Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa

Jasmine Abbott

We stayed here on our last trip to Thailand 5 years ago. The stay was amazing. 5 years later EVERYTHING is below average at best. Having also stayed at The jw marriot in Khao lak, the renaissance isn’t even comparable. The jw marriot exceeds everything. The outside area has developed some what in the 5 years, there’s lost of areas to eat around the hotel in the evenings now which are walking distance. The good bits first, the rooms. We stayed in room 216 a standard twin. The house keeping is great. Rooms are clean, tidy and well kept. 10/10 for the rooms The hotel, the hotel itself is beautiful, the setting is lovely, the grounds man work hard to keep it tidy everyday. The pool is absolutely lovely and extremely clean. The lack of service is something the hotel really needs to work on. There’s hardly anyone ever around to take your order at the beach restaurant for drinks or food and everyday for the last week at least once a day I’ve had to go and get myself menus and go upto the bar to order. The food is extremely westernised. The menu doesn’t consist of much more than burgers and pizza. There is one pool boy running around like a headless chicken all day trying to tend to all the guests. I hope they appreciate this man’s efforts. ALL CUSHIONS AT ALL PARTS OF THE HOTEL ARE FILTHY!!!!!!!! The breakfast area, we’ve had to swap the cushions twice because they’re ripped, and the pool bar cushions are borderline disgusting. The food is average. The breakfast is average. The fish and chips (battered sea bass fillets) at the pool bar was extremely delightful. You can get by eating for two weeks but nothing to rave about. I think it’s a shame they’ve removed all boutique personal feel from the hotel - they’ve even replaced the hotel coffee shop with a Starbucks. It’s a real shame. I wouldn’t ever stay here again. The recent reviews also show the hotels decline.

Larisa-Claudia Duță

The resort offers a tropical, luxurious stay that truly deserves a spot on your bucket list. This was our (my husband’s and mine) second time on Phuket Island, and we chose to experience more of the resort lifestyle, as during our previous visit we focused on the island’s most popular and touristic spots. We tried several activities at the resort: the bike tour, three fire shows, SPA massages and facial treatments, and ping pong and board games. We also used the free shuttle to Mai Khao Plaza several times and bought souvenirs from local shops and from 7-Eleven. The food options are very good, even for vegetarians. I follow a vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free diet, and I was very happy with the available choices. Mr. Akalak Sungkarn, the executive sous chef, was incredible in helping me with breakfast options tailored to my needs. Many thanks to him! My only suggestion for improving the restaurant experience would be to include portion sizes on the menu, as it is hard to anticipate how big or small the dishes will be, and to better highlight the vegetarian options. Our room (Double Deluxe) was comfortable, very spacious, and spotless. Daily cleaning and filtered water were provided. When I asked for a smaller pillow at reception, it was offered immediately. I only wish there were smaller drawers available for miscellaneous items, not just large closets. The staff was always polite, friendly, and helpful, consistently putting guests’ comfort first. I sincerely applaud them and say thank you to the entire team! 🙏🏼 Khòp khun khâ! I wish I remembered everyone’s name to mention them here. The guys from the bike tour were very friendly and proactive; the restaurant staff, receptionists, security guards, pool attendants, and the cleaning lady (Noey) all did an amazing job - everyone. Mai Khao Beach is clean and safe for swimming. There are plenty of seating options, and clean towels are provided by the staff. You can also order drinks directly on the beach - I especially loved the coconut and pineapple options. A special highlight is the natural beauty of this place: the birds we heard every day, the colors of the sunset over the sea (yes, you can see it from the beach), the plants and trees, and the lagoon. This vacation truly feels like a retreat - a place where you can rest, have fun, be lazy, and feel completely pampered. I posted pictures and videos on Instagram: @larisaduta

Richard Thomas

I originally had a stay booked at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa but changed it based on reviews that described the Renaissance next door as the more private, adult-focused option. Multiple reviews suggested it offered a calmer, more refined atmosphere — closer in feel to places like Vana in Samui or The Sira in Lombok — despite being a Renaissance-branded resort. That portrayal doesn’t match reality. While the property itself is pleasant — modern rooms, well-kept grounds, and generally good service — the experience on the ground is very different from what those reviews imply. The pool is small and becomes crowded quickly. Even though there is a separate kids’ area and splash pool, the main pool is still overrun with children, which completely undermines the idea of a more adult-leaning or tranquil environment. On top of that, there’s a strong European 4-star package-holiday feel, including the familiar behaviour of sunbeds being “reserved” with towels for hours while no one is actually there. The overall atmosphere is busy and mass-market rather than calm or refined. It does not deliver the chilled, grown-up vibe that many reviews led me to expect. Bottom line: It’s a decent hotel, but it is not the relaxed, adult-focused retreat that reviews suggest. If you’re looking for something genuinely calm and grown-up in Phuket, there are much better options.

martin osicka

We expected more… Hotel belongs to Marriott’s resorts, that’s why we chose it. Unfortunately it didn’t fulfill our expectations. Fullboard package was messy, you’ll get just some paper card with “coupons” for the food. But everytime we went for the lunch/diner, nobody knows what this fullboard covers. For every food you wait cca one hour, for drinks 20 minutes. Breakfast is repetitive with no so much to choose from. Basket with fruit in our villa was not replenish during our stay. No refreshment during the day - you’ll get bottles of water in your room, but anywhere out of the apartment you have to pay for water (which is weird in country where is usually 30 degrees). For example, we had a diner in Takieng restaurant, where they charged us for bottle of still water and then, after 10 minutes one lady came and pour us a water from a jug. 🤪 But we also have to highlight some positives - definitely kind and diligent staff, location of the hotel (empty beach 🔝, not crowded), calm resort, amazing spa treatments, privacy within pool villa. Overall, our stay was good. But from 5* stars hotel and the price we paid we would’ve expected much more.

vasja hramec

Previously shared a fairly negative review due to bad experience with dining on our initial day of stay. But afterwards, the hotel staff managed a complete turnaround and gave us an excellent experience during our stay. Dining on all other days was superb. Especially the beach restaurant - a gentlemen named Pond is extremely polite, helpful and hospitable. Kudos for the great service to entire staff. Also the hotel is nice, well kept. Beach experience is lovely. All in all; great hotel. P.s. 4 stars on the “room” section is because the rooms really are stripped of all the amenities. I definitely suggest to hotel to improve the room equipment level; add amenities, add coffee machines and add pillow menu (poor quality of pillows).