Mai Holiday By Mai Khao Lak

We came with our toddler and baby after staying in Phuket, and wanted a quiet week focused on the pool and beach. TUI Mai Khao Lak was just right for that. There’s plenty of entertainment for kids, especially older ones, and our toddler loved the evening shows. Something was always happening, and the place felt very family-friendly. We had a Premium Double Room with a balcony, a huge king-size bed and a large sofa bed, which worked well for four of us. It was spacious, clean and tidy, cleaned every day, and the water was refreshed daily. The beach is right behind the hotel, with massage places, little shops and food spots outside along the sand. Breakfast had loads of choice: fresh omelettes, hot food, fruit, pastries and cakes. The one small downside was the strict rule against taking food away. We ate lunch at the hotel a couple of times. It was fine and had some Western options, but nothing special. A five-minute walk along the beach brought us to lovely cafés and restaurants, with fairy lights at night and toys on the sand for the kids. We ended up having dinner there most evenings. There are several pools, including an adults-only pool that connects to a long one running up toward the top of the hotel, which was great for swimming. Kids and adults were enjoying the big inflatable slide and climbing feature. There’s also a splash park-style pool with slides, though we barely used it because we preferred the larger pool and beach areas. Another pool near the beach had activities for kids and adults throughout the day. We went to the night market one evening and thought it was worth seeing. A taxi there and back cost 300 baht, and it was easy to find taxis by the beach and outside the market. Check which day it runs before going. There’s also an elephant sanctuary about five minutes from the hotel for excursions. It’s a lovely, relaxed place for a family stay in a quieter area. We’d definitely recommend it.

The service staff were very good, but this hotel didn’t live up to what it claims to be. We stayed in seven hotels in Thailand, and TUI was the most expensive. We chose half board because we thought it would make things easier with our two children. Instead, it became a real constraint: some meals weren’t included, water wasn’t included either, and one meal took an hour and a half. We couldn’t wait that long with an early excursion the next morning. The kids club was another problem. Nobody told us about the app you have to use to book, and without a booking children can’t go in. The activities there, such as dinosaurs, also cost extra. I didn’t feel relaxed like I have on previous holidays. The place feels like a money-making machine, and the buildings are neglected and dirty, with some uneven staircases. It badly needs renovation. The beach was just average, not the beautiful one some reviews describe. Surin Beach and Kata Beach are much better. I wouldn’t recommend staying here; there are better options.

Mohan was a standout employee, so say hi if you catch him at 'The Bar'. The service was friendly and the resort felt luxurious. There were lots of restaurants with Thai and Western choices, and the food was delicious and plentiful, from breakfast through dessert. My chicken parmigiana and my daughter’s carbonara were easily the best we’ve ever had. The green and white pizza and kimchi bacon pizza sound odd, but both are delicious. We enjoyed the activities, though I’d have liked more water sports, such as kayaking, and perhaps tours to a local village to experience the real 'Thailand'. One practical tip: bring a power adapter if you need one, since there are no USB charging ports.

We traveled with our 4-month-old and brought a pram. We could get it everywhere, and the resort has lifts. The cot was very good, and staff left mosquito spray in the room. The place is large and beautiful, with family-friendly staff and a big program of activities. Downloading the TUI Blue app and finding your hotel shows the daily schedule, which can change each day. The rooms were clean, the staff were great, and everything was open and working. We went at the start of high season, at the end of November, and saw no renovations during our stay. I had read comments from someone who had renovation problems three weeks earlier, so it’s worth knowing that work could happen in low season. We booked half board and were happy with the choices across the restaurants. The buffet had good variety, including a kids’ corner, plus lots of delicious juices and smoothies at breakfast. The disappointing part was the potatoes, which weren’t fully cooked, and the supposedly crispy foods, which were soft and soggy. I think they should change how they keep those foods warm. I got very sick during the stay and needed the on-site 24/7 medical Center several times, including an IV drip. The doctor and team were very good and did everything they could to get me back on track. Their Bangkok medical clinic also offers X-rays. They can quickly order medication from Bangkok, and it arrives the next day. Don’t leave food or dirty napkins in the room, as ants will show up quickly and could ruin things for you and the next guests. The resort met and even exceeded my expectations. There are different kinds of 5* hotels, so don’t expect pure luxury. It’s a good value option if you find a good deal and compare prices.