own deck, complete with a glass floor that invites the littlest family members to sprawl out and peer into their very own aquarium.
For the ultimate family bonding experience, plan a picnic lunch at Motu Tapu. Just a five-minute boat ride from the resort, Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s own private islet was once the private beach of Polynesian Queen Pomare V. Stay hydrated with fresh coconut water straight from the shell (your kids will love the coconut-husking demonstration).
The next day, hop on your bicycles to the resort’s palm-shaded miniature golf course. After a game of putt-putt, cool off in the 1,000-square-meter infinity pool overlooking the beach and the lagoon.
Perhaps best of all, parents can explore the island kid-free while their children (ages 4-14) join in a range of organized activities at the resort’s Tamari’i Kids Club. Younger children are entertained for hours on the inventive outdoor play structure, and older kids especially love the game room.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
BP 502 Vaitape, Bora Bora, 98730, French Polynesia
+689-40-603300
Enroll your kids in surf school at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Ocean Explorers
Inspired by its oceanfront North Beach location—known for wide, spacious beaches — Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach recently launched GO H2O!, an educational program designed to guide children as they discover and explore the ocean. “Our goal was to create more than just a kids’ club, but a complete experience for families,” says general manager Chintan Dadhich.
The hotel’s family-friendly experience begins at check-in, when a range of suites give families plenty of room to relax and take in the beach vibe at their own pace.
Luxury and premium suites feature panoramic water views, and outdoor space ranges from balconies to furnished terraces. Kitchen options include galleys, full-island and gourmet kitchens—making it easy for parents to sleep in while their kids help themselves to cereal.
Each day at 10 a.m., GO H20! instructors meet at the concierge desk to greet kids ages 4-17. The fun starts right away with a series of land and water activities, followed by a prepared lunch and an afternoon maritime discovery program.
Water activities include snorkeling and boogie boarding, while the property’s Sky Deck swimming pool plays host to relay races and treasure dives.
All classes are led by CPR-certified Funky Fish instructors—who happen to hold degrees in marine studies—making the range of on-the-water activities a good excuse to learn about tides and currents, caring for ocean equipment and environmentalism.
Landlubbers also get their fill of adventure: Scavenger hunts, soccer on the beach, jewelry-making and tie-dying are just a few of the programs.
“After a day at GO H20!, kids are so eager to share stories from their day and the knowledge on marine life that they picked up through the program,” Dadhich says.
Family-friendly events don’t set with the sun. After dark, the Sky Deck plays host to Saturday night “Dive-in” movies and poolside games like Jenga and cornhole.
And every Friday from June through August, the hotel offers Snorkel Boat Adventures, allowing kids to learn about marine science as they’re whisked away to coral reefs and shipwrecks (parents are invited to join at no charge).
“With GO H20!, we have created a fun educational program for children to familiarize themselves with marine science and environment preservation, while enjoying their vacation and the destination,” Dadhich says. “We’ve incorporated beach clean-ups in the club’s programming. Our hope is to inspire future generations to maintain our ecosystem.”
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33304, USA
+1-954-414-5100
conradfortlauderdale.com
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Plan your next family vacation at conradhotels.com
