Families and Kids

To start the story, the mystical mountains surrounding Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain would not look out of place in a bedtime fable. This is home to the Dujiangyan Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding or “Panda Valley”, which is dedicated to breeding, semi-wild reintroduction and full reintroduction of pandas. Children over six years of age can take part in the panda volunteer program, to learn more about these magnificent animals from the experts and care takers. Volunteers can feed the pandas, clean their enclosures and even bake them a cake – one of their favorites is carrot cake – while the keepers capture the moment in a photo.

As a child-friendly resort, there are plenty of toys, toddlers’ chairs in the restaurants and baby cots available on request. On-site activities range from indoor children’s cooking classes, movie afternoons and splashing in the huge indoor pool to cycling, tennis, and picnics in the beautiful surroundings. There is a choice of spacious two bedroom villas, some with pools, which comfortably accommodate up to four adults and two children under 12 years.

Another truly unique experience is watching turtle hatchlings emerge from their nest for the first time and make it safely down the beach to the ocean. Six Senses Laamu is located on Olhuveli Island in Laamu Atoll and is a significant nesting beach for green turtles. The main nesting and hatching season happens between May and August and the island can have up to 12 turtle nests during this period and over 70 turtle hatchlings per nest.

The Den is an added bonus, with professional staff to engage even the shyest of children for a few hours in a whole host of arts, crafts, beach activities and water sports. With permission from parents, children who can swim are able to snorkel the house reef and explore a wide variety of colorful sea creatures. Parents can use the time to enjoy a lazy lunch or saunter to the spa before reconvening as a family for a sunset dolphin cruise or Cinema Under the Stars.

Family Beach Villas are hidden between the lush tropical vegetation and offer beachfront family living. The master bedroom is a few steps away from the children’s room and has a complete view of the private pool. The added perk is a treetop deck with comfortable seating and dining area for a unique panoramic view of the sapphire seascape as it gives way to a colorful sunset.

Younger guests are warmly welcomed, celebrated (and a little bit spoiled) at most Six Senses and Evason resorts, which incorporate the six dimensions of wellness into all Grow With Six Senses activities. Themed programs encourage younger guests to understand more about what’s going on inside them and the world around them through natural play.

Programs vary from resort to resort, but introduce specifically designed physical activities, yoga and mindfulness, local culture, sustainability and social experiences. There’s also the chance to pamper with tailor-made spa treatments. The focus is on offering something a little out of the ordinary to attract even the most reticent joiner.

Little guests at Six Senses Fiji for example can take part in activities as varied as kids’ yoga, solar oven making, tree planting, bracelet weaving, zumba and tie-dye t-shirt making. There’s also family paddle-boarding, snorkel safaris and in-villa movie night experiences. One of the most popular experiences is the pizza making class, to learn the secrets behind classic pizza dough and Napolitano sauce, assemble all the family’s favorite toppings and fire up the stone bake oven before devouring the creation.

All rooms can accommodate children, and the spacious Residences (up to a palatial five bedrooms) provide complimentary nanny services.