Refurbished JW Marriott in Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Phang Nga, Thailand

JW Marriott in Khao Lak, the popular beach resort north of Phuket, has been open long enough to be a destination on its own, including for many returning guests. Combined with, for locals and westerners alike, a tropical paradise setting makes it all the more appealing. And now, its attraction will be even higher, since this Marriott property has in late 2020 just cut the ribbon following a makeover befitting its legendary brand. Guest rooms and suites have been extensively refurbished, and upon this visit the sprawling resort is also under expansion (including a beach club that is being readied on the neighbouring beachfront plot) and the spa being under renovation, so there is yet more to come for 2021!

The last stretch of the arrival down to the beach setting is via a local road, in a coconut palm landscape. JW Marriott reveals itself via an alley, paired with a row of historic Thai statues, coming upon a large pond with water lilies and frangipani flower trees. A few steps lead up into the refreshed, grandiose open-air lobby, adorned with beautiful and bespoke furniture: light-blue and mustard-coloured, oversized sofas, armchairs, and pillows, and antique Thai wood-carved statues of dancers. The tilting roof is supported by white pillars and dark brown timber beams. The floors are covered with brown wood veneer as well as bespoke waterjet marble that comes with beige-brown floral design.

From there an oversized pool stretching towards the beach, a large fountain at its centre, gardens and multiple hotel wings (also those with Buddhist temple roof elements on top) come into view. It all distinctly resembles a traditional Thai village with the expansive water flanked by gardens and traditional buildings, with this Thai temple-inspired roofline. For those who have travelled from afar and from big cities, this is quite a view to take in! Relaxation can begin…

Come evening, the lobby interior, and its exterior looks even more alluring. And the backdrop will be jaw-dropping sunsets over the ocean.

The accommodation consists in Deluxe Lagoon Pool rooms (many with direct pool access) and Suites (some being penthouses) spread out in multiple wings and separated by pool waterways or lush full-grown vegetation. In-between two buildings there are some white walls resembling parts of a monastery.

The makeover of the rooms elevates the secluded beachfront property to a delicious new level, with bright rooms and exquisite furniture, complemented with some dark timber woodworks. Above the ultra comfy wooden bed (s) is bespoke beige wallpaper, combined with a wooden art piece. In particular the slide doors separating the bathroom and its bathtub from the bedroom section are a modern take on classic wooden screens, inlaid with elaborate golden screens (also on the wardrobes) and woodwork. Similar woodwork functions as screens for the curtains to the left and right of the terrace glass sliding doors. And positioned on a floor rug are two round exquisite, handcrafted coffee tables made of metal (brass?) and with antique patterns. These are hollow and make an interesting sound, if being hit. Brown, bespoke wall-mounted bed lamps also adorn the bright room.

Towels folded into an elephant, combined with a floral written text on the bed, welcomes guests to the room. Both bed and sofa are also decorated with traditional Thai style pillows. A chilled herbal juiced in an ice bucket, fresh fruit and Thai desserts (some cookies enclosed in banana leafs) in a traditional basket are also part of the guest welcoming.

The bathroom interior has a sophisticated wall made of a curved brown tile pattern. Wild garden flower plants stands in a vase by the bathtub, and there is a separate rain shower.

Basically, classic Thai details meet a casual contemporary living style, with these newly renovated guest rooms taking things up a notch.

The real star of the show at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, must be the enormous interconnected lagoon pool system, snaking along the gardens and around the different wings, and connecting also to the adult pool zone. Poolside pursuits include a variety of settings, where to hang around, soak in the sun, relax and play, drink and dine… The adult pool offers semi-private sun chair pairs, surrounded by fully grown vegetation. Guests aged 12 and above can grab these “VIP” seats.

The on-water sun beds, flanking the Infinity Bar at the same adult pool, are other attractive spots. Deluxe units with pool access come with a roomy sundeck that is also a splendid spot where to while away the time observing the pool action and taking frequent dips in the lagoon. And that of course also enables swimming to the nearest swim-up pool bar. In one spot a mini peninsula island next to a swim-up bar is home to a pair of sun-shaded sun beds surrounded by the vast pool area, which also has a Jacuzzi section and children’s water playground. There is additionally also a Jacuzzi area within the vast lagoon. Swimming around the entire pool “network” comprises easily 1.5 kilometres, so “waterholes” in the form of the swim-up bars with underwater bar stools come in handy as stopovers for some of us…

Sipping well chilled wine on one’s own terrace in the late afternoon is absolutely terrific, and so is the bare feet Beach Bar at the palm-studded beach, a prime destination for sundowners, with bar chairs facing the sea. Or opt for the attractive sun beds with marine blue mattresses that sits underneath sun-shading parasols and coconut trees. Near the bar two hammocks are draped between palm trees.

As the light turns golden (and gradually a variety of other colours) the first happy hour takes place between 5:00-6:00 pm, followed by another session 9:00 – 10:00 pm, for after-dinner drinks. A chardonnay delivered in an ice-frosty wine glass, or a cocktail, while taking a dip in the ocean and photographing friends and that ocean sunset… then life is a breeze!

Each day the bar also offers a beach promotion cocktail – buy one and get a second free – such as ‘The Exile’ cocktail.

The drinks menu is shared with the Infinity Bar, featuring Thai specials such as Thai Basil Mojito (with Mekhong whisky) or Sunset Kiss with Chalong Bay rum, produced in Phuket. Other classics are the ubiquitous Mojito, Daiquiri etc. There is also Bay Breeze with Absolut vodka.

Wine by the Glass: Sauvigning Blanc Sendero or a Merlot Sendero from Chile; Cabernet Sauvignogn Blanc Pais, J. Bouchon, Chile; and Prosecco, Belstar, Brut from Italy – all discounted at Happy Hour.

There is yet another perfect spot for a discreet tipple, which is the sophisticated cocktail bar as part of the Italian ‘Olive’ restaurant. Here one can be seated at the bar counter on upholstered bar stools for pre-dinner cocktails, with an offer for a third drink for free. In true Italian style, choose from Aperol Spritz, The Hugo Spritz, Negroni Sbagliato, Americano, and Negroni etc.

Enjoy the surrounding décor which all looks very cosy in the evening: bespoke furniture, a painting with an Italian countryside as motif, a framed old map of the world, antique binoculars, a bust sculpture of someone important from roman times mounted on black table.

This restaurant also has a dangerously drinkable wine selection (just be prepared for most unfortunate high alcohol taxation on wine in Thailand affecting the pricing).

The restaurant interior comes with stylish dark timber/rattan chairs + upholstered chairs with a symmetric pattern and a brown wooden ceiling. Square large tables seats four guests. There are also half-circle sofas with pastel green upholstering as choice for dining.

The friendly and lively Italian chef Enzo is a splendid host who not only is part of the action in the open kitchen, but one who also interacts with guests.

Enzo’s Recommendation for the particular evening of this visit included: Prosciutto Pizza with parma ham, Italian rucola and parmesan cheese; Australian wagyu steak with truffle sauce; or Herb-roasted chicken in wood fired oven grill.

The food menu otherwise includes: Caprese salad, olive salad, watermelon & feta cheese salad, and Minestrone soup as appetizers.

For pasta try Pomodoro E Basilico or Crudaiola (cherry tomatoes, anchovy, capers, black olives, ricotto cheese)

Wood-fired oven pizza also offers Margherita, Diavola and Al Quattro Formaggi Pizza etc.

For fish: Sea bass fillet with young squid stew or seafood platter.

Another day, during beachfront sunset, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa hosts walk around among the guests and offer appetizers from that evening’s upcoming highlight: buffet at the Japanese Sakura restaurant – which turns out to be a winner, including also a very affordable free flow package for wine, beer and cocktails!

First, I munch on a plate of raw sushi. Following that is quite a spread served on top of scallop-formed table-tops (the same shell pattern also forms the interior on the cement walls): Shishamo (fried fish with soy sauce). Ebi tempura (prawns tempura with house dip sauce), a mix of Maki Roll: Tempura (tiger prawn, spinach, cheese), Philadelphia (salmon, Philadelphia creeme cheese) Dragon (avocado, spring onion, Japanese eel), Spicy crispy (soft shell crab, mango, teriyaki) and California (crab stick, shrimp, asparagus, cucumber, sweet omelette). I managed to also down some delicious Barramundi fish from the Teppenyaki menu. And… cheese cake anyone!? How could one resist Red bean stew cheese cake! And lots of Japanese green tea, along with a delectable Australian Rothbury Chardonnay.

Additional dining options will be available once this five-star resort is back in full swing post-Covid and once the expansion is completed. Enjoy!