Advice Needed. Where On The Island To Stay?

[elektrified]

I'm looking for a little advice from the locals please. I've been to Phuket several times over the years and always stayed in Karon or in the Patong area. I'm coming again on the 3rd of June after not having been in about 8 years and this time with my family. I'd like to try somewhere different but don't know much about some of the other beach areas like Nai Yan, Nai Thon, Kamala on the one end or Rawai, Chalong, etc. on the other. I do like the beach at Karon but fear it may be very crowded and expensive these days. Even Kata seems interesting. I just don't know where to begin. I read on here somewhere that the area 20 minutes south of the Airport is very nice. I'm guessing that is Nai Yan or Nai Thong? Looking through Agoda.com is very overwhelming to say the least.

So does anyone have some advice? I like a nice quiet, beautiful beach where I can take my 2 1/2 year old son. I'd even consider staying on the island 3 days then maybe taking a boat somewhere else for a night or 2. I've been to Koh Phi Phi but that was 20 years ago. I know that has changed too. Would that be an idea?

If anyone has any recommendations of where to stay on the beach for about 1K THB per night that would be welcome too. Farang restaurants are not important so it could be somewhere out of the way.

Thanks in advance for any advice the members have!

[stevenl]

In June it will nowhere be crowded.

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

[elektrified]

In June it will nowhere be crowded.

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

Yes, thanks for that. I had always been in September-October in the past. I was just reading about the rip currents. Still a nice beach would be a plus just to lounge around and go on long walks. We'll swim in a pool. Thanks again.

[NomadJoe]

In June it will nowhere be crowded.

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

But having said that there are also plenty of days in the low season when the seas are calm. Do be careful though. Many drownings this time of year.

You will be shocked by the amount of construction that has occurred since you last visited in 2004. I would never suggest people stay in Patong unless they are here just for the nightlife. It's a busy, smelly, noisy, dirty place. The east side of the island is tidal flats. Not much beach, but you may not see another foriegner on the beach if that is what you are looking for. Some very cheap resorts over there geared towards Thai's like Chalong Beach Resort and Chang Resort. Also some high end ones like Vijit. Rawaii is a nice place, but not much to the actual beach in terms of the sand. South facing s not quite a tidal flat and not quite a proper beach like Kata, Karon etc. It is great place to get dinner along the beach road. There is seating along the beach side and the restaurants now run the food over to you from across the street since they were forced off the beach side. You can take a walk on the pier after and check out the life fish market nearby. A very nice evening. I recommend if you can make it out that way. Only way there (or anywhere) is by renting a car or motorbike (careful) or by tuk tuk which most of us don't recommend as the tuk tuks and taxi's are mafia controlled and thus vastly over charge, and sometimes cause other problems. I believe you can also get there via local bus which departs outside Kata Beach Resort. You'll have to ask. Defiantly spend one day exploring, going somewhere on the local bus. Much better experience than buying a package tour somewhere IMO.

I have lived mostly in Kata and so I usually recommend that. Kata is IMO still the best beach. Much less hustle and bustle. Touristy, yes, but dlean, doesn't smell, less beach touts. For a hotel right on the beach you will need need a little more than 1000B a night, but a short walk from the beach there are options a plenty. Here are some I recommend, some of which which I have had friends and family stay whilst here that are both close to or on the beach and that are in your price range.

Kata Beach Resort (On beach)

Kata Country House

Peach Hill Resort and Spa

Andaman Canacia

Sugar Palm Grand Hillside

Tropical Resort

Orchidacea

Serene Resort

Good luck and enjoy!

Edited May 17, 2012 by NomadJoe

[stevenl]

The east side of the island is tidal flats. Not much beach, but you may not see another foriegner on the beach if that is what you are looking for. Some very cheap resorts over there geared towards Thai's like Chalong Beach Resort and Chang Resort.

I had some guests staying there, and paid them a visit. Besides my guests all other guests were Russian, all signs were in Russian, the receptionist could hardly speak Thai anymore

[elektrified]

But having said that there are also plenty of days in the low season when the seas are calm. Do be careful though. Many drownings this time of year...

Thank you so much for your extremely helpful post!

And...re "You will be shocked by the amount of construction that has occurred since you last visited in 2004." Sad isn't it? If you've ever been in Chiang Mai then you would not recognize how it has changed in the last few years also. There are at least 25 major construction sites in progress now! Nothing is the same here in Thailand. I first visited Koh Samui more than 20 years ago. You could walk down the beach for many kilometers and not see another person for hours.

[simon43]

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

This advice is way too general! Nai Yang beach (near to the airport) has no rip currents, due to the offshore coral reef. It is safe for swimming all year round

Simon

[stevehaigh]

In June it will nowhere be crowded.

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

Nai Harn has a protected lagoon on the south end of the beach, may be ok for swimming in June.

also Ya Nui has a protected area just inside the little island thingy

[stevenl]

This advice is way too general! Nai Yang beach (near to the airport) has no rip currents, due to the offshore coral reef. It is safe for swimming all year round

Simon

Nai Harn has a protected lagoon on the south end of the beach, may be ok for swimming in June.

also Ya Nui has a protected area just inside the little island thingy

Yes, the advice is very general and there are exceptions. But those are exceptions, it is a very good idea for anybody coming to Phuket between May and October to take into account that the beaches are not suitable for swimming that time of year. If both weather and beach cooperate it may be possible, but consider that a bonus and count on no swimming.

[grumpyoldman]

In June it will nowhere be crowded.

Maybe even more important: don't think of the beaches as beaches for swimming in June, especially with a kid. The chances of the 2 of you being able to swim in the sea are very, very small, simply too dangerous because of rip currents.

Nai Harn has a protected lagoon on the south end of the beach, may be ok for swimming in June.

also Ya Nui has a protected area just inside the little island thingy

+1 I second Yanui, very low key, cool setting and protected beach.

[Peterocket]

But having said that there are also plenty of days in the low season when the seas are calm. Do be careful though. Many drownings this time of year...

You could walk down the beach for many kilometers and not see another person for hours.

You can still do that in Phuket on Bangtao heading northwards or Mai Khao

[NomadJoe]

The east side of the island is tidal flats. Not much beach, but you may not see another foriegner on the beach if that is what you are looking for. Some very cheap resorts over there geared towards Thai's like Chalong Beach Resort and Chang Resort.

I had some guests staying there, and paid them a visit. Besides my guests all other guests were Russian, all signs were in Russian, the receptionist could hardly speak Thai anymore

Yeah I thought about that some time after my post. I should have said Russians and Thais, although or recently I would say it has shifted towards Russians. Used to be mostly Thai.

[elektrified]

Thanks for the replies and PM's I got. All very helpful in planning the trip.

We decided to stay in the city the first night because we don't get in until about 1:00 A.M. on Air Asia from Chiang Mai. That way we can shop and look around the city the next day and later in the evening take the bus to one of the beach areas for a few days (probably Kata to begin with) Some of NomadJoe's hotel recommendations were very good. So, I was wondering what transportation options are available at 1:00 A.M.? I read there is a bus from the airport into the city for 120 Baht. Does it run all night?

One member by PM recommended Koh Yao Yai as a side trip which we are considering. Has anyone else been there? Is the water a little more tame for swimming with my little son this time of year?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[LivinginKata]

Last bus 20.00 http://www.airportbusphuket.com/timetable.html

So you are stuck with the airport taxi service and as after midnight then you are stuck with what they ask.

[elektrified]

Last bus 20.00 http://www.airportbu.../timetable.html

So you are stuck with the airport taxi service and as after midnight then you are stuck with what they ask.

Thanks for that. I was afraid of that.

[elektrified]

Last bus 20.00 http://www.airportbu.../timetable.html

So you are stuck with the airport taxi service and as after midnight then you are stuck with what they ask.

Thanks for that. I was afraid of that.

Are there any other options than Hello Phuket Co., LTD. @ 1200 THB? Or is that the only company that will be available at 1:00 A.M.? Quite a difference from 120 THB or 240 for 2 of us on the bus to 1200 for private transport!