The Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort is at the southern end of Phuket’s most popular bay. So imagine our delight to be invited to check out the resort’s tropical oasis, something that you don’t necessarily think you’ll find in Phuket’s infamous party town. The beach is quieter here, away from the sun-worshipping crowds and row upon row of sun loungers.
Spacious Resort
In late 2023, Marriott rebranded the Patong Beach Resort as a four-star Courtyard by Marriott hotel. There is nothing I like better than a new renovation from a trusted hotel brand! With 21 acres, it is one of the most spacious resorts in the area, making it rather unique and special.
Appeals to all
This family-friendly resort appeals to all ages. It’s not long before we bond with other retirees. As the daily Aqua Fitness class finishes, I chat with fellow Aussies who have been frequenting this resort for over ten years. They tell me what brings them back is the contrast between the calm inside the hotel grounds and the nightlife on the doorstep. Molly’s Irish Tavern, with its lively band, is apparently their favourite place for a good night out!
As experienced travellers to Thailand, they appreciate strolling out at night knowing you can walk home without the hassle of finding and potentially haggling for transport. When we ventured out for an evening wander down Bangla Road (like you do!), we, too, loved returning to the serene gardens of Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong.
The Rooms
At our visit, not all 448 air-conditioned rooms had reopened; some renovations still needed to be completed. The good news is that in addition to being given a brand new room, you can choose from a private balcony, terrace, or swim-out pool access room. The rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong start at 31 sqm, which is big by Patong standards.
The rooms offer modern, stylish space. Some are interconnected, which is perfect for families. You won’t get a deeply Thai-feeling experience inside the room, but you certainly will from the incredible tropical outlook.
I liked the open-plan bathroom (with a privacy blind!), which gives an extra feeling of space. Our room had a balcony overlooking the main swimming pool. Inside, we found a table and chairs and a day bed; the rooms are thoughtfully designed and great for lounging if, like me, you need a rest after three fitness classes a day!!
Relaxation and Recreation
Regarding relaxation, the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Patong doesn’t disappoint. You have the choice of four swimming pools hidden amongst the gardens.
Swimming pools
Much as I love Patong Beach at sunrise and in the low season, my place of relaxation will always be around one of the Courtyard by Marriott Patong’s four swimming pools. I enjoy having everything to hand, from the staff offering you a freshly rolled-up orange pool towel to the daily complimentary poolside snacks like fairy floss or popcorn.
The Main Pool
The Tropical Pool
This was our favourite pool to hang out at. Under the canopy of three enormous palm trees is Below 23, a popular sundowner place with a cleverly hidden bar behind an island of shrubbery.
The Serene Pool
This is the smallest pool. Ground-floor rooms have pool entry access. It also has its own swim-up bar, Below 47.
Fun Pool
The fourth pool is the Fun Pool, a wet and wild pool with two slides, fountains, and a pirate ship. With its own area near the beachfront of the resort, it ensures that everyone can find their pool of choice.
The Fun Pool is aimed at the younger generation and involves a lot of children having fun, so be warned! The pool is a great draw card for family or multi-generational travellers.
Activities
For those who like to stay active, you will be spoiled for choice. I can attest to the well-organised activities program for all ages, including the Kids Club.
Each day, we started with an early morning walk along Patong Beach, returning for a pool dip before joining an exercise class at 8:30 a.m., usually something like Yoga or Tai Chi.
By 11 am, after a lovely brekkie, we usually sat around one of the pools, and you couldn’t help but join in the enthusiastic Aqua Fitness team. Thailand’s swimming pools are warm and a pleasure to jump into. You won’t find me to be the first to jump in an open-air swimming pool in many countries, but in Thailand, it’s such a treat.
Then, in the evening, they offered Beach Sunset Yoga, an Introduction to Muay Thai Boxing, or my new favourite activity, Shadow Boxing!
Kids Club
I could see ourselves booking to stay at this resort when we have grandchildren! They offer something for every generation. The Kids’ Activities range from yoga to crafts, and they also offer Family Activities, some aimed at teenagers, such as Water Polo for 13 years +
Dining Options
The hotel has five restaurants and bars serving various cuisines, catering to diverse palates. I’m always interested in knowing where the chefs come from, and as well as from Thailand, there is an Indian chef which explains the excellent Indian food on offer.
The Courtyard by Marriott offers some great all-inclusive package deals, so if you are on Full Board, they offer diverse buffets and daily specials.
The exciting news is four additional dining outlets facing Patong Beach are planned by the end of 2024.
Breakfast
Breakfast was served at The Phuket Eatery, an all-day dining restaurant offering an impressive buffet of international and local dishes. Be sure to check out the signature eggs, a Yellow Phuket Snapper Curry, and an exotic start to any day.
You can order eggs from the table, and the staff were very accommodating of my special requests for an egg white omelette, fresh lemongrass, and ginger tea!
The Phuket Eatery
You can return to The Phuket Eatery for an a la carte lunch, which offers air-conditioned dining or opt for outside dining. Suggestions include Thai specialities, including their signature dish, Khao Pad Sapparot Thalay, and other Thai favourites, such as Phad Kraprao and Gaeng Massasam, or you can choose to savour international favourites.
We returned here each evening for our a la carte dinner, which included different buffet barbecues and themed nights such as Andaman Seafood.
The Pool Deck
We also loved a casual lunch at The Pool Deck. Each day, a BBQ grill serves different dishes alongside the Main Pool, which can be ordered and served at The Pool Deck if, like us, you welcome a cooling fan tableside.
Bars
There are three bars. During the day, two swim-up bars, Below 23 at the Tropical Pool and Below 47 at the Serene Pool, are open with Happy Hour between 4 and 6 p.m. At night, the Lounge Bar opens with a Live Band and entertainment.
Patong
Patong is a beach resort town on the west coast of Phuket Island, facing the Andaman Sea in the southwest of Thailand. It is a lively, ‘never a dull moment’ town with numerous attractions, shopping, and restaurants. Love or hate this popular party town; you’ll never be bored!
Prime Location
Phuket is a large island, and with its ever-increasing popularity and traffic congestion, there’s a lot to say about basing yourself in the heart of all the action.
Patong Beach
A 3-km strip of golden sand is one of the most popular beaches in Phuket. If watersports are your thing, you’ll find plenty of choices, including jet skiing, parasailing, stand-up paddle boarding, banana boat rides, and kayaking.
We’re up early to glimpse Patong’s vast bay at its most natural. It’s empty, except for a few athletic types off for an early morning jog to stretch their muscles over the 3km stretch of golden sands. It’s a perfect walking and jogging beach.
The water is crystal clear, which I find interesting after the myriad of jet skis and power boats we saw racing around towing inflatable bananas or parachutes with dangling parasailers.
Meeting the locals
Gotta give them their dues; Patong’s reputation as a party town, complete with its seedier element, is not playing out here on the beach at dawn. It’s just us and the municipal beach clean-up team. One of whom stops me and asks me to take some video of her hard at work.
I oblige, thinking she hit lucky in asking an Instagrammer for help before she turns around and insists on taking some photos for me, among my favourite pics ever! Never judge a place by a lady with a broom on a beach. She knows her stuff and even shows me what poses she has seen others taking.
Fancy this! I never imagined Patong’s beach clean-up team to be so diligent in their work and to be part of the best ‘Welcome to Patong’ meet and greet! It’s just one of the many sides to Patong that surprised me during my stay.
One hour’s hot and sweaty walk later, and we return to the resort. I won’t deny it: returning to the lush gardens at the Courtyard by Marriott Patong feels good. The beachside entrance into the resort is still under construction, the last element to complete the Marriott makeover.
A boarded-up building, soon to be 5 new dining establishments, faces the beach, and a security guard sits incongruously at an open-air office desk in an alleyway. There’s no hint here of the tropical charms that will appear once you pass the hotel this way sign.
The Staff
We loved the staff. They went out of their way to offer exceptional service and spoke very good English. The hotel takes on a number of trainees who are completing their university hospitality training. All the friendly and professional staff are well-trained to go above and beyond to make your stay memorable.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
As part of its sustainability program, the hotel implements eco-friendly practices such as energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and waste-reduction initiatives.
Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort also partners with the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS) to donate quality food to local organizations.
Things to do in the area
Visit Phuket Town
No visit to Phuket is complete without a visit to Phuket Town. We love exploring Phuket Town, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the old history of its Chinese, Portuguese, and Thai heritage. Wander through the old town to discover beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture, vibrant street art, and historic temples.
Beach Hopping.
If you can bear to tear yourself away from the tranquillity of the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong, you will have plenty of other beaches to explore. Our favourites are Kata, Nai Harn and Surin Beach.
You can check out our post on Phuket’s Top Delightful Beaches here.
Freedom Beach
One suggestion is to hire a long-tail boat (approximately 2000 THB) from Patong Beach to enjoy the iconic Thailand water trip to nearby Freedom Beach. Freedom Beach is one of those tricky-to-access beaches along the shorelines of Phuket, so it is worth the effort. It is also a great location for snorkelling.
Visit the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha is one of Phuket’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit attraction for anyone staying on the island. It offers fabulous views and is a perfect day trip for those who enjoy peace and serenity.
Sunset dinner at Baan Rim Pa
If you want to admire an incredible view of Patong Bay, do yourselves a favour and book yourself in for lunch or dinner at Baan Rim Pa.
With an incredible cliff-side location directly over the Andaman Sea. Every table has a magnificent panoramic view of the blue waters across to the beach at Patong. Famous and loved by locals, ex-pats, and international visitors, Baan Rim Pa offers wonderful Thai-style decor and award-winning Royal Thai cuisine. Baan Rim Pa is not to be missed when visiting Phuket.
La Moet Boat Trip
Whilst in Phuket, I urge you to enjoy a day on the Andaman Sea. La Moet’s Sunset boat trip is a fabulous boat tour, and you will enjoy cruising amongst the islands dotted off the coast of Phuket. There is no better way to enjoy Phuket than sailing back at sunset after an afternoon of swimming and snorkelling.
James Bond Island
James Bond Island is one of those iconic Thailand destinations that you must see! But it was always something I put off due to its out-of-the-way location. You’ll need a speed boat or a longtail boat to get there. The Island and the big rock that everyone delights in photographs are found in the Andaman Sea in Phang Nga Bay. It is closest to Phuket. You can find out more here: Wandering James Bond Island.
The Details
Website: Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort
Facebook: Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort
Instagram: Courtyard Phuket Patong
Address: 44 Thawewong Rd, Pa Tong, Beach, Phuket 83150, Thailand
The Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong, is 25 Km from the Airport; an airport transfer is available.
Final Thoughts
Staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong offers a perfect blend of relaxation and action (I’m talking about the lovely hotel fitness activities here!)
Whether you’re in Patong solo, as a couple, or with your family, this relaxing resort is suitable for all ages. With its prime location, contemporary rooms, varied dining options, and top-notch service, this resort is an excellent choice for your next trip to Phuket.
Date of Stay: May 2024
Mega thanks Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort, for this lovely invitation. You offer a fabulous oasis in the heart of Patong — we will be back.
Disclosure: Little Wandering Wren was a guest at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort, and received a hosted stay. All opinions are my own.
4 comments
Hello,
I always enjoy your resort reviews. Thailand is still on my bucket list. I would like to be away from the “party” area. This beach looks nice and peaceful. Great resort and photos. Take care, have a great day!
Thank you so much Eileen I always love staying at beautiful resorts and sharing them. I hope you can get away soon, and especially if that could be Thailand!
Have a lovely weekend.
Wren x
Hi Jenny,
Love your beautiful photos, especially of the pool with the towering palm trees.
You can’t go wrong with a Marriott stay, and this location sounds perfect! Away from the hustle and bustle of Patong Beach (haven’t been in 23 years!) I love Phang Nga Bay, and hope it’s not as crowded as before.
It certainly looks wonderful.
All the best Jan