I'm always excited to hear about ideas for a minibreak from Hong Kong which don't include air travel. A friend went to the Chimelong Paradise Park and Hotel in Guangzhou and absolutely raved about it:
http://www.chimelong.com/engroup/
The resort has a Water Park, Safari Park, Circus and Crocodile Park. Apparently the accommodation was pretty good too although don't expect gourmet fare.
Getting to Guangzhou is easy. Go to Hung Hom station in Kowloon and it's 1 hr 40 ride to Guangzhou. There are free shuttle buses to Chimelong Park from Guangzhou station.
All in all sounds like an easy weekend away, just don't forget your China Visa!
Monday, 28 May 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Travels in HK: Chi Lin Nunnery with kids
My 3 year old had the day off school so I decided it was time for a HK adventure.
Little Steps is a great resource for parents in HK with tips on where to go, eat, shop & travel. I had read their review of the Chi Lin Nunnery and decided to Diamond Hill we would venture....
http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/chi-lin-nunnery
The nunnery is at Diamond Hill MTR, 30 minutes from Central. Take the Tsuen Wan line from Central to Mongkok (5 stops). Then it's an easy walk across the platform to the Kwun Tong line where you go another 6 stops. Exit at Diamond Hill and follow signs to the Chi Lin Nunnery.
Rather surprisingly for the middle of HK, it's a beautiful, zen Buddhist temple complex with gorgeous gardens. I don't think i've ever known such serenity in Hong Kong! My daughter loved darting about the gardens, wandering inside the temples and looking at the lotus ponds. Contrary to what Little Steps says, I don't think it's that buggy friendly. Toilets are clean with baby changing facilities and drinking fountains.
Long Man Lou, the vegan restaurant in the Nan Liang gardens opens from 12. If, like us you weren't feeling the vegan, you can head to the neighbouring Plaza Hollywood shopping mall food court.
All in all, a thumbs up for a toddler friendly cultural morning in Hongkers.
Little Steps is a great resource for parents in HK with tips on where to go, eat, shop & travel. I had read their review of the Chi Lin Nunnery and decided to Diamond Hill we would venture....
http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/chi-lin-nunnery
The nunnery is at Diamond Hill MTR, 30 minutes from Central. Take the Tsuen Wan line from Central to Mongkok (5 stops). Then it's an easy walk across the platform to the Kwun Tong line where you go another 6 stops. Exit at Diamond Hill and follow signs to the Chi Lin Nunnery.
Rather surprisingly for the middle of HK, it's a beautiful, zen Buddhist temple complex with gorgeous gardens. I don't think i've ever known such serenity in Hong Kong! My daughter loved darting about the gardens, wandering inside the temples and looking at the lotus ponds. Contrary to what Little Steps says, I don't think it's that buggy friendly. Toilets are clean with baby changing facilities and drinking fountains.
Long Man Lou, the vegan restaurant in the Nan Liang gardens opens from 12. If, like us you weren't feeling the vegan, you can head to the neighbouring Plaza Hollywood shopping mall food court.
All in all, a thumbs up for a toddler friendly cultural morning in Hongkers.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Ideas for weekend away - Bangkok
My friend's kid is desperate to ride on a tuktuk so she was wondering where would be a good mini break from HK.
There are lots of great places to go but one idea is Bangkok. Less than a 3 hour flight and requiring no visa, Bangkok is an easy place to visit to combine a bustling citibreak with a tropical getaway.
I stayed at the Kempinski which is one of Bangkok's newest hotels. It has spacious, well designed rooms and a huge pool area. Despite its central location you forget you are in the middle of a noisy city and so would be the perfect choice for a relaxing citybreak.
Get a Cabana Room which links directly to the pool. This will allow you to put your baby down for a nap inside while you sun yourself on the terrace or go for a dip.
There is also a Kempinski Kids Club for kids 3-12.
If you're travelling from Hong Kong then you can often get good packages through Cathay Pacific holidays:
http://www.cxholidays.com/chl/r/homepage
For new reviews of this hotel, check out Tripadvisor (including my own review!)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1724201-Reviews-Siam_Kempinski_Hotel-Bangkok.html
There are lots of great places to go but one idea is Bangkok. Less than a 3 hour flight and requiring no visa, Bangkok is an easy place to visit to combine a bustling citibreak with a tropical getaway.
I stayed at the Kempinski which is one of Bangkok's newest hotels. It has spacious, well designed rooms and a huge pool area. Despite its central location you forget you are in the middle of a noisy city and so would be the perfect choice for a relaxing citybreak.
Get a Cabana Room which links directly to the pool. This will allow you to put your baby down for a nap inside while you sun yourself on the terrace or go for a dip.
A pool a hop, skip & a splash outside your room! Hooray!
There is also a Kempinski Kids Club for kids 3-12.
If you're travelling from Hong Kong then you can often get good packages through Cathay Pacific holidays:
http://www.cxholidays.com/chl/r/homepage
For new reviews of this hotel, check out Tripadvisor (including my own review!)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1724201-Reviews-Siam_Kempinski_Hotel-Bangkok.html
Smith and Kids
If like me, you used to drool over Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotels, you'll be pleased to know that they have introduced Smith & Kids, their pick of child friendly hotels.
Unfortunately I don't think the website is that easy to navigate and I would have added more kid specific search functions. However, I look forward to searching through and getting some ideas for a stylish family friendly break:
http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/as/child-friendly-hotels/
Membership of their 'Blacksmith Club' is free which gets you free extras at their hotels and money off booking etc
I'm now dreaming about Bunga Raya Island Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia....
Unfortunately I don't think the website is that easy to navigate and I would have added more kid specific search functions. However, I look forward to searching through and getting some ideas for a stylish family friendly break:
http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/as/child-friendly-hotels/
Membership of their 'Blacksmith Club' is free which gets you free extras at their hotels and money off booking etc
Review of first time long haul travel to HK & Singapore with 10 month old
This is my sister's update from her trip out here. She is one of life's list makers so I'm sure her advice will help you out if you're planning a trip long haul:
With siblings in HK and Singapore, it wasn't long until we took the plunge and went long haul with our 10 month old. I flew out on my own to HK and was then joined by my husband for the flights on to Singapore and then back home to London. Here's what we learned along the way:
Booking your seat: Long haul isn't a million times more difficult than short haul, you just have to be well organised, especially if you are flying solo. If you can prebook the bulkhead seat, make sure that you do - I'm not sure if I would have coped with holding a child on my lap for 14 hours.
In flight comfort: Our 10 month old was too big for the bassinet, but BA offered us a car seat which was absolutely fine. My Morrck baby hoodie (www.morrck.co.uk) was invaluable, as it straps directly into the car seat so I didn't have to worry about blankets falling on the floor. You have to hold the baby on your lap (with an infant seat belt) for takeoff, landing and also (unfortunately) in the event of turbulence. You will be woken up and you will need to hold the baby and they are pretty strict about it. It does explain why you always hear a crying baby when the seat belt sign goes on! As we took a night flight, she slept most of the way and I didn't really need toys. During occasional bouts of wakefulness I sat her on my seat, sat on the floor and half-heartedly played with her while looking for tired signs.
In flight meals: I took a mixture of cartons (preordered from Boots at Heathrow) and powder (made up with boiled water from coffee shops at the airport and then from stewardesses on the plane). Take as many bottles as you can, at least one each for takeoff and landing plus several for night feeds even if your baby usually sleeps through. We were automatically assigned a 'baby meal' which consisted of a selection of Ella's pouches which was very handy, although I made sure that I had plenty of snacks. We didn't try buying any formula at HK airport, and at Singapore airport I didn't see anywhere selling baby formula.
Booking your seat: Long haul isn't a million times more difficult than short haul, you just have to be well organised, especially if you are flying solo. If you can prebook the bulkhead seat, make sure that you do - I'm not sure if I would have coped with holding a child on my lap for 14 hours.
In flight comfort: Our 10 month old was too big for the bassinet, but BA offered us a car seat which was absolutely fine. My Morrck baby hoodie (www.morrck.co.uk) was invaluable, as it straps directly into the car seat so I didn't have to worry about blankets falling on the floor. You have to hold the baby on your lap (with an infant seat belt) for takeoff, landing and also (unfortunately) in the event of turbulence. You will be woken up and you will need to hold the baby and they are pretty strict about it. It does explain why you always hear a crying baby when the seat belt sign goes on! As we took a night flight, she slept most of the way and I didn't really need toys. During occasional bouts of wakefulness I sat her on my seat, sat on the floor and half-heartedly played with her while looking for tired signs.
In flight meals: I took a mixture of cartons (preordered from Boots at Heathrow) and powder (made up with boiled water from coffee shops at the airport and then from stewardesses on the plane). Take as many bottles as you can, at least one each for takeoff and landing plus several for night feeds even if your baby usually sleeps through. We were automatically assigned a 'baby meal' which consisted of a selection of Ella's pouches which was very handy, although I made sure that I had plenty of snacks. We didn't try buying any formula at HK airport, and at Singapore airport I didn't see anywhere selling baby formula.
Feeding on holiday: In HK and Singapore, Ella's pouches are readily available although they are pretty expensive. We used a mixture of pouches and 'grown up' food as by this stage she was happily eating most things. You can easily buy Western brands of formula in Asia but Aptamil and other UK brands are not necessarily readily available (although I think that there are some places that import it specifically for expats but there was a shortage when we were there). If you're happy to switch brands for holiday, contact the manufacturer of the formula that you use as they can often advise you on which foreign brands will be closest in composition to the one that your baby drinks.
Nappy changing: I must admit that I did put two nappies on our baby (something I have done before when she has had the runs) and it was great for peace of mind in case of *leakages*. There is usually at least one toilet that is slightly bigger for disabled access so use this one, although actually I found the compact toilets quite easy for changing as she couldn't move very far. Don't forget a change of clothes for yourself in the event of any unwanted explosions.
Car seats/Buggies on holiday: We took our Baby Jogger City Mini buggy which is perfect for travel as it's light, comfortable and easy to fold. As our flights weren't too full it was kept in the cabin so we didn't have to wait until baggage reclaim to pick it up, but I had the Ergo baby carrier with us as well, just in case. We didn't take a car seat with us, so we held the baby in the baby carrier during taxi journeys. This is not something that I would recommend, and would never do so in the UK, but we felt that it was the norm to do so on the short journeys that we were taking.
Jet lag: When you are dealing with such a big time difference there isn't much that you can do to prepare. If possible, put the baby (and yourselves) straight onto local time as soon as you land. We had two nights of waking before she returned to business as usual.
Nappy changing: I must admit that I did put two nappies on our baby (something I have done before when she has had the runs) and it was great for peace of mind in case of *leakages*. There is usually at least one toilet that is slightly bigger for disabled access so use this one, although actually I found the compact toilets quite easy for changing as she couldn't move very far. Don't forget a change of clothes for yourself in the event of any unwanted explosions.
Car seats/Buggies on holiday: We took our Baby Jogger City Mini buggy which is perfect for travel as it's light, comfortable and easy to fold. As our flights weren't too full it was kept in the cabin so we didn't have to wait until baggage reclaim to pick it up, but I had the Ergo baby carrier with us as well, just in case. We didn't take a car seat with us, so we held the baby in the baby carrier during taxi journeys. This is not something that I would recommend, and would never do so in the UK, but we felt that it was the norm to do so on the short journeys that we were taking.
Jet lag: When you are dealing with such a big time difference there isn't much that you can do to prepare. If possible, put the baby (and yourselves) straight onto local time as soon as you land. We had two nights of waking before she returned to business as usual.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
I want this! - Feeding pouch dispensing spoon
Sometimes I really wish I lived in the US... One of my best mates lives in San Francisco and she's always telling me about the amazing purchases she's picked up at her local enormous baby store. In Hong Kong not only are our choices limited but they're also double the price... grrrr....
Anyway, this week's amazing 'I wish I'd invented that' item is the Plum Dispensing Spoon
Yes this little beauty means you can screw the spoon directly on the pouch and straight it goes into baby's mouth. Although made for Plum products, apparently it fits on any food pouch. I think this product would be great for travelling, especially on planes where you can never have enough hands. I now just have to figure out how to get it to Hong Kong in time for my next plane journey.
Anyway, this week's amazing 'I wish I'd invented that' item is the Plum Dispensing Spoon
Yes this little beauty means you can screw the spoon directly on the pouch and straight it goes into baby's mouth. Although made for Plum products, apparently it fits on any food pouch. I think this product would be great for travelling, especially on planes where you can never have enough hands. I now just have to figure out how to get it to Hong Kong in time for my next plane journey.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Airmiles - not a free lunch!
I learnt the other night that Airmiles are the world's biggest currency. That doesn't surprise me given the fact that you keep on banking them and can't ever use them! I love a loyalty scheme but I fly on so many different alliances that I'm nowhere near anything more than 'commoner' status on every one of them! How I look over with green eyes at someone in the adjacent queue at the airline counter with their gold card... Lounge access that i'll never have.. That elusive upgrade I'll never get...
What I will say is that it can be impossible to actually use your miles so if you want to get the best out of them then plan ahead. I have just booked a miles trip back to the UK next April (yes 11 months away) and nearly all the dates were blacked out. I took the plunge and splurged on using up all our miles to fly myself and my 3 year old business class. I was feeling pretty smug until I phoned Cathay to add on an infant ticket for my baby for which I would have to pay cash. I won't write exactly how much I had to pay but needless to say it took the shine off what I thought was a pretty sweet miles moment. Oh well...
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Planning a US road trip with kids
My sister is taking the plunge and heading out on a US road trip later this year with her 1 year old. She was asking my advice on whether she should play it safe and book one hotel to be their base from which to explore or do it proper road trip styleee.
Having done 2 big road trips with my eldest daughter Daisy in the US (the first one at 1 year and the second just over 2 years and me 5 months pregnant) I would say go for it!
Having done 2 big road trips with my eldest daughter Daisy in the US (the first one at 1 year and the second just over 2 years and me 5 months pregnant) I would say go for it!
- Allow for jetlag and mayhem after a long flight. Don't immediately set out on a long car journey, perhaps stay in your first location for 3 nights
- Book most of your accommodation in advance, particularly if you require a travel cot. Where I have travelled in US, all the hotels had cots/cribs on request so we didn't bring our own
- Try and pack light. If you are bringing in a baby, stroller, luggage etc every 3 nights to a new hotel you don't want to overburden yourselves. You also need to make sure you have enough room for all that US outlet mall shopping!
- For older kids hire a car with in built DVD player or bring a portable one - it was a lifesaver for us on long car trips!
- Use child travel websites to find the best kind of itineraries for you. Whilst the US has amazing national parks etc, the reality for us with 2 small kids is that cities are actually better and we'll save the outdoor stuff for when they're older
- Mix it up with your accommodation. We stayed in some super cool inner city boutique hotels and then in the more random locations chose Courtyard Marriotts which were always clean, had kitchenettes and laundry facilities
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
First snow adventure with the kids
I haven't had a snow holiday since moving to HK 5 years ago. We used to go quite a bit from Tokyo as it was so accessible and we didn't have kids then! My daughter turns 4 in April and I would absolutely love her to get comfortable on the slopes so I'm planning a trip for us to Niseko, Hokkaido next February 2013.
Luckily a friend of mine went this year with her kids so she is full of advice. I have also been in touch with a helpful travel agent, Ashley at Holiday Niseko:
http://holidayniseko.com/
Ashley has provided me with a lengthy list of accommodation options and I'm as usual (!) spending hours on Tripadvisor working out the best one.
We've decided to go a few weeks after Chinese New Year to save money and avoid the crowds. Cathay run a direct flight to Sapporo in Hokkaido and you then transfer to Niseko by bus (3 hours)
A snow holiday with the kids is a new experience for me so hopefully I'll have lots of good tips to add to this blog!
Luckily a friend of mine went this year with her kids so she is full of advice. I have also been in touch with a helpful travel agent, Ashley at Holiday Niseko:
http://holidayniseko.com/
Ashley has provided me with a lengthy list of accommodation options and I'm as usual (!) spending hours on Tripadvisor working out the best one.
We've decided to go a few weeks after Chinese New Year to save money and avoid the crowds. Cathay run a direct flight to Sapporo in Hokkaido and you then transfer to Niseko by bus (3 hours)
A snow holiday with the kids is a new experience for me so hopefully I'll have lots of good tips to add to this blog!
Hirafu by night... can't wait...
Planning your trip - New Zealand!
One of my favourite pastimes is planning our vacations. I'm a bit of a geek, I get lost in website after website of advice and itineraries, get my spreadsheet out and get excited! I spend hours reading reviews of accommodation to ensure I pick the right one and fret over transport connections, prices and what the weather will be. But.. I love absolutely every second of it.
I have been in planning mode again, this time for a potential trip to New Zealand in November. I wanted to share some great websites I've found:
Tripadvisor
Goes without saying this is the big daddy of trip planners! I can't get enough of it! I put a question up on a North Island forum and within 1 day someone has written me the perfect NZ itinerary
http://www.kidsfriendlynz.com/
Great insight into where & what to do with kids in New Zealand
http://www.wotif.co.nz/
Accommodation galore at discounted prices
http://www.tourism-newzealand.co.nz/Maps.html
More of an official guide to New Zealand with some good maps
I have been in planning mode again, this time for a potential trip to New Zealand in November. I wanted to share some great websites I've found:
Tripadvisor
Goes without saying this is the big daddy of trip planners! I can't get enough of it! I put a question up on a North Island forum and within 1 day someone has written me the perfect NZ itinerary
http://www.kidsfriendlynz.com/
Great insight into where & what to do with kids in New Zealand
http://www.wotif.co.nz/
Accommodation galore at discounted prices
http://www.tourism-newzealand.co.nz/Maps.html
More of an official guide to New Zealand with some good maps
Sunday, 6 May 2012
BA - Bassinet & Car Seat Pictures
On my BA flight to London recently, they offered me the 'car seat' for my 6 mth old baby. BA gives priority to babies in terms of age so the youngest babies get the box-like bassinets and the older babies get the car seats unless you are very unlucky and they have run out.... You don't have to buy your child a seat until they are 2 years old.
I was a bit apprehensive at first as I wasn't sure if she would sleep well in something that wasn't flat. After an initial hiccup of me shaking the car seat with a scarf draped over my head & hers to create darkness she actually managed a good 7 hours.
On the way back I got the bassinet which she only just fit and again slept fairly well.
My advice for bassinets/car seats is to be pushy (in a nice way) from the moment you arrive at the airport, reminding the check in staff that you WILL be needing one for the flight. They might not know which type you will get but if you keep asking for it, they should provide one.
I was a bit apprehensive at first as I wasn't sure if she would sleep well in something that wasn't flat. After an initial hiccup of me shaking the car seat with a scarf draped over my head & hers to create darkness she actually managed a good 7 hours.
On the way back I got the bassinet which she only just fit and again slept fairly well.
My advice for bassinets/car seats is to be pushy (in a nice way) from the moment you arrive at the airport, reminding the check in staff that you WILL be needing one for the flight. They might not know which type you will get but if you keep asking for it, they should provide one.
BA Bassinet on the 747
BA Car Seat on the 777
The bassinet table also provides some much needed extra storage!
Sedating children on a plane
I'm all for sedation for myself, I'm a nervous flier so pre babies I used to enjoy a Xanax and glass of red wine! I used to give my 3 year old some Calpol and Piriton (antihistamine) before every longhaul flight. However, I'm not actually convinced it does much. On my most recent flight back from the UK, my friend had some Phenergen liquid. We promptly gave it to the 3 year olds and they passed out within half an hour! My daughter slept for longer than she's ever slept on a flight before although she did wake up rather groggy. In conclusion I will be buying my own Phenergen and adding it to my list of travel necessities. It can also greatly help jetlag at the other end
Please note these are my views only and if you want to give it to your child do your homework and read the facts!
http://www.drugs.com/phenergan.html
Please note these are my views only and if you want to give it to your child do your homework and read the facts!
http://www.drugs.com/phenergan.html
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
What I packed in hand luggage: 12 hour flight from London to HK
Here's my hand luggage list for a flight taking off at 7pm UK time.
I think I did quite well this time although we were delayed on the ground for 2 hours so I wish I had packed the DVD player! I also forgot to pack any snacks for Daisy but luckily enough when we were delayed the BA crew handed out some pretzels.
I think I did quite well this time although we were delayed on the ground for 2 hours so I wish I had packed the DVD player! I also forgot to pack any snacks for Daisy but luckily enough when we were delayed the BA crew handed out some pretzels.
- Passports and birth certificate for baby
- 2 sleep nappies for Daisy (3 yo)
- Piriton (antihistamine) and nurofen sachets
- Grobag for baby
- Little soft baby book
- 1 food bib and 2 soft bibs for baby
- Cool pack containing 3 Ella's Organics pouches
- 1 cool bottle bag containing 1 sterilised bottle with water ALSO 2 further sterilised bottles, 1 container of 3 Aptamil powder servings, 1 Aptamil cartons
- 5 baby nappies, wipes, metanium nappy cream
- Spare plastic bag
- 3 dummies
- Spare sleepsuit
- It was Daisy's birthday on plane so some cupcakes and birthday card
All in all I think I packed much better than on the way over. To save space you definitely don't need a big changing mat.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Hotel Babysitting Services
If you are going to use a hotel's babysitting service, always check in advance the terms and conditions. I was recently stung, having planned a fun night out in Macau, to learn that the hotel would not provide a babysitter for my 7 month old, only for children over 1.
Babysitting services are often expensive (so budget for this on your holiday planning!) and usually require a minimum of 3 hours. The other thing I've just discovered is that they will charge per child - double the cost for me!
We've used many hotel babysitting services over the last 3 years and I have always been happy with the sitters provided. Whilst the baby is normally asleep, I try to prepare my 3 year old by explaining someone fun is coming to look after her while mummy and daddy go out. Our most recent babysitter in Langkawi came armed with chocolate biscuits so Daisy was delighted.
Babysitting services are often expensive (so budget for this on your holiday planning!) and usually require a minimum of 3 hours. The other thing I've just discovered is that they will charge per child - double the cost for me!
We've used many hotel babysitting services over the last 3 years and I have always been happy with the sitters provided. Whilst the baby is normally asleep, I try to prepare my 3 year old by explaining someone fun is coming to look after her while mummy and daddy go out. Our most recent babysitter in Langkawi came armed with chocolate biscuits so Daisy was delighted.
A kid friendly minibreak from HK: Macau!
My father in law is in town so we decided to head to Macau for the weekend. I booked the hotel and ferry tickets through my friendly agent (Daryl at Concorde Travel) and off we went.
This was a particularly busy weekend for Macau travel due to the public holiday but I would always recommend booking your ferry ticket in advance as the standby queues can be long and no fun with kids.
The journey is one hour and we took the Cotai ferry direct to the 'Vegas' strip. We were staying at the Galaxy Macau, one of the newest hotels and took the Galaxy shuttle direct from the ferry terminal.
In true Macau style, the Galaxy was over the top glitzy and gold but the service was good and we checked in fairly quickly. Even though I had prebooked a cot and rollaway bed, neither were in the room but they arrived quickly. And I have to say the cot was the nicest I have seen provided by a hotel!
I had booked the Galaxy as it has a big wave pool and I thought my 3 year old would love this. Indeed she did and she was also rather taken with the fab kids pool and man made beach. In addition to the bouncy castle, there is a designated 'Kidz Island' indoors which hotel guests can use free of charge. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.
The hotel would not provide a babysitter for my 7 month old (only children over 1 year) - BTW THIS IS A GOOD FUTURE TIP TO ALWAYS CHECK THIS IN ADVANCE. So we took the kids with us over to the Venetian (free hotel buses to the Venetian complex) and ate at the delicious Brazilian restaurant there
FogoSamba
The rooms were spacious and clean. There's a big shopping mall within the complex with pharmacies, coffee shops, designer stores and restaurants. I would say for the wave pool, this hotel was a lot of fun but I preferred the vibe at the Hard Rock and would probably stay there again.
This was a particularly busy weekend for Macau travel due to the public holiday but I would always recommend booking your ferry ticket in advance as the standby queues can be long and no fun with kids.
The journey is one hour and we took the Cotai ferry direct to the 'Vegas' strip. We were staying at the Galaxy Macau, one of the newest hotels and took the Galaxy shuttle direct from the ferry terminal.
In true Macau style, the Galaxy was over the top glitzy and gold but the service was good and we checked in fairly quickly. Even though I had prebooked a cot and rollaway bed, neither were in the room but they arrived quickly. And I have to say the cot was the nicest I have seen provided by a hotel!
I had booked the Galaxy as it has a big wave pool and I thought my 3 year old would love this. Indeed she did and she was also rather taken with the fab kids pool and man made beach. In addition to the bouncy castle, there is a designated 'Kidz Island' indoors which hotel guests can use free of charge. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.
The hotel would not provide a babysitter for my 7 month old (only children over 1 year) - BTW THIS IS A GOOD FUTURE TIP TO ALWAYS CHECK THIS IN ADVANCE. So we took the kids with us over to the Venetian (free hotel buses to the Venetian complex) and ate at the delicious Brazilian restaurant there
FogoSamba
The rooms were spacious and clean. There's a big shopping mall within the complex with pharmacies, coffee shops, designer stores and restaurants. I would say for the wave pool, this hotel was a lot of fun but I preferred the vibe at the Hard Rock and would probably stay there again.
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