Apart from the major The Terminal project, I note the 108 room Marina Express Aviator hotel on the high street is due to open next month, followed by the 101 room Proud Hotel near to Nai Yang Beach.

I'm not convinced at all that there are enough guests - Chinese or otherwise - to fill these hotels; there are more than 75 hotels (of all sizes and star ratings) listed now on the various OTA websites in the Airport/Nai Yang area.

Even more competition for you Simon

Even more competition for you Simon

Yes...... and no.

There is a major difference between all these hotels and my little place (LoL, the other hotels are good and mine is cr*p!)

Seriously, every new hotel project that has/is being built are what I call 'same-same' ==> clean, modern and BORING rooms. You could be staying in a hotel at any airport or city throughout the world.

Of course, many people prefer modern, same-same hotel rooms. But there are also travellers who prefer a more homely place to stay, with a bit of character and real trees, plants and wildlife.

(As an aside, some of my guests travelled on to their next hotel in the heart of Patong. That little hotel was constructed in Thai Teak wood, with each guest room being individually-designed and furnished. That hotel was fully-booked, and surrounded by empty, same-same hotels and condos).

So I see these new hotels as competition not for me, but for all the other same-same hotels in the area.

Even more competition for you Simon

Yes...... and no.

There is a major difference between all these hotels and my little place (LoL, the other hotels are good and mine is cr*p!)

Seriously, every new hotel project that has/is being built are what I call 'same-same' ==> clean, modern and BORING rooms. You could be staying in a hotel at any airport or city throughout the world.

Of course, many people prefer modern, same-same hotel rooms. But there are also travellers who prefer a more homely place to stay, with a bit of character and real trees, plants and wildlife.

(As an aside, some of my guests travelled on to their next hotel in the heart of Patong. That little hotel was constructed in Thai Teak wood, with each guest room being individually-designed and furnished. That hotel was fully-booked, and surrounded by empty, same-same hotels and condos).

So I see these new hotels as competition not for me, but for all the other same-same hotels in the area.

Sounds like Phuket is in a race to the bottom, for the bottom of the barrel tourists.

Do not worry!

The power of the pre paid renminbi will fill those hotels !

Do not worry!

The power of the pre paid renminbi will fill those hotels !

The Chinese may be too busy spending their spare renminbi on having a second child in the family.