Pros

  • Modern resort on Nang Thong Beach with adjacent lawn and loungers
  • In central Khaolak, walking distance to restaurants, bars, and shops
  • Clean, stylish rooms with mini-fridges and balconies
  • Some rooms open directly into the pool
  • Two restaurants with buffet breakfast (fee) and a la carte dishes
  • Three bars, including a swim-up bar in the adult-only pool
  • Free kids' club, playground, kiddy pool, and spacious rec-room
  • Activities include Thai cooking classes, boxing, and tennis (some with fees)
  • Spacious and modern fitness center
  • Spa offers massages on the beach and in treatment rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Breakfast costs extra
  • Breakfast service is often hectic
  • Pool can be crowded and adult-only policy not always enforced
  • Some complaints of minor wear, tear, and odors in rooms
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Bottom Line

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. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani

Scene

Family-friendly resort on the beach with airy, modern interiors 

The Khao Lak by Katathani occupies a vast, grassy property on the beach, with lovely views of hills in the distance. Three-story tan buildings hold the guest rooms, while entrance is through a low-lying concrete structure protected by a glass awning. Palm trees dot the grounds and there's plenty of space for sunbathing and relaxing in the fresh air. A massive lagoon at the center of the property is filled with koi fish and guests can help out with morning and afternoon feedings -- a nice touch for the many families that stay here. Interiors are spacious, open, and airy with plenty of natural light and trendy, modern decor. A huge centerpiece in the lobby features several dangling industrial-style black lanterns. Slim gray sofas and chic natural wood tables sit against the windows. Lattice designs decorate some walls, offering glimpses of the tropical landscape outside. While typically quiet and calm, the property can get overcrowded at breakfast and sometimes at the adult-only pool. 

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Location

Center of Khaolak, near restaurants and bars

The hotel has a convenient location on Nang Thong Beach in the center of Khaolak, on the west coast of Phang-Nga. This is a low key area with white sand beaches and considerably fewer crowds and development than the bigger resort towns of Phuket. The property is on a main road and there are several other hotels in the neighborhood, as well as a good number of restaurants, bars, and tourist markets within a five to 10 minutes' walk. Car rental companies are located within a five-minute drive, and families can head to a mini-golf venue about 25 minutes' drive away. The International Tsunami Museum is around 15 minutes away on foot. Most guests linger on the resort grounds and beach, but Similan Island is an easy day trip, as is Khao Sok National Park, located an hour and 15 minutes away. Phuket is around two hours' drive, and its international airport can be reached in about 90 minutes. 

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Rooms

Tropical accents and balconies 

Rooms are bright and clean with a relaxed and modern feel. An earthy palette of beige and white is accented with tropical touches and pops of light gold, pink, or turquoise. A different leaf motif decorates each building, one of which holds rooms that open directly onto a shared pool -- although guests note that balconies here can lack sun. Other rooms have views of the lagoon or gardens, and there are comfy settees placed by the large windows. Family Rooms sleep four and include a separate nook for kids, separated by a sliding door. All rooms have private balconies, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, safes, and air-conditioning. Additionally there are mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms have a fresh tropical feel with bright green tile in the rainfall showers (soaking tubs in some). Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Some guests have complained of slight odors in the rooms from cleaning supplies, as well as minor wear and tear. 

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Features

Two pools, lots of activities, and several restaurants and bars

Features here are convenient and mostly focused on families and relaxing. There are two pools, including an adult-only pool and a kiddy pool -- be advised that there can be a mad dash for sunbeds in the morning and that staff doesn't enforce the adult-only policy. There's also a sandy beach and spacious lawn for relaxing and catching rays on sun beds with umbrellas. The property has a bright, modern fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, plus a spa that offers massages on the beach or in an indoor treatment room. Additional activities are available for a fee and include tennis, Thai cooking classes, yoga, Thai boxing, and beach volleyball. The kids' club is free, and there's also an outdoor playground and a large rec room with couches, bookshelves, and billiards. 

Dining at the resort includes Talay Restaurant, a beachfront venue serving fresh grilled seafood throughout the day, and The Floating Market, which overlooks the lagoon and serves international buffets for breakfast (fee) and dinner. The swim-up Coconut Bar is located steps from the ocean in the adult-only pool. Mango Bar has nightly entertainment, and Pineapple Bar in front of the lobby serves drinks next to a reflecting pool. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani

Scene

Family-friendly resort on the beach with airy, modern interiors 

The Khao Lak by Katathani occupies a vast, grassy property on the beach, with lovely views of hills in the distance. Three-story tan buildings hold the guest rooms, while entrance is through a low-lying concrete structure protected by a glass awning. Palm trees dot the grounds and there's plenty of space for sunbathing and relaxing in the fresh air. A massive lagoon at the center of the property is filled with koi fish and guests can help out with morning and afternoon feedings -- a nice touch for the many families that stay here. Interiors are spacious, open, and airy with plenty of natural light and trendy, modern decor. A huge centerpiece in the lobby features several dangling industrial-style black lanterns. Slim gray sofas and chic natural wood tables sit against the windows. Lattice designs decorate some walls, offering glimpses of the tropical landscape outside. While typically quiet and calm, the property can get overcrowded at breakfast and sometimes at the adult-only pool. 

See More Scene

Location

Center of Khaolak, near restaurants and bars

The hotel has a convenient location on Nang Thong Beach in the center of Khaolak, on the west coast of Phang-Nga. This is a low key area with white sand beaches and considerably fewer crowds and development than the bigger resort towns of Phuket. The property is on a main road and there are several other hotels in the neighborhood, as well as a good number of restaurants, bars, and tourist markets within a five to 10 minutes' walk. Car rental companies are located within a five-minute drive, and families can head to a mini-golf venue about 25 minutes' drive away. The International Tsunami Museum is around 15 minutes away on foot. Most guests linger on the resort grounds and beach, but Similan Island is an easy day trip, as is Khao Sok National Park, located an hour and 15 minutes away. Phuket is around two hours' drive, and its international airport can be reached in about 90 minutes. 

See More Location

Rooms

Tropical accents and balconies 

Rooms are bright and clean with a relaxed and modern feel. An earthy palette of beige and white is accented with tropical touches and pops of light gold, pink, or turquoise. A different leaf motif decorates each building, one of which holds rooms that open directly onto a shared pool -- although guests note that balconies here can lack sun. Other rooms have views of the lagoon or gardens, and there are comfy settees placed by the large windows. Family Rooms sleep four and include a separate nook for kids, separated by a sliding door. All rooms have private balconies, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, safes, and air-conditioning. Additionally there are mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms have a fresh tropical feel with bright green tile in the rainfall showers (soaking tubs in some). Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Some guests have complained of slight odors in the rooms from cleaning supplies, as well as minor wear and tear. 

See More Rooms

Features

Two pools, lots of activities, and several restaurants and bars

Features here are convenient and mostly focused on families and relaxing. There are two pools, including an adult-only pool and a kiddy pool -- be advised that there can be a mad dash for sunbeds in the morning and that staff doesn't enforce the adult-only policy. There's also a sandy beach and spacious lawn for relaxing and catching rays on sun beds with umbrellas. The property has a bright, modern fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, plus a spa that offers massages on the beach or in an indoor treatment room. Additional activities are available for a fee and include tennis, Thai cooking classes, yoga, Thai boxing, and beach volleyball. The kids' club is free, and there's also an outdoor playground and a large rec room with couches, bookshelves, and billiards. 

Dining at the resort includes Talay Restaurant, a beachfront venue serving fresh grilled seafood throughout the day, and The Floating Market, which overlooks the lagoon and serves international buffets for breakfast (fee) and dinner. The swim-up Coconut Bar is located steps from the ocean in the adult-only pool. Mango Bar has nightly entertainment, and Pineapple Bar in front of the lobby serves drinks next to a reflecting pool. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.