On more than one occasion we have returned to a resort for a second time and have been for lack of a better word "let down". Perhaps to no fault of the resort or hotel but our memories seem to become inflated. I guess we could not recreate the initial wow factor first impression on the second visit. In any event we have in the past have been a little disappointed on a return visit to many resorts and were a little apprehensive about booking a second visit for this reason. Having said all that I can tell you that our return visit to this resort was anything farther than from being a "let down".
My wife and I just returned from a second visit in as many years to the JW Marriott Khao Lak for eight days. The resort has indeed matured and developed into a world class Marriott property. All the amenities and high standards of a JW Marriott resort are all present and perfectly executed by staff and management. Despite our visit during the Lunar new year with 100 percent occupancy the resort was quiet and tranquil making a wonderful holiday.
The grounds of the resort are stunning and meticulously maintained. You can't help to notice the harmony of all the tropical horticulture on the campus. The pool is nothing short of awesome meandering throughout the resort. Many families were enjoying the pool from their pool access rooms.The canals of the pool were warm, inviting and for the most part waist to chest high on an average adult.
The beach is stunning at the resort. It is breathtaking with clean white sand that gently slopes to the warm blue waters of the Andaman sea. The week we were there the sea was calm with gentle breakers making it ideal for swimming by all ages. The beach has a generous amount of chairs and umbrellas served by attentive beach boys pouring ice water throughout the day.
The food at the resort was great and we did not have a disappointing meal during our stay. There are some local restaurants that offer good food at very reasonable prices within a short walk down the beach. We had a nice meal one night at the "Blue Mist". The food was great but the mosquitoes were quite bothersome. The breakfast buffet is still fantastic and remains a great value offering a multitude of selections from many cultures. The smoothie bar is still my favorite as fresh fruit smoothies are made to order to your taste and specifications.
The happy hours were nightly and were priced very well. If you are a Platinum member of Marriott rewards a nightly complimentary happy hour was offered to you from 5pm -6pm.
In short the JW Marriott Khao Lak has evolved into a wonderfully stunning resort that has us compelled to plan a stay next January.

Beautiful location, quiet and less traffic than any beach resort. It was isolated from all the other hotels around Khao Lak center (town center). It has it own clinic staffed with a nurse onsite. If you need to get a doctor, it can be arranged. It has a child care nursery, you could drop off your children for a fee, while you went dipping in the sea. Tennis court, squash court, sauna, spa, sandwich store, all within reach in the resort. Swimming pool swirled around the entire hotel, easily access from your balcony - very nice. Most of the lower ground rooms, you're basically just walk into the pool - very smart design. It also has a big children pool, where water slide specifically design for children. Beach access just a few yard away from the main swimming pool, walking distance. It also has variety of restaurants to choose from within the resort. ATM machine is available though may have to check with the receptionist if local currency is available, sometimes they ran out pretty quick. Free Wi-Fi for the entire hotel. Overall, I think it is the best resort in Khao Lak. Pricey but very nice, you really get what you pay for.

As usual with JW Marriott hotels you get what you pay for. A five star resort about 1 hour drive north of Phuket airport. The resort consists of town houses connected around the huge swimming pool. The rooms are spacious and clean. The service is excellent. Easy check in and check out. The pool access rooms are great and more enjoyable than those in level 1 or level 2 rooms. The beach is clean and nice for swimming, walking and watching the sun set. It takes about 10 min drive to the Kao Lak city. There are some shops outside the hotel. There are also massage, tours agents, taxi and restaurants on the beach but not belonging to the hotel. I must say that most the guests are from Germany, north Europe and Russia. One problem during breakfast as there are some tables empty and the waitress said all tables are taken. Next day one waitress say ok to sit on a table (inside, we know we will not be given outside table) and another waitress (her name is Mew) says it is reserved, when I tell her there must be no reservation for breakfast tables she said ok you can sit!!! Management should watch for “breakfast table reservation!”

We have stayed in a number of hotels that call themselves 5* but don't quite make the grade. This was not one of them. The facilities at this hotel were stunning - especially the connected pools and the beach. The breakfast was definitely worth getting up for - fantastic selection of foods and freshly made juice. The gym equipment was top notch (in-fact all the facilities were excellent). Couple of negatives: first, the resort is very quiet at night - most things seem to empty at about 10.30pm!; second, the on site food and beverages are VERY expensive for Thailand. That being said, the hotel offers a seafood buffet on a Friday night and that is worth every penny - all you can eat fresh lobster, crab, mussels, tiger prawns and a selection of fish - not to be missed! For lunch/dinners I would check out the restaurants at either side of the hotel on the beach - much better value and cocktails are equally as good.