Visitors to Thailand know that there are certain things they can count on: Friendly people, great food that's unfathomably inexpensive and summertime weather that's utter perfection. But what may come as more of a surprise is the luxury accommodations that are so cheap and chic, you may find yourself thinking about moving to this gem of Southeast Asia.

Case in point: The luxe living at the JW Marriott in Khao Lak, which you'll find on the shores of the Andaman Sea on Khuk Khak beach. While many North American tourists flock to Phuket and Koh Samui, Khao Lak is a less crowded option with a more upscale feel ... without the upscale price tag. Situated about 60 kilometres north of Phuket, Khao Lak offers quiet, pristine beaches and a stay at the JW Marriott Khao Lak will feel like an exclusive, extravagant getaway. You'll never want to leave this 293-room paradise. Here's why:


The exterior of the JW Marriott Khao Lak combines the beauty of traditional Thai design with the elegance you'd expect from Marriott's upscale JW properties. It's surrounded by a 16,000 square metre lagoon-shaped pool that lazily winds its way around the property, giving guests in ground-level suites access to the pool right outside their balcony door. The Thai-top architecture (those pavilion peaks on the roof) are a visual delight, making the property look extraordinarily exotic and enticing. It's no surprise that this idyllic tropical rretreat won Conde Nast World's Top New Hotels award last year.
The sprawling hotel lobby greets guests with a modern take on traditional Thai design. The marble floors offer a cool respite from the outdoor heat, while stylish bamboo and rattan furnishings lend to the tropical feel. Soaring ceilings add an airy atmosphere to this otherwise tranquil space. It's the perfect welcome for travel-weary guests.

Guest bedrooms at the JW Marriott Khao Lak are more than just a place to rest your tired bones. The rooms have a contemporary Thai flair and feature a sizeable sitting area as well as a private deck that provides access to the lagoon-shaped swimming pool. Crisp white linens on Marriott's signature 'Revive' bed and a monochromatic colour scheme create a soothing bedroom retreat. But don't worry ... rooms are also fully equipped with the high-tech amenities you'd expect, like a 40-inch wall-mounted LCD TC, DVD player, smart-touch screen telephone and WiFi, of course. 

The bathroom in the executive suite takes luxury to new heights. With a standalone deep soaker tub like this one, you'll never want to leave your room. Marble and glass combine to give this space a spa-like feeling that's perfect for rest and relaxation. And speaking of the spa, you'll want to check out the blissfully tranquil Quan Spa for an array of treatments, therapies and classes.