Phuket Thailand

thebestman36 · #1 06-11-2006, 00:50

Ok, so right now I'm leaning towards booking a month at this privately owned condo in the Patong Condotel. At 15,000 baht for the month it seems reasonable for an aircon room with kitchen during high season. The pics of the room look decent. He wants half down now as a security deposit, to be returned after our stay. Is this a reasonable request on his behalf? Should I be wary paying a deposit? Would I be unreasonable asking to hold this room for me with no deposit or downpayment?
My other question. Am I stupid for booking 3 months ahead like this, or would I be better off booking a week somewhere and then looking myself when I get there for a better deal at maybe a better looking place? Would it be hard to locate a good deal during high season? This would be January/Febuary time.
Thanks for any opinions!

TanMan · #2 06-11-2006, 01:55

A security deposit sure is a reasonable request, usually one month rent in advance. I would be a little bit wary because this is a private party. You just never know. Check him out thoroughly.

If you've never been to Phuket, it might be better to book a hotel for a few nights and have a look around. Each beach has it's own flavor (i.e. Kata, Karon, Patong), and even the the same beach has different flavors depending on what area you are in.

Obviously it is harder to find good deals during high season, as opposed to low, but they are out there still.

The TanMan

seafox · #3 06-11-2006, 02:08

Do you want to be near the party area or somewhere quiet? Do you want a nice beach nearby? Are you coming by yourself?

Lots of things to think about when determining where you want to stay. Cheap place might cost 600 baht in tuk tuk rides to get to the party area.

thebestman36 · #4 06-11-2006, 02:52

Coming with my wife. Previously we have spent months in different parts of Mexico, so we are not accustomed to 5 star places. As long as they arent total rat holes. Preferably within 10 minute walk to beach and bangla rd. We do like the more busy areas to stay near. As I said in my other posting, I am having a hard time finding anything at all decent for less than 1000 baht per night, even for a month stay. I didnt know if maybe when i'm there in Patong, maybe I could find something easier than trying over the internet from the USA.

TanMan · #5 06-11-2006, 03:09

Try this link and send an e-mail to the website owner. His name is Bill.

Phuket apartments 4 you, apartments, villas and bungalows on Phuket, Thailand

BTW, the Patong Condotel at 15,000 baht per month in high season seems very reasonable to me.

Re; comment about 10 min walk to beach/Bangla, you can always just get a motorbike taxi for 20-40 baht, or rent your own bike.

The TanMan

kjo2 · #6 06-11-2006, 03:20

Re: Patong Condotel,

If you are dealing with mr. Wiwi - I can vouch for him, have rented from him before - made a deposit and no problems at all. Thb 15.000 pr.mth is very reasonably. During semi high season.

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KJO2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebestman36

Ok, so right now I'm leaning towards booking a month at this privately owned condo in the Patong Condotel. At 15,000 baht for the month it seems reasonable for an aircon room with kitchen during high season. The pics of the room look decent. He wants half down now as a security deposit, to be returned after our stay. Is this a reasonable request on his behalf? Should I be wary paying a deposit? Would I be unreasonable asking to hold this room for me with no deposit or downpayment?
My other question. Am I stupid for booking 3 months ahead like this, or would I be better off booking a week somewhere and then looking myself when I get there for a better deal at maybe a better looking place? Would it be hard to locate a good deal during high season? This would be January/Febuary time.
Thanks for any opinions!

thebestman36 · #7 06-11-2006, 04:20

kjo2
When you rented from mr Wiwi, did you stay at the patong condotel building? If so, did you find anything about the building itself that would keep someone from wanting to stay there? The person I am corresponding with owns 2 rooms in the building. It is not mr Wiwi. I have emailed Mr Wiwi, a few days ago, but with no response. I've emailed lots of places with no responses. Not sure whats up with that.

dawsey · #8 06-11-2006, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebestman36

kjo2
When you rented from mr Wiwi, did you stay at the patong condotel building? If so, did you find anything about the building itself that would keep someone from wanting to stay there? The person I am corresponding with owns 2 rooms in the building. It is not mr Wiwi. I have emailed Mr Wiwi, a few days ago, but with no response. I've emailed lots of places with no responses. Not sure whats up with that.

Thais are not known for quick responses to emails I have found. If you are patient,you usually get a reply.

kjo2 · #9 06-11-2006, 04:25

Hi,

I stayed in a Studio with basic furniture (allright) and a kitchen with electric cooker and big fridge with freezer. But no basin -ie. you had to do your dishes in the basin in the shower/toilet room. But nice balcony and a celing fan and aircon. And of course Tv. The appartment was room 124 at 11th floor - great view over Patong bay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebestman36

kjo2
When you rented from mr Wiwi, did you stay at the patong condotel building? If so, did you find anything about the building itself that would keep someone from wanting to stay there? The person I am corresponding with owns 2 rooms in the building. It is not mr Wiwi. I have emailed Mr Wiwi, a few days ago, but with no response. I've emailed lots of places with no responses. Not sure whats up with that.

thebestman36 · #10 06-11-2006, 04:46

Thanks kjo2. But was the building itself ok for you? Like is it in an area you feel safe to walk home late at night? You didnt experience any problems with other tenants as far as noise, fighting, etc? The room I hope to book looks ok, I just hoped the building and area itself wasnt going to be really "scary" that my wife wouldnt want to stay there. I realize that it isnt a 5 star by any means. I just hope to not be living in a place where the police are raiding every night. Not every having been to Thailand i'm still not exactly sure what to expect. Mexico, I am familar with and ok with, but I dont know how much Thailand differs. Thanks again for the helpful responses. Much appreciated!

kjo2 · #11 06-11-2006, 04:49

The tenants are mostly German-Austrian-Swiss expats that owns these apartments. Very safe - friendly neighbours - NO PROBLEMS at all.

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KJO2

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebestman36

Thanks kjo2. But was the building itself ok for you? Like is it in an area you feel safe to walk home late at night? You didnt experience any problems with other tenants as far as noise, fighting, etc? The room I hope to book looks ok, I just hoped the building and area itself wasnt going to be really "scary" that my wife wouldnt want to stay there. I realize that it isnt a 5 star by any means. I just hope to not be living in a place where the police are raiding every night. Not every having been to Thailand i'm still not exactly sure what to expect. Mexico, I am familar with and ok with, but I dont know how much Thailand differs. Thanks again for the helpful responses. Much appreciated!

TanMan · #12 06-11-2006, 05:07

Bestman, let me put things in perspective for you here. When I am there, I stay in a hotel for 790 per night. It is the equivalent as a room for 12,000 per month, the typical formula being 790 X 30 / 2 = 11,850 (or 12,000) for a long stay. There is nothing "scary" about it. The same room on a typical beach in US would go for $80 to 120 per night.

Regarding 5 star hotels. They are there, but right next to the 1,2,3,4 star hotels so there is no "safe" neighborhoods. If you survived Mexico, you will easily survive Thailand. The most dangerous things for tourists there are STD's, motorbike accidents, rip tides, and sun poisoning (in no particular order). Oh, watch out for the ladyboys, too.

The TanMan

thebestman36 · #13 06-11-2006, 05:54

Thanks guys. I feel a little better now about booking this place. I guess its just the thought of booking a room for less than $15 a night, makes you leary of how bad is it gonna be. Even in Mexico, we always end up paying $30 or so per night. So Thailand is quite cheap even by Mexico standards. Should mean more money left over for massages.

pepsi · #14 06-11-2006, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by TanMan

Try this link and send an e-mail to the website owner. His name is Bill.

Phuket apartments 4 you, apartments, villas and bungalows on Phuket, Thailand

BTW, the Patong Condotel at 15,000 baht per month in high season seems very reasonable to me.

Re; comment about 10 min walk to beach/Bangla, you can always just get a motorbike taxi for 20-40 baht, or rent your own bike.

The TanMan

bill has just been moving his offices or thats what he told me....i've been waiting for him to get back to me to make a booking at nanai villas but still waiting.....i just hope there are rooms still available there.

i have also written a few emails to them directly to nanai but no reply.

the owner of nanai also has another hotel called Thaveewong Sap Inn...anyone know how good or bad this place is? they too have not replied to me for a week now.