khabah

Le Méridien is returning to Khao Lak on September 1st, 2019, when they assume management of the existing Bangsak Merlin Resort. Found the below snippet about the property on a job posting on Marriott's careers website; subsequent Google searches yielded travel websites that already make mention of the resort's forthcoming rebranding.

LM is a great fit for the feel of this property - it'd be perfect for the brand after a few property improvements that are clearly already in the making, and it's good to see them return after they let go of their previous property following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake/tsunami.

khabah

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Le Meridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa will offer 269 rooms, 6 Food & Beverage outlet and bars, and 3 event spaces with total event space at 667 SM. Facilities will include 3 swimming pools, 1 fitness gym and tennis court, Explore Spa by Le Meridien and Le Meridien Family Kids Club

The resort is contemporary in style and is located at Bangsak beach, in the Phang Nga region, 90 minutes north of Phuket airport. The Resort is spread across approximately a 5 HA land parcel and is situated on a tranquil site bordered by a few local eateries. The hotel is easily accessible via a service road connected to the main driveway (2030) which is a 5 minutes’ drive to enter Phet Kasem Road.

The resort is currently operating as the Bangsak Merlin Resort, Khao Lak, which opened in November 2017. The Resort has good infrastructure and landscaping (currently evolving), and benefits from having a long stretch of beach. The resort conversion is expected to take place on 1st September 2019.

UASPG

Thank you for this opening information.

There has been another Le Meridien Khao Lak after the 2004 Tsunami. The property became a Pullman, then I believe the owner changed again the management company for his hotel.

May 9 correction: the pre and post tsunami Le Meridien were actually at the same location. I stayed at both but never realized that it was the same property.

LE MERIDIEN
KHAO LAK BEACH & SPA RESORT
9/9 Moo 1, Tambol Kuk Kak, Amphur Takua Pa, Phang Nga 82190, Thailand N 8° 44’ E 98° 15’

GONE : Le Meridien Khao Lak, Thailand (leaving Starwood 31 Oct 2014) [Master Thread]

"Le Méridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort will be leaving the Starwood system on January 15, 2014."
http://www.khaolak-hotels.com/lemeridienkl/

skunker

I stayed at the previous LM Khao Lak in March 2007. They had pictures of the hotel that showed the before and after tsunami. The amount of destruction was incredible and the fact they were even able to reopen it was amazing.

exploreaswego

I did some digging on TA, the property you mentioned was reflagged into Robinson Club, no longer Pullman. Interesting that reviews aren't great. Do you by any chance have the before and after tsunami photos?

Anyhow, it's nice to see Marriott welcoming newer properties in APAC.

skunker

I do not have the photos. They were framed hanging outside of the lobby. I believe they were aerials from google maps or similar service.

Andie007

Great that Meridien is returning. Loved the old property. Was very lovely!!!

In terms of tsunami pictures, just check for example this page:
https://www.kleptography.com/gallery-tsunami.htm

khabah

Website is live, but no information or photos just yet. Opening September 2019.

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...esort-and-spa/

khabah

SkiAdcock

"Le Meridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa is on the stunning white sands of Bang Sak Beach in Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province just 90 minutes north of Phuket International Airport. The resort features unrivalled panoramic ocean vistas in a secluded location.Ideal for couples, families, and meeting planners alike, guests can choose from 10 types of 269 rooms, suites, and villas with spacious balconies. Indulge in local Thai cuisine or international culinary delights at three restaurants and three bars. Do as much or as little as you like with recreation options such as The Spa, three signature lagoon pools, fitness centre, a Kids’ Club, around-the-clock activities, and tours around Khao Lak.Spark discovery and illuminate insights with Creative Meetings by Le Meridien, designed to unlock inspiration and foster innovation. The Beach Lawn can host events of all purposes with outdoor soirees, indoor functions inside the 540-sqm Grand Ballroom, or smaller meetings at the two breakout spaces."

These look like renderings but still nice:

soy

Those photos are from the resorts existing website - Bangsak Merlin Resort | Beachfront resort in Khaolak, Thailand

stephem

I stumbled on the property looking for a beach week in the Phuket area the week of Jan 1. I have access to Friends and Explore Friends rates through my brother. Anyone who does should look at this property, having a wide ranging flash sale of 999 THB per room, even over holidays. That's about $33 per night! It also includes a buy one get one free breakfast plan which softens the blow of most properties no longer applying Bonvoy status perks to these rates. I guess at $33 this is a pretty nice hotel for practically free and I can splurge on anything I would have gotten via elite status. Standard rates at this point for holidays seem to be about 11,000 THB per night. Not even sure we can make the dates work by at $66 per night for 2 rooms, I think I may just book and eat the $260 if we can't swing it ;-) We used to go to the old LM here when we lived in Singapore and had always wanted to go back to this area with our kids.

soy

where did you see this 999 rate. I am not seeing anything close on marriott.com for Jan 1

FYI - The JW Khao Lak is a good alternative to the old LM, with many of the same qualities which made the LM great for kids. Relatively decent elite treatment also

stephem

soy

aha - that makes sense. The new LM does look nice, especially at 999bht

Kayone

Why should any hotel grant any elite Benefits at such rates?
and despite such a low rate
its absolutely ridiculous what people are expecting once they achieved any status with Bonvoy.
i once checked into the JW in London and I was forced to listen to the check in at the counter next to me..when the receptionist confirmed the room type booked the guy (Bonvoy platinum) stated quite loud “what?! I get only what I am paying for?!
i started laughing and asked him why he doesn’t book the suite if he wants it so bad. People seem to forget that Hotels are a company and company’s are usually aiming to generate Revenues.

what do I get for free at the Company you are working for??

kamchatsky

The new LM Khao Lak looks so bland compared to the original LM. We stayed at the original LM as part of our honeymoon and I found it to have good Thai feel. This new LM just felt like an average resort that can be located at anywhere, it is a shame as I would probably prefer to go to Robinson Club (original LM) than this new one,