Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa

The rooms are spacious, the service is excellent, and the breakfast offers a wide variety of high-quality options. The beach was quiet and mostly deserted, and there weren't many people at the pool since it was the off-season. Even though it was the rainy season, we had sunny weather every day. I would definitely stay here again.

This hotel feels like it was built with the cheapest materials and the workmanship is terrible! Has Marriott really fallen to this level? ① The room floors are covered in the cheapest tiles, worse than what you'd find in a budget hotel! The grout lines are full of grime, making me wonder if the floor has ever been cleaned! ② The paint on the walls is severely peeling. ③ I booked a swim-up room, but the pool water was so murky you couldn't see the bottom – completely unusable for swimming! And the 'pool' itself was only about 2 meters wide, not connected to the main pool at all. It was just a small, dug-out basin shared by a few rooms, yet the price was significantly higher! ④ The moment I walked into the room, there was a strong musty smell! ⑤ Breakfast had limited variety and the food quality was mediocre. Edible, but nothing special. ⑥ The seawater at the hotel's beach was also very murky. I'm not sure if it's a seasonal issue. ⑦ I arrived at 3 PM, and the front desk told me my room wasn't ready! They gave me a free drink voucher, and I sat at the bar waiting until 4:10 PM before I was finally told I could go to my room. ⑧ One morning at breakfast, a waiter had a good attitude, so I chatted with him for a bit. Shortly after, he came over and asked me to give him a good review! This kind of manipulative tactic is really annoying!

Traveling during the off-season offered great value for money. The facilities are comprehensive, with a private beach that hosts several affordable restaurants and massage shops. The breakfast was plentiful, and the staff were friendly. We even got an upgrade to a room with direct access to a small pool, which was very convenient.

The hotel's location is remote. The slightly overweight lady at the front desk who checked me in had an awkward, unwelcoming, and hesitant expression. I'm not sure if that's how Marriott front desk staff are supposed to maintain their etiquette, but it was a bit disgusting. Check-in was incredibly slow. For dinner, I tried the so-called Korean BBQ set menu, which was pure hype and not authentic at all. It was incredibly hot, and you have to grill it yourself, leaving you sweaty and smelling of smoke. I mentioned it was my birthday and requested a room with a nice view. Instead, my room was right next to the restaurant, so I smelled cooking odors every day. It felt very business-like, lacking the warmth and attentiveness of Thai service. The restaurant really isn't worth it.