If you HAVE TO go to Phuket

[Strongarm]

Against my best wishes and every ounce of common sense in my body, it's looking like I may have to spend some time in Phuket, probably up to a week.

My last trip to Phuket was 8 years ago, back then I loved the place but I was a single lad with different ideas on what a trip to Phuket would involve to what I want now. After a few years on this forum I had promised myself I'd never go back.

So, my question is, if you MUST go to Phuket, where would you stay and what are a few precautions you would take to avoid trouble, and what would you stay well clear of. We'll be hiring a car from the airport, as I refuse to be at the mercy of the Taxi / Tuk Tuk mafia.

I recall a thread on here a few weeks ago where someone was staying in Phuket and had taken a few snap shots of their resort, it looked to be away from Patong and had a private beach, but I can't find that thread.

I'd be keen to hear of suggestions on where to stay, what beach/area to stay, we would be looking 4 - 5 star resort/hotel. We are a couple in our 30's and keen to stay clear of the bell ends who frequent the place.

The Mrs is Thai and has never been to Phuket, partly due to the fact the last 4 years she's been with me and I've refused to go there.

Any help is appreciated.

[Gerbil]

I recall a thread on here a few weeks ago where someone was staying in Phuket and had taken a few snap shots of their resort, it looked to be away from Patong and had a private beach, but I can't find that thread.

That was my thread I think. Amanpuri was the resort. Cheapest pavilion is 30,000 Baht a night (largest is around 270,000 Baht a night!)

I'd be keen to hear of suggestions on where to stay, what beach/area to stay, we would be looking 4 - 5 star resort/hotel. We are a couple in our 30's and keen to stay clear of the bell ends who frequent the place.

The only bell end staying there at the time was me.

[PAG]

There are several 4/5 start hotels in the Cape Panwa area, which is much quieter than the places you say you want to avoid. You are only 10 minutes from Phuket Town with most of the shopping you could wish for, and without the isolation of say the north west (Mai Khao, Nai Yang etc). Some decent islands fairly close by (Coral Island 10-15 minutes in a long tail), as well as some decent beaches with quiet restaurants and beach bars (Ao Yon, Khao Khad). Great views from nearly everywhere.

Anywhere from Surin southwards to Rawai on the west coast is not where you would want to be.

[slackula]

Have a look at the North Western side, Bang Tao, Surin etc.

Chava, Amanpuri, Twin Palms at the higher end or somewhere like Surintra for mid-range. Nice and clean beaches (all three are a stone's throw from the beach, Amanpuri basically has its own), plenty of dining options and not nearly as much aggro from tuktuks and taxis and touts as further south.

If you feel like splashing out then look at Trisara or Phuket Pavilions further north. A bit remote but if you've got a hire car then that shouldn't matter.

[aging one]

I have a thread up with 4 star hotels on Phuket at Kata beach and Phang Nga. Let me have a look.

The place in Kata is up on a hill and so beautiful. Get one of the newer cottages near the pool.

Hope its up to your standards.

https://teakdoor.com/phuket-forum/722...adventure.html

[nidhogg]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

[Strongarm]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

I know what you're saying, I used to love the place and have had some of the best times in Thailand while staying on Phuket years ago, but it's damn hard to get excited about a trip there when you read the stories on this site.

Maybe we need a "Good Story" thread about Phuket, but I fear it will be rather limited.

[slackula]

The place in Kata is up on a hill and so beautiful. Get one of the newer cottages near the pool.

A very nice photo thread, but the OP should bear in mind that Kata and Karon beaches can get a pretty dodgy with the rip tides in low season.

[Rural Surin]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

...or just stay clear of the whole Kata-Karon-Patong disease.

Phuket can be quite lovely and enjoyable [in a sort of family way] without deepening onself into the Farang world of Phuket.

There is a Thai version of Phuket.

[richie22]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

...or just stay clear of the whole Kata-Karon-Patong disease.

Phuket can be quite lovely and enjoyable [in a sort of family way] without deepening onself into the Farang world of Phuket.

There is a Thai version of Phuket.

You obviously have not been here lately.

[PAG]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

...or just stay clear of the whole Kata-Karon-Patong disease.

Phuket can be quite lovely and enjoyable [in a sort of family way] without deepening onself into the Farang world of Phuket.

There is a Thai version of Phuket.

You obviously have not been here lately.

Actually, Rural Surin is correct, there are some excellent parts of Phuket where you won't be ripped off, hassled on the beach, or be subject to the well chronicled less desirable elements. Stay clear of Patong, Karon and Kata, the beaches are really crowded at the moment, and are full of hawkers pestering you. Parking would also be a nightmare in a car, with a very real risk of having an altercation with taxi/tuk tuk drivers for encroaching into their areas.

The problem with the northern beaches are that you're quite remote and a lack of facilities.

I don't think you mentioned when you planned to visit. From May until October during the south west monsoons, the west coast is the scene of many drownings in the sea every year, rarely a week goes by without another death being reported. This is anywhere from Nai Harn in the south to Nai Yang in the north.

[Lorenzo]

Thailand is about cheap. No sense spending big money in a shithole.

Stay cheap or be disappointed.

[RickThai]

It's been a few years, but my wife and I like the Club Med at Kata Noi. It was clean, the food was great, the grounds were beautiful, and it isolates you from the sleeze and crime at Patong.

[ShrewedPunter]

Malaysia

[waradmiral]

There are several 4/5 start hotels in the Cape Panwa area, which is much quieter than the places you say you want to avoid. You are only 10 minutes from Phuket Town with most of the shopping you could wish for, and without the isolation of say the north west (Mai Khao, Nai Yang etc). Some decent islands fairly close by (Coral Island 10-15 minutes in a long tail), as well as some decent beaches with quiet restaurants and beach bars (Ao Yon, Khao Khad). Great views from nearly everywhere.

Anywhere from Surin southwards to Rawai on the west coast is not where you would want to be.

I would choose this area or even Kata which is a bit touristy but not as bad as Patong. Or Kamala isn't bad. It's quiet and even though it's close to Patong the trash don't come over the hill.

[waradmiral]

Kamala Beach Hotel & Resort, Phuket Hotel and Phuket Resort Accommodation.

this resort is good. I stayed here in about 2007 and it was 1800 baht a night. gone up to 2600 baht+ now. but it is good

[slackula]

this resort is good.

A LOT of Russians there now.

[waradmiral]

It's funny in other parts of Thailand I've stayed in the same hotels over a 5 year period and the prices have hardly changed yet in Phuket prices up jumped up 40-50%.

[richie22]

Go to Koh Lak.Much more relaxing if you with the wife.
Some very nice resorts up there.

[richie22]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

...or just stay clear of the whole Kata-Karon-Patong disease.

Phuket can be quite lovely and enjoyable [in a sort of family way] without deepening onself into the Farang world of Phuket.

There is a Thai version of Phuket.

You obviously have not been here lately.

Actually, Rural Surin is correct, there are some excellent parts of Phuket where you won't be ripped off, hassled on the beach, or be subject to the well chronicled less desirable elements. Stay clear of Patong, Karon and Kata, the beaches are really crowded at the moment, and are full of hawkers pestering you. Parking would also be a nightmare in a car, with a very real risk of having an altercation with taxi/tuk tuk drivers for encroaching into their areas.

The problem with the northern beaches are that you're quite remote and a lack of facilities.

I don't think you mentioned when you planned to visit. From May until October during the south west monsoons, the west coast is the scene of many drownings in the sea every year, rarely a week goes by without another death being reported. This is anywhere from Nai Harn in the south to Nai Yang in the north.

So where are you recommending he stays then?
About the only unspoilt part is the northern tip.

[Sailing into trouble]

Yip Like most places stay clear of the seedy places and enjoy the place still has some great spots. I put a thread together a year ago.
https://teakdoor.com/phuket-forum/908...brilliant.html

Does not show pics? bummer.

[Norton]

Go to Koh Lak

Agree but the OP has to go to Phuket.

Stay clear of Patong, Karon and Kata

Chalong Bay is nice and quiet. Here's but one resort in the area I've heard is good.

Chalong Villa Resort & Spa: Special deals from AsiaWebDirect.com

[Norton]

Does not show pics? bummer.

They've disappeared. Too bad some nice pics there.

What was they name of the resort you stayed at in Chalong?

[PAG]

And to OP - don't be too put off by phuket in advance. I have had many fantastic family holidays there, as well as a couple of work trips.

Stay away from bangla in the night is basically is all you need to do. Some really good restraunts, some nice trips, and many really good hotels.

...or just stay clear of the whole Kata-Karon-Patong disease.

Phuket can be quite lovely and enjoyable [in a sort of family way] without deepening onself into the Farang world of Phuket.

There is a Thai version of Phuket.

You obviously have not been here lately.

Actually, Rural Surin is correct, there are some excellent parts of Phuket where you won't be ripped off, hassled on the beach, or be subject to the well chronicled less desirable elements. Stay clear of Patong, Karon and Kata, the beaches are really crowded at the moment, and are full of hawkers pestering you. Parking would also be a nightmare in a car, with a very real risk of having an altercation with taxi/tuk tuk drivers for encroaching into their areas.

The problem with the northern beaches are that you're quite remote and a lack of facilities.

I don't think you mentioned when you planned to visit. From May until October during the south west monsoons, the west coast is the scene of many drownings in the sea every year, rarely a week goes by without another death being reported. This is anywhere from Nai Harn in the south to Nai Yang in the north.

So where are you recommending he stays then?
About the only unspoilt part is the northern tip.

As I said in an earlier post, Cape Panwa is probably the place that offers the best compromise between being away from the areas that suffer most from everything that most people abhor about Phuket (overcrowding, rip offs, aggressive locals, and sleaze). It's pretty laid back, has some good quiet beaches, reasonable range of restaurants, and offers good access to most other places in the island.

[Norton]

Location: Chalong, Phuket

There ya go. PAG should know. I lived in Phuket for few years but left after Tsunami so sure things have changed a lot since.