We are excited to announce that we have selected the JW Marriott Hotel for our stay in Phuket, Thailand! The JW is of course a 5 star hotel and is the 2015 Traveler’s Choice Award winner. The hotel is set on the white sands of Mai Khao Beach and has spectacular views of the Andaman Sea.
Phuket is about a 400-mile flight south of Bangkok and is home to some of best beaches in the world. All your travel arrangements to and from the airport and flights will be arranged for you. In early March, the average air temperature in Phuket is in the mid to high 80’s and the average water temperature of the Andaman Sea is about 83 degrees. It should be great weather to take advantage of all of those beaches!
The JW Marriott has a very relaxed, resort type feel to it and is family friendly. We have negotiated to have breakfast included with your room. I would recommend that you take advantage of the continental buffet in the morning and to take your breakfast out on the open-air restaurant’s deck that overlooks the Andaman Sea. The food is quite nice and the views are even better!
It is safe to say the JW Marriott has a little something for everyone with 11 restaurants and bars, the award winning Mandara Spa and Fitness Center (which holds outdoor yoga classes in the morning), three pools, the Andaman Sea right outside your door, and, for those who want to try their hand at cooking, the Ginga Cook Culinary School. For those feeling a bit more adventurous, the JW Marriott provides complementary kayaks, paddleboards, and catamarans for your use in the Andaman Sea. The hotel can also arrange some scooters for you, which are only about $15 a day to rent and are a fun way to explore the island!
Within about a 5 minute walk from the JW there is a little “mall” called Turtle Village. Turtle Village has several restaurants, including two that serve American food, such as burgers and fries, some shops with touristy souvenirs, and a convenience store. Turtle village was definitely built with the tourist in mind, and as a result does not have a very authentic Thai feel to it, but it serves its purpose, is very convenient, and it is quite nice to have some “off resort” options that are close!
The JW Marriott is also great for those who want to venture beyond the boundaries of the resort. Some of the activities available to you will include elephant trekking, diving off the Similan Islands, exploring the wild on a safari, experiencing the nightlife at Patong Beach (the most famous beach in Phuket for nightlife and shopping), and touring Phan Nga Bay – home to the “James Bond Islands”. If you want to get a more “authentic” feel for the island, there is a small, local fishing village that is about a 15 minute drive to the north of the resort. You can go there in the morning and watch the small “long tail” fishing boats come in with their catch.
We know you’ll love Thailand and the sun and sand of Phuket! We can’t wait to see you there!
