Phuket - Ok almost set; Lanta or Chang still hesitating!

tintin · #1 25-06-2006, 23:22

I will have 6 weeks next trip. I will be in Phuket and will certainly go to Angkor! Now I am hesitating to do either Chang or Lanta!

Does somebody know if it is possible to go from Lanta to the Trang islands (like Ki Muuk, Ko Lipe), on a day-trip?

Somebody has a sugestion, to help me with my choice, also hotels and so?

I will be with the Mrs, Nadia for the intimate. So a romantic beach-hotel, small, intimate, preference local style2-4000 bath, with some nice places to eatr and drink on the beach!

Thank you! I am not worthy, just drunk!

LivinLOS · #2 26-06-2006, 00:19

Just been to Lanta.. Loved its natural ness and was blown away by how even the tiniest shack resturant served the most sensational food but..

Its 90% closed right now.. Almost everything was shut, bars, resturants, etc.. I get the impression also that while theres bargains now that high season (when its interesting) would make accomodation not cheap for nice / high quality rooms.

I intend to go again as it will be interesting to see how the speed of development arrives and changes the place (though Krabi will move even faster thanks to its airport).. Was really interesting to think about how recently servvices like surfaced roads, electricity, telephones, etc have come in through the last couple of years and how fast that rate of change will effect the island and population.. I was bugging the few long term residents I found and the rate of change seems mad !!

They did have tours to 4 islands on a day trip.. Kai (gai / chicken) island was one of them but I forget thier names as we didnt go..

Right now I would beware of rough seas westerly winds and jellyfish in the ocean.. Higher season I think theres not enough 'good' rooms to go round..

Casurina (spelling may be off) was a good resort and I thought tyhier garden villas and beachfront villas great.. high season 2500 - 3k for those I think but the garden villas are close to pool and dont get beaten by the winds.. If I looked at a map with resorts named I could remember a few more that stood out as nice resorts.

richie22 · #3 26-06-2006, 00:55

You can do koh Muuk on a day trip but the ferries only run from Nov --Apr.
Koh Lipe too far for a day trip.
Three or four Island tour--Poda--Gai(chicken)--Talu and Kor/Tap.
Koh Hong is good for day trip

tintin · #4 26-06-2006, 01:22

Thanks Lil!

As I am going in peak-season, some of the matters does not worry me.

It looks like a nice hotel, maybe too hudge. Some people told me that "Long beach" is the best as there are a lot of eateries there and bars..

But looks fine!

LivinLOS · #5 26-06-2006, 07:50

Phra Ae is long beach IIRC.. The hotel I mentioned has a hotel block and then only a few garden rooms..

while I was there weather was low season and westerly winds meant the beachfront villas (literally beach front) looked to be getting a bit battered.. I was one back fromn the beach and they said was a 'garden villa' charge (1500 currently) but I bet they would call it a beachfront at high season as it was clear seaview (should have taken more pics).. While we were there the entire resort has 3 rooms taken, us an older / retired german and Thai girl and a french family with 3 kids.. Nice pool, great staff, etc.. It was also close to 'opium bar' and the reggae bar which are the islands most active bars currently and look to be fun at high season.

Definately want to have transport (bike jeep etc) if your there and it will be very much a quiet time vacation with beach / chilling / beach bar etc.. To be honest as the whole place was shut down at the moment so 3 days was enough but if it was all active 5 or 7 might be fine.. Though I find that my ADD kicks in with just laze about pool and beach.. For others thats what makes thier vacation.

I am told that same same but different resturant (was closed) is a must do.. we found it at the southern end and all under treees with lights rigged in them.. Statues in the plats.. Looked cool spot..

Captain · #6 26-06-2006, 16:10

Try Koh Yao Noi
http://www.phuket.com/island/kohyao.htm
2 hotels
Paradise Koh Yaoh: http://www.phuket.com/paradisekohyao
Koh Hao Island Resort
Quiet, nothing to do in the evenings

steve w · #7 26-06-2006, 17:17

i will spend 4-5 days on lanta in nov. ,always do.many friends ,expat and thai after going there for 8 years.

tintin · #8 29-06-2006, 20:14

Thanks for your replies! Will be Trang-islands-Lanta (waiting response of the hotel lil!) and Phuket, then back home!

Have another accomadation problem in Phuket, see the accomadation page!