JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa

Alex P

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this so-called “premium” hotel was more style than substance. A staff member courteously opened our car door only to vanish into thin air, leaving us awkwardly unloading our suitcases alongside the driver. For a hotel that prides itself on luxury, this was an astonishing misstep right out of the gate. Instead of a refreshing drink, we were handed an overly sweet, artificial-tasting ice cream that seemed more like a child’s birthday party favor than a thoughtful welcome. Not exactly the elegant arrival one would expect. After requesting an upgrade because it wasn’t offered we were told it would be arranged. However, when we returned later, it was obvious no one had taken action. We sat waiting for nearly two hours until frustration led us back to the front desk to push for answers. The upgraded room was finally given to us, but the lack of communication and coordination left a bitter taste. Our room, while offering direct pool access, was small and uncomfortably humid. Worse still, the floor remained perpetually damp with no mats or towels provided for guests coming in from the pool just soggy footprints trailing from the door to the shower. A detail that seems so basic, yet was completely overlooked. Cleanliness was another major letdown. Dust lined the floor and even clung to dishes in the room an unforgivable flaw in a hotel that markets itself as luxurious. But the most shocking discovery? No bidet or hygiene spray in the bathroom. In Asia, this is almost unthinkable. For a region that values cleanliness, the absence of such a standard fixture was truly astonishing and, frankly, unacceptable. Noise was a constant companion throughout our stay. Thin walls meant every sound from neighboring rooms echoed loudly, and nearby construction only added to the chaos. Mornings were particularly dreadful. The breakfast area felt more like a crowded theme park cafeteria than a relaxing dining space. Swarms of noisy families, children darting between tables, and a general sense of disorder made for an exhausting experience before the day even began. To be fair, the staff remained consistently warm and welcoming—smiling through the chaos and the hotel does feature a great gym and a long lap pool that’s perfect for a real swim. Dinner was surprisingly good as well, with dishes that were flavorful and well-presented. Still, I couldn’t be more relieved that we only booked for one night. Any longer, and this trip would’ve become a test of endurance rather than a holiday. This hotel might work for families with energetic kids, but if you’re seeking peace, comfort, or anything resembling true premium quality look elsewhere.

Genie & Gabby

Nice resort overall with some great highlights and a few areas for improvement. The pools are fantastic and the setup right by the ocean is really beautiful. We stayed in the family poolside room which was lovely, though it did feel a bit cramped for our family of four once they added the two extra beds. One of our favorite discoveries was stumbling upon the gorgeous garden area while riding around on bikes - it’s absolutely beautiful! They really should advertise this more. Actually, that’s a theme here - they mention having yoga, Pilates, and other activities, but we couldn’t seem to find any information about them during our stay. The breakfast situation was pretty disappointing. Super crowded, noisy, and just not a pleasant experience. The staff there seemed overwhelmed and rushed, which is such a contrast to the rest of the resort where everyone was genuinely great and had those famous Thai smiles. The beach right in front of the hotel is stunning, but if you walk just a little bit to either side, it gets really dirty with tons of plastic bottles and trash everywhere. A little cleanup effort would make such a huge difference. Overall a good stay, just some missed opportunities to make it truly excellent.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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!

Tzachi Shahak

The JW Marriott in Khao Lak is one of the best hotels that I have visited in so far. It seems that everything in this hotel was well planned and thought about in order to make your stay pleasant and fun. All the staff members are nice and proactively trying to assist with any matter. We had a room with a pool access, which is extraordinary and extremely fun as you always have access to enjoy the pool and you can swim your way around the hotel. The breakfast is rich, offering any breakfast dish, shakes and whatever that you can imagine, including a frozen yogurt. No doubt that we will pay another visit to this hotel.

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.