Centara Grand Phuket: Our Family's Review of This Karon Beach Paradise
Hey Destinationz family! Leonie here, with the next chapter from our 24-day Thailand adventure. After the serene escapes of Koh Lanta and Phi Phi, it was time to dive into the heart of the action in Phuket. We had a specific goal in mind: to finally stay at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket on Karon Beach. We'd tried to book it last year and it was unavailable on our desired dates, so our expectations were high!
Having loved our family stay at the Centara in Krabi, we were excited to see if its Phuket counterpart would deliver a similar fantastic experience. So, was it worth the wait? Here’s our honest family review.
First Impressions & The Perfect Vibe
Like many of the grand resorts in Thailand, the lobby didn't give me that instant, jaw-dropping "wow" moment. But the magic of Centara Grand is in its energy and incredible layout, something we came to love more and more each day. It's a large property, but during our stay, it was at about 50-60% capacity, which was the absolute perfect balance – lively enough to be fun, but never overly crowded.
Our Room: A Private Plunge Pool Paradise
We stayed in a large room with two double beds, which was perfect for our family of four. The absolute highlight was our own private plunge pool with a nice beach view – a perfect private escape for the kids to splash around in and for us to cool off after a day of activities. The room was always kept spotless thanks to the excellent daily housekeeping.
The Ultimate Kids' Paradise: Pools, Slides & Non-Stop Fun!
I can say with confidence: this resort was our kids' absolute favorite of the entire trip, and it's easy to see why. Centara Grand Beach Resort is a true family haven, a tropical paradise packed with activities.
The Water Park: This was the main event! The resort offers its own amazing water park area, complete with a winding lazy river, three exciting waterslides, and a super cool cliff jumping platform with two different heights. Sofija was so brave and loved jumping into the water! The multiple swimming pools meant there was always space to enjoy.
Daily Competitions & Beach Football: Every day, the fantastic resort staff organized activities and competitions. The prize for the kids? Ice cream! For the adults? A free beer! Milos, being his competitive self, won three days in a row and enjoyed his well-earned free beers, haha. There was also daily beach football, which was a huge hit.
The Kids Club: The kids loved the kids club! It was a great space where they could play video games and even do some fun role-playing – we got the cutest picture of Matija in a police uniform. Most importantly, they made friends with a lovely family from Serbia and spent hours playing with them every day. It’s those little connections that make a family trip so special.
For the Parents: Quiet Pools, a Great Gym & Peace of Mind
While the kids were having the time of their lives, we were too! The overall feel is that of a "real family resort" in the best possible way. And for me, the highlight was that I couldn't find a single thing that bothered me. When a resort runs that smoothly and caters so perfectly to its guests, parents can truly relax. We even found our own sanctuary at the quiet, adults-only pool where we could chill while the kids were happily and safely entertained. For those wanting to truly indulge, the resort also has its own Spa Cenvaree, offering a wide array of relaxing massage and wellness treatments.
Milos also made sure to keep up with his fitness routine. For those who want to stay active, the Centara gym was really decent, with a Smith machine, chest press, a full cable machine, pull-up and dip bars, and multiple cardio machines.
Exploring Phuket: Karon Beach & Beyond
One important thing to note, especially if you travel in the green season, is that swimming in the sea at Karon Beach is often not advised due to strong rip currents. Always obey the safety flags. For us, this wasn't an issue at all, as the fantastic resort pools more than made up for it!
We dedicated one day to exploring Phuket with our lovely private guide, Sarawut. He took us on a fantastic half-day tour to see some nearby attractions:
A local bird show: The kids loved when a parrot took a 100 Baht note right from their hand!
A honey farm and a cashew nut factory: Delicious and educational!
Old Phuket Town & Wat Chalong: We took a walk through the charming streets of Old Town and visited the magnificent Wat Chalong temple.
Dining at Centara and Beyond
The food was great, with plenty of dining options. The breakfast buffet at the main restaurant was fantastic, with a huge variety. A little parent hack we do is bring the kids' snack boxes to breakfast and fill them up for later!
Coast Beach Club & Bistro (at the Resort): We ate here and the food was delicious! We loved the truffle pasta and the burger, and the tapas were great for sharing.
Naughty Nuri's (Patong): We took a trip to Patong, a short distance from Karon, for lunch one day. I can honestly say these were the best pork ribs I've had outside of the USA! Their flaming banana dessert was a fun end to the meal.
On the Rock Restaurant (Karon): Located at the end of Karon Beach, this restaurant was really tasty and offered a beautiful setting for an evening dinner.
Special Tip for Budget Travelers: If you are a budget traveler like us filling your kids snack box at breakfast is a must! :)
Destinationz Tips for Staying at Centara Grand Phuket
Room Choice: When booking, try to request a full sea view room for the best experience. Ours was more of a partial view, which was fine for us, but it's a good helpful tip to keep in mind!
Booking Offers: Always check the official Centara website for their offers. They often have "stay 3, pay 2 nights" deals or similar promotions that are great if your dates are flexible. This can significantly reduce the cost, as standard taxes and fees can add up.
Our Family Verdict
Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is a fantastic choice for an action-packed, amenity-rich family vacation. If your family loves swimming pools, slides, organized activities, and a lively resort atmosphere, this place is an absolute winner. The sheer number of things to do for kids is what makes this grand beach resort phuket stand out. It was, without a doubt, the kids' favorite stop on our entire Thailand adventure!
Ready to plan a family trip to Thailand that keeps everyone from toddlers to teens (and parents!) happy? Let Destinationz help you find the perfect hotel and craft an unforgettable itinerary. Contact us today!
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