Set back from the rumble of Kata Road, the resort is bound by towering palm trees and cascading vines that create a lush, tropical atmosphere. Judging from the decor, the hotel clearly follows a "more is more" philosophy. Upon arrival guests enter a lobby saturated in rich red hues and gold accents. Thick columns are painted in gold filigree, vaulted ceilings are rimmed with traditional paintings, canopied benches are tented in lace and bordered with decorative flowers -- it all adds to the deeply atmospheric scene. While the lobby and its cacophony of color and ornamentation give guests reason to linger, the heart and soul of the resort is the duo of pools. And given the hotel's features, it's no surprise that the hotel's main clientele are families, that can be found splashing around the pool, dining in the restaurants, or making use of the kids' club. 

When it opened in 2001, Kata Palm established its resort in a prime area, close to many other hotels and the white sands of Kata Beach. The central location puts it within easy reach of several tourist attractions.

• 10-minute walk to Kata Beach
• Five-minute drive to Kata Noi Beach
• 10-minute drive to Karon Beach
• 25-minute drive to Big Buddha
• 25-minute drive to Patong Beach
• 30-minute drive to Phuket City
• 50-minute drive to Phuket International Airport

The abundant color and ornamentation in the lobby continues in the guest rooms. Beds covered in gold filagree are surrounded by carved teak furniture and silk pillows in jewel-tone colors. Details like bedside lamps in the form of Thai figurines or elephants and rich, red drapes add to the atmosphere and help detract from the terra-cotta tile floors that are looking a bit dingy. Mini-fridges are stocked with Thai beer, water, and soda, and armoire-style closets hold robes, umbrellas, and safes. All bathrooms feature oversized vanities with square vessel sinks, glass enclosed showers, and separate soaking tubs. A deep stone basin surrounded by decorative pebbles and topped with a wooden spout, the tubs are set by a picture window that peek into the rooms, allowing for natural light. 

The hotel offers three categories of rooms all with balconies looking out over the pool. The Superior Pool View Rooms are the smallest, featuring two full sized beds pushed together and a balcony with two chairs and a small table overlooking the pool. Deluxe Pool View Rooms provide a more spacious footprint with two double beds pushed together and a sofa bed. The largest rooms are located on the ground floor. The Deluxe Pool Access Rooms feature king-size canopy beds as well as sofa beds and large terraces with lounge chairs and direct swim-up access to the pool.

The heart of the hotel, and for many guests its main attraction, is the enormous, free-form pools that undulates around the hotel grounds. Lagoon-like pockets of water bump up against the terraces of the ground floor rooms, winding beneath cascading foliage, under footbridges, figurine fountains, and temple-like structures. It also laps up against the swim-up bars. Ringed with a multitude of wooden lounge chairs and coordinating umbrellas, it invites all-day lingering. There's also two shallow wading pools for children, one with a polka-dot mushroom providing a small waterfall. While many guests choose to settle in and spend the day poolside, the hotel's shuttle is available to transport guests to the white sands of nearby Kata Beach where they can partake in more active pursuits and water sports. 

Mornings begin with a buffet breakfast of western and Thai cuisine served at the hotel's open-air Palm Leaf restaurant, a casual space located close to the pool and the surrounding gardens. The adjacent Angkor restaurant serves lunch, snacks, and drinks, while the more formal Palm Restaurant, located at the front of the hotel, serves an a la carte menu of international cuisine, seafood, and Thai specialties.

The hotel's small gym offers basic cardio equipment -- treadmills, elliptical, and bikes -- as well as a smattering of free weights. The Warintorn Spa has a pronounced Thai style with jewel-toned silk pillows, dark wood floors and furnishings, and emerald-green treatment rooms. Families also make use of the kids' club, a small playroom with a jumble of toys and a sandy playground.