tips for Phuket short stay please

[manarak]

I don't go to Phuket much and my info on the place is a bit outdated.

 

A family trip is planned there, and I would like to ask the Phuket forumers about some tips about:

- hotel

- transportation from airport to hotel

- tour tips

 

We will be a party of 6 people, 4 adults and 2 children aged 13 and 15.

Dates: approx. between 13 and 25th February for 3 or 4 nights.

 

Hotel:

The first question is obviously a place to stay. In the past I repeatedly booked the Poppa Palace in Patong. It was ok and a good location, but I would like to consider other alternatives, especially located on another Phuket Beach, but not without recommendations.

Requirements: walking distance to a beach (doesn't need to be Patong), wifi, 4-star standard rooms, no need for a pool if near a beach, walking distance to a choice of restaurants, ideally including Thai restaurants, moo kata...

It could be a good guesthouse instead of a hotel.

Price is of course a concern.

 

Taxi from airport:

In my experience, transportation from the airport was always substandard - expensive and drivers often try to tout tours and activities, often stopping in the middle of nowhere to peddle their commission business. Atmosphere gets markedly colder once I explain in Thai that I live here and have zero interest in whatever they could offer. Is there a cheaper and better alternative for getting to the hotel?

 

Tours:

as 4 persons in the group have never visited Phuket, a tour to Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay is mandatory, yet I have been shocked the last time I took a tour there about how Maya Bay was literally overrun by swarms of Chinese groups, the beach was so full that I had to stand in the water to have some breathing air.

So I got the idea of booking a fast speedboat tour that starts early in the morning to get there before the Chinese. Does anyone have any tips on which tours to book for that?

 

Thank you in advance for any information

[Kopitiam]

If you are coming to Phuket from 13th to 25th February and is allegic to Chinese tourists, don't come.  This is why.

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1019788-get-ready-400000-chinese-tourists-to-descend-on-thailand-over-new-year-holidays/

[csabo]

Take the fixed rate taxi right outside the airport doors. 

Stay at the NaiHarn Beach Resort. 

Charter a private speed boat early morning at Chalong pier for the whole day. 

[anfh]

There are a number of good quality hotels on the beach front at Katu, you can search these quite easily.

 

i would suggest contacting    http://phuketshuttle.com/.  They will meet you outside arrivals and take you direct in private minibus to your hotel ( without stopping for anyone ) they are very reliable and prices are very reasonable.

 

Katu is not far from Big Buddha Mountain, which is worth a visit. Also not far from Phuket harbour where you can go on trips to islands such a Phi Phi and James Bond island etc.

[Nurseynutcase]

Kata is a good place.  Many very good hotels - try Agoda - Kata garden resort, the most expensive rooms in high season were 1500 baht.  Very clean and a nice pool.  About .5km to the beach close to many eateries and bars but in a quiet location.  Also The Centara beach resort, clean, quiet and very close to the beach - if you dont mind walking past the Klong.

 

Agree with the previous poster re transport.

 

Having been to PhiPhi island and maya bay would give it a miss - many other places to visit - why not hire a long-tail for the day?  Could work out cheaper for all of you.

 

Agree about the Chinese tourists - we also have a huge number of Russians here.

 

Wherever you go in Phuket I hope you have a lovely time and the weather is good for you.

[madmitch]

There are a couple of companies offering Phi Phi Sunrise tours out of Phuket, so if you want to beat the crowds this is one way to do it. Google and you'll find out more.

 

The problem is they are much more expensive than the regular trips.

[keithpa]

Holiday Inn, Patong , Beach road. If you want to stay out in the sticks like others have suggested, go for it. Hire a car, drive to Phang Nga town,. go to Mr Kean travel at the bus station , take longtail out into the bay for the day.

[VBF]

Bear in mind that tuk-tuk prices are horrendous with a somewhat aggressive "business model"  I've never used them but I'm told that Uber / Grab might be better options.

[Mysterion]

A friend of mine went on an island bopping tour last week. His guide told him that the chinese swarm the maya phi phi islands etc in the mornings, as most of their tours take them shopping in afternoons. However, the islands are still overcrowded with everyone else in the afternoons. No escaping the crowds on the standard island hopping tours. A private longtail may be best option.

 

Consider renting a 3bdr condo or villa for your stay. Probably significantly cheaper and nicer than 2 or 3 hotel rooms. Nice to have a kitchen option.

[Chongalulu]

Stay away from Patong,a horrible busy over commercialised place now. Karon beach and Kata about 15 minutes South rather better ,especially from a beach perspective and plenty to do. Given the size of your group Centata Waterfront suites are huge 2 bedroomed appartments with a massive lounge suitable for someone to sleep in,or book another 1 bed apartment if budget allows . Ideally located near the beach but set back and a lovely swimming pool. It’s about 19 floors so high up gives fabulous views and just far enough away re noise. Having said all that I prefer Ko Lanta which is where I’ll be heading.

[Kopitiam]

1 hour ago, nchuckle said:

Stay away from Patong,a horrible busy over commercialised place now. Karon beach and Kata about 15 minutes South rather better ,especially from a beach perspective and plenty to do. Given the size of your group Centata Waterfront suites are huge 2 bedroomed appartments with a massive lounge suitable for someone to sleep in,or book another 1 bed apartment if budget allows . Ideally located near the beach but set back and a lovely swimming pool. It’s about 19 floors so high up gives fabulous views and just far enough away re noise. Having said all that I prefer Ko Lanta which is where I’ll be heading.

My last trip to Ko Lanta in Nov2017, I found many Chinese tourists there too.  Fortunately not in coach loads like in Phuket.  But Ko Lanta is much smaller than Phuket and their numbers can be easily felt.

[Old Croc]

20 hours ago, madmitch said:

There are a couple of companies offering Phi Phi Sunrise tours out of Phuket, so if you want to beat the crowds this is one way to do it. Google and you'll find out more.

 

The problem is they are much more expensive than the regular trips.

And there's this:

 

[NOT ALLOWED ON THE BOAT: if you pregnant woman, mature people with age over 60 years old, having any medication disability (such as; back pain & heart disease) & infant under one year old.]

[manly36]

Laguna about half way up the West coast is a lovely upmarket location with many 4 to 5 star hotels. Great choice of high quality restaurants with many types of cuisines. Great beaches and plenty of activities for young and old. It is also closer to the airport than Patong, Kata etc so a fixed price taxi is not as expensive. I also agree that Phi Phi is overcrowded, overrated and not the natural haven as it once was. Hong island and surrounding island in Phang Nga are breathtakingly beautiful and can be done as day trips.

[manarak]

thanks for the tips so far!

please keep them coming, especially those that would allow to reach maya bay in the early morning.

 

[manarak]

On 1/12/2018 at 9:11 AM, csabo said:

Take the fixed rate taxi right outside the airport doors. 

Stay at the NaiHarn Beach Resort. 

Charter a private speed boat early morning at Chalong pier for the whole day. 

it would be nice to do this, yet the rates for both the resort and a private boat would break the bank.

[csabo]

2 hours ago, manarak said:

it would be nice to do this, yet the rates for both the resort and a private boat would break the bank.

The resort is one of the least expensive (and most basic) on the island, has a nice pool and restaurant and is walking distance to the best beach on the island and several other restaurants, massage etc..  I have seen a speedboat rented for 8000 for an entire day up to ten people.  If that breaks your budget stay home.

[manarak]

the resort quoted 4500 baht per room....

[Old Croc]

https://www.katavilla.com/

[madmitch]

12 hours ago, Old Croc said:

https://www.katavilla.com/

Kata Villa is very good value considering its location, but you need to book well in advance as it gets very full.

 

Rooms, however, are no more than two star quality.

 

There are a number of apartments for short term rent in the hills at the back of Karon: Karon Hill; Karon Butterfly; Chic; Sea and Sky and more. These might offer better value for money than the three and four star hotels. 

[Old Croc]

It struck me the OP wanted 4 star quality at 2 star prices.

The place I mentioned would meet many of his other requirements as it is over the road from the beach and in walking distance from many restaurants and shopping.

[manarak]

1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

It struck me the OP wanted 4 star quality at 2 star prices.

The place I mentioned would meet many of his other requirements as it is over the road from the beach and in walking distance from many restaurants and shopping.

yes, and thanks for suggesting that place.

I am considering it.

price wise, saying I want 2 star prices is a bit unfair, considering up to 1500 baht per room and night is okay. 2000 baht + is not though.

[keithpa]

On 1/13/2018 at 5:36 PM, manarak said:

it would be nice to do this, yet the rates for both the resort and a private boat would break the bank.

Last time i was there, no motor bike taxis, no tuk tuks.

[manarak]

finally I think I will book in Krabi.

 

edit:

gosh, now I see the plane ticket for Krabi costs double than for Phuket.. <deleted> ?

Edited January 16, 2018 by manarak

[paulo59]

On 12 January 2018 at 10:12 AM, anfh said:

There are a number of good quality hotels on the beach front at Katu, you can search these quite easily.

 

i would suggest contacting    http://phuketshuttle.com/.  They will meet you outside arrivals and take you direct in private minibus to your hotel ( without stopping for anyone ) they are very reliable and prices are very reasonable.

 

Katu is not far from Big Buddha Mountain, which is worth a visit. Also not far from Phuket harbour where you can go on trips to islands such a Phi Phi and James Bond island etc.

 

[paulo59]

Just now, paulo59 said:

 

Kata?

[paulo59]

1 minute ago, paulo59 said:

 

Kata?