AIBU to consider Thailand or the Maldives with young children? Or elsewhere?

[Holidaydreaminggg]

Looking for some nice holiday suggestions with a 1 and 5 year old. I was thinking either Thailand or the Maldives but really open to anywhere!

I’d like somewhere relaxing but where there’s also lots to do with the DC. We’ve previously enjoyed Sani, Ikos, Atlantis and JBH in Dubai, so looking for somewhere with a bit of luxury but a bit of adventure at the same time.

Both of those places are pretty long flights with long transfers to resorts

if you’re looking for pool and all inclusive then I wouldn’t go to either of those destinations with such young kids
Maldives - basically water sports at resorts so not sure they’d be lots to do

Not really looking for all inclusive. I like the idea of the ethical animal sanctuary’s in Thailand - my eldest would really enjoy that.

I’d avoid both places till kids are a bit older! No animal sanctuary worth their salt will let 1and 5 year olds do anything apart from look at a distance at the animals. The plane to the Maldives will be hard with kids I’ve know adults who said it was lovely but the flight nearly killed them. I just couldn’t put other passengers through my kids noise on a long flight, I feel it’s not fair but I know others feel differently.

We travelled SE Asia (including Thailand) with a baby + toddler whilst I was on maternity leave - it was amazing! Would absolutely do it again!
We also loved Vietnam and Cambodia.

No issues flying that far, either: they were fine - although my then 3-year-old definitely exceeded the screen-time recommendations on the flights 😉

Also consider with the Maldives you won’t land on the island with the resort on. You will need to either get a speedboat or seaplane after the initial long flight. I wouldn’t fancy either with a one year old.

We did 7 weeks in Thailand last year with 4 children. It was an amazing experience and so easy. The Thais love children. You need to think about things like car seats, but if you don’t mind the length of flight for a shorter holiday (I’m not sure I’d bother for less than a month) then definitely go for it.

Love that you're pretending to have ethics in this post having claimed you'd been to a wildly unethical country (UAE) in your previous post.

Probs need try a bit harder.

Oh come on

At one and five, they won’t remember ‘an ethical animal sanctuary’. I’d go for somewhere nearer which is hot and sunny, and has a nice zoo.

We’ve just returned from Thailand with DC ages 2 and 5. We all had a brilliant time. I’m considering Maldives for next year.

I’d wait until they’re older for those destinations, particularly given the flights. I’d go somewhere closer at their age, in Europe - if you have the budget, similar to those you’ve already visited.

Maldives will usually be AI only and very chilled with some water sports and you’re stuck on a teeny island. Wouldn’t say it’s great or fun for kids

It massively depends. Just back from a month in Thailand. The flight is gruelling, even without kids. There is lots of talk about how ethical the animal places are, because they all put "ethical" in their blurb these days, and some that probably are more "ethical" (very little contact, no riding, no bathing in the case of elephants near Chiang Mai) are a long way out of town, so cool if your kids are fine with a 2 hour car journey with others, or if private, with the right seats etc. and then you might not see anything. It's hot, super hot. Some of the resorts / cities are really nice, but a lot of it is centered around young people or the recently retired relaxing and exploring. Personally, with a 1 and 5 year old, I would go closer, to Europe. Going to a zoo is a very personal choice (for the animal thing). Can see both sides. x

We took our then 5 year old to the Maldives (inc a 40 min sea plane) last year and had an amazing time. He can swim very well so enjoyed snorkelling and swimming, then we did kayaking with him too. We chose the resort as it was "active" and also played tennis, badminton and other sports. He went to the kids club for a few hours whilst we went to the spa then made "friends" so he asked to go back a few more times that week. Our island also had other things that were "included" such as visits to inhabited islands, sunset tours and nature walks/talks with their biodiversity scientist which our son also enjoyed as the guy came to the kids club too.

We had never been on an AI holiday before (or used a kids club) and the place we stayed was ££££ ($1000+ a night once all taxes/fees/sea planes were accounted for) but there are other significantly cheaper places, particularly if you stay in or close to Male. That said, we had the attitude of if you are doing it, you may as well go all in and are glad we did it, whereas friends went for cheaper options and also enjoyed it. If you are on an island which is owned by a resort then you NEED to be AI as otherwise food/drink costs are (purposefully) astronomical. Our resort did offer rooms on a B&B basis but I doubt you would have saved that much in the long run, and also, particularly in the heat with kids you need to be able to say "yes" every time they want a drink/ice cream/food otherwise you are setting yourself up for a miserable time.

That said, we enjoyed the Seychelles (Praslin and La Digue) more than the Maldives. We were s/c there and used local buses to get around. It was no more expensive than France, Spain etc excluding flights and certainly a lot more to do. There were lots of European families on the beaches (which are all public, even the ones with 5* hotels next to them) which might be better with your younger child in particular, whereas the Seychelles in the UK is considered an elite honeymoon destination. We are also going to Sri Lanka later this year, moving around each night, and our child (who will be 7 by the time we go) is very excited.

My DSis went to the Maldives last year. The island was very small, 3-4 football pitches in size and of course surrounded by water which I would not be keen on with such young children. The seaplane transfer was very Indiana Jones, she sent me a photo showing the pilot flying with no shoes on.

Thialand is now the number one resort for group holidays that used to do Spain or Greece ( particularly Zante). Lots to do and see but I would agree that it would be better when your children are older.

Our DS is now all grown up and does his own thing. We are currently grounded until DH has had a knee replacement ( next month, yay) since he struggles to get into the car never mind sitting in a cramped plane. Hoping that we can go next year when , hopefully the Middle East conflict is settled and fuel prices are back to normal. I would imagine if things don’t improve air travel may be difficult.

We’ve taken small DC to the Maldives; they loved it. They still talk about the baby sharks. Book a beach villa rather than overwater. The journey is long but was broken up, they were absolutely fine. Book whatever holiday you want.

I’d definitely choose Thailand over Maldives, there’s nothing really to do ‘on land’ in the Maldives so might be frustrating/boring for your youngest in particular.

Thailand I think would be great for young children. Maybe also consider Sri Lanka.

I don't think your children would be strong swimmers at their ages so I'd rule Maldives out. It'll be a great destination when they're older.

Thailand is super fun even with young children. They have lovely beaches, lots of culture, great food, and very hospitable locals.

DS did his first Thailand trip at 1.5 and loved it! I’d wait until a bit older for the Maldives (DS was 6 when we went and a strong swimmer).

I recommend I love Phants Lodge in Thailand. Happy to give further suggestions.

i think Mauritius would tick all your boxes. Most flights are overnight too, so hopefully the kids would sleep at least some of it

Not to mention flying all over the place with the resulting environmental damage 🙄

Hey OP, you've had some really helpful responses but I'd suggest posting in the Holidays section rather than AIBU as it tends to attract a more helpful crowd and noone looking to tear you apart for sport.

@HoskinsChoice @LiviaDrusillaAugusta

I know its AIBU but it's not even 8am on a Sunday and OP is asking about a holiday, have a day off 🤣

This. I'd expect small children to be bored and fractious on a small island.

Read the OP again. (It's not real!).