JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

The stay itself was mediocre and rather disappointing in every way, but still I wasn't going to write anything. What got me writing this review is that we sadly left behind a pouch with 3 valueable cosmetics devices, which "disappeared" even though we informed the staff of this just several hours after we check out. My recommendation: if for some reason you must stay there, don't unpack - keep your items in the luggage at all times, except when using them.

Fabulous Hotel, beautifully laid out and the access to pool via our room was worth the extra cost. Staff was very nice and helpful, I recommend booking your excursions directly through the hotel at the Go vacation desk. This made the trip so easy.

Best in Thailand! 2km pool, amazing beach, spacious rooms & endless kids' activities. Songkran & fire shows were magic.

We stayed at the JW Marriott Khao Lak at the end of March / beginning of April as a family of four (with a 1.5-year-old and a 5-year-old), and we honestly had the most fantastic time—we would return in a heartbeat. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The facilities are outstanding, and the recently refurbished kids club is absolutely incredible. The staff there are so warm and attentive, and the design is stunning—honestly, we joked that we’d love to rebuild our home to look exactly like it, complete with jungle gym! Our room was perfect. We were placed near the splash pool area, which made everything so convenient—short walking distances to all the key spots, including the beach. It’s a beautiful resort to walk around, and even as an active family, we found everything very accessible. One absolute highlight was the JW Marriott farm—definitely worth visiting one morning with the children. It’s such a unique and thoughtful addition to the resort. The food was excellent throughout our stay. We opted for half board, and it was 100% the right choice for us, especially traveling with kids. Dinner at the resort was always high quality and very enjoyable. For lunch, we loved exploring the small beachside restaurants just outside the resort, and we treated ourselves to Thai massages there almost every day—highly recommended. The beach and water were beautiful, and we spent a lot of time in the pool. Interestingly, the pool water was quite warm—not the usual “cool off” experience—but it meant we could stay in for hours without ever getting cold, which we actually loved. If we had to suggest two small improvements: * A bit more evening entertainment (e.g., live music or shows) would be a great addition. The themed buffet nights and outdoor movie nights for kids (with popcorn under the stars!) are already fantastic, but a little more variety would make evenings even more special. * Slightly cooler pool temperatures would be refreshing—but again, this didn’t stop us from enjoying it endlessly. Overall, we absolutely loved everything—the staff, the resort, and Thailand as a destination. We’re already hoping to come back at the same time next year.

Khoa Lak is on a semi deserted beautiful stretch of beach on the Andaman Sea, about an hour and a half north of Phuket. It’s a five star resort with a lot of families. I was put off about it when I first arrived but we gradually got used to it. The staff regardless of role help to make the alluring Thailand experience come to life. Our housekeeper comes to mind. She was wonderful and made sure we had our ceremonial bowl for Sangkram. A genuine touch of kindness. The rooms are modern Thai with brown wood floors and a semi open concept bathroom. The complex is huge and you will do a lot of walking but you will get used to it. There are six restaurants, all good, with my favorite restaurant being the Thai restaurant Ta-Krai. Waitstaff are doting, caring, intuitive without being intrusive, with their main mission being to make sure that you enjoy your dining experience. I will be sorry to leave this bubble, but I will try to come back.