I'll be traveling to Phuket this month with my best friend and two of my children (9 years old). We'll only be there for 3 nights. Was going to go to Phi Phi, but with arrival times at airport and departure times at ferry it just wasn't working out to maximize our time there.

Here are the things I'm looking for in a place to stay:

• Not in Patong or like areas
  
• Not terribly far from airport - far enough to not be bothered by it, but not so far that kids are annoyed at the drive
  
• Near the beach (one that you CAN swim in)
  
• Access to snorkeling either right off the beach or nearby tour
  
• Would love to have access to cheap massages - on beach or otherwise - not ridiculous resort prices
  
• Don't care about "luxury", but safe accommodations
  
• Reasonable price - less than $100/night would be nice
  
• Street vendors nearby so we don't have to rely on restaurant at hotel/b&b/whatever
  

Any recommendations are most appreciated.

I suggest Kata/Karon. Not exactly close to the airport, but I think you will have a hard time finding what you want in the NaiYang/Bangtao beaches, which are close to the airport. Plenty of places less than 100USD per night. PM me if you want more detailed suggestions.

I'll get back to you on that one, quite a list!!!!!, now to be sure, anything else????, i can tell, you'll have a clip board and a check list,

Nai Yang, Nai Thon or Layan/Bangtao beaches would be best.

They each pretty much all meet the requirements you have stated (Nai Yang probably the most and probably also the cheapest).

Surin Beach OP, there are a slew of hotels right there, you have Thai food on the beach as well as vendors.

Some of the hotels :

Doubletree by Hilton

Benyada Lodge

Surin Sweet

Surin Park (which if you walk the other way will take you to Bangtao Beach)

Those I think are the more reasonably priced ones.

AVOID eating or staying in Surin one of the most expensive areas on the island ( even more so than Laguana for food) I looked at the menus at some of the rests on the beach and it was doube Kamala.

Bang tao (20 minn to airport ) or Kamala, ( 30 min) will suit u fine an easy within ur budget an what ur looking for. Kamala has some nice snorkling on the northern end.

AVOID eating or staying in Surin one of the most expensive areas on the island ( even more so than Laguana for food) I looked at the menus at some of the rests on the beach and it was doube Kamala.

Bang tao (20 minn to airport ) or Kamala, ( 30 min) will suit u fine an easy within ur budget an what ur looking for. Kamala has some nice snorkling on the northern end.

phuketrichard, maybe you're thinking only Twinpalm and Manathai, as those other resorts are not too expensive.

Also, the barbecued chickens at the first Thai place (looking at the water) to the right from the parking lot has some of the best bbq'd chickens I've had on the island.

Double tree an Surin park ( owned by someone i know) will set him back more thna $100/night

Surin sweet might be under, dont recall

and i stand by my words, the rests/vendors at Surin are over priced and I for one don't enjoy siting 3 rows deep on a beach but prehaps for others its their cup of Tea?

Double tree an Surin park ( owned by someone i know) will set him back more thna $100/night

Surin sweet might be under, dont recall

and i stand by my words, the rests/vendors at Surin are over priced and I for one don't enjoy siting 3 rows deep on a beach but prehaps for others its their cup of Tea?

Surin Sweet 1500thb phuketrichard.

Benyada Lodge 2800.

Sure stand by your words to save 20thb at the beach vendor, don't think these folks will care about 10-50thb more.

I see plenty of families down there, so maybe your cup of tea isn't the same as the OP's.