Is Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Worth it for Families?
For us, no. The suite at Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao was huge, and the staff were genuinely lovely. But the pushy sales presentation, lack of beach access, weak kids club, and overpriced food turned the whole stay into stress instead of a holiday. If you want a relaxed beach break in Phuket with kids, I’d rather book a regular resort than this “special offer.”
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao – Our Stay in a Nutshell
We’re a German family living in Thailand since 2019, with two daughters (3.5 and 7.5 at the time). Thanks to our Thai Elite Visa, we sometimes get fun offers through Thailand Privilege – like this one: three nights at Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao in a two-bedroom suite for just 7,500 THB.
We already loved Anantara Koh Phangan and heard rumors that White Lotus was filmed at the Mai Khao property (spoiler alert: not quite). So we booked it. Over Songkran. Full of excitement.
In this Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket review, I’ll share exactly what happened – the highs, the lows, and the sales pitch that made us want to run.
Our Quick Picks
✈️ Flying in? Check my 7-Day Thailand Family Itinerary for easy Phuket add-ons.
🏨 Prefer a real resort? Read my Pullman Phuket Naithon review.
🌊 Want a true beachfront Anantara? Look at Anantara Mai Khao Villas instead of the Vacation Club.
What is Anantara Vacation Club and How Does it Work?
Before we arrived in Phuket, I only had a fuzzy idea of what Anantara Vacation Club actually is. In simple words, it’s a timeshare-style holiday membership with Anantara hotels. You pay a big upfront fee and yearly fees, and you get points or nights to book stays at Anantara Vacation Club resorts in Phuket, Bangkok, Bali, Dubai, and a few other places.
During our presentation at Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket, they explained that members use these points instead of paying normal nightly rates. On paper it sounds flexible and premium. One year a beachfront villa in Thailand, the next year a city hotel somewhere else.
But like most vacation clubs in Thailand, it all depends on availability, school holiday demand, hidden fees, and long-term commitment. For our family, it felt like trading our travel freedom for a deal that only works if you always want to stay with the same brand every year.
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket Arrival and First Impressions
We flew in from Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways – short flight, smooth ride. At Phuket Airport, a hotel minivan was already waiting for us. Air-conditioned, comfy, no drama. Great start.
At check-in, we were greeted by a lovely receptionist named Oil. She handled everything super fast while my husband and the girls chilled on a swing in the lobby.
Then came Leeffe, our bellboy. He loaded our bags onto a golf cart and gave us a mini hotel tour on the way to our room. Friendly, funny, and spoke perfect English. Honestly? He’s due a promotion!
Our suite? Huge. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and – drumroll – a hidden washing machine and dryer in the closet. Big balcony with a pool view. It felt like a proper apartment, not a hotel room. First impression: we thought we struck gold.
But that feeling didn’t last long.
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Resort Facilities and What to Expect
So, the suite was lovely. But once we stepped outside and looked at the hotel facilities, things started to feel… off.
First surprise: there’s only one pool. It’s filled with kids’ toys and inflatables. Loud, crowded, no adult area. No peaceful corner to sip a coffee or read a book while the kids splash around. Just chaos.
Then we realized – there’s only one real restaurant. It’s called Taurus. That’s also where breakfast is served. They have a pizza oven too, which supplies the pool bar and restaurant. There’s also a “rooftop bar” that opens occasionally… but it has maybe five tables and not a single vegetarian option on the menu. Zero. Nada.
Oh, and about the beach? You won’t find it here.
The hotel is basically a gated community of villas and one main building with a tiny sports area. No beach access, no sea breeze, no space. You’re surrounded by walls. And if you’re dreaming of the White Lotus filming location – sorry. That was the other Anantara next door. The one you’re not allowed to enter. Unless you book dinner in advance.
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Restaurant and Food Review
After traveling, we were starving. So we headed to the Taurus restaurant. We’re vegetarians, and let’s just say… options were limited (but we’re used to that).
We ordered a veggie sandwich, a veggie bowl, fries for the girls, and soda water. The bill? Almost 2,000 THB. For real.
Later, when we wanted dinner, we were told it was buffet-only. 2,000 THB per adult. 1,000 THB per child. So… 6,000 THB for the four of us – to pick at a handful of veggie side dishes? No thanks.
We tried to order pizza to our room instead. But guess what?
“Sorry, can’t make pizza when it rains.”
(Still not sure if that was a joke or real policy. Either way, we were hangry.)
We ended up ordering a vegetarian indian dal. It took over an hour to arrive.
Oh, and the next surprise?
A disgusting smell started coming from the master bathroom. We kept the door shut and the extractor fan running 24/7. The light in the closet also wouldn’t turn off unless we jammed a remote control into the door frame. Our DIY hotel hacks were starting to pile up.
Breakfast at Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket
The next morning, we had breakfast at 8 a.m. I was honestly nervous – I’d read some rough reviews. But surprisingly, the buffet wasn’t bad at all! Lots of choices, decent coffee, an egg bar and fresh pastries. Pro tip: sit in the side room near the bakery area. It’s calmer. After 9, the main room turns into a circus.
The staff? Lovely. Super attentive. They really were the highlight of our whole stay.
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao for Families – Pool and Kids Club Review
We booked Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao because it looked perfect for a family of four. In reality, the family experience was mixed.
After breakfast, we brought the girls to the Kids Club. And… ouch.
Let’s just say the photos online are very, very generous. In reality, the space felt cold and empty. A big slide, a tired toy kitchen shoved in the back, and not much else. No cozy vibes, no creativity, no warmth. We’ve stayed at Hyatt, Marriott, and Pullman – and this didn’t even come close.
Honestly, I wouldn’t leave my kids there for more than two hours. And I didn’t feel great about that.
The only good thing? Again – the friendly staff. The girls loved the pirate treasure hunt, face painting, and rock climbing wall inside. The team did their absolute best. But it felt like they were making magic with very little.
Anantara Vacation Club Sales Presentation Experience in Phuket
This was part of the deal. I knew it. 90 to 120 minutes, they said. I’d read some horror stories online – pushy tactics, people crying, someone even called their lawyer afterwards. So yeah… I was prepared for battle.
We showed up at 10 a.m. The waiting area was full of other “guests” waiting for their turn. Slowly, everyone was picked up by their personal sales rep. At 10:10, our rep arrived – a young Thai woman with perfect English and a super friendly vibe. So far, so good.
She walked us upstairs to a big room full of sales booths. It was loud, pop music playing, people chatting.
Our rep was actually great. Kind, not too pushy, explained everything well, showed us Anantara Hotels in New Zealand, Dubai, and the Maldives. Her manager popped in from time to time – older, experienced, also doing her thing. The pitch? A timeshare-style membership for Anantara and partner resorts around the world. Interesting concept… but not for us.
They got the hint early that we weren’t going to sign anything. After about two hours and a short tour of a pool villa, we thought we were free.
Nope.
A third guy came in. Final sales pitch. Middle-aged Thai man. Opened with:
“Don’t worry, the sales part is over now.”
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
He launched into this weird pressure campaign. Said it was “just between me and my husband.” Looked only at my husband. Ignored me completely. Tried to sell us a 500 USD “trial package” (as far as I remember) and wanted us to swipe our credit card immediately. Then came the gaslighting.
“You might not be there yet in life…”
“It’s a thing between you and your wife…”
Excuse me?
At that point, the holiday vibe officially died. We were done. We just wanted to get the hell out.
How Much Does Anantara Vacation Club Membership Cost?
One thing that really surprised me during the Anantara Vacation Club presentation was how unclear the pricing was. We never saw a simple price list. Instead, we were shown different numbers that changed as the conversation went on, combined with “today only” discounts and emotional selling.
From what we understood, the Anantara Vacation Club membership starts somewhere in the high four-figure to low six-figure USD range as an upfront payment. On top of that comes a yearly maintenance fee. The final amount depends on how many points or nights you buy, but it is still a significant commitment.
When you put these numbers next to the actual cost of simply booking a normal hotel in Phuket, Bangkok, or Bali whenever you want, the membership didn’t feel like good value for us. We prefer choosing the best resort for each trip instead of being tied to one hotel brand.
Is Anantara Vacation Club a Scam or Legit?
Well, I’d say it’s not a scam. The hotels are real, the program exists, and members do stay at Anantara properties through the club.
The vacation club is technically legit. But the way it was sold to us did not feel transparent or respectful. If a holiday deal makes you stressed, rushed, or unsure, it is not a good deal for you, no matter how beautiful the resort photos look.
Exploring Mai Khao and Phuket Beyond the Anantara Vacation Club
We picked up the girls from the Kids Club and made a quick plan: get out of here.
We sneaked next door to the Marriott Beach Club – where we found good food at decent prices and even managed to hang out (illegally, oops) by the beachfront pool. The kids played, we breathed, and we all agreed: this was the most relaxing part of our trip so far.
The next two days? We did everything we could to avoid the resort.
We explored Phuket Old Town. We went to Central Festival Mall. We even (again, illegally) wandered into the “real” Anantara next door – the actual White Lotus filming location. It was stunning. Peaceful. Stylish. The total opposite of where we were staying. We snapped some sneaky photos and dreamed of what could’ve been.
Back at our suite, the bad smell in the bathroom? Still there. They tried to fix it and also left a very sweet apology note, but nope.
Is Mai Khao a Good Place to Stay in Phuket?
Mai Khao itself is beautiful. It’s quiet, green, and very close to Phuket Airport, which makes traveling with kids easier. When we walked through the Marriott Mai Khao Beach Club and later wandered into Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, the area felt like the perfect tropical escape. Long empty beaches, soft sand, and a peaceful atmosphere.
The challenge wasn’t Mai Khao. It was the Vacation Club building.
Better Alternatives to Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao Phuket for Families
Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach
- From $331 (€305) per night (Family Room)
- Overlooking Naithon Beach with direct access
- Read my honest review here!
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
- From $178 (€164) per night (Family Room)
- Extensive beachfront property at Mai Khao Beach
Key Takeaways: Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao
- Great-sized suites with kitchen and laundry – good for families on paper.
- No direct beach access and only one crowded pool.
- Limited vegetarian options and very overpriced food.
- Kids club felt cold and basic compared to other Phuket resorts.
- Sales presentation was long, pushy, and killed the holiday mood.
- For us, a normal resort booking in Phuket offers far better value and less stress.
👉 You might also like:
– Hyatt Regency Phuket with Kids – My Honest Review
– The Best Time to Visit Phuket: Weather, Season & Climate
Final Thoughts – Would We Ever Return to Anantara Vacation Club?
Short answer? No. Long answer? Absolutely not.
Yes, the suite was big. Yes, the staff were lovely. But the whole experience left a really bad taste. Between the limited food options, lack of beach access, sad kids club, and aggressive sales pitch… it just wasn’t the relaxing family break we hoped for.
And calling it Anantara? Honestly misleading. This is not the dreamy beachfront luxury you see in their ads. It’s a walled-off, villa maze with a sales office vibe.
We ended up spending our “vacation” trying to escape the very place we were staying. Not great, right?
So no, we wouldn’t return. Not to this Anantara.
Did you plan on going too? Or have you stayed at a Vacation Club like this before? I’d love to hear your experience – drop it in the comments!
Thank you for reading and for making me part of your day. Kindly, Lulu
FAQ About Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao
What is Anantara Vacation Club?
It’s Anantara’s timeshare-style program. You pay a big upfront fee plus yearly fees and get points or nights to use at Anantara and partner resorts. On paper it sounds flexible, but you really have to love their hotels and travel often for it to make sense.
Is Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao on the beach?
No. The Vacation Club is set back behind walls with no direct beach access. The beautiful beachfront area you see in many photos belongs to Anantara Mai Khao Villas next door, which is a separate, way more luxurious resort.
Is Mai Khao a good place to stay in Phuket?
Mai Khao is quiet, green, and close to the airport, which can be great with kids. But you need to pick the right hotel. For us, the Vacation Club felt cut off and crowded around the only pool, while the neighbouring beachfront resorts felt much more relaxed.
How long is the Anantara Vacation Club sales presentation?
We were told 90–120 minutes and ended up sitting there for around two hours, plus a final “surprise” pitch from a third salesperson. If you say yes to one of these offers, plan a whole morning for it.
How much does Anantara Vacation Club membership cost?
Prices aren’t very transparent and depend on the package they pitch you. In our case it was a six-figure USD amount upfront, plus yearly fees. For our family, that money was better in our savings than locked into one hotel brand.
Is Anantara Vacation Club a scam?
I wouldn’t call it a legal scam, but the sales tactics felt aggressive and uncomfortable. We felt pressured, talked down to, and pushed to make a same-day decision. For us, that’s a big red flag, especially when it comes to long-term money decisions.
Is Anantara Vacation Club good for kids?
The suite size works well for families of four, and the staff were sweet with our girls. But the kids club felt tired, the pool was crowded, and there was no quiet space for parents. I would never choose it as a family holiday base again.
Can you use Anantara Vacation Club membership in places like Bangkok, Bali or Dubai?
Yes, the idea is that you can use your membership at different Anantara Vacation Club properties and partner resorts. Just remember: the sales model is the same, but the quality of each hotel and location can be very different, so always read recent reviews.
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