Hotels Phuket - Revisited!

[cnx37]

I am Australian - from Chiang Mai - never been to Phuket. In the next couple of months, we are planning a holiday in Phuket. The choice of hotels is over-whelming!

My lady is not a beach lover (white skin complex) & is frightened of water.

At the time of writing, there were a total of 14568 topics to examine in Phuket Forum - one on this subject had 28519 views & NO REPLIES!

Given the above, I am seeking a recommendation on location & maybe a specific hotel - B1000-3000 per night - but very flexible. What is there to do in Phuket except water activities & golf? Value for Baht important. Location important. Family owned v chain - boutique?

I realise that if a similar question was asked of me re Chiang Mai, it would be difficult to answer.

Maybe I should be seeking assistance from members living in Pattaya or Bangkok.

A part or comprehensive response would be appreciated.

HELP!

[modafinil]

Patong has the most facilities for foreigners (nightlife, restaurants, shopping), but some people find it "seedy" and "over-the-top".

At the opposite end, you can find places in Phuket where you are guaranteed it will be quiet - pretty much nothing in the way of shops, restaurants and night-life other than what the hotels offer (Mai Khao).

Then you have resorts that aren't very busy or very quiet - Kamala, Surin, Karon or Kata are some examples.

If you are planning on hiring a car/motorbike, you can visit other places for a day, increasing your options.

Edited February 18, 2014 by modafinil

[LivinginKata]

You are correct - not easy to answer. Fact of the matter is that most visitors come to Phuket for Beach, Golf, and Diving. I suppose that leaves shopping (malls and markets), hill walking, butterfly farm, botanic garden, aquarium, starting to struggle now.

Maybe best to give busy Patong a miss. Stay in the quieter areas. Plenty of quality family hotels. I trust other Phuket members will chip in.

[Shot]

_{The quiet areas (Kamala, BangTao, Surin) are just that....quiet. Not much to do but sit on the beach, bar hop, eat, or take advantage of the hotel services, and those services (massage, salon, beauty junk) could take you out of budget. The Central area might be a thought. Close to shopping, bird, botanic garden, and all the other stuff LIK mentioned.}

[cnx37]

Thank you! (so far)

I am learning as we go. I have been to Pattaya & am not looking for a duplicate. Apartments or hotels are OK - or other. Eating places in close proximity +++ - I do not wish to eat at the hotel.

One member suggested Kamala, Surin, Karan & Katki - not so busy & seedy. As I am bringing my Thai wife, Pattaya style is not a goer. How far are these places from the airport?

Central Phuket may be the go. We are only staying for 3-5 days.

What is the weather like in late April - very hot? Rain? When is the dry season?

Edited February 18, 2014 by cnx37

[modafinil]

_{The quiet areas (Kamala, BangTao, Surin) are just that....quiet. Not much to do but sit on the beach, bar hop, eat, or take advantage of the hotel services, and those services (massage, salon, beauty junk) could take you out of budget. The Central area might be a thought. Close to shopping, bird, botanic garden, and all the other stuff LIK mentioned.}

The Central Festival area (big crossroads at the Western edge of Phuket Town) might be OK if you have transport - I can't imagine going on holiday there if I was traveling everywhere by foot. Big shopping center, big main roads, loads of traffic.

At least you wouldn't be paying extra for a beach

[LivinginKata]

If you want to be nearer to Phuket airport then Mai Khao or Bang Tao would be good, 20 minute drive. Places like Kata and south of the island (Nai Harn) more like 50 minutes. I would suggest renting a car near the airport, http://airportcarrent.com/ would end up cheaper than taxis on a 3 day trip, and give you the mobility.

Another area you might consider would be Panwa - worth a google look. Near Phuket Town and quiet.

[modafinil]

They are all quite close - about 30 to 45 minutes away from the airport. I wouldn't recommend any resorts very close to the airport - places like Mai Khao and Nai Yang are basically in the middle of nowhere.

The resorts on the West coast of the island are what many people regard as the "beautiful" part of Phuket. Even if you don't care about the beaches, it's nice to be surrounded by scenic mountains and jungle.

I quite like Karon/Kata (they are next to each other), although I don't live there myself - your girlfriend may enjoy trips to Wat Chalong and Big Buddha if she is a Buddhist, there is a good variety of restaurants and bars there. Patong, Phuket Town, and Promthep Cape are all quite close too.

[modafinil]

If you want to be nearer to Phuket airport then Mai Khao or Bang Tao would be good

Mai Khao doesn't even have a 7/11, let alone bars and restaurants (apart from the hotels)!

Bang Tao is nice, though.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

The resorts on the West coast of the island are what many people regard as the "beautiful" part of Phuket. Even if you don't care about the beaches, it's nice to be surrounded by scenic mountains and jungle.

I quite like Karon/Kata (they are next to each other), although I don't live there myself - your girlfriend may enjoy trips to Wat Chalong and Big Buddha if she is a Buddhist, there is a good variety of restaurants and bars there. Patong, Phuket Town, and Promthep Cape are all quite close too.

That's a good point. When we have our Thai in-laws visiting then Wat Chalang is a must, also Big Buddha, Promthep (famous as the most westerly point in Thailand), some very nice Thai style restuarants in the Chalong area.

[arby]

What are you planing on doing when you are there ? If your wife doesn't like the beach because of the sunshine and is afraid of water then why go to Phuket ? Phuket is one of the most expensive locations in Thailand . People come here to enjoy the beach and the outdoors......

[cnx37]

Fellow Members,

Thank you for your asistance! 10 replies & 209 views in 3.5hrs!

From the info, I am having 2nd thoughts about Phuket (& Samui, Cha Am). Yes, my wife is not a beach lover & is frightened of the water - she is "obsessed" with "white skin".- not unusual for Thai ladies..

I lived on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia eg Surfers Paradise prior to coming to Thailand.

I now have throat cancer - no golf or spicy food.

Chiang Mai has all the shopping amenities - shopping bores me to tears!

Why pay top price for Phuket? For what, unless you are a foreign visitor?

I have lived in LOS for 10+ years.

Where does one go for a holiday?

I have been to all the countries in reasonble proximity to Thailand & the wife likes Thai food only = problem!

I am 65yo - any suggestions on alternative destinations?

[modafinil]

Well, if this holiday is largely for the benefit of your Thai wife, then your best bet is to ask her where she wants to go

If she is like most Thai women I know, she will insist on going to her home province to see the family.

[Somtamnication]

Indeed. If the holiday is for her, then BKK. Paragon, Emporium, etc etc.

[simon43]

...Nai Yang are basically in the middle of nowhere

For the middle of nowhere, NaiYang seems to offer quite a lot

Beautiful beach, many beach bars, cafes, thai restaurants, Subway, pizza restaurants, pharmacies, ATMs, minimarts, car-rent, international/domestic airport, Tesco Lotus, Karaokee, kite-surfing, horse-riding, souvenir shops, Thai massage, naughty massage, cheap hotels, 5-star hotels etc etc

Simon

[eezergood]

Not Cha - am !

East coast of the island, more relaxing.....

What about Krabi & or Khao Lak

[jdean]

I am personally a big fan of Phuket Town. Lots of choices for hotels, guesthouses, bars, live music, shops and places to see. It is also easy to get everywhere else on the island for day trips. If you want, you can take the local buses for 30-40 Baht, just remember they stop running in the late afternoon. You can choose your price points, on the cheap or expensive!

[Somtamnication]

She does not want a beach, she wants gold!

While I wish the OP good luck with his cancer ( I do feel for you and genuinely wish you the best), the wife has different ideas. Sounds like a me me me holiday.

I repeat, BKK.

[modafinil]

...Nai Yang are basically in the middle of nowhere

For the middle of nowhere, NaiYang seems to offer quite a lot

Beautiful beach, many beach bars, cafes, thai restaurants, Subway, pizza restaurants, pharmacies, ATMs, minimarts, car-rent, international/domestic airport, Tesco Lotus, Karaokee, kite-surfing, horse-riding, souvenir shops, Thai massage, naughty massage, cheap hotels, 5-star hotels etc etc

Simon

OK, perhaps Nai Yang doesn't deserve to be included with Mai Khao. Apart from the beaches - Nai Yang and Mai Khao both have incredible beaches

[cnx37]

modafinil & other TV members

This has been a rapid & wonderful journey. TV access is a valuable asset. Very helpful & surprisingly very little banter/negative stuff here.

My reason for a holiday - I have recently suffered a big loss - my sister has taken me for B9m! BIG OUCH! I commenced litigation but after indepth discussion with a few close friends, I am "pulling the plug" - "walking away" - this is a big call & totally against my normally stubborn & high principled nature. Do I wish to be right or be happy? Both would be nice but with only one choice, I am voting for "happiness".

So I wish to celebrate!

Coming from Oz & having access to the wonderful beaches of the Gold Coast at my doorstep, I am very selective. I was a keen surfer - I remember the movie "The Endless Summer". A few of my mates travelled the world in search of the perfect wave whilst I pursued uni studies on a part-time basis. Regrets? Just a little.

At the moment, Phuket is declining in interest for me. Luang Probang is in an upward spiral. Who knows what the future will reveal?

I am still listening to suggestions!

Thank you all for the positive input!

[nedkellylives]

Cinemas, 4 live shows, bowling alleys, golf, tennis, national parks, phangna bay,tree top adventure, white water rating, bird park,

aquariam, water park,elephant and off road vehicle rides,markets, tattoos to name a few things to do in Phuket

[eezergood]

modafinil & other TV members

This has been a rapid & wonderful journey. TV access is a valuable asset. Very helpful & surprisingly very little banter/negative stuff here.

My reason for a holiday - I have recently suffered a big loss - my sister has taken me for B9m! BIG OUCH! I commenced litigation but after indepth discussion with a few close friends, I am "pulling the plug" - "walking away" - this is a big call & totally against my normally stubborn & high principled nature. Do I wish to be right or be happy? Both would be nice but with only one choice, I am voting for "happiness".

So I wish to celebrate!

Coming from Oz & having access to the wonderful beaches of the Gold Coast at my doorstep, I am very selective. I was a keen surfer - I remember the movie "The Endless Summer". A few of my mates travelled the world in search of the perfect wave whilst I pursued uni studies on a part-time basis. Regrets? Just a little.

At the moment, Phuket is declining in interest for me. Luang Probang is in an upward spiral. Who knows what the future will reveal?

I am still listening to suggestions!

Thank you all for the positive input!

Surf season coming soon mate.,.....

Out of interest where in the Goldie, I was at Chevron for years then moved towards Robina

[nedkellylives]

&nbsp;

modafinil &amp; other TV members

This has been a rapid &amp; wonderful journey. TV access is a valuable asset. Very helpful &amp; surprisingly very little banter/negative stuff here.

My reason for a holiday - I have recently suffered a big loss - my sister has taken me for B9m! BIG OUCH! I commenced litigation but after indepth discussion with a few close friends, I am "pulling the plug" - "walking away" - this is a big call &amp; totally against my normally stubborn &amp; high principled nature. Do I wish to be right or be happy? Both would be nice but with only one choice, I am voting for "happiness".

So I wish to celebrate!

Coming from Oz &amp; having access to the wonderful beaches of the Gold Coast at my doorstep, I am very selective. I was a keen surfer - I remember the movie "The Endless Summer". A few of my mates travelled the world in search of the perfect wave whilst I pursued uni studies on a part-time basis. Regrets? Just a little.

At the moment, Phuket is declining in interest for me. Luang Probang is in an upward spiral. Who knows what the future will reveal?

I am still listening to suggestions!

Thank you all for the positive input!

Surf season coming soon mate.,.....

Out of interest where in the Goldie, I was at Chevron for years then moved towards Robina

&nbsp;

I do not think Aussies would be impressed by the surf in Phuket or Thailand

or the diving available here, you have the great barrier reef on the east coast of Australia

and the Ningaloo reef of the west coast among other excellent dive sites

Edited February 19, 2014 by nedkellylives

[eezergood]

&nbsp;

Surf season coming soon mate.,.....

Out of interest where in the Goldie, I was at Chevron for years then moved towards Robina

&nbsp;

I do not think Aussies would be impressed by the surf in Phuket or Thailand

or the diving available here, you have the great barrier reef on the east coast of Australia

and the Ningaloo reef of the west coast among other excellent dive sites

Well the 'goldie; itself doesnt have the best surf either....

That said, if you are looking for surf destinations then Phuket is not one of them.... but if you are looking for somehting else to do, then surf is an option

[phuketrichard]

I live in Kamala an dif ur not inot the beach no reason to stay here,

Patong has the best night life, huge mall ( junk Ceylon) and lots of tourist shopping < ( same stuff u get n CM or Bangkok or.....)

prehaps stay at a spa resort that is self contained (laguna area) but u might increase ur budget to 6-8,000 baht/night

Phuket is all about outdoors, water /beach, golf, horseback /elephant rides, a drive around the island and than Patong infamous nihgtlife

eating great seafood ( highly reccommend Kan Eang in Chalong)

Surf is ok in a few spots ( kalim, kata noi, Kamala but only diring the low season when the wind is on shore and the waves come rolling in.

Luang Prabang is good for 3-4 days max an then he gets old ( how many temples do u really want to visit?)

If u can make it 10 days;

IF it was me i would head to bali, from the airport take a taxi to Ubud for 4-5 days an than rent a car an circle the island!!

Than again if its a holiday for her, Singapore/Sentosa

[Somtamnication]

Just had a brilliant idea, OP.

With all the cancer hell you have been through, sister issues etc etc...why not go where YOU want to go?

Yes, I know: happy wife happy life. But seriously...

[Shot]

Hong Kong?

[eezergood]

Hong Kong?

With a delicate throat.........