From the moment one steps into the immaculately presented and tastefully understated open reception area -- with its high, wooden-hut style ceiling, teak wooden floors, and smart wicker furnishings -- it feels you’ve entered somewhere special. A series of terracotta tile and wood plank walkways then wind though the wonderfully dense jungle, immersing guests in a tropical world awash with exotic flowering plants, colorful fruit trees, and even the occasional monkey. The air is thick with the scent of tropical vegetation and the soft sound of falling water, guiding visitors to an opening in the greenery and a scene of a jungle waterfall trickling into a large lagoon pool. 

The Marina Phuket Resort is perched on a hill at the southern end of the Karon resort area, set in thick tropical gardens overlooking the beach and the Andaman Sea. Guests have direct access to the sea from the complex, and it's a short walk to the gorgeous white sands of Karon Beach. There are plenty of bars, shops, and restaurant within walking distance as well, while the neighboring resorts of Patong to the north and Kata Beach to the south are easily accessible by car. The area's capital, Phuket City, is about 25 minutes northeast by car. Phuket International Airport is about 50 minutes north while flights to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport take an hour and 15 minutes, in addition to boarding time.

The resort has 104 rooms in total, all excellently finished in traditional Thai style with wooden floors, polished teak furnishings, and ornate carved detailing. Rooms are spacious with large windows looking out over lush gardens, dense jungle, or the nearby ocean. Furnished terraces or balconies are on hand as well, and higher floor units benefit from a pleasant sea breeze. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Apple Mac mini-computers, and lighting and air-conditioning control panels. Spacious bathrooms contain topnotch amenities as well: toiletries, hairdryers, and waffle toweled robes.

The highlight feature of the hotel is its lagoon-style swimming pool complete with rock waterfall and swim-up bar. There's also a mini-pool with waterfall for kids, with both pools surrounded by thick jungle greenery. Families with children can also enjoy the dinosaur-themed, 18-hole golf course which includes life-sized reptiles and eerie grottoes. The prehistoric theme continues at the Dino Bar, which serves drinks and snacks throughout the day (though the vibe is more Flintstones than Jurassic Park), while On The Rock restaurant serves seafood and Thai dishes with sweeping beach views. Having opened in 2012, the home-kitchen eatery Sala Thai offers early-to-late-morning breakfast with Asian and European influences. The resort offers wedding packages as well.