Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Phuket, Thailand
#1381
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 12
Any Phuket travelers here?
Hi. I'm considering a trip to Phuket soon and would like some input on the Renaissance Marriott vs the JW from travelers who have *recently* been to either and/or both. I'm trying to determine which property is better.
Thank you!
Thank you!
#1382
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,286
#1383
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
What specifically do you want to know? Will be there on Monday - Friday of next week. I've been to both in the past, stayed at both, stayed at both the timeshare and hotel (JW). Stayed in Villa rooms at the Ren.
What kind of update are you looking for? Do you want my personal preferences? Or something specific?
Billy
What kind of update are you looking for? Do you want my personal preferences? Or something specific?
Billy
Last edited by Delta3MM; Jan 8, 2015 at 3:36 am
#1384
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
It's a long thread, but you should check out the thread on Marriott props in Phuket. I've been to each of them over the past 2.5 years, JW 1x, Renn 2x (and JW KL 1x), my immediate response is that I prefer Renaissance over JW in Phuket and flip flop between Renaissance and JW KL. I was there at all of them with my fiancee now wife. Ren prop is a bit smaller, a bit fewer amenities/FBOs than JW, but my experience is that the staff were more hospitable. We were upgraded to a Villa last time for 3 out of 5 nights on an award stay and it seems from others experiences that they upgrade Plats there more than at the JW. You can take the shuttle between the props if you want to try the other F/BOs.
F/B is more expensive at the properties, but if you do have a car, or go offsite into Phuket town or any of the smaller communities, eating is dirt cheap in Thailand. There is a small mall close to the JW property with restaurants, but I think they were priced against the resorts in the immediate vicinity.
If you go to any of these properties, I would also recommend checking out the day tours that can be arranged through the concierge, great experiences.
We liked JW KL because the beach access was better and I think the staff were even more hospitable. The pool there is awesome too. We went to BKK over the holidays... And realize that I still need to plan another trip to to JW KL. JW KL is a bit more of a trek from HKT - need to definitely prebook transportation or get a car to get out there. It's a nice drive - but when going there the first time, I took a wrong turn and ended up close by to Krabi before turning around.
(for the other longer term posters, what the heck happened to the resident Thailand expert BKKLEE - did he get kicked off FT for good?)
F/B is more expensive at the properties, but if you do have a car, or go offsite into Phuket town or any of the smaller communities, eating is dirt cheap in Thailand. There is a small mall close to the JW property with restaurants, but I think they were priced against the resorts in the immediate vicinity.
If you go to any of these properties, I would also recommend checking out the day tours that can be arranged through the concierge, great experiences.
We liked JW KL because the beach access was better and I think the staff were even more hospitable. The pool there is awesome too. We went to BKK over the holidays... And realize that I still need to plan another trip to to JW KL. JW KL is a bit more of a trek from HKT - need to definitely prebook transportation or get a car to get out there. It's a nice drive - but when going there the first time, I took a wrong turn and ended up close by to Krabi before turning around.
(for the other longer term posters, what the heck happened to the resident Thailand expert BKKLEE - did he get kicked off FT for good?)
#1386
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Illinois-downstate
Programs: UA 1K, UA MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 955
Just returned this past Tuesday from Thailand, and had spent a week in the time share that adjoins the J W. I really love this property. I have also stayed at the Ren, a few years ago, and was upgraded to a lovely big suite on a paid night, not one on points. The Ren is smaller, newer, more modern.
Either one is a great place to stay.
The location of the J W is slightly better, as it is within walking distance to the Turtle Village, where you will find food and shopping, and it is less expensive than on the J W property. There are free shuttles from both hotels to the Turtle Village all day long. It's just a bit further to ride if you are at the Ren.
Either one is a great place to stay.
The location of the J W is slightly better, as it is within walking distance to the Turtle Village, where you will find food and shopping, and it is less expensive than on the J W property. There are free shuttles from both hotels to the Turtle Village all day long. It's just a bit further to ride if you are at the Ren.
#1390
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
The Ren has something like 18 villas, including one two bedroom villa. About 4 of these open out toward the ocean ( not on the ocean, but you could open the gate and see the ocean.
The JW marriott suite you say you are going to book is much larger than the Ren villa, but the villas are nicer and newer. Noting wrong with the JW though, it is my preferred place to stay.
I'll be a the timeshare portion next week.
Billy
#1391
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL DM/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 3,117
There are only about 6 of these. They only exist on the the lower floor, at the end of the corridor, and there are only three corridors. Of course, there is the private 3 bedroom "house" but that is very expensive.
The Ren has something like 18 villas, including one two bedroom villa. About 4 of these open out toward the ocean ( not on the ocean, but you could open the gate and see the ocean.
The JW marriott suite you say you are going to book is much larger than the Ren villa, but the villas are nicer and newer. Noting wrong with the JW though, it is my preferred place to stay.
I'll be a the timeshare portion next week.
Billy
The Ren has something like 18 villas, including one two bedroom villa. About 4 of these open out toward the ocean ( not on the ocean, but you could open the gate and see the ocean.
The JW marriott suite you say you are going to book is much larger than the Ren villa, but the villas are nicer and newer. Noting wrong with the JW though, it is my preferred place to stay.
I'll be a the timeshare portion next week.
Billy
According to someone I was talking with this morning at breakfast, they were built 6 years ago.
#1392
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
I still think the JW only has six pool suites (since these are ground level only), excluding the villa. Again, this is going from memory.
Point is, there are a lot more villas at the Ren with pools than the suites at the JW, but the JW suites are larger, as is the JW property. However, your ability to upgrade at either depends on how many are unused when you arrive, how long you plan on being there, and your status as well as probably many other factors.
Billy
#1393
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL DM/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 3,117
Hence the work "like" meaning about. I was there when they were building it, stayed there a couple of times since and was going from memory, not a map.
I still think the JW only has six pool suites (since these are ground level only), excluding the villa. Again, this is going from memory.
Point is, there are a lot more villas at the Ren with pools than the suites at the JW, but the JW suites are larger, as is the JW property. However, your ability to upgrade at either depends on how many are unused when you arrive, how long you plan on being there, and your status as well as probably many other factors.
Billy
I still think the JW only has six pool suites (since these are ground level only), excluding the villa. Again, this is going from memory.
Point is, there are a lot more villas at the Ren with pools than the suites at the JW, but the JW suites are larger, as is the JW property. However, your ability to upgrade at either depends on how many are unused when you arrive, how long you plan on being there, and your status as well as probably many other factors.
Billy
#1394
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N Charleston South Carolina
Programs: UA PM (by 2MM), DL GM (by 3.5MM), Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,655
Personally, I'd rather have 6PM cancel and not know room upgrade in advance. I mean, even if it says you are upgraded, they can pull that away from you right up to the point you actually check in.
Billy
#1395
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Exec Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 316
We were at the JW in Phuket over Thanksgiving.
We're upgraded to the ocean front pool suite and it was just phenomenal
We were there lasts year too but it was Christmas and upgrades were hard to come by
We prefer the JW. From what the manager told me there are only 4 ground floor ocean front suites
The ones on the 1st floor have jacuzzis in them
We're upgraded to the ocean front pool suite and it was just phenomenal
We were there lasts year too but it was Christmas and upgrades were hard to come by
We prefer the JW. From what the manager told me there are only 4 ground floor ocean front suites
The ones on the 1st floor have jacuzzis in them
Hence the work "like" meaning about. I was there when they were building it, stayed there a couple of times since and was going from memory, not a map.
I still think the JW only has six pool suites (since these are ground level only), excluding the villa. Again, this is going from memory.
Point is, there are a lot more villas at the Ren with pools than the suites at the JW, but the JW suites are larger, as is the JW property. However, your ability to upgrade at either depends on how many are unused when you arrive, how long you plan on being there, and your status as well as probably many other factors.
Billy
I still think the JW only has six pool suites (since these are ground level only), excluding the villa. Again, this is going from memory.
Point is, there are a lot more villas at the Ren with pools than the suites at the JW, but the JW suites are larger, as is the JW property. However, your ability to upgrade at either depends on how many are unused when you arrive, how long you plan on being there, and your status as well as probably many other factors.
Billy