JW Marriott Phuket Resort Review

We’ve stayed at Marriott properties all over the world. They set a high level of service and quality regardless of the location, but some properties are a step above the already exceptional Marriott standard. That’s how we feel about JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. The entire property is kept in immaculate condition, the staff are some of the nicest we’ve experienced around the world, the amenities are endless and the food is delectable. While you can’t go wrong here, I’ve come up with a few tips and suggestions for visiting JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort Tips

Number 1 – The Rooms & Suites

There are tons of room choices at JW Marriott Phuket from Deluxe Garden View Suites to two bedroom Royal Villas. We stayed in the Deluxe Garden View Suite. It’s 506sqft with floor to ceiling windows, a sitting area and a cool nook for relaxing near the window. I’ll always suggest the private pool option if money allows, but the Deluxe Garden View Suite was a great size for our family and the cleaning service was exceptional. I felt like every time I walked into the room, it was clean. I love when the curtains are drawn at night and the lights are dimmed and all I have to do is hop into bed. The entire property is large and suite location is important. If you have small children, you don’t want to be walking to the other side of the resort every time you need to go to the room. When you’re booking, ask about the location of the room and let them know if you’re traveling with children. It wouldn’t hurt to request a room close to the kiddie pool or the lobby.

Number 2 – Dining

There are more than a handful of dining options onsite but dining can get costly, especially if you’re traveling with your family. I’d suggest experiencing Kabuki – Japanese Cuisine Theatre and Andaman Grill at least once. Kabuki is a treat for all of the senses as the chef prepares the food right before your eyes teppanyaki style. Athena giggled during the entire cooking process as our chef made a beating heart out of rice and tossed pieces of egg into Athena’s mouth from the other side of the room. For a fine dining experience, Andaman Grill is a must. They offer succulent steaks and fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere served along with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea. Beach dining gets me every time. I can’t resist. I’d suggest trying the Surf & Turf and their special dessert. All of the fish on the menu is caught locally so that’s a great option as well. If you want to pay less and still have great food, take the free shuttle to Turtle Village and check out the menus there. It’s only a short ride and it gives you more dining options.

Number 3 – Activities

My favorite part of staying at JW Marriott Phuket is the endless activities. There is a daily schedule of free activities like water sports, paddle boarding, yoga, language classes and dance classes. There is also a huge list of activities with a small fee like Batik painting, seashell wind chime making, Thai cooking classes and fan painting. Take the kayaks out for a unique view of the resort and don’t miss the fire lighting ceremony. Both the Batik painting and seashell wind chime making are worth the extra fee. If you’re just looking to relax, the pool is a fantastic option. Staff provide towels and drinking water and there are often free treats by the pool like popsicles.

Number 4 – The Spa

What trip to Phuket would be complete without a spa treatment? You can’t get a better massage or manicure and the prices are amazing compared to the US or Europe. Even if you are traveling with children, the spa at JW Marriott Phuket offers tons of choices. Athena and I had a mother/daugther manicure and they treated us like princesses. The esthetician was kind and patient with Athena  and made her feel like a “big girl”, which is what it’s all about at this age. The products are natural with no harmful chemicals and we were in a beautiful, lush setting. You need to have a Thai massage as well but if you think the prices at the spa are too high, you can try the beach for cheaper options. I figured I wouldn’t be in Thailand often so I went with the spa massage but the choice is yours.

Number 5 – Off Site Options

There are more than enough things to keep you busy at JW Marriott Phuket that you’d never have to leave the property but that wouldn’t be much of a visit to Phuket. As amazing as it is, we didn’t fly all this way to stay at a resort the entire time. The concierge at JW Marriott Phuket are a wealth of knowledge for off-site experiences and they offer their services at no extra charge. I’d suggest The Spirit of Phang Nga Bay trip with Asian Oasis or a trip to Phi Phi island. You can make reservations with the concierge and transportation will be provided.

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Marriott continues to impress me. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad stay at a Marriott resort, especially the JW Marriott. This property has added a Thai twist with local culture and classes at your fingertips. We look for 5 star service in a family environment and JW Marriott Phuket excelled at providing the best of both worlds.