Phuket

zokok · #1 27-02-2004, 10:39

Got a question for everyone: I'm looking at heading to Phuket in the first half of May and am trying to pin down a decent hotel to stay at with a couple of firm requirements:

- in Patong Beach not too far from the nightlife
- not too far from the beach (can't tell from the scale of maps, but suspect this will not be an issue)
- has a pool
- in room safe
- guest friendly

I'm not really too worried about the price, since it's easy to save money when you're decently well paid, and have no opportunity or need to spend it most of the year. Since I live in a tent in a craphole desert, I do however want something decent.

I don't mind paying extra for something tangible, but I don't want to spend money just for it's own sake, either. Any ideas for a short list of places to check out?

melonboy · #2 27-02-2004, 17:29

Zokok,

3 weeks ago when I was in Patong, I stayed at the Salathai Resort (http://www.phuket.com/salathai/) on Sawatdirak Rd, it's a 5 min walk to Bangla road and opposite Soi Sea Pearl

I stayed in one of the Salathai Suites, it's the one in the picture on the site. It was well worth the money though I didn't have a great view, I'm sure you could ask for one that does. I think I paid around 4000 baht per night and it was worth it. There was a safe in the room, the pool is great and the staff really friendly.

They are guest friendly BUT they will charge you if they see you taking different girls each night. For the first few nights I had the same girl, no charge, but when I took another on the last night, they said I would have to pay 500 baht extra on the bill. When I checked out I mentioned this and in the end I didn't have to pay it.

I booked through Royal Exclusive Travel [reservation@royal-exclusive.com], they had the best price on the web. If you want a quote send them an email to the attn of Nicky, she did the booking for me.

Good luck!

Noel

IRISH JONNY · #3 27-02-2004, 20:22

some of the guys on this forum must be fairly wealthy to be paying 4000 a nite for a room...i would usually pay 4000 a week............
jonny

melonboy · #4 28-02-2004, 01:13

Wealthy? No way! After a hostel in Japan for 2 weeks I just splurged for a few days!

Next trip I will definitely be spending less and using the extra baht wisely!

M

chucky66 · #5 28-02-2004, 02:16

Salathai is way overpriced. There are far better places to stay in Phuket. Besides walk in prices are often up to a third less than web prices.

Chucky66

melonboy · #6 28-02-2004, 03:06

Good advice Chucky66,

Any idea of places near the Salathai area but cheaper?

M

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucky66

Salathai is way overpriced. There are far better places to stay in Phuket. Besides walk in prices are often up to a third less than web prices.

Chucky66

chucky66 · #7 28-02-2004, 03:49

www.patongvilla.com

or you could always try the thara patong next door but my experience there last year was far from pleasant.

Do you have to be near the Salathai?

zokok · #8 28-02-2004, 11:26

In the first half of May, will it be uncrowded enough that you could reasonably walk in and still get what you want? That does look like a time period when the rates drop a good bit, going by the info I see on the net. Price is not the major factor for me though, like I said, I'm cooped up in a virtual prison for 4 months at a time with no need of spending any money.

chucky66 · #9 28-02-2004, 16:57

I was in Patong last May and strangely the hotels were busier than April and even then the hotel owners were saying that April was becoming one of their busier months. Some good walk in rates were available but June onwards has always been better. Then again I have sometime got better walk in rates/online rates in Jan/Feb have been better. It really is a case of if you are lucky and are prepared to take the risk or not. You will notice as well that different hotels specify different hgih season dates. Any hotel that calls May high season I would stay well away from.

chucky66

zokok · #10 29-02-2004, 20:03

How far away from Soi Eric / Bangla Road is the Salathai / Thara resorts? I can't seem to find a scale on any of these maps. Walking distance? If so, how far? And yes, I know anywhere is walking distance if you have the time... :p

chucky66 · #11 29-02-2004, 20:37

From Salathai to Bangla/soi eric you are looking at around 5 minutes brisk walk depending on how busy the sidewalks/pavements are with tourists. If you dont mind not having a pool there was a fantastic little private guesthouse between the salathai and a travel agent that I stayed at. The rooms had aircon, nice bathrooms, huge rooms, double beds, satellite tv, a fridge, safety deposit box and rooms were very quiet. The owner did not care who came and went. I dont know the name of it but they have a garden courtyard and a black double gate at the front. Cost was only 600 Baht per night and I honestly have never stayed at a friendlier place. I was late for my flight leaving and the owner even offered to drive me herself to the airport.

Paddy · #12 01-03-2004, 14:59

Try Patong Pearl Resortotel. It's on the same street as SalaThai (but about a quarter of that price!), near the corner of Rat-U-Thit Road. Five minutes walk to the beach, five minutes walk to the nighlife on Bangla. It's got all the things that you've listed - inroom safe, pool etc. The pool is very nice, quiet and gets the sun most of the day. They have rooms with balconies or nice bungalow sout the back which are really secluded. The staff are very friendly, no problem at all with guests. Enjoy!