In all of my years in Thailand and numerous visits to Phuket, it was time to venture into the unseen. to places I’ve never been before.
JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa drew the straw and I found myself turning left from Phuket airport to the scenic beaches of Khuk Khak Beach. The luxury beach resort is just over two hours from the airport but the ride is smooth and scenic, and goes by in a flash. especially if one dozes off in the car.
Arriving at the lobby, though small, one can see the ocean and almost immediately a sense of calm overcomes you and you can’t wait to get to your room and laze around. The resort is vast and is only two-storeys high with the upstairs rooms and suites offering beach and lagoon pool views. But it is the Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access rooms that you’re after or the Pool Villas, which come in a choice of one or two bedrooms. There is also a Duplex Suite and a Family Lagoon Pool Access.
JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa caters to every family member, be it a child or the elderly. The ‘longest pool in Southeast Asia’ intertwines itself around the property and one can experience its vastness by swimming around. Pro tip: It is also a good exercise (2.5km) in case you wanted to skip the well-equipped gym. The gym also hosts various classes throughout the day. There is plenty to do around the resort and it is one of those places where you check-in and don’t leave till check-out time.
The beach is vast and should you feel fed-up of lying on the sundecks, there’s always a huge beach chess game to play or jenga. The other option would be to keep moving from pool to pool as there are so many, for a change in scenery. There’s an entire section of pool dedicated to children with a water slide and wave pool, though the adults were also having the time of their lives on it. There is a water trampoline, jacuzzis and the infinity and aquamarine swim-up bars for refreshments, because one may get a little thirsty being surrounded by water.
Close to the kids pool is the Bamboo shark nursery. Native to the Andaman Sea, Bamboo sharks are listed as a ‘near threatened’ species due to their popularity among collectors and exotic diners, as well as overfishing and destruction of their natural habitat. The Bamboo Shark Nursery and Conservation Center at the resort helps breed and nurture bamboo sharks before releasing them back into the wild to restore the balance of the marine ecosystem. One can book an appointment to learn more about the centre at the lobby.
However, for me the crowning glory of the property was the JW Garden, which is just across the road from the resort. Inspired by the JW founders – J. Willard Marriott and Alice Marriott’s love for the outdoors, The JW Garden is a signature element of the JW Marriott experience focused on creating sensory connections with the natural world. This is the second-largest garden in the JW Marriott family, in the world.
The tranquillity of the JW Garden is a good place to reconnect with nature, as there are freshwater lakes surrounded by tropical marshes and scrubland, which are home to more than 100 species of wild birds, reptiles, fish and colourful insects.
The JW Garden is a working farm, complete with chickens, ducks, goats and water buffaloes. It also is organic and grows herbs and vegetables used throughout the property. The farm is open to guests and is ideal for early morning walks, runs or strolls. There is horticulture and a cultivation of more than 200 varieties of plants, fruits, vegetables, leaves and herbs. The chickens and ducks supply the hotel with free-range eggs daily, and a separate JW Garden counter can be found at breakfast, offering the freshest eggs, salads and vegetables.
Breakfast matches the property in size and offerings. Everything under the sun you can think of makes an appearance at breakfast, including starting the day with ginger shots. The resort’s signature restaurant, Drift, is also where the farm’s produce is on display, along with its sustainability efforts and waste management. There is an entire tasting menu with ingredients from the farm, showcasing the zero-waste management. Few things go to waste here.
You are spoilt for choice at this resort. There are 11 restaurants serving different cuisines and needless to say, the Italian restaurant is by far the busiest. Offering pizzas from the wood-fired ovens to at least 15 different types of olive oil, showcased in a tasting menu, Olive offers an impressive selection of crafted authentic Italian classic dishes and hand-selected wines.
There are Thai and Japanese restaurants, with casual all-day dining at the Sala, the Deli and Waterfront, which is also the breakfast scene. To get your juices flowing, there are two swim-up bars, Infinity and Aquamarine, and sundowners are best enjoyed at the Beach Bar, and a nightcap at Czar Bar.
The body isn’t forgotten with Quan Spa offering a host of massages and luxury wellness therapies. The spa is designed like a Balinese house and the minute you enter, a different sense of tranquility washes over you. Bliss.
Focus on what matters most – you at JW Marriott Khao Lak. What better place than to unwind and take a break from the life in the fast lane.