Thailand4Families

Where to stay with kids

Khao Lak with kids

Quieter and greener than Phuket, about 90 minutes north of Phuket airport. Long beaches, big resort pools and the Similan Islands on the doorstep.

A note from Ron

Khao Lak is what I suggest when a family tells me they just want to stop. One resort, a long quiet beach, a pool, nowhere you have to be. It's about 90 minutes from Phuket airport, so it suits a week or more better than a quick hop.

Best monthsNov to Apr (calmest sea)
Good forSlower beach weeks
Family hotels3

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Family hotels

Filter by your kids' ages and how many of you there are. Room names are exactly what to search for on the booking page.

Kids' ages
How many of you

La Flora Khao Lak

Bang Niang, on the beach · Checked 24 Oct 2026

Under 55-11
Rooms for 5+
  • Flora 2 Bedroom, sleeps 5. Per booking-site listings, so confirm with the hotel
Kids club
Yes, with soft play. Reviewers say kids 5+ can be left there. Check ages.

Heads upThe main pool gets busy and sunbeds go early. Some reviewers mention thin walls.

More details
  • Under 5: Toddler-style kids' pool, soft play, walkable area.
  • 5-11: Kids club and beach on the doorstep.

Pools: Main pool plus a small toddler pool.

Beach: Beachfront on Bang Niang. Often red flags May-Oct.

Walkable: Yes, about 5 minutes to Bang Niang's restaurants and market.

Sources: Little Passport Crew, Expedia listing

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JW Marriott Khao Lak

Khuk Khak, on the beach · Checked 24 Oct 2026

Under 55-1112+
Rooms for 5+
  • Two-bedroom suite (Resort Suites wing), sleeps 5. Per booking-site listings, so confirm with the hotel
Kids club
Family by JW Club, 4-12, with toddler and teen spaces.

Heads upRemote: about 90 minutes from Phuket airport and you'll need taxis to eat out. Two hotels share the site, and the two-bedroom suites are in the Resort Suites wing.

More details
  • Under 5: Toddler space in the kids club and an aqua playground.
  • 5-11: Kids club (4-12), lagoon pool with slides.
  • 12+: A teen space in the club.

Pools: Huge lagoon pool, slides, aqua playground. No separate kids' pool.

Beach: Beachfront. Often red flags May-Oct.

Walkable: No. Bang Niang is about 6 km away.

Sources: TTR Weekly (suites wing), JW Club press release, phuket101

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Two hotels share this site. This button opens Resort & Spa. The two-bedroom suites are in Resort Suites, so ask the hotel directly for those.

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The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani

Nang Thong, on the beach · Checked 24 Oct 2026

Under 55-1112+
Rooms for 5+
  • 2-Bedroom Teen Suite, sleeps 5. 2 adults + 3 children under 18
Kids club
Sands Castle club for kids and teens. Ages not published.

Heads upBooks out early for peak dates. The mini water park also takes outside day guests.

More details
  • Under 5: Mini water park and family pool.
  • 5-11: Kids club and slides.
  • 12+: Teen suite takes under-18s, and the club covers teens.

Pools: Mini water park, family pool and a family slide.

Beach: Beachfront in central Khao Lak. Often red flags May-Oct.

Walkable: Yes, it's the lively centre.

Sources: The Sands (teen suite), The Sands (kids)

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Nothing matches all of those. Try resetting one filter, or ask in the group.

Still not sure? Post your dates, your kids' ages and the two places you're stuck between in the group. Families who've just been there are often happy to chime in.

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Five or more of you? Every room that sleeps 5 or 6

Which area?

Pick the area first. It decides your days more than the hotel does.

Bang Niang

Relaxed and walkable, with a wide beach and restaurants on foot.

Under 55-1112+

The easiest all-rounder for families.

Walkable: yes

Beach: Wide. Often red flags May-Oct.

Nang Thong

Central and livelier, shops close by.

5-1112+

More going on for older kids.

Walkable: yes

Beach: Often red flags May-Oct.

Khuk Khak

Quiet and upscale, big resorts.

Under 55-11

Best if you plan to stay in the resort.

Walkable: no, you need taxis for food

Beach: Often red flags May-Oct.

Getting there

From Phuket airport

About 82 km, roughly 1 hour 30 by car (1-2 hours depending on your resort). There's no airport in Khao Lak, so everyone comes this way.

Car seats

Transfer companies offer them on request, subject to availability. Pre-book, give the seat type and age, and get it confirmed. Check pickup hours too if you land late.

Beaches with kids

All three areas

Long, uncrowded beaches. Calm Nov-Apr. From May to Oct they often fly red flags, roughest Jun-Aug, so plan pool days then.

Bang Niang

Wide and easy to reach, with the market and food nearby.

Things to do with kids

Similan Islands

One operator takes over-3s onlyFull day, 75-90 min speedboat each way

Season runs 15 Oct to 15 May. Much shorter from here than from Phuket.

Check on Klook

Surin Islands and Moken village

Check minimum ageLong day, about 7:30am to 7pm

Closed in monsoon. Better for older kids who can handle a long day on the water.

Check on Klook

Thap Lamu Sea Turtle Conservation Centre

All ages30-60 minSmall entry fee

Run by the Navy, open 8am-4:30pm. Bring a passport or ID: the checkpoint holds it while you're inside.

Ton Chong Fa waterfall (Lam Ru National Park)

All ages for the first tiersAbout 20 min easy walk to the first tiersTHB 100 adult, 50 child (3-14)

The upper trails are rough and not for small kids. No food on site, so bring snacks.

Bamboo rafting

All ages45 min

A gentle river float, an easy half-day with little ones.

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