Jet-set baby: The chicest baby-friendly destinations around the world
2. Kyoto, Japan
With its quiet temples, spotlessly clean streets and thoughtful infrastructure, Kyoto is a dream for parents who want the 3Cs: calm, culture and convenience. Many family-friendly ryokans and hotels offer baby gear rentals (from strollers to cribs), and public family-friendly facilities are plentiful and pristine. The orderly pace of life here means minimal overstimulation for you and your baby.
Why it works: Immaculate, organised and tranquil—just like you wish your nursery was
Amenities to look for: Family rooms in ryokans, diaper-changing facilities at every turn and baby gear rental services
Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto provides spacious baby-friendly suites, Japanese-style baths perfect for bedtime rituals and even mini yukatas for photos.
Don't miss: The best things to do in Kyoto, Japan 3. Singapore
Singapore is practically engineered for parents. From stroller-accessible public transport to high-tech nursing pods in malls, the city is a masterclass in urban planning for families. High chairs are everywhere, sidewalks are wide and smooth and everything is close enough to make nap schedules (almost) achievable. It's a clean, modern hub that removes the stress from urban travel.
Why it works: Think air-conditioned malls with nursing rooms and parks with shaded playgrounds.
Amenities to look for: Steriliser availability, nursing pods and stroller-friendly everything
Where to stay: Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island offers baby cots, in-room dining with child-friendly menus and concierge-arranged babysitting. 4. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany's golden hills and warm-hearted locals create an atmosphere so relaxing, even your baby might sleep better. Agriturismos (family-run farm stays) come with kitchenettes, high chairs and ample outdoor space to roam. Locals will coo at your baby like it's their long-lost grandchild, and the slower rhythm of life is perfect for long walks and impromptu al fresco meals.
Why it works: Italians adore babies, and vineyards are more charming when your baby is cooing under olive trees.
Amenities to look for: Farm stays with on-site kitchens, high chairs and lots of space to roam
Where to stay: Borgo Pignano, a restored estate with all the baby essentials and lavender fields to keep your Instagram stories on point 5. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is nature's playground—with added stroller ramps. Surrounded by sea and mountains, it offers clean air, safe parks and spacious, stroller-friendly sidewalks. Baby equipment rentals are widely available, public bathrooms are equipped with changing tables and there's always a family-oriented café nearby. You get the outdoors without sacrificing urban ease.
Why it works: A laid-back, nature-filled, baby-friendly city with fresh air and polite people who will happily help you with your stroller
Amenities to look for: Wide sidewalks, clean public changing areas and baby gear rentals
Where to stay: Fairmont Pacific Rim is a family-friendly hotel, offering cribs, childproofing kits and a knowledgeable concierge who can recommend parent-friendly spots in town. 6. Da Nang, Vietnam
Tucked between lush mountains and soft beaches, Da Nang is Southeast Asia's most underrated family escape. Unlike its flashier neighbours, it offers serenity without sacrificing luxury, and the hotels here roll out the red carpet for babies.
Why it works: Beachy without the bustle of Bali, and the hotels here know how to treat travelling families like royalty
Amenities to look for: Poolside cabanas, kids' menus with porridge and purées and nannies on call
Where to stay: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a baby haven—think quiet beachfront pavilions, 24-hour room service and powder-soft sand perfect for chubby baby toes. 7. Copenhagen, Denmark
Scandi-chic and stroller-smart, Copenhagen might just be Europe's baby capital. Here, babies nap outside in designer prams while parents sip coffee unbothered. Finally, a place where you can parent stress-free and stylishly. The public transport is ramp-equipped, restaurants have changing tables as standard and there's a general vibe that babies aren't a nuisance; they're part of the culture.
Why it works: The baby-friendliest capital in Europe, where even the most stylish locals tote a Bugaboo
Amenities to look for: Ramp-equipped public transport, changing tables in cafes and hotels with kitchenettes
Where to stay: Hotel SP34, where you can borrow a stroller, warm bottles at the bar and step out into a city that practically invented design-minded parenting 8. Niseko, Japan
While known for its powdery slopes, Niseko turns into a whisper-quiet wonderland during off-season—ideal for babies who thrive on peace and crisp mountain air. Scenic trails invite long stroller walks, and the gentle hum of the mountains makes this one of the rare places where you might actually get a full night's sleep.
Why it works: Japan's premier ski resort is surprisingly great for babies, especially during the off-season when it's quiet and cool.
Amenities to look for: Quiet chalets, heated floors and babyproof layouts
Where to stay: Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono offers private onsens, baby cots and winter concierge services to make even snow-covered strollers manageable. 9. Gold Coast, Australia
Sun, surf and surprisingly thoughtful design for families, Gold Coast is practically a baby beach utopia. Playgrounds spill onto the sand, and the locals will high-five your toddler instead of glaring. You might be booking an annual Gold Coast trip after your first visit.
Why it works: Sunshine, surf and serious family vibes, with playgrounds by the beach and stroller paths galore
Amenities to look for: Fully equipped vacation rentals, shaded pools and beach clubs with baby changing areas
Where to stay: The Langham, Gold Coast has cribs, blackout drapes and a very understanding staff if your baby decides to cry mid-check-in. 10. Tagaytay, Philippines
Just a car ride from Metro Manila, Tagaytay is the cool-weather escape where babies and their sleep-deprived parents can finally breathe. The vibe is laid-back, the air is pine-fresh and family-friendly cafés mean your baby and your in-laws will be fed and happy.
Why it works: Just a short drive from Manila, this cool-climate getaway is breezy, green and wonderfully walkable.
Amenities to look for: Airy suites, baby-friendly cafés and hotels that accommodate extended family naps
Where to stay: Anya Resort Tagaytay offers spacious suites, cribs and cosy verandas where your baby can nap while you enjoy your fifth cup of barako coffee.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
28-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Sip, read and unwind at these tranquil book cafés found across Asia
Café Comma, Seoul, South Korea In Seoul's Hapjeong neighbourhood, Café Comma spans six storeys and is operated by the South Korean publishing house Munhak Dongne. Widely known as one of the world's most beautiful book caféa, it offers a sensory feast: sun-drenched reading lounges, quiet corners and a dramatic, multi-storey book wall. When one is done losing themselves in a novel, they can head to the rooftop terrace for a serene moment with sweeping views of the cityscape. Don't Miss: 5 must-visit Seoul cafés for coffee culture lovers Jimbocho Book Center, Tokyo, Japan Above Jimbocho Book Center is located in Jimbocho, Tokyo's famed Book Town (Photo: Jimbocho Book Center Official Website) Located in Jimbocho, Tokyo's famed Book Town, Jimbocho Book Center is a caffeine-fuelled haven for readers. Its walls are lined with thousands of books, mostly in Japanese, making it a draw for local readers and international visitors alike. Digital nomads favour the café for its comfortable seating, plentiful power outlets and calm atmosphere. Beyond quality coffee, the menu includes Japanese curry, khao man gai, cheesecake, and a curated selection of beer and whisky. Flobookstore, Bangkok, Thailand Part coffee shop, part design showroom, Flobookstore sits within FLOHOUSE—a creative space that blends FLO's Thai-designed furniture, LIVID Coffee Roasters and a curated collection of art and design books. Visitors can savour single-origin brews while relaxing on minimalist furniture and exploring design tomes. This café is ideal for those seeking creative inspiration or simply a quiet, aesthetically pleasing place to linger. Book Bar, Singapore Above Book Bar is an independent bookstore and café (Photo: Book Bar Official Website) Book Bar is a cosy literary hideout in Singapore that blends bookshop charm with community spirit. This independent café and bookstore champions Singaporean and Asian voices through its thoughtful curation. Guests are encouraged to browse, sip and stay a while. It also hosts author events and discussions, drawing a crowd of readers, writers and creatives. On the menu: coffee, tea, sandwiches, desserts and a welcoming atmosphere. Books & Co, Hong Kong Entering Books & Co is like stepping into a favourite bibliophile uncle's private library while auntie prepares a comforting meal of toast and coffee in the kitchen. It's a quaint little space that offers an escape from the city's high-energy pace, and has so much character that one of its claims to fame is that it has been used as a filming location. Every nook and cranny of Books & Co. is filled with a wide range of secondhand books, ready for another reader to dive into their pages. Bleu&Book, Taipei, Taiwan Set within Taipei's Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Bleu&Book mirrors the park's artistic spirit with its thoughtfully designed interiors and eclectic curation. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, creating a warm, elegant atmosphere where guests can sit with a book and enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. The shelves are lined with a well-curated mix of local and international titles spanning literature, art, design, and film. More than just a café and bookstore, it's a gathering place for creative minds and a quiet celebration of Taipei's thriving literary culture.
Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
How Osaka Expo's leading architects redefined national pavilions
One of the world's most influential architects, Kengo Kuma, whose architectural practice is headquartered in Tokyo, is known for fusing nature into his designs. For Expo 2025, the Japanese architect has designed two country pavilions—Portugal and Qatar—each rooted in the geography, history and materials of their respective nations. 'Portugal has a lot in common with Japan, both geographically and climatically,' Kuma tells Tatler. 'Both are close to the sea and [contain many] mountains, and both have a unique wind that blows from the sea to the mountains.' This elemental connection informed the design of the Portugal Pavilion, where rope, referencing the country's seafaring past, hangs from the structure, allowing visitors to feel both the air and history moving through it. For the Qatar Pavilion, Kuma drew inspiration from the dhow , a traditional wooden sailing vessel: 'I remember seeing a dhow in Qatar and being surprised at how similar it was to a Japanese boat.' The idea of water, wood and the open sea then became central to its design. 'The pavilion is surrounded by water as if it floats. I would like visitors to experience a sense of the sea.' Both pavilions make use of natural materials, a signature approach of Kuma's—and also something that responds to the environment of the site. 'The structures at the Expo are artificial, so it was particularly important for us to incorporate as many natural elements as possible,' he explains. And while the exhibits inside the pavilions are fascinating, Kuma says, 'We want to emphasise that the space leading up to the building should also be enjoyed.' He and his team want visitors to feel as if they have actually visited the country and to have a total experience that can't be gained anywhere else. Ultimately, Kuma sees Expo 2025 as a platform for rethinking design and the natural world. 'The Expo will be an opportunity to showcase new urban forms and possibilities in an age of environmental crisis. Visitors [can] consider what the relationship between architecture and nature should be.' Saudi Arabia pavilion: Foster + Partners Above A rendering of the Saudi Arabia pavilion (COURTESY OF FOSTER + PARTNERS) London-headquartered firm Foster + Partners, known for its technologically innovative work, is behind the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025—a design that marries tradition with forward-thinking modularity. 'We took inspiration from the scale of Saudi villages and their inherent response to human comfort. We studied the organisation and proportions of their streets and reinterpreted them in our pavilion design,' says Luke Fox, senior executive partner and head of studio at Foster + Partners. The journey through the pavilion gives visitors the experience of walking through a Saudi village. The pavilion is also a feat of sustainable engineering. 'We had 13 months to construct the pavilion, so we needed to establish a system that was as lightweight, sustainable and easy to build as possible,' says Fox. A standout innovation is the modular façade system—made from lightweight Saudi stone—that can be deconstructed, reassembled or reconfigured for future use. What's more, 'the way it has been designed and manufactured gives it the appearance of permanence'. This isn't Foster + Partners' first foray into Expo architecture; the firm designed the UAE and Qatar Pavilions for Expo 2020 Dubai. Reflecting on those projects, Fox says, 'Expos are a fantastic opportunity for countries to present themselves in the world spotlight.' For Saudi Arabia, the Expo pavilion is also a cultural bridge. 'It is designed to create meaningful connections between the Japanese public and Saudi Arabia's ancient history, recent progress and incredible artists and musicians—engaging all of the senses—and allowing visitors to experience the true spirit of the kingdom.' Singapore pavilion: DP Architects Above The Singapore pavilion (Photo: Finbarr Fallon, courtesy of The Singapore Pavilion, Expos 2025 Osaka) Above The Singapore pavilion (Photo: Finbarr Fallon, courtesy of The Singapore Pavilion, Expos 2025 Osaka) Above The Singapore pavilion (Photo: Finbarr Fallon, courtesy of The Singapore Pavilion, Expos 2025 Osaka) Singapore-based DP Architects' Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025 presents a vision of the island that's compact yet liveable, highly innovative and sustainable, and deeply rooted in community and place. 'The Singapore Pavilion is a larger-than-life manifestation of 'a little red dot'—a term of endearment that symbolises Singapore's outsized impact and high aspirations,' says Seah Chee Huang, CEO of DP Architects and architecture lead for the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025. 'It reflects the city-state's relentless pursuit of innovation, resilience and sustainable solutions.' At the heart of the pavilion is The Dream Sphere, a centrepiece that embodies Singapore's collective hope for a more inclusive and thriving future. Clad in recycled aluminium discs that contain 70 per cent post-consumer waste, the façade draws inspiration from seigaiha , the traditional Japanese wave motif, and alludes to the Japanese practice of hanging wooden plaques inscribed with wishes. 'This symbolises not just the culmination of dreams but also the collective desire to turn these dreams into reality as one united nation,' Seah says. Sustainability is one of the pavilion's guiding principles. The structure integrates water-saving systems, renewable energy and pieces designed for their ease of assembly and disassembly, intended for reuse after the Expo. 'The pavilion showcases how Singapore strives to push boundaries in building a more sustainable and inclusive world,' says Seah.
Tatler Asia
20-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Life lessons and more with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa: 'You have to learn from everything in life'
The restaurant did not take long to turn heads–the world took notice. Nobu's signature Peruvian- Japanese creations shocked, surprised and impressed foodies around LA, including a range of Hollywood celebrities. Actor Robert De Niro became a regular patron and spent years courting chef Nobu, convincing him to partner up for a new restaurant venture in New York City. After much back-and-forth, Nobu took the leap of faith and the eponymous Nobu restaurant concept was born. Nobu, New York, hit the ground running, quickly becoming one of the city's hottest dining destinations. The brand developed a cult-like following of loyal supporters and curious gourmands, encouraging the team to take things to extremely new heights, eventually launching Nobu hotels. Today, they have 46 hotels and over 50 restaurants and even expanded into residences. To think that this mega-enterprise stemmed from a passion for cooking is curious and beautiful. While it was a mountainous progression, it made sense since all of the sprouting branches of their diversified portfolio are rooted in a desire to serve and make people happy. Above Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (Photo: Sonny Thakur) However, success did not come without its challenges–failure helped mould Nobu into the man he is today. He embraced the opportunity and started risk right down the barrel. In earlier days, Nobu rolled the dice and accepted a friend's offer to start a restaurant in Alaska. Still, after just 50 days, an electrical fire caused the establishment to burn down–an experience that Nobu dubbed one of his life's worst moments. However, he learnt crucial lessons from this setback: always maintain a positive mindset, learn from bad experiences and progress step by step. He believes that challenges are growth opportunities, and instead of being discouraged, he focuses on moving forward, even if it's just one millimetre at a time. This philosophy of resilience and continuous improvement has been fundamental to his success, teaching him to view obstacles as chances to learn and evolve rather than as roadblocks. See also: Fibre has entered the chat: why you need to eat more fibre (and how to do it) 'If I did not have this experience, maybe I wouldn't be here. I like to take something from bad experiences. I learn from them, you know. I'm always thinking positively. I don't want to be negative. You have to learn from everything in life, and I don't want life to go by too quickly. I like to go one-by-one, step-by-step, even one millimetre.' Nobu underscores the importance of not letting life pass you by, telling us to be mindful and appreciative of every moment, from the major to the minuscule. When he started, he wasn't sure that the fusion of Peruvian and Japanese food would be accepted, but he did it anyway. He listened, refined and presented the public with something unseen. 'Food is like fashion,' he told Tatler. Through this comparison, Nobu conveyed that every chef has their style and that people won't know what flavours they will love or what outfits may look good on them until they try them. 'People are always looking for something new,' he stated, sharing why he was bold enough to venture into something untested. 'Good food is good food. People want good food,' he said, underscoring the power of a great product. No matter how alien a dish may seem at first, delicious is delicious in any language. See also: May 2025 Dining Radar: New restaurants, cafés, and bars to try this month With every great idea, you need strong execution. Chef Nobu has abided by the culture of sustainability his entire life; it is, in fact, the backbone of his cooking. It was never a trend but a practice to live by to him. As someone who loves food and dramatically admires the farmers, producers, and ingredients, minimising waste makes him happy and pays respect to each level of the supply chain. By making the most out of the produce they have, engaging in head-to-tail cooking, and using vegetable scraps and byproducts in inventive ways, such as in sauces or with other cooking methods, he and the team not only become more efficient but also more innovative. Above Chef Nobu Matsuhisa (Photo: Sonny Thakur) Teamwork lies at the heart of Nobu's success, driving the growth of a company that spans the globe. By cultivating a corporate culture that is both welcoming and disciplined, he fosters strong connections between peers and leaders, creating a dynamic environment that not only encourages collaboration but also nurtures employee loyalty. This unity has led to a devoted team of long-time staff, deeply aligned with the brand's ethos, who now lead outposts and teams worldwide, ensuring that Nobu's vision remains consistent everywhere. Moreover, teamwork provides an invaluable opportunity for continuous learning, further strengthening the foundation of this remarkable enterprise. 'I have often hit the wall and had big problems but never stopped.' He tells all younger chefs starting in the industry or anyone looking for additional motivation, 'Keep going and always dream big. Just do it. Don't fret about the mistakes or the failures. You will learn what works and what does not. Don't stop, don't give up, and keep learning. Life is not short. Life is long. Enjoy it, and do your best.'
