We Review JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa + the NEW JW Garden

If you need a family getaway, the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa in Thailand ticks all the right boxes. Nestled along the pristine shores of Khao Lak, the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa beckons families to a world of luxury and relaxation amidst natural splendour. 

Just a 2-hour flight from Singapore to Phuket International Airport, followed by a picturesque 1.5-hour drive, transports you to the tranquil retreat of JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. From the instant you arrive on the verdant grounds, you are embraced by a serene oasis designed to fulfil every need of families seeking the ultimate getaway.

Read on for our review of the resort, its family-friendly facilities and the brand-new JW Garden - a haven of greenery for sensory connections with the natural world.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

You might be tempted to stay in Phuket, but venture a little further and Khao Lak promises unparalleled views and experiences. As you arrive at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, the first thing that strikes you is its architecture seamlessly blending modern elegance with traditional Thai influences. 

The grand entrance is adorned with intricate details and lush greenery, setting the stage for a truly indulgent experience. Expect a Thai welcome with local music, welcome drinks and a short glimpse of what is to follow – a holiday that will leave you relaxed and refreshed. 

Don’t forget to get a glimpse of the legendary pool! Stretching languidly across the landscape, it is not just any pool— this is the longest in Southeast Asia spanning 2.5 kilometres. It also houses a family zone, an aqua playground with a wave pool, water trampoline, Jacuzzis and the Infinity and Aquamarine swim-up bars. Flanked by palm trees and overlooking the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, the expansive aquatic paradise promises endless hours of joy and relaxation for guests of all ages.

NEW! JW Garden - Immersive Natural Experiences, Animal Encounters & More

Say hello to the all-new JW Garden, an innovative initiative dedicated to holistic wellness, sustainability, conservation, and immersive nature experiences. JW Garden is a thriving farm and sanctuary spread across 27 acres and focused on ethical sourcing. With over 200 indigenous plants, fruits, and herbs varieties, guests can join guided tours to explore the lush vegetation and learn about organic farming. Free-range chickens and ducks provide fresh eggs daily, while butterflies and honeybees provide organic honey for resort breakfasts. 

These organic ingredients are carefully harvested and incorporated into the resort's cuisine, enhancing the flavours across JW Marriott Khao Lak's restaurants. 

The JW Garden's signature initiative focuses on reintroducing the Nipa Palm, locally known as "cha:k," a native Thai species with ecological and economic importance, thriving in mangrove forests. This palm, used for various purposes from roofing to sugar production, enriches biodiversity and promotes sustainability by reforesting former shrimp farmlands. 

Guests can look forward to a range of activities at the JW Garden, including bird-watching, kayaking, and hands-on experiences like planting and harvesting herbs. They can engage with the JW Garden through daily tours led by resident environmentalists, meet farm animals like water buffaloes and goats and learn about the hotel’s conservation efforts. 

Plus, a new running track surrounded by a freshwater lake offers a refreshing way to experience the landscape's biodiversity. You can also head to The Yoga Shala and Lagoon Escape to spend some tranquil time in nature.

Rooms for Days Full of Fun

At JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, rooms are designed for comfort and long days of holiday bliss. Whether you opt for a standard guest room or a private villa, you will find modern amenities and stylish decor to complement your stay. Each room offers views of the gardens, the Andaman Sea, or comes connected to the resort’s pool, providing a peaceful setting to unwind no matter the time of the day.

Families will love the Pool Access room that boasts a private terrace with direct entry to the expansive pool network. Flooded with natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, these rooms showcase contemporary Thai-style furnishings and authentic local decor topped up with modern amenities. 

Reminiscent of a villa rather than your usual hotel room, the Pool Access room offers a generous king-sized bed, a sofa bed and ample space for the little ones to spread out. The bathroom is a peaceful haven by itself. A marbled bathtub, accompanied by exquisite Thai decor, and double vanities, is designed to reimagine spa living to a luxurious level. 

Guests can seamlessly transition from their room to the winding tropical waterways and the family zone or pool slide, discovering hidden spots along the journey. Try your hand at Sea Boxing, where two boxers sit astride a pole and knock each other off into the pool! Or, beat the heat with the Splash Dunk Challenge, where you sit on a collapsable bench above a tank of water, while others try to hit a target and send you dunking.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the JW Boat offering refreshing coconuts as it navigates the lagoon, providing the perfect accompaniment to sunset views from your terrace.

Food Delights at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

At JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, you will find a variety of dining options to suit every taste. From casual poolside dining to upscale restaurants, it is one of the few resorts in Asia that has a comprehensive food and beverage offering; each surpassing the other in terms of creativity, taste and design. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine at Ta-Krai where guests can savour traditional Thai dishes that are expertly prepared using the freshest ingredients.

Olive, on the other hand, transports diners to the heart of Italy with its wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, and classic Italian dishes. 

For those seeking stunning ocean views, Waterfront offers the perfect setting for your daily breakfast, a sumptuous spread of all things healthy, decadent and fresh! You will find dishes from every part of the world, including staples from Asia, and menus to cater to all dietary restrictions.  

In addition to these culinary gems, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa also offers a variety of bars and lounges where guests can unwind with a refreshing cocktail or a light snack. From poolside bars serving up tropical concoctions to cosy lounges offering panoramic views of the resort, there's no shortage of options for guests to relax and indulge in their favourite dishes.

Bamboo Shark Nursery & Conservation Center 

The Bamboo Shark Nursery at JW Marriott Khao Lak is a special place where baby bamboo sharks are cared for, protected and released into their native space. In collaboration with the Oceans For All Foundation (OFA), this sanctuary serves as a haven for the threatened bamboo sharks of the Andaman Sea. 

The Bamboo Shark Nursery provides a safe and nurturing environment for bamboo shark babies, offering them protection during their vulnerable early stages of life. Through responsible management practices and expert care, the sanctuary aims to support the growth and development of these magnificent creatures, ensuring their survival for generations to come.

In addition to its conservation efforts, the Bamboo Shark Nursery also serves as an educational hub, raising awareness about marine conservation and the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems. Guests can participate in guided tours and interactive experiences, learning about the fascinating world of sharks and the critical role they play in maintaining healthy oceans.

Kids Club, Activities and Games Room

At JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, the fun never stops for families! Kids can dive into a world of excitement at the Kids Club, where they can unleash their creativity with arts and crafts(including freestyle wall painting!), embark on thrilling adventures, and make new friends under the watchful eye of their friendly and well-trained staff. Meanwhile, older kids and teens can challenge each other to epic battles in the games room, packed with the latest gaming consoles, foosball table, pool and classic board games for endless entertainment.

You can also enjoy bike rentals and discover the beauty of Khao Lak, enjoy some sports like tennis and football or take on some of the water sports offered at the beach. Speaking of, the beach at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is one of the cleanest stretches of long sand we have seen in Phuket. Clean and offering ample opportunity to lounge and relax, it is the perfect location for that summer best-seller and tropical cocktail!

Pro Tips for the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Whether you are a first-time guest or returning for another visit, the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is dedicated to ensuring you have a fantastic stay. However, if you are looking for some insider tips to enhance your holiday experience, we have you covered!

1. Getting there

The drive from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak is easy and escapes the maddening traffic of Phuket City. You will pass through farmland and villages, giving a view of Thai kampong life and a more simplified existence. There are several restaurants and groceries(7-Eleven) on the way to stock up on drinks and light snacks to accompany hungry travellers en route. We highly recommend booking the hotel’s transportation which is priced competitively and offers cold water, refreshing wipes and quality air conditioning in a comfortable, large vehicle –  especially when ride-shares can be a hit or a miss in Phuket! 

2. Accommodation

If you are travelling with little kids we highly recommend booking the Pool Access Room. Not only will it give you ample space to spread out, but it will also allow you to jump directly into the pool – ideal for long summer days! For extra squeals of excitement request rooms near the water slide or pool trampoline. And if you are travelling sans kids, we would suggest staying further afield to avoid playground noise. 

3. Breakfast

The breakfast at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is perhaps the most extensive hotel spread we have seen to date. Enjoy a variety of buffet specials, made-to-order dishes and plenty of regional cuisine designed to suit every palette. Our favourite? The fruit corner was generously laden with the best of season fruits including a sour version of the Thai Mango and accompanying local flavoured salts to enjoy. 

4. Oh, the Food! 

It is rare to find a beach resort that has as many restaurants and food options as the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. Make sure to indulge in a dinner or two at Ta-Krai where traditional Thai dishes are served in a beautiful setting. Must-eat’s here include the Crab in yellow curry and the Mango with stick rice!

Also consider visiting the Japanese restaurant Sakura for delicious Teppanyaki and Sushi, as well as the Italian kitchen Olive, with its flavourful pasta and pizza dishes. 

5. Kids Club at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Open to children between the ages of 4-12, the Kids Club by JW offers games, a ball pit, wall painting and a roster of activities to keep them entertained. For teens, there is a lineup of video games, consoles, pool tables, bikes and other options available in the adjacent sports room. Babysitting services are also available for smaller children. A must-attend is the Magic Show and workshop where the resident Magician takes your kids through tips and tricks for performing their show. 

6. Pizza Making

The Kids Activity Programme offers a daily calendar of events and workshops for children of all ages. Make sure to find time for the pizza-making workshop with Chef Enzo. Children will learn to ply their dough, roll and set it, choose their favourite toppings and watch these masterpieces come alive in a traditional pizza oven. They also get to enjoy these culinary delights after the class and in the company of other little ones. Chef Enzo is a hit amongst the young crowd, injecting the right amount of fun and humour while doling out valuable recipe tips(for adults too!). He also presents certificates at the end of the class to all junior chefs!

7. JW Farm

 For families that live in cities such as Singapore, the JW Farm offers a next-to-nature experience like none other. From sustainable farming to watching their favourite vegetables and herbs grow, this is truly a farm-to-table concept that little children can understand. Highlights include petting and feeding animals such as the Buffalo, goats and chickens. Ask the staff for details on their planned activities and enjoy this natural immersive experience.

8. Bamboo Shark Nursery

The marine sanctuary is open to all ages and is a wonderful way to learn about the life cycle of bamboo sharks. The resident biologist takes you through an interactive learning centre, complete with actual sharks in various stages of their life cycle – from incubation of eggs all the way to release. For extra cool views of sharks in incubation, ask the Marine Biologist to flash a light through the eggs. Your kids will be talking about it for months at school!

9. Access to local activities

Beyond the hotel’s activities, you can also sign up for external excursions and visit nearby points of interest. These include bike tours, elephant sanctuary visits and diving at nearby islands. And while the hotel’s spa is worth the indulgence, if you need local massage options, just walk north of the hotel beach and you will see plenty of massage beds on the beach. You can also relax with a beer and local snacks, as well as get your braids done! 

10. Marshmallow Roasting

 Pre-dinner, make sure to head to the beach for the nightly Marshmallow Roasting. A great way to make new friends and enjoy gorgeous sunsets, you might want to keep coming back for more, every night!

11. Late Checkout

Finally, if you don’t want to spend too much time at the Phuket airport, consider the Late Checkout Room available at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. Housed near the kids club and the Deli, you will have shared access to washrooms, a lounge and other facilities to keep you occupied while you get ready for your return journey.

Book your next holiday to Phuket at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. 41/12 Moo 3 Khuk Khak, Takua Pa District, Phang Nga, Thailand 82220. Phone: (+66) 76584 888. 

We hope you enjoyed reading about this Thailand holiday experience. For more destination guides and real hotel reviews, remember to take a look at our Travel Section.