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A luxuriant garden

Karon Beach, on Phuket’s west coast, is the resort’s home. Less crazy than Patong Beach, but with no shortage of shops, restaurants, and (of course) sand, it’s an ideal setting for a family-friendly resort. Only a road stands between the hotel and the sea – guests staying in the Apartment Residences can move from bed to beach in seconds – and only a five-minute walk separates the hotel from the vibrant village centre. With green lagoons, majestic trees, and a tangle of verdant plant life, the resort grounds are like a tamed jungle. Footpaths wind through the gardens to the mishmash-styled buildings that house the resort’s 364 rooms. It takes a couple of laps to figure out how to get from one place to another, but thankfully, a map is always nearby with those three comforting words: You are here.

Non-stop action

The Play Zone - 8/12 years area

A busy child is a happy child, and the resort has plenty of entertainment options. The Play Zone – staffed by smiling women every kid quickly warms to – has three separate age-specific areas. The 12-and-over set can relax in the DVD lounge, email friends back home, shoot a game of pool, or pick up some reading material from the massive magazine and book collection. For children between the ages of four and 12, there are six different organized activities every day of the week. The list runs from tennis lessons to Thai dancing to aquarium candle making, ensuring a good balance of things that drain energy and feed the brain. Reservations can be made by the hour, half-day, or full day.

The swimming pools offer four more havens of fun. The main pool has a separated kid’s mini-pool, waterslide, and games for children, as well as a swim-up bar for parents. Coconut Grove Pool is quieter and conveniently located next to many Garden Villa rooms. Saeng Chan Pool might be small, but it’s also home to the resident dive centre that gives free scuba refresher courses as well as a full range of PADI courses and day or multi-day dive trips. A spa with salon, two tennis courts and a wide range of classes and activities round out the considerable options available.

Big is beautiful

Twin beds room in the Family Villa

The Two-Bedroom Family Suites and the new Residences – also with two bedrooms – are nearly the same price; the deciding factor being how much space you need. The Family Suites, with 165 square meters (about 1,775 square feet) of indoor space, are big enough for four adults with two children in tow. The living room has a bedroom on either side – one with a king size bed, the other with two twin beds – and has daybeds that can be made up for the little ones to sleep on. Mom and dad get generous touches such as large tubs and outdoor rain showers, and the kids get a video game system. The Family Suites come in two flavours: go for garden views, large terraces, and bonus bunk-beds in the freestanding villas (recommended) or choose sea views with balconies in the main building.

The Residences are perched above the beach road; all offer enviable sea views, though some are better than others. Like the Family Suites, they have a king size bed and two twin beds. But they also boast luxurious touches like plasma televisions, kitchenettes, butler service, and roll-away walls that merge the living room with the outdoor patio. The boxy-but-cool design is straight out of a modern architecture magazine, and with controlled entry through a private gate and its own infinity-edge swimming pool, the complex is essentially a resort within a resort.

The intimate choice

Pool Villa

Of course, not everyone is travelling with a small army, and there are plenty of choice rooms for couples. The Plunge Pool Villas and their upstairs neighbours, the Penthouse Plunge Pool Villas, are spacious and outfitted with ease-inducing furnishings. Large showers, separate oversized bathtubs, and luxurious trimmings make the bathroom easy to love. And don’t forget the plunge pools. Are they big? No. Refreshing and romantic? Yes, and extremely so. The Penthouse Villas have rooftop pools in shaded lounge areas – the views and privacy make it a worthwhile upgrade.

All rooms come equipped with ultra-soft bedding, high-quality furnishings, and make liberal use of teak. In-room broadband internet access is available for purchase, with wireless access in common areas included in the cost. Security safes, bathrobes and slippers, cable television, and complimentary tea and coffee are standard. Accommodations in outlying buildings have fully stocked mini-bars, while guests in the main building are encouraged to fill their (empty) mini-fridge with items from the lobby kiosk.

Delectable dining

Wildfire Restaurant

The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket is home to a great selection of restaurants. Pacifica is the main dining area, and the morning buffet is the perfect start to the day. The indoor dining area feels like a dressed up version of home – it’s that comfortable – and outdoor patio seating is also available. Breakfast has everything you want, whether you’re craving Asian or Western fare, and it’s all tasty. Wildfire lives up to its name with flaming decorations. Enjoy live music and grilled Brazilian and Thai food in the evenings and perfect pizzas from lunch until late. Sandwiches, pastries, and gourmet coffee sharing the resort’s name are available at the funky Café Studio.

Hotel Information and Room Rates

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Photo Gallery of the Hotel