Phuket Recommendations

[qualtrough]

A friend of mine is flying in from Europe for a few days and has invited me to join him in Phuket. He has been there before but has no particular area in mind and left the arrangements up to me. Altough I have lived in Thailand a long time I have only visited Phuket once before (overnight) so know very little about the area. I think I visited Patong, and if that is correct I was not impressed as it was pretty built-up and messy. I have done some Web surfing but there is so much out there it is hard to know where to start and whether or not the Web info is true or BS. So, I would appreciate recommendations for any resorts meeting the following criteria:

1. Range: $50-100 per night. Pool, cable TV, on beach or nearby of course;

2. Nightlife not important, so not in a glitzy/bar/disco overbuilt patpong-on-sea area;

3. But, not in the middle of nowhere either, so that we can walk to other resorts/restaurants when the local facilities get old.

4. Airport pickup available or easily arranged.

Hope there is something like that available at this time of year. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Edited February 7, 2006 by qualtrough

[khall64au]

check this out: http://www.vighitresort.com/

It's a lovely quiet resort right on the seafriont at Rawai (southern Phuket) with island views and in your price range. My family stays there when they visit me on Phuket and they really enjoy the ambience. Also within walking distance to other resorts, restaurants, small bars, etc.

Have fun!

[qualtrough]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out!

[britmaveric]

http://www.rattanabeach.com/

FTH - recommended this to me, and its good as gold if he says as much!!

[qualtrough]

One question if I may: How far is it from the beach? I checked the site out and it looks very nice, but I think might friend wants to be within walking distance of a nice beach so that would be important.

[phuketsiam]

The beach at Rawai is pretty iffy really, Nai Harn is better

[khall64au]

The beach at Rawai is pretty iffy really, Nai Harn is better

That's true but the resort does have unbeatable seafront location and views and they offer transport to Nai Harn beach also.

[phuketsiam]

also true, but his mate wants walking distance to the beach, actually I think if your in Phuket without transport its all a bit crap unless you want to hang around Patong the whole time, I suppose Kata/Karon offer a nice compromise though

[qualtrough]

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions so far. Haven't made a decision yet, so if anyone else has any ideas they will be much appreciated!

John