Khao Lak Merlin Beach Resort

I've entitled my review referencing the rainforest as it was a key reason we chose this particular hotel. It sits in amongst the forest and is so sympathetically constructed that you feel a little bit back to nature without compromising on your comfort. Our deluxe room was modern, beautifully presented and had a fabulous bathroom. There was a deep stand alone tub and a separate rainfall shower. The room was cleaned early every day to an excellent standard. The food here is of a very high standard. We were all inclusive so took all meals in the hotel. There is an extensive menu of Thai food and European food. There are special buffet evenings and some entertainment too. However,as many people have pointed out this isn't a party hotel which suited us fine.The presentation of the food is to a very high standard. At lunch times you can eat at The Verandah and this can be a snack or a full meal as you wish. The cakes in the afternoon are fantastic! As are the deserts at dinner!. The staff are all very lovely people and the service had been very attentive. Unfortunately we were both bitten by mosquitos a great deal. It is necessary to wear insect repellent day and night. There is a little village close by with a supermarket and a pharmacy should you need anything extra. The weather was very hot and very humid during our stay so bring the lightest most comfortable clothing you can.

We stayed here as a break from our world travel tour and met with 6 friends from UK. We had a superior room which was really lovely. Very comfortable bed, a superb bathroom with shower and a large separate bath. We also had a balcony overlooking a pond. We couldn’t fault the room at all and the cleaner was great with the room pristine every day. We had the B&B plan as we wanted to enjoy local restaurants for dinner. The breakfast buffet was excellent- top quality (coffee was a little too strong but OK). The hotel grounds are well maintained and really lovely to wander around. There are numerous pools and the beach is so nice - good that loungers are not allowed on the beach in that area. There are plenty of sunbeds for all guests spread around the garden area. Worth wandering across to Nana’s beach bar for lunch and drinks. The staff were all very helpful and efficient. I would thoroughly recommend the Merlin resort - we all had a great time there.

After almost two weeks we sit here writing our review wishing we had two more weeks and not two more days. The Khaolak Merlin hotel is a place you will quickly fall in love with. With its charming character and attractive grounds you will feel as if you’re staying in the jungles of Thailand. Having taken several trips into the main town of Khaolak, the merlin is ideally situated and superior in our view. The small village outside is a miniature version of the main town but this makes it easier to get around and find what you need with a perfect balance of shops, restaurants and bars. The hotel can be quiet at night which was ideal for us, so don’t expect a party destination. We chose this hotel for that reason and the fact it’s a great base to explore the region in easy distance from many of the sights. Food: The food is fantastic, not as diverse as some European ‘buffet’ hotels but this isn’t Europe and a small percentage only stay all inclusive. The food at the al a carte on the other hand is amazing. Plenty of choice and cooked to perfection. If your staying all inclusive you won’t be disappointed. The spirts and beers are all top label brands with a few local ones too. There is something for everyone. Gluten Free: As a celiac we picked all inclusive to save any panic on where to eat. The staff are amazing, each one of them remembered after a day what I needed and with a separate gluten free al a carte menu there is plenty of choice to last two weeks. Even the buffet food is labelled clearly. And if you’re vegan/vegetarian there’s a menu for you too, although with a little less choice. Staff: The team work tirelessly, from restaurants, to the bars, the entertainment team and grounds keepers. Everyone always has a smile and will say hello (unlike European hotels) a true testament to how friendly and lovely the Thai people are. They are also great at remembering room numbers. Within 12 hours the bars knew what tab to put drinks too. Team Members: We tried to remember each persons name on this holiday which is unlike us. Everyone made the stay perfect and management should be proud of the team they have. A few particular members we felt stood out and made our stay and dietary requirements easier: Women Fee - veranda bar - spoke perfect English at the veranda bar and was super helpful in helping others understand our needs. Nuci - veranda bar - had a constant smile, and was always super friendly and would remember drinks and menu choices. Joop - breakfasts - another who always had a smile and kept things moving. Mod - pool bar - cheeky and had a great sense of humour. Mod - trainee - within her first few days Mod became more confident and will do great once she has passed her probation. A great asset! In fact all the trainees did very well. Men: Gun - beech barman - a legend, always happy to offer advice on places to go. And would remember drinks orders, maybe we’re boring! Wearawat - veranda bar - very chatty and super helpful and would make extra effort to make sure we were catered too even when a la carte wasn’t on offer at this bar when theme nights were on the agenda. Ae - waiter everywhere - a true asset, super friendly and always on hand. Works tirelessly at all restaurants and bars. Max - veranda barman - rushed off his feet but made things look effortless and kept a smile throughout. Rooms: We had room 4219. This is further than most rooms to most amenities but it’s also on the quieter end and side of the hotel which was perfect. You get a great view of the gardens and meandering river and a small glimpse of the sea through the tree tops. The room was cleaned spotlessly every day with fresh towels should you need them everyday. Ignore any bad reviews. We’ve stayed in many hotels across the world and this is a winner!