Thailand - Phuket

Charliec45

Have you had any joy booking this? Would love to find out which hotel you went for.

I am looking to go to Phuket in March and am struggling with finding a hotel - there's just so many to choose from!

Would be very interested to hear why people say to avoid Patong as that is the area we were initially looking at - we are a group of 28 year olds looking for a mixture of everything really.

Very useful advice about Agoda as that is the one site that has been recommended to me.

Mr_Wang

Two things -

Firstly you will find that though it's a pain, Agoda is consistently the cheapest hotel booking site in Asia.

Second of all Phuket is a sh*thole.

PompeyPete

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Second of all Phuket is a sh*thole.

And the Russian for that is?;)

Doshwaster

Charliec45 wrote: »

Would be very interested to hear why people say to avoid Patong as that is the area we were initially looking at - we are a group of 28 year olds looking for a mixture of everything really.

If you are looking for a "mixture of everything" then you'll certainly find it in Patong. It may not to be to everyone's tastes but 28 is a good age to experience it. Give it a try - if you hate it then you'll know to avoid it next time. There's plenty of time for more sensible places when you are older.

PompeyPete

Looks like a interesting place [to avoid]...

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/

http://www.phuketgazette.net/library/articles/search.asp?search=patong&page=1&newstype=1&I12.x=-413&I12.y=-287&typeofsearch=1

Charliec45

Hmmm ok well you guys have well and truly put me off Phuket - any other suggestions for places in Thailand to go instead?

Watto30

Hi Charlie

Dont let the views of others put you off Phuket, I am due to go there in 4 weeks time, have never been to Thailand so I can't say if its a sh*thole full of russians or chinese as others have said as yet but am going with an open mind and if is a dump then so be it but that said I am really looking forward to this holiday and from my understanding there are many places you can get to from Phuket such as Krabi, Phi Phi etc, have always had the view that a holiday is what you make of it and have been to other places people have said are dumps etc only to have a great time so dont just write it off just yet


For hotels have a look at the kantary bay hotel in phuket I got a good deal to stay there through lastminute and you have full use of its sister hotel the Cape panwa which is 5 star hotel I think, kantary does not have access to the beach but cape panwa does and there is a free shuttle bus between the two hotels, hope this is of some help

PompeyPete

Charliec45 wrote: »

Hmmm ok well you guys have well and truly put me off Phuket - any other suggestions for places in Thailand to go instead?

It depends on time of year, whether your plan is to stay in one location or move around a bit, and how important spending all your time near a beach is, or whether you want a bit of culture thrown in.

If you're thinking of All Inclusive, then it's a waste of money as Thailand is famous for it's food, but not the type of stuff you'll get in an AI hotel canteen.

Personally I'd avoid anywhere that is plagued with East Europeans. Not only that but you'll find the prices in Phuket a fair bit higher than many other places us Farangs visit in Thailand.

If you haven't booked yet, then why not spend a bit of time on the main Thailand discussion forum on Trip Advisor. There's loads of good advice on there.

Doshwaster

Charliec45 wrote: »

Hmmm ok well you guys have well and truly put me off Phuket - any other suggestions for places in Thailand to go instead?

Remember Phuket is a large island. You wouldn't be put off going to Mallorca just because you heard some bad reports about Magaluf. Phuket doesn't just mean Patong and Patong doesn't just mean the Bangla Road.

What Phuket does offer is a great base for exploring the region. There are many day and overnight trips to can do in the area (see: http://www.phuket.com/tours/destinations.htm for some ideas) so it would be a shame to miss out on it totally. On the downside, Phuket does tend to be the most expensive tourist destination in the whole of Thailand.

As for other places to go. it depends on how much time you have. What's your schedule for the rest of Thailand? If you have 2 weeks to play with then I'd say Phuket may be worth 4-5 nights but a whole week might be pushing things.

For a first time visitor with 2 weeks to spare, I'd say Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket would be good introduction to the country. City, mountains and beach. When you go back (and you will go back - Thailand has that affect on people) then you can explore other parts of the country. It's almost mandatory to spend 2-3 night (but no more!) in Bangkok. I'd then head up to Chiang Mai for 3-4 nights before flying down to Phuket for 4-5 nights then head home. If you still don't like the idea of Phuket then do Koh Samui instead.

Mr_Wang

Doshwaster wrote: »

Remember Phuket is a large island. You wouldn't be put off going to Mallorca just because you heard some bad reports about Magaluf. Phuket doesn't just mean Patong and Patong doesn't just mean the Bangla Road.

What Phuket does offer is a great base for exploring the region. There are many day and overnight trips to can do in the area (see: http://www.phuket.com/tours/destinations.htm for some ideas) so it would be a shame to miss out on it totally. On the downside, Phuket does tend to be the most expensive tourist destination in the whole of Thailand.

As for other places to go. it depends on how much time you have. What's your schedule for the rest of Thailand? If you have 2 weeks to play with then I'd say Phuket may be worth 4-5 nights but a whole week might be pushing things.

For a first time visitor with 2 weeks to spare, I'd say Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket would be good introduction to the country. City, mountains and beach. When you go back (and you will go back - Thailand has that affect on people) then you can explore other parts of the country. It's almost mandatory to spend 2-3 night (but no more!) in Bangkok. I'd then head up to Chiang Mai for 3-4 nights before flying down to Phuket for 4-5 nights then head home. If you still don't like the idea of Phuket then do Koh Samui instead.

Just to add a different skew on things, I think Krabi is much better for exploring the region and Phi Phi etc.

I also think that the beaches on Samui are far superior to Phuket and then you can launch off to Phangnan and Koh Tao.

Completely agree with Chiang mai and Bangkok.

But as far as beaches and tackiness goes Phuket epitomises it, in my own humble opinion it is little more than a scam riddled island full of Russians and a few slivers of half decent sand licked by some of the deadliest surf in the country.

For the OP - Imagine if Blackpool council bought a Thai island, it would be Phuket.