Le Méridien · Premium
Karon (Relax Bay / Karon Noi)
Guest sentiment
A large, long-running Le Méridien resort on a secluded cove near Karon and Relax Bay, currently mid-renovation, about 42 km from the airport.
Last updated July 31, 2026
Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort occupies a secluded 40-acre cove near Karon (Relax Bay / Karon Noi), one of the island's older large-scale resorts, open since 1987 with roughly 470 rooms and suites across ten restaurants and bars. Guest reviews describe genuinely strong hospitality, a standout private beach with light waves, a large pool, and a wide range of sports and activities, and it's consistently one of the most-booked hotels in Phuket. The clear caveat as of mid-2026 is that the resort is undergoing renovation: guest reports describe some rooms as dated and in need of refurbishment, a 'mass-tourism' atmosphere with average-quality food at its more casual restaurants, and -- during renovation phases -- guests paying full price while only part of the pools and restaurants are open. Prospective bookers should check current renovation status and which facilities are operating before committing, since the beach and grounds are consistently well-reviewed but the physical product is older than the newer Mai Khao-area Bonvoy resorts. At roughly 42 km from the airport, it's also one of the farther Phuket properties in this directory, reflecting its more central west-coast location near Patong and Karon rather than the northern beaches.
| Address | 29 Soi Karon Nui, Tambon Karon, Amphur Muang, Phuket, Thailand, 83100 |
|---|---|
| Brand Sub Brand | Le Méridien |
| Neighborhood | Karon (Relax Bay / Karon Noi) |
| Distance From Airport Km | 41.6 |
The research view
Themes that came up again and again across independent reviews — not a single opinion, but the patterns that repeat.
Consistently praised
Worth knowing before you book
Verified elsewhere
Independent coverage from real reviewers and travel channels, published in the last year or two -- not written or commissioned by us. Each links back to the original.
Written reviews
Luxury Travel Diary · Claire · Sep 2025
First-hand review of the 40-acre, 470-room resort on private Relax Beach: two oversized pools, ~10 dining venues, Le Spa, tennis and kids/teen clubs; ~67% of rooms have ocean or pool views.
dobbernationLOVES · Andrew John Virtue Dobson · Jan 2023
Three-night stay on private Karon Noi Beach: teakwood-and-Thai-silk rooms, restaurants from Ariake to Portofino, a Latest Recipe local feast, and easy taxi access to Patong. Framed as affordable luxury.
Travel Codex · Brad · Jul 2026
Upgraded to a junior suite with beach views; praises the private Andaman beach, Thai/Italian/Japanese dining and free SPG breakfast, but calls the hotel a bit dated and notes the remote, taxi-dependent location.
Fat Mum Slim · Chantelle Ellem · Feb 2026
Family-focused review: Hawaii-like feel near Karon, calm protected private beach, multiple pools, eight standout restaurants, and ~70% ocean-view rooms. Would return, especially for family travel. (Hosted stay, own opinions.)
Miles Points Travel · milespointstravel · Mar 2015
SPG Category 4 stay: room upgrade, spacious ocean-view rooms and the only private beach in Phuket, but flags the isolated captive-audience location and a bout of food poisoning after dinner on-site.
Video reviews
Behind this page
This page pulls from the hotel’s own information alongside independent guest reviews. These are the primary sources we checked — last refreshed Jul 31, 2026.
Find out more about Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort
As of mid-2026, guest reports describe ongoing renovation work with some facilities, pools, and restaurants temporarily closed or reduced in scope. Confirm current renovation status directly with the hotel before booking if facility access is a priority.
It sits on a secluded cove near Karon (also referred to as Relax Bay or Karon Noi) on Phuket's west coast, roughly 42 km from Phuket International Airport and a short distance from Patong.
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