How Our Family Staycation at Kempinski Marsa Malaz
Let Us Pause Special Moments
By: Emille Loyola-Artigas
We all are adapting to significant changes and adjustments in our lives, not just us adults, but in all similar levels, our children too. With cancelled travel holidays, reduced outdoor activities, no playgrounds, not seeing classmates, and online schooling, it is essential, now more than ever to spend quality time with the family. As we try to maintain balance between our new lifestyles and our certain old normalcy, it is easy to get caught in the routine, and days, and days just pass us by.
We are an outdoor family and we regularly make an effort to “break the routine”, so we decided this time, we have a family staycation getaway at the Kempinski Marsa Malaz, just for a night (with packing for 2 kids, that’s enough for now). The resort called “The Palace” is a commanding sight when driving along the Pearl road. It has all the essence of a family staycation, from sprawling spaces, to a wide range of facilities and activities for every member of the family.
As we drove through the driveway, we were warmly greeted by smiles from the valet to the reception. My 4 year-old immediately got drawn to the nicely prepared Arabic sweets station at the lobby while we check-in—which took so fast. A charming and nice lady in red escorted us all the way to our suite. There’s a big spread of welcome fruits and sweets which both my kids immediately indulged in. The suite is very spacious with balconies both at the living area and the bedroom. The living area is big enough to accommodate 2 extra beds and still ample space for everything else. The bedroom has a complete black out, the temperature is just right and the bed is so comfortable, if we live there, we won’t be able to get up!
Then I went for my 60-minute massage at the Spa by Clarins. You’d know you’re in a luxury spa just upon entering the door with the scents and the soothing music. I was asked to choose from 3 oils and the pressure, and I went for the “energizing oil” to go along my “sports” pressure. The treatment room overlooks the beach area, but I was looking more at the lovely sight of the flowers underneath the table. The treatment started with feet wash while I took my lemon mint. I wonder how 1 hour always go so quickly while you’re having a massage! I was so relaxed that I fell asleep at the end, then I heard the bell rang that it’s the end of the treatment.
Meanwhile, the boys are enjoying the beach, swimming in the white clear waters and did some stand up paddling, which we enjoy doing as a family. I love watching them having fun, laughing and active amidst the fresh air while enjoying endless s’mores served right at the beach. The resort is so big, it does not feel crowded even when it’s full.
For dinner, we went to their “Chill & Grill” restaurant, available on weekend nights, a beachside barbeque concept. I was particularly excited on this as I miss grilled seafood and meats and while enjoying the sound of the ocean and the sand on my feet. The seafood did not disappoint, the juicy salmon is our unanimous favorite and the grilled prawns and crabs did not fall far behind. We ended up staying late but relaxed, both my boys ate so much and fell asleep during dinner.
The following day, the pool and beach were calling and the beach was so calm and perfect for some cardio swimming before breakfast. The breakfast was so enjoyable at Al Sufra restaurant. We had international breakfast and Arabic breakfast sets, plus the kids were given the classic French toast and pancakes with Nutella. Every bite was enjoyed and even the kids each love the grilled halloumi and hummus. The ambiance here is perfect to start the day, the team of staff here were our favorite, they were so engaging and vibrant, the boys even got cute pancakes on our way out.
We spent the rest of our stay at the beach. Having 2 boys with very big age gap could be hard sometimes, they can have opposite interests. At this time, the big one wants to go to the beach, and the small one wants to the pool—we opted for the beach, and they played and enjoyed together anyway. They took their time making (and breaking) sand castles, laughing and running around—and it was so fun watching them having such great time and energy, outdoors, under the sun and the perfect weather.
The Sawa Friday brunch is being launched, so we checked our room out but stayed for the brunch. It has a very conducive outdoor area and we sat close to the pool. A number of live stations are available including paella station, pasta, shawarma and kebab, grilled meats, salads, desserts and of course, kids station with ice cream and cotton candy.
It was the perfect destination for a family staycation, where there’s everything for everyone and there’s so much things to do and enjoy, all in one place. Not a time we got the chance (or even wanted) to check on our phones (I just did to take photos), and the kids not once asked for gadgets. It’s like we had the holiday we did not get to have this year. We packed quite a lot in just an overnight stay, but it felt that we have been away for long, rejuvenated and recharged, ready and inspired to go back our routine.
