Jetsettersblog

When it comes to holidays, a slowing economy and gloomy talk of a recession has not deterred Australians from seeking the simple pleasures in life – sun, surf and sand. According to a new survey conducted by Australia’s leading family travel and lifestyle magazine, Holidays with Kids, Queensland is the most popular local destination for families, while tropical resorts dominate the South Pacific and Asia categories.

The annual Top 10 Resorts list is based on a reader survey sent to an online database of 41,000 members, as well as surveys in two issues of the magazine (circulation 60,000). Readers were asked to nominate their favourite resorts in Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. They scored each resort on facilities and activities for children, the quality of childcare and babysitting services, the standard of accommodation, location, value for money and the overall experience. They then rated the resorts from one to five, with five being the highest score.

While many perennial favourites reappeared, the results did throw up some surprises.

While family-friendly facilities such as kids’ clubs, playgrounds and swimming pools are still important factors when choosing a resort, many Australian families are seeking out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Properties offering wildlife encounters and activities such as circus schools were amongst those that ranked highly.

In the Top 10 Australian Resorts category, Queensland took out all placings. Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast and Club Med Lindeman Island scooped the pool in the mid-range category; while Sands Turtle Beach on the Gold Coast proved most popular with families in the top-end listing, its apartment-style accommodation clearly striking a chord with savvy readers.

The continued dominance of Fijian resorts in the Top 10 South Pacific Resorts category shows that the troubled island paradise remains a firm favourite with families in search of an idyllic tropical escape.

The presence of several Malaysian properties in the Asia listing – including top place-getter Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria in Sabah – reveals the increasing popularity of adventure destinations, while the dominance of Bali and Phuket in the Top 10 shows Australians still seek great value in destinations where their dollar goes further.

According to Holidays with Kids editor Cathy Wagstaff, the survey is a great indicator of what families are looking for and a great planning tool for families.

“All properties have been voted by families that have enjoyed their experiences at these resorts. This year we have highlighted star ratings to give more of an indication of the quality of the property,” she said.

The Top 10 Resorts results are published in the new 2009 autumn edition of Holidays with Kids, which features our annual Ski and Snowboard issue in a flip-cover format.
In this jam-packed issue, you’ll find articles on skiing in Australia and overseas, as well as advice from experts, information on working as a ski instructor, interschools challenges, the all-important gear and who to watch in the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February. The edition also features stories on great Australian drives, Tahiti and festivals in Thailand – everything you need for a great family holiday.

Top 10 Resorts Australia

Resorts 4-stars and Over
1. Sands Turtle Beach Resort Gold Coast, QLD 4.5-star
2. Novotel Twin Waters Resort Sunshine Coast, QLD 4-star
3. Sea World Resort Gold Coast, QLD 4-star
4. Voyages Dunk Island Dunk Island, QLD 4-star
5. Hyatt Regency Coolum Sunshine Coast, QLD 4-star

Resorts Under 4-stars

1. Paradise Resort Gold Coast, QLD 3-star
2. Club Med Lindeman Island Whitsundays, QLD 3.5-star
3. Tangalooma Island Resort Moreton Island, QLD 3-star
4. Islander Noosa Resort Noosaville, QLD 3.5-star
5. Club Crocodile Airlie Beach Airlie Beach, QLD 3-star

Highly commended

BreakFree Diamond Beach Resort, Broadbeach QLD 4-star

Couran Cove Island Resort, Stradbroke Island, QLD 4-star

Hayman Island Resort, Whitsundays, QLD 5-star

Top 10 Resorts South Pacific

1. Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa Fiji
2. The Naviti Resort Fiji
3. Le Lagon Resort Vanuatu Vanuatu
4. Plantation Island Resort Fiji
5. Castaway Island Resort Fiji
6. Le Meridien Port Vila Resort & Casino Vanuatu
7. Treasure Island Resort Fiji
8. Aggie Grey’s Lagoon, Beach Resort & Spa Samoa
9. Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island Fiji
10. Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa Fiji

Highly commended

Malolo Island Resort, Fiji
Outrigger on the Lagoon, Fiji
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Fiji

Top 10 Resorts Asia

1. Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort Sabah, Malaysia
2. Club Med Bali Nusa Dua, Bali
3. Bali Dynasty Resort Kuta, Bali
4. JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa Phuket, Thailand
5. Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa Sabah, Malaysia
6. Laguna Beach Resort Phuket, Thailand
7. Serene Villas Seminyak, Bali
8. Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali
9. Disney’s Hollywood Hotel Hong Kong
10. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort Phuket, Thailand

Highly commended
Club Med, Bintan Island, Indonesia
Holiday Inn, Phuket