Anantara Mai Khao isn’t one of those resorts that immediately shouts “bring your kids here!”—which, honestly, is kind of a nice change. But don’t be fooled.
This place is fantastic for families, with warm and welcoming staff, huge private pool villas, and just enough kid-friendly amenities to make life easy without feeling like you’re in a daycare center. Add in its prime location just 15 minutes from the airport, and you’ve got yourself a winner for an easy, luxurious escape that starts at $250/night.
Here’s everything to know before you stay:
(By the way, we were hosted by Anantara Mai Khao as a travel advisor. After evaluating the property, we have no hesitation recommending it to you):
A Tropical Oasis That’s Fun to Explore 🌿
The property is stunning. We’re talking:
- 🌺 Lush greenery everywhere, giving it a real jungle-meets-luxury vibe.
- 🐟 A massive lotus pond filled with thousands of fish. (Feeding them became a daily ritual for us.)
- 🦜 Over 70 species of birds—it was magical waking up to different birds singing everyday, my baby was so captivated!
- 🚲 A huge property that’s fun to walk or bike around, with buggies available for when little legs get tired.
Basically, it’s the kind of place where just wandering around feels like an activity in itself.
Virtuoso Perks When You Book with an Advisor ✨
If you book through a Virtuoso advisor (like me!), you’ll get:
- 💎 A free upgrade (if available).
- ⏰ Early check-in and late check-out (because no one likes rushing).
- 🏖️ Resort credit for food or spa treatments.
- 💕 A personalized welcome amenity (always a nice touch).
The Villas: Private Pool Perfection 🏊♂️
Every single villa here comes with its own private pool—and not just a glorified plunge pool, but an actual pool with both shallow and deep areas. Some even have outdoor bathtubs, which we all loved.
We stayed in:
- The Two-Bedroom Family Pool Villa – Huge. The high ceilings make it feel even more spacious, and the setup is perfect for families. There’s a walk-in closet, a big bathroom, an outdoor dining area, and two private lounge chairs. Best part? You can jump straight into the pool from both bedrooms.
- The Two-Bedroom Pool Pavilion – Even bigger, with a kitchen, living area, washer, dryer, and a full-size fridge. If you’re staying for a while and want to do laundry or cook occasionally, this setup is ideal. The pool is smaller, but it has a knee-deep section that’s great for little ones.
💡 For a more affordable option: Check out the suites. They’re on the other side of the resort, so they don’t have the same villa glamour, but you still get access to all the hotel facilities. Some even come with their own private pools!
Beachfront Bliss (With Sunset Views!) 🌅
The resort sits right on Mai Khao Beach, which is peaceful, quiet, and calm—perfect for little ones who just want to play in the sand. The sunsets here? Unreal. Just note that while there are plenty of lounge chairs, they aren’t on the sand itself.
Pools: Because One Isn’t Enough 💦
The main pool is just as good as the private ones, featuring:
- 💆♀️ Jacuzzi zones for extra relaxation.
- 🌊 Ankle-deep sections with in-water lounge chairs.
- 🍹 A swim-up bar because vacation mode = always on.
Safe to say, we spent just as much time at the main pool as we did in our own.
The Spa: Yes, It’s That Spa 🧖♀️
If the spa looks familiar, that’s because it was featured in The White Lotus. It offers a huge range of treatments, and even though I didn’t have time for a full spa day, I left wishing I did.
Kids’ Club & Teen Club: Something for Everyone 🎉
- 👧 Kids’ Club – It’s simple but has everything young kids need, including a daily program and onsite nanny services.
- 🏕 Teen Club – Way cooler, with high-tech gadgets, cozy hangout spots, and even an outdoor rock climbing zone.
Unexpected Fun: A Mini Farm! 🐔🐰
One of the cutest surprises? The herb garden, which also has chickens and bunnies. My baby was obsessed. If you’re traveling with little ones, this is a guaranteed hit.
Food: So Many Choices (And Amazing Indian Cuisine) 🍛
With multiple on-site restaurants, there’s something for everyone:
- 🍳 The Sala – Serves breakfast, Thai, and Indian cuisine.
- 🦞 Sea Salt Fire – Beachfront. Great seafood.
- 🍣 Tree Top – A high-end Japanese omakase experience.
- 🦀 Claws & Co. – Phuket’s only seafood bucket restaurant.
We absolutely loved the Indian food—some of the best we’ve ever had. There’s also a kids’ menu and coloring materials at mealtimes.
Final Thoughts: A Luxurious (Yet Family-Friendly) Escape
Anantara Mai Khao is a dream for families who want a luxurious, nature-filled escape without feeling like they’re staying at a kids’ resort. The staff is wonderful with babies, the private pool villas are fantastic, and the food is excellent.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I book the same pool villa again? 100%. Would my baby demand daily bunny visits? Without a doubt.
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