Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak

Beachfront Resort on Bang Sak Beach

7 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak is one of the newer five-star properties on the Bang Sak Beach, designed around the concept of a traditional Southern Thai riverside village. A canal winds through the entire property, connecting the buildings, gardens, restaurants and pool areas with small bridges and waterways inspired by the river communities of Phang Nga Province. It is a distinctive design that gives the resort a sense of place and movement that most beach resorts lack.

(735 reviews) #3 of 14 hotels in Bang Muang

The property has 195 rooms and suites spread across low-rise Thai-style buildings set in tropical gardens on Bang Sak Beach. It is also the first Green Globe Certified resort in Khao Lak, reflecting a genuine commitment to sustainable operations that runs through the staffing, food sourcing and energy systems rather than sitting purely as a marketing label.

The Rooms

The resort has 195 rooms across several categories, all built in traditional Thai-style low-rise buildings wrapped in tropical gardens with the canal running alongside. Interiors use natural textures, warm wood tones, dark accents and locally inspired craftsmanship. All rooms have private balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, minibars, in-room safes and free WiFi.

Pool Access Deluxe Rooms are the most popular category and the most consistently praised. Each has a private terrace with step-down access directly into the pool. Guests in these rooms can swim from their terrace at any time without walking to a shared pool area. Suites offer expanded living space and wider views of the gardens, canal or sea. Rooms are serviced daily and beds receive strong reviews. Some guests in buildings further from the beach note that the walk to the sea and main pool takes a few minutes, which is worth factoring in when selecting a room category.

Restaurants and Dining

Patio Restaurant is the main all-day dining venue, set alongside the canal with views of the waterway and gardens. It serves Thai flavours and international dishes using fresh local ingredients, and handles breakfast as a buffet with a wide enough selection to keep guests satisfied across a longer stay. The breakfast team receives consistently warm mentions in guest reviews, particularly the chefs working the hot station.

Green Mango focuses on Southern Thai cuisine, from rich curries to grilled seafood, with panoramic sea views from its position near the beach. The cooking here leans into regional flavours rather than a generic Thai menu, which is a genuine distinction. Soak Pool Bar handles drinks, tropical cocktails, smoothies and casual bites through the day by the main pool. The evening atmosphere around the pool bar is quieter than some guests expect, so those wanting a livelier sundowner scene may find it subdued. A few simple local restaurants and beach bars are accessible just outside the resort.

Facilities

The pool setup is one of the resort’s strongest assets. Three freeform pools are set among the tropical gardens, with a separate children’s wading pool and Jacuzzi near the main pool area. The canal that winds through the property adds to the sense of water throughout, though it functions as a design feature rather than a swimming space. Pran Spa uses locally sourced ingredients and Southern Thai healing traditions across its treatment menu. The signature Energy Recharge therapy combines warm Himalayan salt compresses with aromatherapy using grapefruit, ginger and clove oils. A fitness centre is well-equipped and maintained.

The Manta Ray Kids Club runs supervised activities inspired by the sea, with a creative indoor space for younger guests. Kayaking is available from the beach. Free bicycles are provided for guests who want to explore the immediate area. A 260-square-metre meeting room accommodates up to 100 guests for events, making this one of the few Khao Lak properties with proper conference facilities. Similan Islands day trips can be arranged through the resort between November and April.

The Location

Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak sits on Bang Sak Beach in Phang Nga Province, about 94 km north of Phuket International Airport. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes. Bang Niang and Khao Lak town are 17 km away. Takuapa Old Town, worth visiting for its preserved Sino-Portuguese shophouse architecture and local food, is about 30 minutes by car.

The immediate surroundings include a handful of simple local restaurants, massage shops and a small convenience store within a short walk of the entrance. The beach directly in front is clean and calm. Further options require transport. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is nearby for those wanting jungle walks and waterfall access. The resort’s remote position works in its favour for guests who want genuine quiet and a beach that is not crowded. It works against guests who need easy access to restaurants and town activity.

Who should book Grand Mercure Khao Lak Bangsak? Couples who want pool access rooms and a genuinely distinctive resort design. Families who appreciate the canal setting and kids club. Guests who care about sustainable tourism and want a certified property. Anyone who finds the Khuk Khak resort strip too busy and wants something quieter further north.

Who should skip it? Guests who need Bang Niang’s restaurants and night market within easy reach. Travellers on a tight budget. Anyone who found the remoteness of other Bang Sak properties a limitation rather than an appeal.