Hotel Review: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa – Huge Property North of Phuket

Tucked along the quiet shores of Thailand’s Andaman coast, JW Marriott Khao Lak Beach Resort & Spa offers a slower, more spacious alternative to Phuket’s high-energy resort scene. Located about an hour and a half north of Phuket International Airport, the resort is perhaps the largest in the entire province of Phang Nga and is best known for its enormous lagoon-style pool that winds through the property and connects many of the guest rooms directly to the water.

Everyone knows Phuket but not many know about Khao Lak. I have to admit, despite countless visits to Thailand, I had never heard of Khao Lak until 2025 when JW Marriott Khao Lak first entered my radar. The province of Phang Nga, where the property is located is sparsely populated and mostly rural. It boasts of a long coastline and a mountainous interior. 

During my stay, I experienced one of the resort’s most sought-after room categories — the Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access — while also exploring several of its dining outlets and facilities.

The resort is huge and I had to get my bearings when I first arrived. Reception handed me a map which I used to navigate the many dining outlets, facilities as well the different wings. My room was at the northern side of the resort. 

Room — Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access

The Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access rooms are one of the highlights of the resort. Instead of simply overlooking the pool, these rooms open directly onto the resort’s iconic lagoon pool system.

The room itself is spacious at 60 square meters and designed in a contemporary Thai style with warm wood tones and neutral colors. A comfortable king bed sits at the center of the room, though the actual size of the bed seemed much bigger than a king. It is worth noting that the resort first opened in 2009, with subsequent renovations done in 2020. As such, my room did not have the power outlets at either side of the bed console tables or smart lighting features that one finds in newer properties though I could spot plenty of outlets in other parts of the room.

The sheer size of the room allowed for multiple seating formats, including a couch wide enough to double as a day bed, a couple of chairs by a round table as well as loungers by the balcony. I like that the room features wooden floors, in keeping with Thai sensibilities, and is only minimally carpeted.

The bathroom, which can be entered through a traditional door or a sliding door directly next to the bed, features a large soaking tub, rain shower and a separate enclosure for the toilet. Toiletries are from Aromatherapy Associates.

But the real star here is the private terrace.

Sliding doors open onto a furnished patio with sun loungers and immediate access to the lagoon pool. From here, you can step straight into the water and swim along the winding pool that runs through much of the resort.

It creates a uniquely relaxed resort rhythm: morning swims right outside your room, cooling off in the afternoon heat with a quick dip, and quiet evenings by the water as the resort winds down for the night.

For guests who enjoy spending time in the pool without dealing with crowded main pools, this room category is easily one of the best choices at the property.

Dining

I am quite used to dealing with 1, 2 or 3 dining outlets in most of the hotels I’ve stayed in but I have to say, this is the first time I have seen no less than 8 dining outlets in one hotel. JW Marriott Khao Lak is very much a self-contained property and guests can very well spend a few days without ever leaving its confines. I stayed for 2 nights so I only got to try roughly 3 of the dining outlets, sans the one where breakfast is served. 

Olive — Italian Restaurant

Olive serves as the resort’s Italian restaurant and offers a menu of classic Mediterranean dishes including pasta, pizza and grilled meats.

The setting is elegant yet relaxed, with warm lighting and a comfortable dining atmosphere that works well for dinner after a day by the pool or beach. There is both an indoor and alfresco section, the latter faces the beach and gets booked out quite fast. During Saturday nights, they hold a La Festa buffet which showcases some of their specialties including several types of cheeses, grilled meats, pizza and pasta made a la minute. The quality and variety surely did not feel like a buffet in rural Thailand and in one of its least populated provinces. For someone used to eating Italian food, I have to say Olive’s was quite authentic. 

Drift — Beachfront Bar & Grill

Located right by the beach, by the northwestern edge of the resort, Drift is one of the most atmospheric dining spots in the property.

This casual beachfront venue serves steaks and grilled seafood, light bites and drinks with views of the Andaman Sea. It’s an ideal place to unwind with a cocktail while watching the sunset. The steaks here are exceptional as well and I also enjoyed the Steamed Local Crabmeat starter. 

Waterfront — Breakfast

Breakfast is served at Waterfront, the resort’s main all-day dining restaurant.

The buffet is extensive and caters to an international crowd. You’ll find everything from Western breakfast staples such as eggs, pastries, and cereals to Asian selections including noodles, rice dishes, and local Thai specialties.

Fresh tropical fruits are a highlight and the live cooking stations ensure eggs are prepared to order. The eggs are notably laid in the resort’s JW Garden.

Given the size of the resort, the breakfast area can get busy during peak hours, but the large dining space helps keep the experience comfortable. Guests can also choose to have their breakfast in Olive instead, where it is an adults-only venue for the morning meal. The food is the same, but unbeknownst to most guests, Olive has a full-fledge espresso machine so the coffee here is better than at Waterfront. 

Sala — Casual Poolside Dining

Sala is one of the resort’s more relaxed dining venues, set conveniently by the pool and designed for easy, casual meals throughout the day. The menu leans towards approachable, crowd-pleasing options — from Thai favorites to international comfort food like burgers, pizzas, and light bites — making it especially suitable for a laid-back lunch between swims. The atmosphere is informal and family-friendly with a breezy, open setting that fits seamlessly into the resort’s poolside lifestyle, making it a convenient go-to spot when you don’t want to stray too far from the water. Specialties here include their Nasi Goreng and their wide range of healthy smoothies. 

Facilities

One of the defining features of JW Marriott Khao Lak is its massive lagoon pool, often described as one of the longest resort pools in Southeast Asia. The pool winds through the property and connects various sections of the resort, creating a visually striking centerpiece.

Beyond the pool, the resort offers a long stretch of quiet beachfront facing the Andaman Sea. There’s no shortage here of loungers. There is even an adults sunbathing area near Olive. 

The property also has a large fitness center that extends across three halls – one for cardio, another for strength and resistance training and also a studio for yoga and Thai boxing classes. 

Because the resort sits on a large plot of land, it never feels overly crowded even when occupancy is high. There are certain crowded areas, especially those near the water slides or the area near the kids center but it is never difficult to find a quiet nook from which to relax. 

The resort also maintains its own JW Garden, a large organic garden that supplies fresh herbs, vegetables and edible flowers to the resort’s restaurants. Spanning a significant portion of the property, the garden grows ingredients such as basil, chili, lemongrass, eggplant and other seasonal produce used in dishes across the resort’s dining outlets. The resort also has a number of farm animals such as chicken, goats and cows. Guests are welcome to walk or cycle through the garden or join guided tours to learn more about how the produce is cultivated and incorporated into the resort’s farm-to-table dining concept. It adds a thoughtful sustainability element to the overall resort experience.

Another unique feature of the resort is its Bamboo Shark Nursery & Conservation Center, often referred to by guests as the “Baby Shark Center.” The program, developed in partnership with the Oceans For All Foundation, helps breed and raise bamboo sharks — a species native to the Andaman Sea that has become threatened due to overfishing and habitat destruction. At the center, fertilized shark eggs are incubated and the young sharks are nurtured in protected tanks until they are large enough to be released back into the ocean. Guests can visit the educational center, meet the resident marine biologist and even take part in releasing juvenile sharks into the wild, making it both a memorable and meaningful experience during a stay at the resort.

Verdict

JW Marriott Khao Lak Beach Resort & Spa stands out as one of the most complete resort experiences in southern Thailand.

The Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access room is easily one of the best ways to experience the property, allowing guests to enjoy the iconic lagoon pool right from their doorstep.

Dining options are varied, with restaurants like Olive, Sala, Drift and Waterfront covering a wide spectrum of cuisines and dining settings, from beachfront casual meals to more refined evening dining.

Combined with its expansive pool, quiet beachfront and family-friendly resort-style facilities, JW Marriott Khao Lak is particularly well suited for travelers and families seeking a tropical escape away from the crowds of Phuket.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa
41/12 Moo 3 Khuk Khak
Khao Lak, Takua Pa District
Phang Nga 82220, Thailand