Koh Samui is already well-known as a honeymoon destination, but it's also a surprisingly great place to take children. It is developed to the extent that international hospitals (with English-speaking doctors), hotels offering childcare, and shops including Tesco and Boots - selling sunscreen and buckets and spades, and anything else you may have forgotten. When the kids tire of playing on the beach, keep them entertained with walks to waterfalls, visits to butterfly gardens, elephant-trekking, go-karting, and even the cinema. If they're picky eaters, there are Western food outlets and tourist-friendly restaurants offering child-friendly, non-spicy food like pasta and pizza, while parents can feast on king prawns in tamarind sauce.
Meanwhile, Samui has plenty for adults, too, once the children are ensconced in the crèche: sundowners on the beach, Michelin-starred restaurants, and masses of world-class spas.
STAY
Many of the island's hotels are aimed at couples, but the Four Seasons Koh Samui, set in palm trees at the back of a beach on the north-west tip, manages to cater to both romantics and families. It's still got the serene spa and candlelit dinners on the beach option, and in addition the family villas have private infinity pools and separate sleeping areas for children.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand (00 66 77 243000; www.fourseasons.com/kohsamui)
At Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa on Lamai Beach, have a range of activities for children, including candle-making, bracelet-making, fish-feeding and towel origami.
Le Méridien Koh Samui, Lamai Beach, Maret, Koh Samui (00 66 77 960888; www.lemeridienkohsamui.com)
If you favour big, rumbunctious friends-and-family holidays, consider taking over an entire property. Near Chaweng Beach, Baan Mika is a luxury villa made up of six suites around an infinity pool, which runs down to a children's pool beside the property's own private beach. There are also spacious living areas, a well-stocked kitchen, and an outdoor dining area and barbecue sala.
From US$1,000 a night for up to 12 people