Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach

The rooms measure 41 to 43 m² and have either two double beds or a king bed. Some have a pool view, some have a terrace, and some give access to the pool, so the choice of outlook depends on the room you book.

Rooms can have air conditioning, a mini bar, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and an in-room safe, and balconies or terraces are available in some of them. The bathrooms include bathrobes, a hair dryer and toiletries, and free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, so guests can stay connected and relax after a day on the beach or at the pool.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a spa with massage, body scrubs and wraps, and a hot tub, plus a fitness centre, a yoga room and a garden. A poolside bar, a coffee shop and 24-hour room service are also on site.

For activities there are table tennis, snorkelling, tours and a game room. Families can use the kids club, the playground and a babysitting service, and there is a shuttle service and an airport transfer.

Concierge, currency exchange and laundry services are available, and there is free parking on site. Luggage storage and safety deposit boxes are also offered, so guests can leave their bags and valuables in safe hands while they explore the island.

The hotel sits in Patong, on Tri-Trang Beach, close to the sand and to the strip of restaurants and bars that makes Patong one of Phuket's best-known resort areas. Merlin Beach and Tri-Trang Beach are the nearest stretches of sand, so guests can spend the day by the water without going far.

Patong has a mix of beach, shopping and nightlife, so guests can choose between a quiet afternoon and a busy evening within a few kilometres. Patong Beach is 1.7 km away and is a long beach lined with hotels and restaurants. Freedom Beach is a small cove close by, while Bangla Road, the street of bars and clubs, is a short ride from the hotel. Jungceylon Shopping Center, a large mall, is 3.1 km away.

A good day out combines a beach stop with the island's temples: Big Buddha Phuket, the white statue on a hilltop 7.7 km away, and the Chaithararam Temple, known as Wat Chalong, are two of Phuket's best-known landmarks. Tours can be arranged and there is an airport transfer, and Phuket International Airport (HKT) is 25.6 km from the hotel for longer journeys. Guests who want a quieter day can spend it on the hotel's grounds and garden before heading out for the evening.