It's been awhile since I have had a break and some time since I have been to Phuket and so would appreciate some advice from the TV brains trust.

Myself, wife and 7 year old considering Phuket for a week or two in October. A few questions:

I know it's going to be rainy season, how much rain should we expect?

Looking for a 4-5 star hotel close to a nice beach and also with a nice big pool, what would you suggest?

Room rate up to baht 4000 / night but could go higher if justified.

On previous visits I have always rented a car, any recommendations for a dependable honest hire car provider?

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Nice hotel, good deals available, nice beach: Le Meridien.

And yes, rent a car.

October is statistically the wettest month of the year. But it's just your luck how much rain and how much sun/cloudy days. At least you will get low season hotel rates.

Yes, hire a car at/near the airport. I recommend http://www.davidcarrent.com/ or try Thaivisa's http://www.thaivisa.com/rent-a-car/

Hotels - I would suggest Kata Beach Resort http://www.katagroup.com/kata-beach/ or Katathani beach resort in Kata Noi http://www.katathani.com/

Better if you can decide on location first, then we can help you

I would also recommend David Car Rental, I used them years ago, they're still around and never had or heard of a problem with them. Le Meridien is nice, so is Katathani, two different areas though. Le Meridien is closer to Patong, if that has any bearing on your decision. And you never know what the weather is going to be like around here. It was flooding up in Patong yesterday and we barely got a drop down in the south at Rawai Beach.

October is statistically the wettest month of the year. But it's just your luck how much rain and how much sun/cloudy days. At least you will get low season hotel rates.

Yes, hire a car at/near the airport. I recommend http://www.davidcarrent.com/ or try Thaivisa's http://www.thaivisa.com/rent-a-car/

Hotels - I would suggest Kata Beach Resort http://www.katagroup.com/kata-beach/ or Katathani beach resort in Kata Noi http://www.katathani.com/

Yes, Kata Beach Resort is a good hotel, but the OP seems to be English speaking, which would make him a real exception there, where Russian is nearly the only language spoken these days.

Go to the (new, improved i.e. cleared) Bangtao Beach, and stay at either the Angsana, or Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort (make sure it's the one on the beach - i.e. not Ourigger Resort & Villas behind the golf course). Both are 5 star with great pools, and should be about 4000B in October.

Get a car from: www.phuket-car-rental.com

Eat at Tatonka, Bake/Flame/Pasta, Toto's Italian, Siam Supper Club, and Sunset Restaurant all just at the Laguna entrance.

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Nice hotel, good deals available, nice beach: Le Meridien.

And yes, rent a car.

+1 or Mom Tri's Villa Royal.