Where to Stay in Karon Beach for Families
Karon Beach is a 3-kilometre stretch of sand on Phuket’s west coast, quieter than neighbouring Patong but with enough restaurants and shops to keep families entertained. The beach itself has soft sand and gentle waves, making it good for children. Several of the larger resorts here have invested in water parks and lazy rivers, which means kids can spend entire days at the hotel without getting bored.
Six hotels on this list have supervised kids clubs. The other three don’t offer childcare but have family-friendly rooms, pools, or beach access that make them worth considering.
Hotels with Kids Clubs
These hotels have supervised kids clubs where staff look after your children.
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
| On The Beach |
This 5-star resort has 262 rooms directly on Karon Beach with Sino-Portuguese architecture inspired by old Phuket Town. The main attraction is the landscaped water park with a lazy river winding through the property, multiple waterslides, and dedicated pools. It’s the only Karon Beach hotel with a lazy river.
What’s Great For Kids
Camp Safari Kids Club operates from 9 am to 9 pm daily, the longest hours of any kids club in Karon Beach. Ages 4-9 are fully supervised. The spacious indoor club has floor-to-ceiling windows, climbing frames, play houses, a large soft ball pool with a slide, and arts and crafts tables. Activities include drawing, painting, video games, yoga, board games, origami, and pizza making.
E-Zone Teens Club runs from 10 am to 11 pm for ages 9 and up with billiards, PS4, Xbox, and arcade consoles.
The water park has four outdoor pools, including a lazy river, multiple waterslides, a kids pool with its own slide, and an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar. Free water park access for all guests.
Room options include standard ocean view rooms, spa suites, and private pool suites. The Deluxe and Premier Suites have private plunge pools and connecting room options.
Direct beachfront access to Karon Beach. Multiple restaurants, including beachfront dining. PADI Dive Centre on site.
Good for: Families wanting the best water park facilities in Karon Beach with extended kids club hours and a teens club.
Hotel Summary & Guests Score |
|
|---|---|
| The Beach | Beautiful wide beach with clear water in high season. |
| Distance from Beach | On the beach! |
| The Hotel | A 5-star resort, 262 rooms. |
| The Facilities | 3 restaurants (Asian, Mediterranean, Italian), 2 swimming pools (1 is adults only), 1 beach club, huge fitness, cooking classes, a superb spa, kids club. |
| What's Around | Some small restaurants nearby, close to the beach. Karon town is just 1 km away with plenty of dining, shopping and a bit of nightlife (nowhere near Patong nightlife though). |
| Who is it for? | everyone, including couples and families. |
| Worth Noticing | When booking it, make sure you book Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, not Centara Karon Resort Phuket nearby! |
| Price | A bit pricey. |
Check the rates
Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort
| Across The Street |
This 5-star resort is Karon’s largest property with 662 rooms spread across 75 acres of tropical gardens directly on the beach. The scale is impressive. Room sizes range from 44 sqm Superior rooms to the 170 sqm Presidential Suite. Every room has a private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in shower, and a separate bathtub.
What’s Great For Kids
The Kids Playground is supervised with games and crafts organised by the resort. It sits near the children’s pool. Limited detailed information is available about the program structure compared to other properties, but supervision is confirmed.
Five outdoor pools including a shallow kids pool and water slide. The pools are spread across the 75-acre property, giving different areas distinct atmospheres.
Family-friendly suites are positioned near the children’s pool and Kids Playground. Suite guests get access to the Panorama Lounge with sunset views and cocktails.
Direct Karon Beach access. Kata Beach is a 5-minute walk south. Eight restaurants and bars including Sails Restaurant for buffet breakfast and Ocean Beach Club overlooking the Andaman Sea.
Good for: Families wanting a large beachfront resort with extensive grounds and easy access to both Karon and Kata beaches.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach, southern end near Kata |
| Beach | Direct access to Karon Beach. Wide sandy beach, good swimming conditions. Quieter southern end location. |
| Hotel | 4-star resort with 338 rooms. Modern design, rooms 32-76 sqm. Beachfront pools and tropical gardens. |
| Facilities | Three pools, fitness centre, spa, kids club. Three restaurants, beach bar. Meeting rooms available. |
| What’s Around | Restaurants and shops within 500m along Karon Road. Kata Beach 1.5km south. Massage parlours and convenience stores nearby. |
| Who is it for? | Families with children, couples wanting beach access. Not for those wanting Patong nightlife or complete isolation. |
| Worth Noticing | Large resort can feel busy during peak season. Some rooms face road rather than sea. Standard Accor chain hotel experience. |
| Price | Mid-range to upscale |
Check the rates
Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa
| Distance To Beach: 200 m |
This 4-star resort sits on Karon Beach surrounded by tropical gardens overlooking the Andaman Sea. The signature feature is the tallest giant water slide at Karon Beach, which draws families specifically for water-based entertainment. The resort has a cheerful mascot called Guinlider who adds to the family atmosphere.
What’s Great For Kids
The Kids Club operates from 10 am to 7 pm with supervision. A separate UV-protected playground has no attendants, so parents need to supervise their children there.
Three swimming pools: two main pools and a Children’s Fun Pool. The giant water slide runs from 10 am to 6 pm. The slide height is genuinely impressive and older children will want to use it repeatedly.
Spacious deluxe rooms and family rooms with pool views. The property has an eco-friendly focus with environmental programs guests can participate in.
Karon Beach location with beach access. Three restaurants serving global cuisine plus a café. Kanda Spa offers Eastern and Western therapies.
Good for: Families with older children who want the tallest water slide in Karon Beach.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach, southern end near Kata Beach |
| Beach | Direct beach access to Karon Beach. Wide sandy stretch, good for swimming and beach walks. Quieter than Patong. |
| Hotel | 4-star resort with 520 rooms. Mix of standard rooms and suites. Garden and pool view options. Thai-style architecture. |
| Facilities | Three restaurants, two swimming pools, a spa, a fitness centre, a kids’ club, conference rooms, and a tennis court. Multiple bars, including a beach bar. |
| What’s Around | Local restaurants and massage shops are within walking distance. Convenience stores and beach vendors are nearby. Kata Beach is 1.5 km away. |
| Who is it for? | Families, couples, groups. Good for those wanting a beachfront location without Patong’s crowds. Not ideal for modern boutique hotel fans. |
| Worth Noticing | Long-established resort showing age in some areas. Large property means walking distances. Decor and facilities have a traditional style, not a contemporary design. |
| Price | Mid-range |
Check the rates
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
| On The Beach |
This 5-star resort has a purpose-built kids club, secluded beach, and nine-hole mini golf course overlooking the water. The family facilities feel thoughtfully designed rather than added as an afterthought.
What’s Great For Kids
LM Family Kids Club takes ages 4-12 from 9 am to 7 pm with full supervision. The colourful, spacious club has an indoor carpeted area with arts and crafts tables, bean bags for reading and puzzles, and a TV showing age-appropriate films. Outside there’s a climbing frame with slides under shaded trees. Activities include ice cream making, Thai dancing, Batik painting, and supervised sandcastle building on the beach.
The Teens Club for ages 12-19 offers outdoor and indoor games plus organised sporting events.
Three pools: a free-form pool, a lagoon pool, and a shaded kids pool. All open 7 am to 7 pm.
Nine-hole mini golf course in tropical gardens overlooking the beach. Tee times from 9 am to 6 pm with equipment rental. Tennis lessons available for an additional charge. Non-motorised water sports for younger guests.
Secluded beach with direct access. Multiple restaurants with seasonal kids-eat-free programs.
Good for: Families wanting a well-designed kids club with creative activities and additional facilities like mini golf.
Hotel Summary |
|
|---|---|
| The Beach | Fantastic beach: Direct access to Karon Noi, an immense private beach with superb white sand and clear water |
| The Hotel | 5-star resort, 417 rooms and 57 suites, with full or partial beach views |
| The Facilities | 9 restaurants and a massive pool. Spa, Huge fitness, watersports |
| What's Around? | Nothing around the hotel itself but Patong and Karon are easy to reach in minutes. |
| Who is it for? | Great for everyone, especially families. Suitable for couples who want to enjoy a superb beach and still be able to reach Patong for party and nightlife easily. |
| Worth Noticing | The resort is immense so it’s not exactly an intimate hotel. The pool is also the largest in Phuket. |
| Price | A bit high, but the beach is worth it. |
Check the rates
Mandarava Resort and Spa
| Distance To Beach: 700 m |
This 4.5-star resort sits on a hillside above Karon Beach with ocean views and five swimming pools scattered through tropical gardens. The location is 700 metres from the beach with a complimentary shuttle running throughout the day.
What’s Great For Kids
The resort has a Kids Play Room with soft, built-in materials and multiple play corners. However, supervision details and operating hours aren’t clearly published. A game room and arcade are also available. Babysitting services can be arranged.
Five outdoor pools spread around the property with large sunbathing areas. Children’s pool available. Pool hours 7 am to 7 pm. Five poolside bars.
Sea Fan Deluxe Rooms at 550 sq ft have private patios with garden views. Luxurious Villas starting at 1,100 sq ft have one bedroom, a private plunge pool hidden by greenery, and separate shower and bath spaces. The villas work well for families wanting more space and privacy.
700 metres from Karon Beach with free shuttle. Restaurant serving Thai and international cuisine. The hillside location offers peaceful seclusion away from beach crowds.
Good for: Families wanting hillside ocean views with private plunge pool villas and shuttle access to the beach.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tropical hillside above Karon Beach |
| Beach | 700 metres to Karon Beach, a 15 to 20-minute walk. Free shuttle service. Hillside location with lush greenery and natural waterfalls. |
| Hotel | 130 villas, 5-star. Contemporary design. All separate villas. Pool access, private pool and 2-bedroom options. 40-inch TVs. |
| Facilities | 5 infinity pools, 5 pool bars, Chom Talay restaurant, Charm Thai mountain-top restaurant, Cheeva Spa, fitness centre, kids playroom, library. |
| What’s Around | Hillside location. Karon village is within walking distance, but steep. Shops and restaurants 10 minutes walk downhill. |
| Who is it for? | Families, couples, honeymooners. Not for beach access priorities, elderly travellers or those avoiding steep hills. |
| Worth Noticing | Steep hillside means difficult walking. A shuttle is essential for the beach. Restaurant food expensive. Hard mattresses. Burnt breakfast items reported. |
| Price | Upscale |
Check the rates
Avista Grande Phuket Karon – MGallery
| Distance To Beach: 250 m |
This 5-star boutique resort opened in 2018 as part of Accor’s MGallery collection. The design celebrates Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese heritage with 173 rooms starting at a spacious 53 sqm. It’s one of the newer upscale properties in the Karon area and has nothing to do with the Novotel in Kata despite both being under Accor management.
What’s Great For Kids
Kids Zone takes children up to 12 years old with supervision. The indoor club has toys, games, arts and crafts, a pool table, mini-ping pong, and air hockey. There’s also an outdoor sandy play area and a gaming console with a large TV. Recent reviews praise staff members Ayom and BB for running engaging daily activities. Operating hours aren’t published online, so check with the hotel when booking.
The main pool has a marble waterfall feature and swim-up bar (Lido Pool Bar), open 7 am to 8 pm. A separate toddlers’ pool sits near the outdoor play area. No water slides here.
Deluxe Mountain View Family Room and Premier Sea View Family Room both measure 53 sqm with one king bed and one queen bed, sleeping 4. Connecting rooms available on request.
The resort is about 250 metres from Karon Beach, not beachfront. You’ll cross the main coastal road to reach the sand, but the hotel runs a buggy service.
Good for: Families wanting a newer boutique property with a supervised kids club and spacious family rooms, who don’t mind walking to the beach.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach, near Kata transition |
| Beach | 250 metres to Karon Beach, a 2-3 minute walk. Road crossing required. Free buggy service to the beach is available. |
| Hotel | 5-star boutique with 173 rooms. MGallery collection. Sino-Portuguese design. All rooms are a minimum of 53 sqm, among the largest in Karon. |
| Facilities | Main pool with swim-up bar, toddlers’ pool, Kids Zone with supervision, fitness centre, spa, restaurant. Free WiFi. |
| What’s Around | Kata Beach 1-minute drive. Karon restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Patong 15 minutes by car. |
| Who is it for? | Families who want spacious rooms and boutique style. Couples appreciating heritage design. Not for beachfront priority or water park seekers. |
| Worth Noticing | Not beachfront, road crossing to the beach. No water slides or splash pad. Kids club hours are not published online; verify before booking. Some reviews mention that pool music can be loud. |
| Price | Upscale |
Check the rates
Family Accommodation (No Kids Club)
These hotels don’t have supervised kids’ clubs but offer family-friendly facilities.
Thavorn Palm Beach Resort
| On The Beach |
This 4-star resort sits front and centre on Karon Beach with immediate access to the sand and panoramic Andaman Sea views. The property spreads across 12 acres of botanical and rainforest gardens containing almost 100 unique Thai plant species. Various animals live on the grounds, including a 40-year-old tortoise, rabbits, and roosters.
What’s Great For Kids
The Kids Playroom does NOT have supervising staff. Parents must watch their children at all times. The air-conditioned room behind the restaurants has fun and educational toys in a safe indoor environment.
Animal Village sits just outside the playroom where children can interact with farm animals during feeding and petting sessions at designated times.
The pools are the main attraction. Four large swimming pools with panoramic views plus giant four-storey waterslides worthy of a dedicated water park. Very few Phuket beach hotels have slides this size. A shallow children’s pool sits near the slides at Blue Heaven Pool Bar.
Direct centre beachfront on Karon Beach. Perfect sunset viewing spot. Multiple restaurants and cafés, including Coffee Talk with beach views, Sweet Talk ice cream café, and Ciao Pizza and Bistro serving Neapolitan pizza across from the sand.
Kata Beach is a 15-20 minute walk south along the connected beach.
Good for: Families wanting giant waterslides and direct centre-beach access, with parents supervising their own children.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach |
| Beach | Direct beachfront access to central Karon Beach. Excellent swimming conditions, family-friendly. The resort sits front and centre on one of Phuket’s longest beaches. |
| Hotel | Five-star resort with 214 rooms. Sino-Portuguese architectural design. Spacious rooms with Thai colonial décor. Set across 12 acres of tropical botanical gardens. |
| Facilities | Four large pools, four-storey waterslides, eight dining outlets, beachfront petting zoo, fitness centre. Free Wi-Fi throughout. Pool bars and cafés. |
| What’s Around | Karon Avenue with restaurants and shops 100m away. Daily market opposite hotel. Karon Lake and beachfront restaurants within walking distance. Karon Temple Market nearby. |
| Who is it for? | Families with children, couples. Not for those wanting nightlife scene, brand new facilities or ultra-modern design. |
| Worth Noticing | Rooms and facilities show signs of age. Multiple reviews mention the hotel appears tired and needs renovation. Pool chlorine levels are occasionally high. 10 minutes to Patong. |
| Price | Mid-range |
Check the rates
Andaman Seaview Hotel
| Across The Street |
This 3-star hotel has Sino-Portuguese architecture and sits 500 feet (152 metres) from Karon Beach. It’s a small boutique property rather than a large resort, offering a more intimate family experience at budget-friendly rates.
What’s Great For Kids
No kids club. The family-friendly swimming pool is designed with safety in mind. Parents can relax on sun loungers while children play in the secure pool environment.
Two outdoor pools plus a children’s pool with swim-up bar.
Room options include twin/double rooms, standard rooms with queen or two full beds, and family rooms with two full beds or a sofa bed plus queen. Rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TV, seating area, refrigerator, and balcony.
500 feet walk to Karon Beach. The beach has soft sand and gentle waves good for children building sandcastles. Maneekram Restaurant serves Thai and international dishes with kid-friendly options. Use code “MAIFAM” when booking directly for special family benefits.
Good for: Budget-conscious families wanting a small hotel close to the beach without resort prices.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach |
| Beach | Located across the road from Karon Beach. Three kilometres of white sand, calm water during high season, good for swimming and families. |
| Hotel | Three-star hotel with 140 rooms. Standard rooms 28 sqm, superior rooms 32 sqm. Simple, functional accommodation with sea view options. |
| Facilities | Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, poolside bar, tour desk, massage services. Basic gym. Free WiFi in public areas. |
| What’s Around | Beach access directly across street. Karon Circle with restaurants, shops, bars within 500 metres. Dino Park mini golf 400 metres away. |
| Who is it for? | Budget-conscious families and couples wanting beach proximity. Not for guests expecting modern design or extensive facilities. |
| Worth Noticing | Direct beach access across the road. Central Karon location with easy walking access to restaurants and shops along the main strip |
| Price | Budget |
Check the rates
Baan Sailom Hotel
| On The Beach |
This 3-star beachfront hotel sits 1 mile from Karon Beach centre but has direct beach access. The practical advantage here is that the hotel provides free beach towels, kids beach toys, and floats for use at the beach. This saves packing bulk items and avoids rental costs.
What’s Great For Kids
No kids club. No structured children’s facilities. One outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers.
Room types include double rooms, twin rooms, and family rooms with one twin bed plus one queen bed. Rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, mini-bar, and balcony or terrace.
Direct beachfront access with free beach equipment. Baan Sailom Restaurant serves decent food. Breakfast buffet gets high ratings. Many mini-marts and 7-Elevens nearby.
Good for: Budget families wanting beachfront access with free beach toys and equipment included.
| Hotel Summary | |
|---|---|
| Location | Karon Beach |
| Beach | Two minute walk to Karon Beach. Three kilometres of white sand, calm water during high season, good for swimming and families. |
| Hotel | Three-star hotel with 22 rooms. Standard rooms 20 sqm, deluxe rooms 24 sqm. All rooms with balcony, some with sea views. |
| Facilities | Outdoor swimming pool with garden, restaurant serving Thai and international food, and bar. Free WiFi. Tour desk, airport shuttle available. |
| What’s Around | Beach two minutes away. Karon Circle with shops, restaurants, and massage within 500 metres. Dino Park mini golf 400 metres. |
| Who is it for? | Couples and families want beach proximity at mid-range prices. Not for those expecting large resorts or extensive facilities. |
| Worth Noticing | Family-run property with helpful owner and staff. Small pool ideal for relaxing. One building has lift access for mobility needs. |
| Price | Mid-range |
Check the rates
Quick Comparison
| Hotel | Stars | Kids Club | Pools | Beach Access | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centara Grand | 5 | 9 am – 9 pm | 4 + water park | Direct beachfront | Lazy river |
| Pullman | 5 | Supervised playground | 5 | Across the street | 75 acres, 662 rooms |
| Phuket Orchid | 4 | 10 am – 7 pm | 3 | 200m walk | Tallest slide in Karon |
| Le Meridien | 5 | 9 am – 7 pm | 3 | Secluded beach | Mini golf course |
| Mandarava | 4.5 | Playroom (limited info) | 5 | 700m + shuttle | Private plunge pool villas |
| Avista Grande MGallery | 5 | Kids Zone (supervised) | 2 | 250m + buggy | 53 sqm rooms, Sino-Portuguese design |
| Thavorn Palm Beach | 4 | Unsupervised | 4 + giant slides | Direct centre beach | 4-storey waterslides |
| Andaman Seaview | 3 | None | 2 + kids pool | Across the street | Sino-Portuguese style |
| Baan Sailom | 3 | None | 1 | Direct beachfront | Free beach toys/floats |
Our Recommendations
- Best water park: Centara Grand Beach Resort. The only Karon property with a lazy river, plus multiple slides and the longest kids club hours (9 am – 9 pm).
- Best for teens: Centara Grand with E-Zone (PS4, Xbox, billiards, arcade) open until 11 pm.
- Best giant slides: Thavorn Palm Beach Resort has four-storey waterslides that rival dedicated water parks. Note: The kids’ club is unsupervised.
- Best kids club activities: Le Meridien with ice cream making, Thai dancing, Batik painting, and supervised sandcastle building.
- Best for large families: Pullman with 662 rooms across 75 acres, or Centara Grand with connecting private pool suites.
- Best hillside option: Mandarava Resort with private plunge pool villas and ocean views, shuttle to beach.
- Best budget beachfront: Baan Sailom Hotel with direct beach access and free toys/floats for the beach.
- Best budget overall: Andaman Seaview Hotel at 3-star pricing with pool, 500 feet from the beach
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Your Karon Beach Travel Guide
