Why Spas for Kids Is the Cutest New Trend in Wellness

The health benefits of wellness treatments are ageless – plus, we believe in cultivating massage-aholics early. So we’ve rounded up spas across Asia with some of the best menus curated specially for kids and families.

By Marissa Carruthers Published on Apr 25, 2023, 05:00 AM

Why Spas for Kids Is the Cutest New Trend in Wellness

Wellness is not reserved for the weary. The mental and physical health benefits of treatments are ageless – plus, we believe in cultivating massage-aholics early. So we’ve rounded up 9 luxury spas across Asia with some of the best menus curated specially for kids and families, so you can bond with your child while being pampered, assessed and immunity-boosted.

SOFT TOOTSIES, PRINCESS HANDS, and Little Prince and Princess… Reading this you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re about to embark on an adventure into a fantasy realm of fairies and elves. In fact, it’s the latest wellness fad to emerge across the region. And it’s not just for playtime – the best spas for kids are trying to address health, development and familial relationship concerns specific to children and tweens.

“We believe you’re never too young for a bit of pampering,” said Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler. “Many luxury-hotel and -resort spas only cater to adults, but we feel it’s unfair for the kids to miss out on wellness experiences.”

So, Le Spa at Alma, on the south-central coast of Vietnam, recently introduced a menu dedicated to delivering soothing treatments to little ones aged six to 11 in the form of foot and hand baths, massages and a facial that uses tropical fruit and reflexology.

Parents can treat their little princesses and princes to treatments that take in Soft Tootsies, a foot bath, gentle exfoliation, and mini foot massage; Princess Hands, a hand bath, exfoliation, and mini hand massage with moisturising cream; My Cocoon, a light pressure massage; and the Supreme Facial Ritual.

Alila Seminyak’s spa has been catering to kids since it opened in Bali in 2015. “It’s part of our service to provide pampering and relaxing experiences for the whole family,” said Nadia Ingrida, the resort’s assistant marketing manager.

Its dedicated spa menu for the munchkins serves treatments for children aged five to 12 and takes in massages, manicures and pedicures with the option for cuties nail art, an indulgent Pampelicious treatment, and packages specifically designed for dads and moms to enjoy bonding at the spa.

Kids Spas Asia — Courtesy of Alila Seminyak, Bali

“Children’s treatments are designed to be compact and fun, besides relaxing,” Ingrida added. “The duration is shorter, the refreshments that we serve are different, and how we approach the detail setup is also different. For example, we are use children’s bathrobes.”

By contrast, she said, “adult treatments focus on results and therapeutic effects, as well as a longer duration to achieve the results and ultimate experience that one wishes to have at the spa.”

The Farm at San Benito, a 90-minute drive from Manila in the Philippines, are stalwarts on the kids’ spa scene. Curated children’s treatments were added back in 2005 after successfully being tried and tested on the grandchildren of the founders, Eckard Rempe and his wife Perla. “The intention was to help them calm down, assist in growth development, relieve them from lung congestion, boost their immune system, and help them to absorb nutrients properly,” said Lem Senillo, spa director.

Courtesy of The Farm at San Benito
Family Picnic. Courtesy of The Farm at San Benito
Mandala Flower Meditation. Courtesy of The Farm at San Benito

The Farm’s Healing Sanctuary SPA’s menu is teeming with options for your mini me. Its most popular is the Hilot Musmos, or infant massage, with other fun treatments including the Happy Feet Enzymes Glow Foot Scrub, Lullaby Massage, Hair Super Food Mask, and Teenage Earth Facial Care on the menu.

“The significant difference between spa treatments for adults and children is quality of touch. Adults prefer deeper pressure to release tightness and muscle tension while children love light massage similar to a very comforting motherly touch that aids restful sleep,” Senillo said.

The holistic/high-tech hybrid super-spa Sindhorn Wellness by Resense at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok started tapping into the kids’ spa trend for about a year now because “we realized that family bonding time is important,” said Jittima Wongsiripaiboon, director of wellness. “We would like guests to have meaningful time spent with family during travel and disconnecting from any electronic devices and gadgets. We would like people to engage with each other, so we created a parent and kids spa day that everyone can enjoy together.”

The dedicated children’s menu uses hypo-allergenic products, such as grape seed oil as it is gentle for sensitive skin. The spa’s With a Little Angel treatment is a popular option for kids aged five to 10 and their parents. It includes a massage for the young one and an aromatic spa for mom.