Video Report: A place to call their own

PHUKET: St James Properties has entered the foray to secure its role in Patong’s burgeoning family tourism market with the recent opening of The Kids Club, located off Soi Bangla, touted as the biggest indoor playground in Phuket.

Located at the Patong Promenade shopping mall, The Kids Club is presented as a premium children’s venue, which is now fully operational following completion of a padded adventure play area on the entire second floor.

The 800-square-meter venue was completed in May with the installation of imported playground equipment including big slides, a climbing wall, adventure walkways, a trampoline, a flying fox, party rooms and an indoor soccer pitch – plus a “tired tots” rest area.

Finnish national Esa Veli Mikael Huovila, managing director of St James Properties Group, said the aim of the venture was to establish a dedicated one-stop party venue for children of all ages – and that “Phuket simply needed a place where parents can let their kids play in a safe, supervised environment.”

“The Kids Club also offers parents an ideal place to drop off the kids to do some shopping or take care of business knowing their children are in the safe hands of our team of dedicated staff,” said Mr Huovila.

“Of course, parents are welcome to relax here, too, while their children play. Wireless internet access is available for parents relaxing or working in the large lounge area, which has a reading corner and pleasant view,” he said.

Open daily from 10am to 9pm, the club offers a range of hourly rates for one-year-olds, under 18s and adults (18+) between 50 and 150 baht per hour, plus daily rates up to just 300 baht for the whole day, with underground parking available at the mall.

The venue is promoted as ideal for throwing birthday parties with all the trimmings. Parents can order custom-baked birthday cakes from creative cupcake franchise Joob Joob and magic shows are performed by resident magician KoKo The Clown.

Children and adults can learn the secrets of Joob Joob’s famous creative cupcakes from the Joob Joob sisters, Ant and Kea. Classes can be booked in advance and are conducted in English, Thai and French.

The colorful sweet treats by Joob Joob are actually quite healthy snacks, said Anthony Reynolds, consulting partner to the Joob Joob sisters.

“The ice creams and sorbets are additive-free, containing no artificial colors or preservatives,” he said.

Also available are a daily variety of freshly baked cupcakes, crepes, waffles and natural ice cream, plus illy coffee at the colorful counter and comfy chairs in the lounge area.

In addition to wowing the kids with magic, KoKo The Clown also teaches young customers how to do their own tricks, and there’s a party supply store with shelves stocked full of themed treats and toys to make any kind of party go off with a bang. Customers can also order helium balloons at the store.

For more information, visit TheKidsClubPhuket.com or facebook.com/thekidsclubphuket, or reach them at 076-341310 and info@thekidsclubphuket.com.