Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province

The 30-room, four-pearl Chongfah Beach Resort is a boutique hotel situated right on the Andaman Sea in Khao Lak. Rooms are modern and airy and feature super-comfortable beds, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Nearly half of the rooms here are spacious bungalows complete with refreshing outdoor showers, private hot tubs, and patios (a few of which have incredible beach views). The hotel has a chic infinity pool that faces the sea, and the on-site Seaborn Restaurant gets great reviews and serves the free breakfast. Guests should keep in mind that while there are lounge chairs along the beach, it is only good for swimming when the tide is low. The hotel is wildly popular among couples on holiday, and it is a quieter, cozier option when compared to the larger Mukdara Resort next door.

Ramada Khao Lak Resort is a four-pearl resort right on the beach, just a short boat ride from the Similan Islands. The 116 rooms and suites feature contemporary decor with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning for value rates. For a romantic getaway, an upgrade to the rooms with private pools, direct beach access, or whirlpool baths might be worth the splurge. There’s a hot breakfast buffet in the morning, a restaurant, and a coffee bar to satisfy guests’ dining needs (available all-inclusive rates). The freeform pool, spa, cooking classes, gym, and kids’ club manage to keep everyone entertained. The biggest drawback is the noise pollution from a next-door construction site and little to do or see within walking distance from the hotel. For an alternative hotel with similar amenities, Beyond Resort Khaolak is a quieter escape with an adult-only policy. 

This 38-room four-pearl resort is one the most beautiful and elegant in the area. Though there are other resorts flanking it on the Khao Lak coast, this resort truly feels like an isolated tropical oasis, with rustic-chic design throughout. There are stylish and simple Deluxe Rooms with striking tiled bathrooms plus balconies or terraces, but the stars here are the incredibly spacious and luxurious villas tucked into the resorts’s lush jungle grounds and featuring a private jacuzzi. The resort also has an attractive pool and a restaurant that gets great reviews, and, of course, a stunning beach. It is pricier than other resorts in the area, but for families and couples looking for a luxurious jungle retreat on the beach, this place lives up to its name.

Four-pearl Khaolak Merlin Resort is a hidden sanctuary, perfect for travelers looking for an upscale, quiet retreat. Its 15-acre grounds stretch down to the beach, which is where you'll find the top-end villas with private pools. Low-rise buildings scattered around the forested grounds house the rest of the 236 rooms, which have a modern Thai finish and terraces looking over the natural landscapes. Several swimming pools are connected by pretty waterfalls and one features a swim-up bar. There's also a spa, two restaurants and bars, and plenty of secluded seating areas -- meaning the place never feels crowded. There's not a lot going on in the evening, so travelers looking for a livelier resort might take a look at the Ramada Khaolak Resort closer to the center of town.

The 195-room Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa is an upscale property situated right on a lovely beach about 20 minutes outside of Khao Lak. The resort is separated into two sections, one offering modern hotel rooms and the other composed of villas; style varies between both. All have features like stocked minibars and free Wi-Fi, but some have old tube TVs. Balconies or terraces come standard as well, and some rooms have direct pool access. Two restaurants and two bars are well-liked by previous guests and there's a pool as well as a sharp spa. Travelers who would prefer to be a little closer to town could check out the Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort, where breakfast is included in the rates.  

The Khao Lak by Katathani is a four-pearl, family-friendly resort on Nang Thong Beach in the center of Khaolak. The 316 rooms are modern and stylish with nice natural light, mini-fridges, balconies, and direct pool access in some. Two restaurants serve fresh grilled seafood and international dishes and there are three bars, including a swim-up bar in the adult-only pool. A kiddy pool and free kids' club are available, along with numerous activities such as beach volleyball and Thai cooking classes. A full-service spa and fitness center are also on-site. Pitfalls include an often hectic breakfast buffet (that costs extra) and occasional crowding at the pool. Families might want to compare rates with Sentido Graceland Khao Lak Resort & Spa, which has similar features. Couples might prefer the Beyond Resort Khaolak, an adult-only property on the beach with spacious villas. 

This large, four-pearl resort is situated directly on one of Khao Lak's beautiful beaches with a small on-site lake where guests can kayak. It isn't the most modern resort in town, but it offers just about everything tourists or families could want at reasonable rates compared to its neighbors: a full-service spa, two outdoor pools, several restaurants, a fitness center, and plenty of activities. Rooms are bright and clean, with slightly bland decor, plus flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and balconies or patios. Ocean-facing Villas are also available. Although it’s not up to the style standards of other resort hotels in Khao Lak (such as Khaolak Merlin Resort next door), it is a fine option for guests looking to splash out a little less cash for a resort experience.

The 96-room Leaf on the Sands is a mid-range boutique hotel that's located a five-minute walk from Nang Thong beach and close to Khao Lak's shops, restaurants, and bars. The attractive, grassy grounds include two pleasant pools (though there are often insufficient loungers), as well as a spa housed in a traditional Thai-style outdoor pavilion. Rooms are spacious -- especially the chic bathrooms -- and feature simple, pleasant decor. The hotel's Rice Barn restaurant gets mixed reviews, as does the breakfast included in room rates. The free Wi-Fi access offers excellent speed and reliability, but is only available in rooms and not at the poolside areas. As an alternative, travelers could also try the Khaolak Oriental Resort, which includes a well-reviewed breakfast.

The beachfront, luxury Robinson Club Khao Lak, about 15 minutes from Khao Lak, sits on beautiful, well-manicured grounds with pools that include waterfalls, slides, and palm islands. The 223 rooms have terraces, and are spacious and elegantly designed, especially the bathrooms. Garden Pool Villas are farther away from the resort's main facilities (the hotel does provide buggy service), but they have private pools and offer more seclusion. Terrace Oceanfront, one of the resort's six restaurants, has a rooftop bar with spectacular views over Khao Lak. A spa offers a sauna and massage treatments, and there are two fitness centers. Breakfast is included in the room rate, but guests complain about limited selection and question the ethics of a daily performance by a baby elephant. Some of the room furnishings show wear, and guests have complained about beach maintenance, rude spa staff, and unpleasant odors in the spa's lounge.

The Briza Beach Resort is a four-pearl, family-friendly resort on Lam Kaen Beach in the center of Khaolak. The 57 guest rooms are modern and stylish with natural light and neutral decor and include balconies/terraces, minibars, and direct pool access in some. Two restaurants serve international and Asian-inspired cuisine -- including free buffet breakfasts. There's also a lounge, and two bars -- one on the beach and one poolside. The main swimming pool features a cornered-off kids area and there's a kids' playroom. Beachside massage treatments are available in the small outdoor spa. Couples looking for an adult-only hotel with a larger spa should check rates at Beyond Resort Khaolak.

Situated on the northern end of Khao Lak's beaches on the Andaman Sea, this 200-room upscale resort is a one-stop tropical getaway. The modern property has a variety of stylish rooms available, all of which have bright accents and tiled floors with free Wi-Fi and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs. There are also stunning Villas, with tons of space and attractive wooden ceilings, some of which have their own private pools. There are multiple pools throughout that include features like a swim-up bar, plus a modern fitness center, three restaurants, a chic spa, and tennis courts as well as tons of on-site activities. Guests looking for a more intimate stay on the beach may want to consider the Khaolak Paradise Resort at the other end of Khao Lak, which has rustic-chic rooms and gorgeous jungle grounds.

The 230-room Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak is an upscale beachfront property with bright, modern rooms. Expansive facilities include four pools, an elegant spa, gym and sports facilities, and restaurants and bars, which get generally positive reviews. Breakfast is included in room rates as well. Rooms range from elegant and romantic Luxury Pool Villas with private pools and soaking tubs to the more basic Deluxe Rooms with furnished balconies. Family units also give more space with either a second bedroom or enclosed bunk beds. On the downside, some rooms have noisy air-conditioning units, lack sea views, or don't have elevator access. For a more intimate property, travelers could try the four-pearl Chongfah Beach Resort.