Every parent knows that with little ones, holidays need to be stress-free and easy enough to meet the demands of the smaller members of the family.

This allows for maximum fun for the whole family. The Hard Rock Hotel Penang offers just that – a stress-free family fun filled holiday.

The service

From the get-go the service is great. Be it front desk, lifeguards, wait staff or housekeeping, everyone is pleasant and the service offered has a special touch.

Small things like remembering a drink that isn’t on the menu, but that your child had ordered the day before, or even something as thoughtful as remembering names.

Apparently, staff training is paramount at Hard Rock Penang with staff receiving service training every month.

The pool

This is colossal. Three times that of an Olympic sized pool and supposedly the largest free-form pool in north Malaysia.

Three different slides catering for toddlers though to adults; varying water depths so everyone can get wet; a splash pad with water features and sand, which means you really don’t even have to go to the beach; and most importantly, there are lifeguards stationed around the pool.

What is especially great for parents is the swim up bar to order a refreshing drink while in the pool, but really the cherry on top of the pool experience is the little cabana that can be rented.

It comes equipped with a fruit platter, a jug of water, a locker, two wooden deck chairs, speakers for music and a phone to call for whatever else you need.

It’s yours for the whole day which means you can spend as little or as much time as you need in it, and the whole day means well into the evening.

The kids’ spa menu

Many hotels don’t cater for kids, and if they do it’s often for older kids or at the kids club. The Hard Rock is a little different, they have a spa menu for all. A list as extensive as the tutti frutti facials, chocolate sundae body wraps, to the eenie meenie massage.

The Roxity Suite with courtyard

The dream room for parents. This is a separate room that opens onto a courtyard with a small playset. A safe space for little ones to entertain themselves while you doze if you are lucky.

The bedroom has a little window so you are able to check on your child without disturbing them. The room comes with activity packs, books, and a PS4 with games and a separate TV. Get one if you can, but there are only a few and they tend to go quickly.

Rock Royalty Lounge

Do book a club or suite room. The added lounge benefits are great when travelling with small children.

While the food selection is usually smaller than the breakfast buffet, the lounge breakfast is perfect. The lounge overlooks both the pool and the ocean, so breakfast is served with a stunning view and equally as good service.

The á la carte menu uses good quality ingredients including organic free-range eggs, posh coffee and in the evening, a lovely cocktail.

The lounge also means that you have access to well-prepared fresh food during the day which helps with grazing toddlers: Afternoon tea from 3.00-4.00 pm and evening cocktails from 6.00-8.00 pm, accompanied with a selection of pastas, grilled meat, fresh fruit and hot and cold canapés. A perfect dinner for the kids.

For some privacy and a quiet space to retreat to or to grab a snack and relax, the Rock Royalty Lounge is worth every sen to upgrade to, if you haven’t booked into a suite.

The food

The Hard Rock offers great food options for kids, options that are relatively nutritional. Steamed veggies, fish, wood oven-fired pizzas and fruit platters, but you can still find the ubiquitous nuggets, burgers and fries.

All served on guitar-shaped kid plates and accompanied with activity menus, crayons, fast service and high chairs, if needed.

For parents and older kids do try the Hard Rock Café for dinner for traditional Hard Rock fare like potato skins, barbecued beef ribs and delicious desserts.

Other Hard Rock show stoppers

• Rock Om: yoga mats with guided yoga videos, right in your room.
• Roxity kids’ club: A kids-only hang out for little ones aged four-10, open daily from 10am. Kids under four must be accompanied.
• Lil’ rockers infant club: A small play area for under three year olds equipped with playhouse, slides, bean bags and toys.
• Tabu teens club for older kids: With video games, foosball and pool table, mix DJ console, and fender guitar picks.
• Rhythm and motion spa treatment: A combination of “bass vibrations rippling through the massage table and treble beats from above”. Apparently, guests leave feeling energised and invigorated.
• And, of course, the ultimate kids’ foam party on the first Saturday of the month for the older kids.

Happy Go KL is the go-to site for families in the Klang Valley. Their content is written by parents for parents, so you know where to get out and about with your kids in KL and the surrounding region.