We love resorts. We really do and we’re not ashamed to admit it. Many travelers think they are disconnected from the world and are impersonal but we beg to differ. Although we have stayed at guesthouses and ONCE at a hostel (and they were good experiences), we wouldn’t actively opt for them unless we had no choice.

Hmm, we can actually write an entirely separate post on this but let’s move on shall we?

Now when it comes to resorts, finding the right one isn’t an easy task either. Each one is different and depending on the type and style, it can mean the difference of making or breaking your trip. There are just so many factors that go in choosing a resort that suits you.

Recently we were invited to a traditional Thai, family-style resort in Phuket called Thavorn Palm Beach Resort. Online and on paper it was everything we love in a resort. It had massive swimming pools, multiple restaurants, good location and spacious rooms. There was just one thing that we did not realize till we arrived there – it was a very family-oriented resort. Well not that there is anything wrong with family resorts but we were a bit disappointed (at first). We usually we like to stay at hip, youngster crowd places.

However, we quickly decided to make the most of the situation and not let our feelings, thoughts and predispositions control our experience. Here’s what we learned from our stay and tips you can take for making the most out of your stay at a family resort as a couple.

Do not judge a book by its cover or the first few pages

See, we judged Thavorn from its cover page online. That was our first mistake. OK, not really because it was a good decision at the end. Our second real mistake was judging the resort by thinking “oh my God, it’s such a family resort. This is terrible”. That kind of thinking can already ruin a trip. So you have to ignore those thoughts and give it at least one night.

Pretty soon, we were actually loving the ambiance and mood here. What was not to like?

3 restaurants serving different cuisines – Italian, Thai and Intercontinental. Yum! Oh and a cafe!

A beautiful orchid garden

Oh and did we mention they had 4 massive swimming pools! I mean that alone is a huge deal-setter for us. Here’s one of them. They call it the Paradise Pool. We think so too.

We were spoiled for choices. Which brings us to our next tip.

Enjoy everything the resort has to offer

Whether it is the food, cooking classes, special events or simply a gorgeous view, be sure to make the most of it. The worst thing we can think of is just sitting in the room ordering room service. Although quality alone time in the room is sometimes needed, especially on a vacation, it would be a shame to let a good resort go to waste.

For example, when we drank our coffee or had lunch, we would sit outside on our patio instead of in the room. So if you have a balcony or patio with a view – use it!

What we like to do when we first come to a resort is that we that we quickly freshen up before going off to explore. Often resorts are huge so make sure you look at every nook and cranny. You never know what amazing things you can find.

Look for areas where couples hang out (and no kids)

There were actually lots of couples at Thavorn. Most of them were found laying on sunbeds around the resort while some were walking hand in hand around the gardens. Majority of the couples were sitting around the bar in the pool, which coincidentally was also our favorite place to hang out too.

Naturally less to no kids were here so if you want that time alone or a place to meet other couples, look for the bar. Again, exploring the resort is key to finding the right area that suits your style.

Do things together

The main thing about making the best of a family resort as a couple is to do things as a couple. Duh! But that means more than just being in each others arms or snuggling up in bed.

For example at Thavorn they had Thai cooking classes but since we already know how to make Thai food, we asked them if we could make pizzas.

This was the first time we made pizzas together so it was a really awesome experience. We got to make our pizzas however we wanted and then tasted each others after.

Kanika decided to put anchovies and blue cheese on it, which I would never try otherwise. So this activity not only made us bond more but also opened us up to trying new things.

So if you’re at a family resort as a couple, find things you like to do together and make the most of it. It could be going to the gym, doing a cooking class like us or getting a spa therapy. Just talk to the hotel/resort and ask them what they can offer as sometimes they can tailor something special for you.

Take part in special events

If you’re lucky during your stay, the resort might be hosting some sort of special event or festival. In our case, we were able to celebrate a Thai traditional festival called ‘Loi Krathong‘. This is when locals float a basket (made of banana tree) of flowers (usually orchids) into a body of water as an offering to the river spirits.

In other cases it might be a New Year or Christmas party or could be anything the locals celebrate. It’s always a good idea to join these events with the hotel staff as it gives you a look into their culture and lifestyle. It lets you be part of something special.

So those were some of our insights and tips on how to make the most of your family resort as a couple in the case that you do end up staying at such a place. It might seem like a downer but there is always a brighter side. What do you think?