Play and stay at Asia's theme park hotels

For families, top theme parks are holiday destinations in themselves, often worth days of entertainment. When it comes to hotels, the no-brainer answer is what’s available within the park. These accommodations serve as continuations of the parks, offering just as much fun, luxury and escapism. Here are Asia’s top theme park hotels providing an immersive experience.

Ocean Park, Hong Kong

Ocean Park Marriott Hotel

Proudly made in Hong Kong, Ocean Park  has been thrilling locals and visitors alike since 1977. With more than 80 attractions on-site, including four hair-raising roller coasters and animal features such as a giant panda enclosure, an aquarium and a penguin house, you’ll be hard pressed to cover it all in one day, even when using the famous cable car that runs 1.5 kilometres between its two main sections.

For the first time, visitors can stay on-site, with Ocean Park Marriott Hotel’s opening last month. Standout features include the 16-metre cylindrical aquarium in the lobby, a lagoon pool, a lush tropical garden, a spa and an array of Chinese and Western dining options, many offering outdoor seating. The 471 rooms are tasteful and minimalist, with only subtle clues to the park’s sea theme. They’re designed to maximise both space and natural light, resulting in a relaxing, luxurious escape from the park’s crowds.

Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

Treetop Lofts

Resorts World Sentosa  packs a hefty amount of amusements into one area, including Universal Studios Singapore , Adventure Cove Water Park , a Trick Eye Museum  and the S.E.A. Aquarium . With so much to do, it’s no surprise that Sentosa has numerous theme park hotels to choose among, each with its own style and theme. The most exclusive and spectacular are the two Treetop Lofts, perched 12 metres above ground in a canopy of tropical forest, with spa bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. A butler takes care of your every whim, including the perfectly mixed gin and tonic delivered to your private terrace. If sea life is more your thing, the 12 Ocean Suites are tucked against the aquarium and feature a glass wall that provides a view into this underwater showcase.

Shanghai Disney Resort, China

Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland’s Shanghai  edition opened in 2016 as a sprawling park three times the size of Hong Kong’s. There’s so much to do that it can get overwhelming – but the two theme park hotels will help you recharge to do it all again the next day.

For a refined stay with a sprinkling of pixie dust, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel  offers plush, spacious rooms, decked out with furnishings reminiscent of an English manor house. Favourite Disney films are present throughout the hotel, which includes a Little Mermaid-themed heated indoor pool, a play area with Lion King characters and restaurants inspired by scenes in Fantasia and Beauty and the Beast, with characters greeting guests during mealtimes. Meanwhile, the playful Toy Story Hotel features rooms and suites cheerily bedecked with characters from all three Toy Story films, while food court dining ensures there’s something to suit all tastes come mealtime.

Legoland Malaysia Resort

Legoland Hotel

Just across the border from Singapore, Legoland Malaysia  is 76 acres of attractions inspired by the beloved plastic bricks. As with most theme parks, it features rides, games and outdoor spaces, the key being that most settings look like they’ve been built with Lego. There is even a water park of wave pools, twisting slides and a meandering lazy river to bob along in an innertube. For the full Lego experience, stay at the charming Legoland Hotel , resembling a toy brick castle. It offers rooms in one of four themes: Pirate, Ninjago, Adventure and Kingdom. You’ll find delightful touches like brick-built geckos, parrots and spiders as decor, themed toiletries and toy-like furnishings. All rooms also include in-room treasure hunts and – what else? – a big box of Lego to play with.