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Extensive renovation and expansion includes an additional 127 rooms and villas, the Aqua Play Zone, new dining outlets and one of the largest event spaces in southern Thailand.
KHAO LAK, THAILAND – Pioneering resort, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has opened its doors to guests following an 18-month long renovation and expansion that has transformed the property and set a new benchmark for fully integrated luxury resort experiences in Thailand.
This impressive resort with an outstanding lineup of food and beverage offerings (truly a culinary destination) has expanded with the addition of new rooms/villas and suites and a purpose-built stand alone ballroom that resembles a mini convention centre, with over 758 sqm of space, capable of handling large events in perfect surroundings.
The resort is located on one of Thailand‘s best beaches with miles and miles of soft golden sands in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea.
It’s a favourite for not only families but also couples and small family groups. It’s a perennial favourite for friends. Vacations are all about reconnecting with your loved ones and friends – a perfect place to gather, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
The improvements at the resort completes the vision of creating a “destination within a destination” and heralds a new era for Khao Lak, Thailand’s popular beach destination located an hour’s drive north of Phuket International Airport. This is due largely to the considerable additions that open up new market segments for the destination – but also importantly due to the innovative guest experiences that have been introduced.
“We are delighted to be unveiling JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa today. There is high demand for fully integrated, beachfront resort experiences in Thailand from around the world and we are positioned to deliver this across multiple segments and market sectors. I believe Khao Lak is ready and I believe the destination will become one of Thailand’s leading leisure tourism and MICE hubs in the years to come,” said Abhimanyu Singh, General Manager, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa.
A total of 127 additional rooms and villas have been built: 76 Deluxe Lagoon Pool View Rooms, 28 Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access Rooms, 20 Family Pool Access Studios, two One-Bedroom Villas and, for the ultimate escape, the Two-Bedroom Villa, to create a total of 420 rooms, suites and villas – including 178 with direct access to a private pool or the resort’s 2.4 km lagoon pool waterway – the longest in Southeast Asia.
Inspired by traditional southern Thai houses, the standalone villas are located on Khuk Khak Beach, overlooking the Andaman Sea. The one-bedroom villas feature naturally-lit living spaces with contemporary furnishings, spa-inspired bathrooms and extensive outdoor space, including a private pool. While the two-bedroom villa spans 213 square metres, with a master king bedroom and a twin bedroom for children, extended family or friends, featuring two separate infinity pools.
The new accommodation and refurbishment of all rooms throughout the resort is complete at a cost of THB 1.5 billion (USD $42 million).
New facilities include the Aqua Play Zone, an exhilarating new destination for families and where the water fun, literally, lasts all day long. Highlights include the wave pool where kids and families get the chance to duck and dive before heading over to the fountain trampoline, a creative water activity designed for everyone.
The watery theme continues with an oversized blue slide before kids and parents can retreat to the Sala Restaurant & Bar, a cool, casual outlet right next to the slide serving comfortable, familiar and healthy classics. Sala is expected to quickly become basecamp for kids during their stay so they are close to the action – and can take part in the daily pasta making, mixology masterclasses and marshmallow roasting held at Sala.
The resort’s collection of 11 restaurants and bars offer an array of dining choices, ranging from traditional Thai cuisine with sunset views at Ta-Krai to authentic Italian cuisine at Olive, and international fare at Waterfront. New additions include Sala Restaurant & Pool Bar, while Drift Beach Bar & Grill is the resort’s new steak and seafood grill, inspired by regional Mediterranean cuisine. All-day refreshments and cocktails can be enjoyed at the Deli, Beach Bar, Infinity Pool Bar, Aquamarine Pool Bar and Czar Lobby Bar.
A brand-new ballroom is a major part of the expansion creating a new MICE destination in southern Thailand. Chic, stylish and naturally-lit, the 758-square metre venue can host up to 810 attendees for life’s most meaningful and memorable moments, such as gala dinners, award ceremonies, corporate conventions, and weddings. It is fully equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, can be flexibly divided into three separate spaces for more intimate events, and the inviting pre-function area can also host exhibitions.
JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is also complemented by a sister property on-site, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, an exclusive collection of 52 stylish two-bedroom suites range from 89 to 111 square metres with bright indoor and outdoor spaces, southern Thai-inspired design, contemporary living areas and private terraces or balconies that overlook the natural tropical surroundings. On the ground floor, pool access suites allows guests to step straight into the inviting 2.4 km-long lagoon swimming pool.
Other facilities and experiences include a fully-equipped fitness center, tennis and squash courts, the Kids Club and Quan Spa, which offers holistic healing therapies from traditional Thai massages to revitalizing body wraps and scrubs, many of which use organic coconut oil produced onsite at the resort. A series of serene spaces such as cozy cabanas let guests reconnect and create memorable moments, whilst Khuk Khak Beach offers an idyllic setting to stroll, splash or sit in the shade of palm trees.
Andrew J Wood was born in Yorkshire England, he is a former hotelier, Skalleague and travel writer. Andrew has 48 years of hospitality and travel experience. Educated at Batley Grammar School and a hotel graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh. Andrew started his career in London, working with various hotels. His first posting overseas was with Hilton International, in Paris, and he later arrived in Asia in 1991 on Bangkok with his appointment as Director of Marketing at the Shangri-La Hotel and has remained in Thailand ever since. Andrew has also worked with the Royal Garden Resort Group now Anantara (Vice President) and the Landmark Group of Hotels (Vice President of Sales and Marketing). Latterly he has been the General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group of Hotels in Pattaya and the Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok & Resorts.
A past board member and Director of Skål International (SI), a former National President with SI Thailand and a two time past President of the Bangkok Club. Andrew is the former President of Skål Asia. In 2019, Andrew was awarded SKÅL’s highest award the distinction of Membre D’Honneur.
He is a regular guest lecturer at various Universities in Asia.
