places to go near Phuket
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Normally we’re the type of travelers who choose a destination based on a town’s atmosphere or its one-of-a-kind activities. But we had our eyes on a luxury stay near Phuket thus had us whistling a different tune – the resort ended up being what our entire vacation was centered around.
There is a time and a place for a tropical vacation. Cliché as it is, we think it’s safe to say that most people would enjoy a vacation at an all-inclusive resort for the sole purpose of eating, drinking, and relaxing.
The JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa made it incredibly easy to decompress and not worry about our typical travel ordeals like, “Did you book the ticket for tomorrow’s paddle board excursion?”, “Where the heck do we fill up our motorbike rental?” or even, “Where are we going to find dinner and are restaurants even open past 8pm?”
We’d never been to Khao Lak (and have only been to Phuket while passing through the area), so when we got an invitation to stay at a resort there we said yes. We’ve actually stayed at JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square for the 2011 NFC Championship between the SF 49ers and New York Giants, so we were excited to experience an entirely different ball game (pun intended) being on a private beach in the Thai province of Phang Nga.
After taking a flight from Chiang Mai, we were picked up by the hotel’s airport shuttle at the Phuket International Airport and less than an hour and a half later pulled up to a huge property promising us a “dream oasis, where nature and luxury combine.”
Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access
We were given a refreshing hand cloth and chilled roselle drinks. Of the many places we’ve been to, whether homely guesthouses or fancier resorts, we love this little touch of Thai hospitality.
Shortly after checking in we were introduced to our Deluxe Lagoon Pool Access room, which, as the name implies, opens right up to their lagoon-style pool. What the name doesn’t suggest is that the pool is two kilometers long. Can you believe it? The saltwater pool snakes all over the property, covers 16, 000 square feet, and even juts off into lovely little coves and shallow swim-up bars.
Our room was the perfect size for us. It had a king size bed featuring the classic fluffy white comforter. There was a work desk, a small coffee table, a huge lounge chair, and a day bed, too.
The bathroom was pretty spectacular. There was a huge tub with exotic scented bath salts and at least a dozen assorted bathroom accessories. the kits included soaps, combs, toothbrushes, razors, and needle and thread – you name it, they had it. We really were digging the double sink, the extra lighted magnifying mirror, and the electrical outlet (which is not all that common inside of Thai bathrooms!)
Tropical Beachside Property
