Phuket Or Hua Hin

[mrkojak]

Hi TV'ers,

I just thought I throw it out here for some input. I've been to LOS many times before, but have not been back for about 2 years. My travels previously were to see a flame (now ex-) and more recently for golf.

I'm planning on taking my Mum back there later this year. Probably around late Oct to Nov for a couple of weeks of R&R. The trip is more for her than me, as she needs a break and some pampering after minding my sister's grand kids. Anyway, my questions are:

1. Choosing between Phuket or Hua Hin, as I'd still like to get a few rounds of golf in. I've played in HH before but not Phuket. Are the choices for this more varied in HH than Phuket?

2. In addition to me and Mum, my best mate is doing the trip as well, but with his young family. 2 kids under 10 years old. He's on a tighter budget than I, so is accomodation going to be cheaper for family sized places in HH or Phuket? Something like a 2-bed bungalow.

Any recommendations?

I reckon a budget of say 1500-2000 per night twin share would be fine for me & mum. The other option is a 3-bed house for all of us to share, which might be cheaper all round.

3. Now, if we're to go to Phuket, I'd like accomodation outside of Patong, but close enough to either walk or songtaew in for shopping & entertainment.

Which area would be better - Karong, Kata or Kamala Beach area. I've only ever stayed in Patong when I was travelling by myself previously.

4. In Hua Hin, I stayed previously at nearby town of Cha-Am (Novotel Tipviman Resort) & there were several choices of golf courses close by. But this time, I think I would like to maybe base ourselves in Hua Hin, if only for convenience to shops and restaurants for my mum.

Any suggestions for beach accessbile places? Or else a quiet abode with a pool may do.

PS. Does anyone know if the period I've specified is coming into high-season or is it still considered shoulder-season for flights & accomodation?

Thanks for your suggestions in advance....

[steelepulse]

I can't say anything about Hua Hin, but I can tell you golf here is not cheap.  Expect to pay around 2800-4500 baht per round ++.

As far as lodging, both Kata and Karon are much better options than Patong, but both don't offer as much shopping, but do offer the same tourist items for sale.  Karon and Kata seem cheaper than Patong for this stuff.

High season officially kicks in November 1st, so you will probably be looking at paying the higher rate.  

Another thing to consider about Phuket is that October is the rainiest month here.

Hi TV'ers,

I just thought I throw it out here for some input. I've been to LOS many times before, but have not been back for about 2 years. My travels previously were to see a flame (now ex-) and more recently for golf.

I'm planning on taking my Mum back there later this year. Probably around late Oct to Nov for a couple of weeks of R&R. The trip is more for her than me, as she needs a break and some pampering after minding my sister's grand kids. Anyway, my questions are:

1. Choosing between Phuket or Hua Hin, as I'd still like to get a few rounds of golf in. I've played in HH before but not Phuket. Are the choices for this more varied in HH than Phuket?

2. In addition to me and Mum, my best mate is doing the trip as well, but with his young family. 2 kids under 10 years old. He's on a tighter budget than I, so is accomodation going to be cheaper for family sized places in HH or Phuket? Something like a 2-bed bungalow.

Any recommendations?

I reckon a budget of say 1500-2000 per night twin share would be fine for me & mum. The other option is a 3-bed house for all of us to share, which might be cheaper all round.

3. Now, if we're to go to Phuket, I'd like accomodation outside of Patong, but close enough to either walk or songtaew in for shopping & entertainment.

Which area would be better - Karong, Kata or Kamala Beach area. I've only ever stayed in Patong when I was travelling by myself previously.

4. In Hua Hin, I stayed previously at nearby town of Cha-Am (Novotel Tipviman Resort) & there were several choices of golf courses close by. But this time, I think I would like to maybe base ourselves in Hua Hin, if only for convenience to shops and restaurants for my mum.

Any suggestions for beach accessbile places? Or else a quiet abode with a pool may do.

PS. Does anyone know if the period I've specified is coming into high-season or is it still considered shoulder-season for flights & accomodation?

Thanks for your suggestions in advance....

[curber]

My choice would be HH ...more golf courses..one new this year Black Mountain...most courses are a lot cheaper than the two I played in Phuket..accomodation shouldn`t be a problem in HH ...lots of houses in your price range...I live at the Sport Villa ..there are two bedroom townhouses there for 30,000 to 50,000 a month...place has a couple pools, restaurant ,massage parlour, laundry,small gym and snooker room....a block from the beach about 3 k from downtown...lots of transport available....you can get all the info you need at this site....http://www.huahinvillas.net/.....I don`t have anything to do with the site I just stay at the Sport ...lots of of English speaking folks there ...great staff ..hope this helps you a bit....wife and I both golf...belong to one of the local clubs...won`t be back until Dec ..if you happen to end up there around that time maybe we can get a round in

[katyb]

I would also recommend Hua Hin. Golf is cheaper and plenty of courses.

I am not a big fan of Phuket, especially Patong. I stayed there for four months last year (between Rawai and Naiharn which is OK - quiet), and my folks came out to visit. I didn't take them to Patong as I knew they would think it was like lesser appealing areas of the Spanish Costas! We were in Phuket mainly for my other half's love of golf. He was disappointed as it was expensive and unless you have a car, difficult to get to.

If I remember rightly, getting around in the areas you suggest was via tuk-tuk - again very expensive.

Thus, go to HH. The beaches aren't as nice, but in my opinion, it is more of a 'Thai' experience, better value for money and good golf.

Kate

[mrkojak]

Thanks everyone. As soon as I saw the price of a round of golf in Phuket, I said <deleted>...:-)

Yeah, I pretty much decided on HH too, as I know what the place is like and mum & I both like the quiet aspect. Not into too much activity anyhow...

Apart from the suggestion of HH Villas, do anyone else have suggestion on a smaller bungalow type accomodation?

I have also just found out that my friend and his family have ditched the idea of travel to LOS. I guess travelling with kids and the budget constraints mean a trip to the Gold Coast here in Oz is the option for them.

I reckon about a week in HH to get the golf urge out for me and then about 1 week either back in BKK or Chiang Mai will round this trip out nicely.