Introduction... first trip to Thailand in April

[Crosschex]

First off I want to say excellent site!

I am making my first trip to Thailand in April. I found this board a few days ago, and it has more than confirmed my decision to visit Phuket over several other areas in the region. I travel to Asia two or three times a year on business, and I have a strong feeling after my first visit to Thailand I will kick myself for not going sooner. Anyway, I am a 36 yo single guy from the States, and I am planning to visit Phuket from April 15th through the 22nd or 23rd.

For my questions, I am looking for the following in a hotel:
-2500 THB/night or less
-girl friendly
-newer and clean rooms with nice size bathrooms
-hi-speed internet in room or public area
-resort type pool
-hot tub
-massage on-site
-walking distance to beach
-not too far from nightlife (I would not mind paying for ride up to 150 baht each way if can not find walking distance)

I have read through the accommodation posts, and I am frankly overwhelmed with information I was hoping I could get some help narrowing my choices:

I am looking at Hilltop and Salathai. These both seem to be pretty good fits for me. Hilltop seems closer on room and hotel 'wants' but I am worried it would be expensive or difficult to get to and from nightlife late at night.

Any thoughts on these two hotels or other recommendations?

This might be really stupid question, but do more traditional type vacationers (versus guys mainly looking for ladies) also frequent these hotels?

[Latino4life]

Originally Posted by Crosschex

First off I want to say excellent site!

I am making my first trip to Thailand in April. I found this board a few days ago, and it has more than confirmed my decision to visit Phuket over several other areas in the region. I travel to Asia two or three times a year on business, and I have a strong feeling after my first visit to Thailand I will kick myself for not going sooner. Anyway, I am a 36 yo single guy from the States, and I am planning to visit Phuket from April 15th through the 22nd or 23rd.

For my questions, I am looking for the following in a hotel:
-2500 THB/night or less
-girl friendly
-newer and clean rooms with nice size bathrooms
-hi-speed internet in room or public area
-resort type pool
-hot tub
-massage on-site
-walking distance to beach
-not too far from nightlife (I would not mind paying for ride up to 150 baht each way if can not find walking distance)

I have read through the accommodation posts, and I am frankly overwhelmed with information I was hoping I could get some help narrowing my choices:

I am looking at Hilltop and Salathai. These both seem to be pretty good fits for me. Hilltop seems closer on room and hotel 'wants' but I am worried it would be expensive or difficult to get to and from nightlife late at night.

Any thoughts on these two hotels or other recommendations?

This might be really stupid question, but do more traditional type vacationers (versus guys mainly looking for ladies) also frequent these hotels?

Hi and welcome,

A good and nice hotel near the beach and close to Bangla is Thara Patong. I've never stayed there but I have seen pics and it seem to have it all. Nice and big pool, great rooms and massage facilities. The price range is about 1500-2500 depending on the room type. As far a I know it's girlfriendly but you may want to email them and print it out... Just in case. Good luck with your vacation.

Cheers

[Crustasian]

There are some of the Beach hotels that will fall into your price range.Take a look at the Patong Bay Garden Resort and the Cabanna Resort.There is a new map on the forum to refer to.

[tally]

Originally Posted by Latino4life

Hi and welcome,

A good and nice hotel near the beach and close to Bangla is Thara Patong. I've never stayed there but I have seen pics and it seem to have it all. Nice and big pool, great rooms and massage facilities. The price range is about 1500-2500 depending on the room type. As far a I know it's girlfriendly but you may want to email them and print it out... Just in case. Good luck with your vacation.

Cheers

I've stayed there several times. Great hotel, alas it is no longer girl-friendly (so they said last time I checked prior to booking last Nov.)

[steve@thaib]

I stayed at the Salathai and there was a good mix of people there, families with kids, single blokes and for some reason lots of bloke/bloke couples. Not my thing but not a problem to me either. A nice hotel.

[stevem]

Originally Posted by Latino4life

Hi and welcome,

A good and nice hotel near the beach and close to Bangla is Thara Patong. I've never stayed there but I have seen pics and it seem to have it all. Nice and big pool, great rooms and massage facilities. The price range is about 1500-2500 depending on the room type. As far a I know it's girlfriendly but you may want to email them and print it out... Just in case. Good luck with your vacation.

Cheers

The GF policy at the Thara appears to change like the wind, best avoided. Last report we heard, was that it was not GF.

[jimbulljag]

welcome crosschex,
i enjoyed salathai quite a bit when i was there last oct. excellent service, nice pool and jacuzzi, very close to the beach, gf and an easy walk to bangla. very mixed tourist crowd. I also noticed several male couples but none of my business at all. Salathai massages are more expensive than down the street but nevertheless a good massage. I used their internet for a couple quick e-mails but usually went to a place around the corner that had serious a/c.

I'll be trying out patong villa over songkran but perhaps we'll have a chance to tip a few cold ones at MTB.
jim

[Crosschex]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

[swiftdave]

Buddy, you are about to have your life turned upside down. Upon your return you will think, sleep and breath LOS. You will visit this damn forum for hours on end. You will fall in love, shake your head then do it again. Your friends are going to get tired of hearing about LOS.

Welcome...(evil laugh)

[les1999]

Hi Crosschex,

I will be in the Salathai from the 19th April to mid May so might see you there - from all acounts it seems to be a very good choice but then again boy on boy doesn't bother me either - as long as they dont worry about my boy on girl - 555555

[shark1963]

Welcome on board.

[M & M]

Originally Posted by jimbulljag

welcome crosschex,
i enjoyed salathai quite a bit when i was there last oct. excellent service, nice pool and jacuzzi, very close to the beach, gf and an easy walk to bangla. very mixed tourist crowd. I also noticed several male couples but none of my business at all. Salathai massages are more expensive than down the street but nevertheless a good massage. I used their internet for a couple quick e-mails but usually went to a place around the corner that had serious a/c.

I'll be trying out patong villa over songkran but perhaps we'll have a chance to tip a few cold ones at MTB.
jim

My hubby, son and I stayed t the Patong Villa last July/August...we had one of their "Sweet Suites" and my son had a standard room...it was very nice...it's gf but best to check and make sure before you book...The staff were very friendly and it's very close to Bangla about 20 yards north of The Savoy on Beach Road...Has a pool but no hot tub The rates are very reasonable...Sweet Suites are from memory, Baht 2,000 per nite...one small problem with the suites is that don't have a sofa or Lounge suite...just two dining-type chairs and a very small round table between. Standard rooms are cheaper.

Only thing is everything you leave and return you've got to run the gauntlet of the arcade of shops which is before the entrance to the Hotel...it's very amusing but they do leave you alone after a while!!

[SMF]

Hey,
I'm too going for my first visit to Patong on the 15th to the 21st.

I'll be staying in the Safaribeach Hotel - this is just on the Beach Road, only 50 meters from Bangla Rd and has (to what I can see or have heard) everything what you're asking for too... (http://www.phuket.com/safaribeachhotel/index.htm)

See you there,
SMF

[jimholio]

Most resorts around Phuket are not girlfriendly it seems.