Thailand’s third JW Marriott-branded property opened on November 1, 2009 in Phang Nga province under a long-term management agreement between Marriott International and Cherfah Company Ltd.

The 298-room JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is located on a lushly-landscaped site along a one kilometer stretch of pristine Khuk Khak Beach. It is one of only two internationally-branded luxury resorts in the market. Its guest rooms are arranged in four main primary wings, perpendicular to the beach and provide spectacular views of the resort’s two sprawling lagoon-like swimming pool areas and grounds. Phuket International Airport, which serves 17 international destinations with nonstop service daily, is an hour’s drive away.

“We are delighted to expand our JW Marriott brand presence in Thailand,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “and are confident the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa will be popular with leisure and incentive travelers who are seeking the renowned Thai travel experience in a relaxed, quiet environment.” 

The resort is offering a special introductory rate of approximately $150++ per night in the pool view room category including complimentary Internet access and breakfast for two persons. Stays of four nights or longer will be upgraded to pool access rooms. The offer is available on www.marriott.com  and is available until December 20, 2009. Greg Allen is the resort’s general manager and Roger Parnow is director of marketing.

Spacious guest rooms at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa are Thai-inspired and feature teak wood appointments and rich Thai silks.  All have Marriott’s plush bed and bath linens and amenities, a 40-inch LCD flat-screen television, a comfortable seating area, high-speed internet access, a balcony with outdoor seating or deck offering direct access to the swimming pool area.

For dining and entertainment, the resort has seven restaurants and bars. Six of the restaurants are clustered along the beach, some offering magnificent views of the Andaman Sea.  Restaurant concepts will center around Waterfront, an all-day, beachfront dining facility with outdoor seating and a permanent buffet. In addition, the resort has three themed restaurants including Ta-Krai, featuring Thai cuisine; Sakura, offering Japanese delicacies; and Olive, highlighting Mediterranean specialties.  The resort will also have two pool bars and an open lobby area and lounge with its own deli-bar.

Focal point of the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa’s recreational amenities is its award-winning, beachside spa complex, Quan. It includes 15 double treatment rooms, each with a private changing area; a steam room and private outdoor terrace.  Eight of the suites offer both massage and wet treatments.  Rounding out the spa complex are a retail area, a yoga studio and a beauty salon.

Other recreational facilities are a kid’s club, a fitness center with an aerobics studio, two flood-lighted tennis courts and a squash court.

A club lounge with an outdoor terrace; a business center with a small meeting room, PC stations and internet access; a concierge desk and a gift shop are also offered.

For meetings and social events, the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has 444 square meters of space comprised of a 288-square meter ballroom, a meeting room and two boardrooms in varying configurations.

The Marriott International portfolio in the vicinity of the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa includes six properties.  These are the 265-room JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, 256-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach, 385-room Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Patong, 180-room Courtyard by Marriott Kamala Beach and two Marriott Vacation Club International ownership resorts.  Under construction are the 202-room Phuket Marriott Resort at Kamala Cove and the 180-room Renaissance Resort Phuket.

The JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, along with more than 3,100 other Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, is also part of Marriott Rewards, the guest reward program that allows its over 30 million members to earn points or airline miles for each dollar spent during each stay.