JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

This is, without a doubt, my favorite hotel. I've stayed here twice in the past six months. The hotel boasts beautiful views, a massive swimming pool, a fountain trampoline, a wave pool, a huge kids' playroom, and a large garden. My children absolutely love playing in the kids' playroom and on the fountain trampoline, and I really enjoy feeding the animals in the garden and cycling. My family had a wonderful time here. I do hope the hotel's breakfast taste can be improved though.

The Indian lady at the front desk was so helpful; she even registered me for Marriott Bonvoy and upgraded me to a room with direct pool access. You can borrow bicycles from the gym, and there are other non-Marriott restaurants on the beach that aren't expensive.

The hotel's location is excellent, with a clean and uncrowded beach right outside. It boasts a 2.4 km long interconnected swimming pool, numerous children's play facilities, and a wide array of kids' activities. You can even feed animals in the hotel garden. After checking out, we used the late check-out lounge, which was perfect for resting before our late-night flight. Getting to the Similan Islands departure pier only takes 25 minutes by car, so you can easily sleep in before heading out. However, there are some downsides: both check-in and restaurant service require basic English. While you can use translation software if your English isn't strong, it does detract from the overall experience.

This is an excellent hotel! We'll definitely be back.