Beachfront Bliss Meets Warm Thai Hospitality at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa – Hotel Review

THAILAND

A hotel review of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. Images courtesy of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa and Jasmin Woolf | CSP Times.

I was intrigued when we were invited to stay at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. Known for its blend of luxury, Thai hospitality, and breathtaking seaside location, this five-star retreat promised a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. And so, as one does when they receive an invite from a beautiful beachfront hotel, I promptly packed my bags and hopped on a flight to Phuket.

The Hotel

“Sawadee Krub!” The Thai greeting for “Hello!” is the first thing I hear as my car pulls up to the entrance of the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. A lobby attendant smiling so cheerfully I couldn’t help but smile back welcomes me in. A woven bracelet is placed around my wrist and a refreshing cold drink handed to me as I walk through the open-air lobby to get checked in. The check in counters at the back of the lobby looks out onto a seemingly endless reflection pool, the centrepiece of the lobby, pulling your gaze to the Andaman Sea in the distance. Large cushioned sofas and hanging swings are dotted throughout, providing a cozy spot to enjoy a drink while taking in the views.

The JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is technically a chain hotel, which typically blur into a beige haze of indistinguishability, but it’s quickly clear that this isn’t some cookie-cutter property with generic artwork and forgettable rooms. As I’m led to my hotel room, the resort unfolds – rock-lined pathways disappear invitingly into lush gardens while tall palm trees sway in the breeze. Not the manicured, sterile kind, but the lush, slightly wild variety that allows you to feel immersed in nature.

The Room

My home for the stay was the Grande Premium Pool Access room, a spacious ground floor sanctuary designed for both comfort and style. The traditional Thai-style room featured two plush double beds, a sitting area perfect for unwinding, and your usual array of amenities. The bathroom was a highlight, with a deep soaking bathtub and a rainfall shower, but the real showstopper lay just beyond the glass doors – our outdoor terrace offering direct access to a large semi-private shared pool that overlooks the garden.

Although the pool was shared by other rooms on the ground floor, it was never busy when I went for a dip. Waking up to tranquil garden views and stepping straight into the water each morning was nothing short of heavenly.

The Facilities

The resort boasts three stunning outdoor pools, each catering to a different crowd. The main pool, near the beach, is family-friendly, so expect to get splashed by the crowds of kids frolicking around, while the two adults-only pools offer a quieter vibe with breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. With a combined surface area of 2,810 square meters, there was always space to lounge, swim, or simply soak up the tropical sun.

The Spa was an oasis, where ancient Thai healing traditions meets modern luxury. The treatment menu offered everything from aromatic massages to rejuvenating facials, all performed in beautifully designed pavilions surrounded by lush greenery.

Dining

Wining and dining at the JW Marriott Phuket was a highlight, with each restaurant offering a unique experience.

Let’s start with breakfast – this was a busy affair where, unless you go at an earlier time, seemingly the entirety of the resort’s guests congregate in one go. Luckily, the JW Café was massive, and if you were lucky enough to get a window seat, you get stunning views of the pool and ocean. Onto the food, the buffet was extensive, serving up international and local Thai flavours. I got told to try the French toast, a JW signature, and I’m glad I did: slightly crisp, fluffy, and delicious, this dish was well worth the calories.

Later that evening, I went for dinner at M Beach Club, the hotel’s newest concept. Since it was Saturday evening, I enjoyed the Smokehouse Barbeque Buffet, a eyewatering feast of slow-cooked meats, fresh seafood, and fire-kissed vegetables, all enjoyed against the backdrop of the beach and sunset. Just as I started on desserts, a thrilling fire show performance lit up the darkening night sky, so enthralling my ice cream had melted by time I had even realised.

The next day, I was looking forward to lunch at the world-famous Benihana restaurant. The teppanyaki experience was known to be both entertaining and delicious. My skilled chef dazzled with knife tricks and witty jokes while grilling up succulent prawns, tender steak, and fried rice right at the table.

Should you fancy your hand at learning a Thai recipe or two, the Cooking School by JW is a must-try. One rainy afternoon, me and two other guests learned to make three authentic Thai dishes under the guidance of the lovely Chef Hong, starting with a papaya salad followed by a fragrant Penang chicken curry and a moreish stir fried prawns dish with a sweet sauce. It was as educational as it was fun – and the tasting session afterwards was the best reward as we devoured our creations.

The JW Difference

What ultimately sets this property apart is its refusal to choose between beauty and substance. The spa’s wide range of treatments and the interactive Benihana teppanyaki restaurant are but a few examples of the resort’s thoughtful duality – equally adept at delivering relaxation or lively evenings by the sea. We were guests of the hotel, but the memories we made, and the desire to return, are entirely our own.

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Address: 231 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Website: Marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hktjw-jw-marriott-phuket-resort-and-spa | Phone: +66 76 338 000 |

Email: jwmarriott.phuket@marriotthotels.com | Instagram: @Jwmarriottphuket |

Facebook: @Jwmarriottphuket