Set directly on the beach, The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani offers something architecturally deliberate: three separate wings, each with their own atmosphere, sharing one stretch of coastline. The adults-only pool sits in the Seaside Wing, the water park anchors the Aqua Wing and the Lagoon Wing’s calm waters invite quiet relaxation – so nobody has to compromise on the kind of holiday they came for.
The adults-only pool and garden offer a genuine escape
The term ‘adults-only pool’ takes on a different meaning in the Seaside Wing. At The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani, it’s not a roped-off corner of the main pool; it’s an entirely separate pool, surrounded by a generous adults-only garden. If cocktails without kids haven’t done the trick, Nalinya Spa is on hand to restore peace. Six private treatment rooms sit next to the lagoon, with Thai massage pavilions overlooking the ocean. The treatment menu spans deep-tissue and traditional Thai massages, detoxifying body scrubs and brightening facials.
The water zone is the kind families plan trips around
A lazy river, water play house and a collection of slides make up The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani’s family-friendly Aqua Wing play area. High-energy zones sit separately from the calmer pools and jacuzzis, so when the slides get competitive mid-afternoon, there’s always somewhere quiet to drift. The total pool count stands at nine, and includes a shallow paddling area specifically for toddlers and a beachfront pool fringed by palm trees. Submerged loungers invite lazy afternoons at Jellyfish, the Family Pool’s swim-up bar.
Sands Castle kids’ club: superhero and princess corner for imaginative play
Forget dusty toys and broken foosball tables – The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani’s Sands Castle is the kind of kids’ club they’ll be talking about for years. Colourful slides lead into the ball house, trampolines take the edge off all that ice cream energy, and the superhero and princess corner encourages imaginative play. Children aged four and above can attend independently, which makes the Sands Castle timetable (packed with crafts, dance and movie nights) something parents can build their own day around. The dedicated staff are fully trained and certified in babysitting and first aid, giving parents peace of mind throughout their stay.
The Floating Market: buffet fare above the lagoon
Three restaurants serve the resort – Talay grills fresh seafood on the beach and Manta Ray serves family classics by the pool – but it’s The Floating Market that stands out. Positioned over the resort’s lagoon, breakfast and dinner buffets offer live cooking stations to cater to all tastes. The resort’s four bars (Coconut, Mango, Pineapple and swim-up bar Jellyfish) mean a cold drink is never far away.
Khao Lak sits close enough to Phuket without feeling like it
Sitting approximately 60 minutes’ drive north of Phuket Airport on Thailand’s Andaman coast, Khao Lak is far enough to feel secluded but close enough to make arrival easy. The beach is wide, the water calms considerably outside the monsoon months, and Bang Niang Market – Khao Lak’s most popular food and night market – is a five-minute drive away. The Khao Lak coast, national park and dive sites might even convince you to leave the resort.
