Overview: Here's another massive opening by Marriott, closely following Phuket Marriott Hotel & Resort, Nai Yang Beach. The property that stood as The Merlin Beach Hotel for 16 years has had a complete revamp, though one of the main highlights remains the private strip of beach on the peninsula just a little bit south of Patong. Although this is a very family-friendly resort, couples and solo travelers will also enjoy the seclusion and close proximity to the bustling nightlife. 

 

Rooms: The resort is huge—414 rooms huge. In total, there eight room types, from the modest Deluxe Lagoon Pool View to the luxurious Royal Suite. These are definitely on the minimal side of things, though spacious. Each room type comes with a balcony and bathtub, plus amenities from THANN. 

 

Facilities: There's so much to do around the resort there's little reason to leave. First off are the three massive swimming pools, one of which has its own artificial waterfall. The main outdoor pool has its own poolside bar (daily happy hour, guys!), while the family pool comes with a kids' area and a slider. A huge green lawn stretches across one side of Tri-Trang Beach (locally known as Merlin Beach), where you can plop down for the day. Perhaps most exciting are the private beach's prime scuba-diving and snorkeling opportunities. On-site you'll also find a Reef Education Center, which does a lot of great conservation projects in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Other activities include morning Yoga, muay Thai, kayaking and paddleboarding, excursions to nearby islands such as Similan, and a half-day trip to Chalong Bay Rum Distillery & Bar. The modest spa features eight terracotta, Sino-Portuguese-inspired tiled treatment rooms, as well as a hair salon. 

Dining: There are a whopping eight F&B options across the property, including all-day dining at The Merchant, Thai cuisine at Thai Pantry, Italian at D.O.C.G, and seafood at Beach Grill, which does a huge buffet every Thursday Night with live saxophone. The sweet-toothed can drop by Phuket Coffee Co., which does freshly baked cakes and pastries plus coffees and teas sourced from Chiang Rai. Here, the resort also collaborates with Nommy to create their own frozen yogurt, with two different flavors available every day. Healthier options are available at Wellness, located right by the faux-waterfall. The Lounge Bar by the lobby does live music every night from 7pm onwards. More initimate dinners can also be arranged right on the beach at the Insta-perfect white pavilion.. 

 

Rave: With the beaches around Phuket becoming increasingly busy, here you've got your own private beach that's only accessible by hotel guests. Newbies to scuba-diving can take a three-hour introductory course without having to leave the resort (they're currently complimentary for guests staying three nights or more). Stay longer if you want full SSI certification. It's also a great base for visiting other beaches: a kayak to the quiet Freedom Beach takes around 20 minutes, a ride to Paradise Beach (now popular for regular EDM raves) takes less than 10 minutes, while you're also a 10-minute drive away from the neon lights of Bangla Road (if you're into that). 

Rant: The corridors to some of the rooms feel a little bit outdated. It is a massive resort so don't expect much solitude (the kids' pool, in particular, gets noisy), though it doesn't ever feel crowded either. The spa requires an early booking due to the high volume of guests seeking great value-for-money deals like a B500 neck, shoulder and head massage or B3,200 165-minute Feeling Warm Tropical De-Aging Body Treatment package.  

Rates: Prices start at B3,600/night for the Superior Lagoon Pool View, all the way up to B12,000/night for the Merlin Suite or B12,200 for the Royal Suite. Add B500 for the full breakfast spread at Merchant Kitchen, which is totally worth it.