Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

The upscale Grand Lexis Port Dickson is located along a coastal stretch of Port Dickson that the hotel has transformed into a network of upscale villas built on stilts over the water. It also has villas built around a garden, along with rooms in a more conventional tower; every unit has a private plunge pool as well as a microwave and mini-fridge. This is one of the best family-friendly hotels in Malaysia, with multiple dining options, a large landscaped pool, kiddy pool with waterslides, and lots of outdoor entertainment. Travelers who don't need all the frills can find much cheaper rates at its mid-range sister hotel, the Lexis Port Dickson (it shares the facilities here). The older and slightly less expensive Avillion Port Dickson is also known for its water villas and is another possible alternative.

The Avillion Port Dickson is a family-friendly beachfront property that offers a wide variety of rates and experiences to suit all ages, and most budgets. The upper-middle-range resort is a mix of upscale chalets and villas, many on stilts over the water, as well as more modest rooms and studios. Some of the furnishings are showing age and there are some maintenance issues in common areas, but the setting is serene. The three outdoor pools are open around the clock, and there's one for adults only. Adults may also appreciate the full spa, while the kids' club, playground, and pet farm will likely appeal to children. The most obvious competitor is the Grand Lexis Port Dickson, a similar destination that's also centered around upscale water villas.

The Thistle Port Dickson Resort is an upscale beachfront property far from town, but packed with family-friendly amenities like game rooms, multiple outdoor pools, and waterslides. Its vast garden grounds also have a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, giant yard games, and a team building camp, making it popular with kids and business travelers alike. There are several dining options, including Italian and Chinese restaurants, but ambience on outdoor terraces can be dampened by loud party music. All the rooms are large and have furnished private balconies, but not all have sea views. It's worth comparing this property with the four-pearl Avillion Port Dickson, which rivals the family-friendly perks here and also has luxurious water villas.

The mid-range Klana Beach Resort is perched on a hilly promontory that houses the Teluk Kemang Observatory. The observatory's telescopes are an appealing feature that guests can make use of, but the hotel's Muslim-friendly regulations, including dress codes, lack of alcohol, and separate pools for men and women will not appeal to most westerners. The 85 rooms have dated linens, but they're spacious and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Boardwalks on either side of the hotel lead down to two beaches, but the uphill hike back is on steep staircases. Travelers looking for fewer rules and more places to drink should compare prices with the Avillion Admiral Cove, which has its own little yacht club.

The three-pearl Eagle Ranch Resort is a cowboy-themed getaway with a ton of outdoor recreation spread across 32 acres. It's surrounded by forests with nothing in walking distance, but there's plenty to entertain kids between the outdoor sports, go-kart track, paintball, and horse riding. Its 116 rooms are made to look like teepees or bandwagons, and there are larger log cabins, as well as theme-breaking Kampung stilt houses, but many of them are in need of renovation. Breakfast is included, but options are limited. There's nothing else quite like it around, though families might also be interested in the nearby PRIMALAND Port Dickson Resort & Convention Centre, which has a huge water park.

The first water park in the area, PRIMALAND Port Dickson Resort & Convention Centre (PRCC) is a sprawling, 300-room budget property that caters to families as well as business travelers. It has the largest ballroom in Port Dickson, along with a five-acre water park, and numerous other outdoor activities available, but many areas are noticeably run-down. There are several restaurants and a karaoke bar, but alcohol is prohibited on the property. For something different, but equally family-friendly, check out the nearby Eagle Ranch Resort, which has an outdoor cowboy theme park.