JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa

Viorica Vasile

I was really looking forward to a lovely stay at this resort, and while there were some enjoyable moments, a few aspects didn’t quite meet expectations. The weather wasn’t great for a few days, which limited some of the outdoor activities—but of course, that’s no one’s fault. When I finally had the chance to visit the beach bar, I was looking forward to relaxing, though I did end up waiting about 25 minutes for a drink, which was a bit disappointing. The pool could have been better maintained, as it didn’t feel as clean as you’d expect from a resort of this standard. One thing I noticed was that when private events were happening, like parties, some areas such as the restaurant were closed off, and it felt like more attention was given to those events than to regular guests. It took away a bit from the overall experience. Also, the prices here are on the higher side, especially compared to two other places we stayed during the same trip, which offered more consistent service and amenities. That said, the setting is beautiful and there’s definitely potential here. With a few improvements in service and guest prioritization, this could easily become the top-tier experience it aims to be.

Jen Pan

Outstanding resort! We stayed 6 nights and had a very relaxing time. The resort is beautiful, with lush gardens, a meandering pool, and plenty of facilities. We stayed in June which is the rainy season but it didn’t keep us from wandering the beach and enjoying the resort and Khao Lak. The beach is clean and quiet-there are a few restaurants along the beach outside the hotel with decent food and refreshments if you are not eating at the hotel restaurants. The service at the hotel is outstanding, no matter where you are in the hotel you are greeted and welcomed. The breakfast buffet has many offerings and good coffee. I like how the resort has separate adult and family areas. There is also a complementary shuttle to and from the night market and Khao Lak Center which is very convenient as the resort is a little far from town. We will definitely return!

Dinesh Mirpuri (D'Gaia)

5 stars to the staff. Aof and Fon. 5 stars - Lovely rooms. Still beautiful after all these years. 2 stars - Only downside is they don't know how to control the volume from the music. Asked for a quiet room and was put in 3220 and for 2 days was perfect on 3rd day music from the pool bar which is outside the balcony. Was quiet for 2 days. Some zones of the hotel should be dedicated to quiet spaces so guests can relax instead of always being bombarded with music. Theme is to relax and reconnect with nature.

Sameer Rattonsey

Review of Marriott Khao Lak We recently stayed at the Marriott in Khao Lak, and overall, the property was stunning. The resort boasts a private beach, which was absolutely lovely—perfect for relaxing and taking in the serene surroundings. The food options were fantastic, with a variety of delicious choices, and the cocktails were just as impressive. Service was also excellent, making for an enjoyable stay—at least at first. Now, onto the most shocking part of our experience. We were staying in one of the pool-level rooms when we noticed a huge monitor lizard sitting right outside on our porch. To our disbelief, it then jumped into the pool, swam across to the other end, and calmly exited into the bushes. While we understand that nature is part of the experience in Thailand, having a large reptile swimming in the same pool as guests, including young children, was alarming. We immediately informed the hotel staff and management, showing them pictures and videos of what had happened. Instead of taking our concerns seriously, they casually dismissed the situation, insisting that these lizards were harmless. Really? So it’s acceptable for them to be swimming with guests and families in the main pool? We were absolutely shocked by how indifferent the staff was and took it upon ourselves to warn other guests to be extra cautious, especially those with kids playing in the pool. While the resort itself is undeniably beautiful, this experience left us feeling extremely disappointed. The lack of urgency and concern from management regarding guest safety was unacceptable. Marriott Khao Lak is a great place to stay—but be prepared to share the pool with unexpected wildlife.

Krish Santhirakanthan

We stayed at JW Marriott Khao Lak for four nights with our two little ones and we must say — we had an absolute ripper of a time! The staff were amazing across the board. Special shoutout to Partha, the bartender at the Infinity Pool Bar, who went above and beyond every single day during happy hour, crafting amazing cocktails with a smile. Hani, the Indian chef, deserves a mention too — the Indian dishes at breakfast were absolutely delicious and spot on. We did experience an issue during our stay (which we prefer not to disclose), but Rashdan, the Front Office Manager, handled it with exceptional professionalism, integrity, and care. His attention to guest satisfaction truly stood out and made all the difference. A few small points for improvement: Sala Restaurant could definitely use a revamp — we found most of the food there quite bland. On the other hand, Olive (the Italian) and The Waterfront were excellent and hit the mark perfectly. All in all, a fantastic experience. We’ll definitely be back. Big thanks to Rashdan and the team for making our stay so memorable!