Laguna Beach Resort Review

Facilities

The facilities are excellent, maybe as you'd expect from a 5 star hotel but still excellent. The full list is almost never ending, the vast majority of which are free, additionally there's tuition available for most activities. This is one of the main reasons why it's such a good option for families, I could see myself saying 'goodbye' to my daughter in the morning and not seeing her again until the afternoon safe in the knowledge that she's in safe hands. Most parents can only relax when the children are busy and busy they would be. The daily activities program would be their timetable.

The large kids club has excellent facilities, by no means the token effort I've seen elsewhere. Outside it has it's own children's pool, sandpit, swings, climbing frames and slides. Inside it's air conditioned with a multitude of arts and crafts to keep them busy, DVD's are shown each afternoon. When I looked there were 3 staff to look after 5 children, a very good ratio. Often there are promotions for family rooms which enable up to 3 children to use the kids club for free.

Swimming Pool or Sea

The pool area is very large complete with several pools and a waterslide (a good one), named a waterpark by the hotel which is fair, albeit a small one.

Each afternoon there's a game of waterpolo in which anyone can take part old or young, which is great to get the children talking to each other.

Close to the pool area at the top of the beach there's some bamboo huts that are businesses run by local people selling things like tours, beach-wear and inflatables, snacks and drinks. 

Anna's Breakfast

At 9.00 each day a special member of staff comes to meet the guests at breakfast, Anna the baby elephant! The look of excitement on the parents faces when they see an elephant strolling through the resort tells a story, the children scream with excitement. It's Anna's breakfast time as well and everyone helps her mahout (keeper) feed her. Crowds gather and many photos are taken, some lucky ones even get a 'kiss' from Anna.

The sight of Anna rubbing up against a tree or wall to scratch herself brings bursts of laughter. Children that are scared or shy the first time they see her overcome their emotions after seeing her each day, it becomes 'normal' to them so nobody's left out.

Anna can be seen wandering around the resort at different times throughout the day, at 15.00 it's time for her swim in the sea! I know what you're thinking - yes, guests can swim with her too! Swimming with an elephant is not usually an every day occurrence, unless you're staying at Laguna Beach Resort that is.

Resort Manager & Dustman

One thing I have to mention is that I bumped into the General Manager, Stephen Magor, picking up rubbish on the beach with around 20 hotel staff. “We do this regularly, it helps the staff be more aware of what our guests see” he told me. Of course the staff could have been sent to do it on their own but that's not how this resort works.

I would recommend Laguna Beach Resort to anyone, especially families with children. Bear in mind that apart from the rest of the Laguna resort complex there's not too much else close to the resort, so the majority of time is spent on-site. There is a small town but it doesn't hold much for tourists apart from some good restaurants and a visit to the Sunday market, transport is of course provided (to and from the market). Those looking for a bustling resort town should look for other options.