Finding Stillness: The Luxury Resort vs. The Cheap & Cheerful Hideaway
We live in a fast-paced world, and, instead of an escape, family travel can easily feel chaotic if you let it. Every so often, we get a trip where the rhythm completely shifts. To find some stillness in our travels, I’ve realised we need a mix of two things: a flawless, zero-fuss sanctuary, and a bit of the authentic, local charm.
On our travels through Southeast Asia, we’ve found that exact contrast on two very different coastlines: the massive, cliff-lined resort vibe of Krabi, Thailand, and the quiet, unhurried shores of Kep, Cambodia.
Here is how we balanced the ultimate luxury splurge with a classic "cheap and cheerful" hideaway. And, why you should try both.
The view from The Sofitel Pool towards the beach.
Krabi, Thailand: The Luxury Reset
We’d been recommended to go to Krabi for a beach-style retreat and, keen to avoid the craziness of Phuket, we were not disappointed. Because it was the low-season, The Sofitel had a great deal going, so we booked an AirAsia flight through trip.com to and from Bangkok and off we went.
The Sofitel arranged an airport shuttle for us and there was no fuss at all… just a long, smooth 50-minute drive straight to the resort.
I always recognize "fancy" when I’m seated on a lounge for the check-in process and provided with a refreshing beverage. Of course, this is exactly what happened. That immediate drop in pace is what good hospitality is all about.
The Secret to Parents' Peace and Quiet
Once we were sorted, we went straight to the pool. It has an awesome inflatable obstacle course which Archie was on every single chance he got. It also had a great swim-up bar, which we love.
But one of the key reasons we chose this resort was for the Kids Club. It was pretty well attended, so we signed Archie up for a 3-day, half-day package for about $50 a day. It was worth every cent. It included a "make-your-own" pizza lunch, a tie-dyed t-shirt, a hat, a bag, and a shell mobile (easily my favorite souvenir).
More importantly, the Kids Club afforded us the time to actually escape and have massages. We scored a 2-for-1 deal, and Rob said it was, “…hands-down the best massage” he’s ever had.
If you want to stay active, there are heaps of activities. I went to yoga each morning, and they also offer sunrise bike rides, kickboxing, and tennis, alongside a good-sized gym. This resort is completely tailored towards families, with food and activity options for kids everywhere. Highly recommend!
The Reality Check: Eating and drinking at the resort is $$$, so do yourself a favor and head out to the beach for dinner instead. It's a third of the price, and there’s a 7-Eleven in close proximity for snacks and drinks to keep the fridge stocked.
For more details about Krabi and our other trip to Bangkok, check out my original post.
From The Sofitel, Krabi’s Instagram Page
Kep, Cambodia: The Cheap & Cheerful Secret Weapon
If Krabi was our orchestrated luxury splurge, Kep was the complete opposite. And, we loved it just as much. Located on Cambodia’s chill southern coast, Kep is a contrast to the massive Thai resorts. It's a place of quiet, faded charm, and to enjoy it, you just need to lean into a slower, simpler pace.
Pool Slides and Inexpensive Hacks
We stayed at the Kep Bay Hotel and Resort, and our young family loved it for its pure "cheap and cheerfulness." It was conveniently located right near the main beach and our room was spacious offering great value paired with really good service.
Our afternoon routine was simple: we enjoyed drinks by the pool while the kids completely wore themselves out on the pool slide. Of course, we never forgot to go to Holy Crab - I think we went there for more than 50% of our meals!
Kep Beach itself is a very "chill" beach, but it can get incredibly hot. If you go, we highly recommend hiring a table and umbrella right on the sand for $5 and set it up a base for the day.
The food scene here is local and raw. Nearby, you’ll find street vendors selling fresh green mango and chilli mix for less than $1—it is sharp, spicy, and delicious. Get into it!
In a funny twist, Kep served up a total echo of our Krabi trip. A newly added inflatable challenge course had just popped up right on the water. It was fun, but be warned: it’s pretty difficult to complete and the water is “adventurously” shallow!
Check out my original post about Kep (including Kampot) here.
The amazing view from Holy Crab, Kep.
The Verdict: Why You Need Both
A great family travel strategy isn't about picking between a luxury resort or a budget beach town. It’s about weaving them together.
Krabi gave us the effortless physical reset we needed to completely unwind. Kep gave us the local flavor, the simple value, and the unhurried pace that keeps you grounded. When you combine the two, you get the perfect balance.
