Happy families island

If you have a family with little children and are looking for a relaxing place to cool off this summer, the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is highly recommended.

Its 30 rai of beautiful tropical gardens with three swimming pools overlook the Andaman Sea on beautiful Mai Khao Beach, 15 minutes north by car of Phuket's International Airport. The resort hogs a whole 17 kilometres of natural beachfront and is bounded by the Srinath Marine Natural Park and a protected sea-turtle nesting area.

Though it sits in splendid isolation, the complex has everything a family might want for that perfect holiday experience.

Parents can park their kids in the Children's Pavilion, and sneak off for a little quiet time. The extensive range of programmes that cater to toddlers, teens and all ages in between should be enough to keep the youngsters busy. Facilities including computers, a large TV for movies, Sony PlayStation, puzzles, pool table and table tennis, wooden toys, and craft activities.

Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy hanging out in the tropical garden, sunbathing on the beach or lounging around poolside.

Want more action? Mum might like to try the workshops for batik painting, origami, or fruit carving, or go the holistic route, taking part in Pilates, yoga or aerobics classes. Or she could send Dad off to do the girlie stuff and go for a work out in the fitness centre, learn the art of Thai boxing, or join a mountain bike sunset tour. And when Dad gets back from his yoga class, both can play tennis. For golf enthusiasts, the Blue Canyon Country Club with 36 holes is just 10 minutes away.

What's more, the whole family can try various watersports - diving, snorkelling, kayaking or sailing; discover the art of cooking Thai at the Ginja Cooking School; or be pampered with a complete range of traditional and Western spa treatments at the Mandara Spa.

Hungry? The resort's many restaurants offer a world of flavours. The Marriott Cafe features all-day dining highlighted by breakfast and dinner buffets, while Japanese delicacies are served at the Kabuki Sushi bar. Cucina specialises in Italian regional cuisine, or the Siam deli offers light snacks, fresh pastries, made to order sandwiches and salads to eat in or to go. Then there's Ginja, which serves tourist-friendly spice-light Thai food. For steaks and seafood specialities with views of the Andaman Sea, drop by the Andaman Grill. There are also three bars: by the pool and the beach, and in the lobby.

If you begin to feel drained from all that eating and exercising, the rooms make great retreats to recuperate in - watch a movie on the DVD player or check your mail via the high-speed Internet connection. Spacious and airy, each room has a balcony and indoor sala with massage mats and triangular cushions - ideal for reading, or relaxing with the picture-window view of the blue sea as a backdrop. Rooms on the ground floor offer an additional private landscaped terrace with sun beds. The bathrooms have an oversized tub and separate shower. Attractive wooden louvered sliding partitions can be opened to get a view of the outdoors.

Topping things off is the warm Thai hospitality in the hotel. Try as she might, this reviewer just couldn't find fault with Phuket's Marriott.

      At a glance

High Point: Friendly staff, a variety activities for the whole family; lots of relaxing corners both indoors and out

Low Point: Far away from town. As for food, the Thai dishes may please farang tastes, but locals will find them bland.

Find it: 231 Moo3, Mai Khao, Talang, Phuket

Pay for it: Expect to pay around Bt6,500 for a King, Double, Garden View, or Balcony room; three- or four-night honeymoon packages cost from Bt30,600 to Bt50,300; the "Thai Delights" cooking course experience (four to six nights) costs Bt33,700 to Bt65,600; and the Spa Getaway Experience (three to six nights) will set you back Bt19,400 to Bt59,700.

Phone it: (076) 338 000 or (02) 656 7707

Browse it: www. JWMarriottPhuketResort.com