Marriott's Phuket Beach Club

The 2001-built Marriott's Phuket Beach Club is a Vacation Club property, offering travelers Two-Bedroom Villas with everything for a home-away-from-home experience. The 144 villas flank the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, with rooms divided into North and South Wings and shared lobby facilities. Guests here receive access to the extensive features of the JW Marriott, with three pools, a beach club, and several restaurants offering ample space to spread out. Grounds are stunning, with a charming reflecting pool that's lit at night, a peaceful pond with lily pads and a Buddhist shrine, and lots of lush greenery and animal sculptures. Families, groups of friends, and some couples tend to hang around one of the pools during the day, as the beach lacks loungers, is slanted, and is often too rough for swimming. Overall, the atmosphere is bustling, though a quiet pool is on-site for more relax-minded guests. A shopping center with restaurants and stores is within walking distance, but there's little else in the immediate area. Travelers wanting to visit the popular area of Patong or sights such as Big Buddha may be disappointed that they're both about an hour's drive away. Nevertheless, for those that want the perks of a house with the amenities of a resort will find this is an excellent option. If a kitchen isn't a necessity, consider Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in more central Karon.

Marriott's Phuket Beach Club sits adjacent to the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in Mai Khao Beach, a pretty and largely peaceful stretch of sand that's often too rough for swimming. It's a convenient 15- to 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, but main sights such as Patong -- a beach area packed with bars -- and the Big Buddha sculpture are roughly an hour away by car. In addition to a few other hotels in the immediate vicinity, the Turtle Village shopping complex with a supermarket, restaurants, and shops is just a few minutes' walk away. 

All of the 144 contemporary rooms here are Two-Bedroom Villas with garden views. The spacious units are ideal for families, as each has a bedroom with a king-size bed, another with two double beds, and a sofa bed in the living room. Additionally, the open-plan living spaces have flat-screen TVs, dining tables, and well-equipped kitchens with coffeemakers, kettles, microwaves, stovetops, full-size fridges, and all the necessary cookware. Ample bottles of water are provided. Another perk are the washer/dryers and laundry detergent. One bathroom has a shower/tub combo, while the master bathroom has a big tub and separate shower. Balconies or patios are furnished with wooden tables and chairs. Decor is warm and homey, with Thai-inspired details such as gold elephant wall decals and colorful striped fabrics. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, desks, hairdryers, a full range of toiletries, and closets with electronic safes, bathrobes, slippers, and ironing equipment.

Although this hotel really lacks features of its own, guests here get access to all facilities at the JW Marriott. While the beach is a pretty spot, there are no loungers actual set up along the sand and the ocean is often too rough for swimming. Because of this, most guests hang around one of the three big pools, each with its own atmosphere. The North Pool is a quiet, adults-only option; the Main Pool attracts kids with its shallow area and waterslide; and the South Pool has a swim-up bar surrounded by greenery. Near here is M Beach Club, which is a hip bar offering happy hour specials and dinner menus. Mandara Spa offers a wide array of treatments, such as couples' massages, body scrubs, and mani/pedis. Massage huts are also set up between the beach and the pools. A gym has all the necessary cardio and strength-training equipment for a workout, and various classes are offered each day, including yoga, Muay Thai boxing, and pilates. Tennis courts are also on-site, and non-motorized water sports such as kayaks and Hobie Cays are available. The kids' club provides games and activities such as sand candle-making and kids' yoga. Outdoor movie nights take place twice per week. Thai cooking and language classes can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Several meeting rooms are available and there's a boutique store selling clothing and souvenirs. 

Although guests here will likely make some of their meals in their kitchens, there are several dining options on-site. Marriott Cafe serves buffet spreads for breakfast and dinner, while the all-day Siam Deli offers a la carte salads, sandwiches, breakfast wraps, and pastries. One corner also has fresh fruit and other grocery store items. Andaman Grill is a dinner-only steakhouse, while Cucina serves Italian fare for lunch and dinner, in addition to providing pizza delivery around the resort. Ginga Taste is the traditional Thai eatery open for dinner only, and it also has a cooking school. Kabuki Japanese Cuisine Theatre is a teppanyaki-style restaurant for dinner. Light snacks are available from the lobby bar and M Beach Club, the latter of which also has happy hour specials. Room service is available 24/7. Many past guests have noted that although restaurants serve tasty fare, they're pricey.