Phuket

[danielrhodes999]

Hello

I would like to travel to phuket for two months at the beginning of August. I have never been before so would like some information on best places to stay.

Im looking for a very nice one bedroom apartment, any help or any recommendations on estate agents to contact?

Best Wishes

[craigt3365]

If we don't get good replies here, we can move this over to the Phuket forum.

What are you looking to do? Lay on a quite beach or party all night. Phuket is a big island, with a variety of beaches.

We were there 2 years ago in August. It rained almost every day. We spent a week on the beach and couldn't even swim due to the rough waters...as well as the rain. So, we moved inland and cruised around the island. Lots to see for sure.

[Atmos]

We were living in Phuket at that time - found some pics from August 2009 on Phuket, and a couple from a dive trip to Racha just south of Phuket.

It didn't rain 'every day', as these pics would indicate

Of course it will rain at times, and for the sea - be very careful where you swim.

Initially I was living at Karon but no good for swimming there most days, Kata just over the hill can be better - but still take caution and pay attention to the lifeguards.

Mid Aug we moved long-term to Chalong and would go to Nai Harn for swimming.

For apartments - do some research on where you want to be based - eg no good living cheap in Chalong if you're after the nightlife of Patong etc.

Plenty of threads on the hassles re transport on Phuket unless you have your own vehicle.

I had a friend who stayed here but to me Chalong is not the best place for a short-term tourist, a bit isolated and transport can be a problem. But that site will give you an indiaction of prices.

Enjoy your trip.

[grumpyoldman]

The Phuket Gazette online will give you lots of tips regarding accommodations. In the classifieds people are often renting places.

Good question by one of the poster's replies, where do you want to be? Patong is the big party zone, not a very nice beach but if you're Ibiza Syd and want to be up all night sleep all day, stay near Patong.

For beach life with a bit of nightlife, Kata Beach and Rawai, for quiet beach life Bangtao, Layan, Nai Yang.

[craigt3365]

Didn't mean to imply that it rains every day...but it for sure can rain (off and on) for a week. Depends on the weather, for sure. We did have some nice days, but the one week we had booked at a really nice hotel on the beach in Bang Tao was a wreck. We were there for a month.

We visited Nai Thon one day. Fantastic beach...and we had nice weather that day. But it was dead. Most shops were closed as were restaurants. Our friends know a restaurant owner there and she said they close up for most of the "off" season.

[littleboylost]

I live in Phuket and can assure you that it will pretty much rain every day during the rainy season. Somedays just a quick downpour other days non stop.

This time of year the beaches are deserted. If you are looking for nightlife then suggest Patong. If you are looking for a quiet base from which you can explore the island then would recommend something more central. If you are independent try a serviced apartment such as Mandalay Palms. Large units and good value for money.

[grumpyoldman]

I live in Phuket and can assure you that it will pretty much rain every day during the rainy season.

Been living in Phuket seven years and I can say this is nonsense. It doesn't rain everyday this time of year.

[craigt3365]

For sure it doesn't rain every day...but look at this chart for August 2009, when I was there for the entire month. Shows 21 days of rain. The rest are mostly cloudy/partly sunny. Not great if you want to lie on the beach...I probably checked in to the beach hotel on the 22nd!

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/VTSP/2009/8/17/MonthlyHistory.html#calendar

September and October are worse.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Why Phuket ?

I am sure you have followed happenings down there.

one of few cities I won't return too soon.

They have nice beaches, but most everything is expensive and you must be on guard all the time

[grumpyoldman]

Why Phuket ?

I am sure you have followed happenings down there.

one of few cities I won't return too soon.

They have nice beaches, but most everything is expensive and you must be on guard all the time

Man, the unabashed nonsense that shows up on these boards from people that don't know scheit about Phuket........

Phuket is not a city, it's an island and a province.

Not everything is expensive, there are a wide range of pricings from accommodations to food, you can choose between a noodle cart and a restaurant, a bungalow or a suite.

On guard all the time? That is complete B.S unless you are walking the backroads of Patong (a city, and armpit of the island), late at night, the same precautions taken that you would need to take in any city.

[johnsurin]

I will be heading down to Phuket from Surin, Issan for a week so late August, just for 7 or 8 nights, I have a couple of nights booked at Karon Beach Resort and Spa and a couple at The Royal Phuket Yacht Club.

I will have a few more nights but as yet I am undecided where to go, I will be with my wife and 4 year old son. It's been 8 years since I was last in Phuket, through the day we would like to tour round the island. At night we would probably want to go to restaurants and I do like a few drinks, which I think are well deserved after 4 months in Afghanistan, nothing mad, just a laugh, preferably with other expats. I can't sit in a hotel room all night long, while the wife and son are sleeping at 9 o'clock.

I am hoping we get some decent weather but I do expect rain, at least some of the time. I have decided to stay away from Patong (been there before), but might stop in for a night, I plan on staying at Kamala on my last night there to take my son to Fantasea, if it is still open then and it is close by the airport. Is there any other beach areas or locations anybody can recommend for through the day and somewhere to stay with somewhere to go through the night?