Phuket Thailand

Cloud · #1 28-07-2007, 14:05

Hi,

How you going? First post for me as it takes a while to get validated here

Anyway, just came back from a trip from Phuket last week and loved it, this time going with a group of mates early next year.

Finding a decent "guest-friendly" hotel is the hardest part. I've read through numerous threads where they list the guest friendly ones and all that, but I'm after a decent one, cheap, with a good location (close to Bang La road).

Stayed at the Patong Resort last week (700 baht joiner), the location and quality of that hotel is great, is there anything similar but with a no joiner fee? I know the nicer hotels mostly have fees, but what is the best non-joiner one out there in terms of quality/location?

Ta

easyrider_au · #2 28-07-2007, 14:26

Welcome to the board Cloud.
You'll find plenty of good info amongst the thousands of pages here.
Take your time to have a good look around....Best place to start & have a read is the "newbies section"
I've attached a link for some hotel reviews.
My place of choice, is the one that sponsors this forum....The Summer Breeze Hotel

Enjoy the forum.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ac...esthouses.html

Cloud · #3 28-07-2007, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyrider_au

Welcome to the board Cloud.
You'll find plenty of good info amongst the thousands of pages here.
Take your time to have a good look around....Best place to start & have a read is the "newbies section"
I've attached a link for some hotel reviews.
My place of choice, is the one that sponsors this forum....The Summer Breeze Hotel

Enjoy the forum.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ac...esthouses.html

Thanks for the reply, yehh I've been reading basically non stop waiting to be validated

Cloud · #4 28-07-2007, 15:02

also, February...

How's the weather? How busy is it?

June was overcast and had small patches of rain but always hot which was alright

Has Feb got more sun?

Dodger · #5 28-07-2007, 15:06

yes more sun, hotter, probably no rain at all. it is busier and at the end of high season so book early and expect hotel prices to be a little higher.

Cloud · #6 28-07-2007, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

yes more sun, hotter, probably no rain at all. it is busier and at the end of high season so book early and expect hotel prices to be a little higher.

Oh for sure, prices April-October are cheap as
Dec-end of Jan are like 240% more.

That's probably the main reason we decided Feb.

Ohk, thanks

MrDK · #7 28-07-2007, 18:41

Welcome to the board Cloud.
Personally I cannot suggest a hotel in Patong as I have never stayed there, but Expat and Summer Breeze keeps surfacing in my reading as recommended hotels. Worth a look I think.

Cloud · #8 28-07-2007, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Welcome to the board Cloud.
Personally I cannot suggest a hotel in Patong as I have never stayed there, but Expat and Summer Breeze keeps surfacing in my reading as recommended hotels. Worth a look I think.

Where do you stay in Phuket?

Is it similar to Patong?

keith67 · #9 28-07-2007, 20:01

Hi and Welcome to the board Cloud....

Saleom · #10 28-07-2007, 20:17

Quote:

Finding a decent "guest-friendly" hotel is the hardest part. I've read through numerous threads where they list the guest friendly ones and all that, but I'm after a decent one, cheap, with a good location (close to Bang La road).

Cloud,

The first time I was in Phuket the hotel joiner fee was 1000 thb

, as I booked it through a travel agent and have never found this forum I was none the wiser. Now after a heap of research and a 2nd trip done and dusted I can recomend "the expat" as for what you are looking for. the rooms are basic really (large bed, a/c, t.v, fridge etc) also has a nice pool and is only a 2 minute walk or 5 minute stumble to bangala road. I was tossing up between that and summer breeze but as I wanted a pool I opted for the expat. It was a good choice but I may try summer breeze when next in town. Hope all goes well for you next trip, the 2nd one is always better.

MrDK · #11 28-07-2007, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Where do you stay in Phuket?

Is it similar to Patong?

I have stayed a couple of time in the Hilton Acadia in Karon. When it comes to the beach, relaxing and resort experience it is superior. When it comes to night life, which is largely in Patong it was a b*tch; and somewhat costly. A 300 baht tuk-tuk each way, plus 300 to send the girl home. That is nearly 1000 baht just in evening transportation. I have used Hilton because I stay for free, but next time I will pay my way to stay in Patong as the night life is an important element of my trips. I would then pay 300 + 300 baht for a tuk-tuk to Karon if I want to go to that beach.

dawsey · #12 28-07-2007, 22:02

Hi Cloud,

Welcome to the forum.

I am guessing that as a group of you will be going, a pool will pretty high up on your list when looking for a hotel. The following hotels are all guest friendly, with a pool, and worth having a look at. Pretty much budget type but good quality.

Jintana Patong Hotel
Poppa Palace
Summer Breeze ( guests have use of nearby pool)
Expat
K Hotel
Premier Resort
Sea Sun Sand Resort

Slightly dearer,

Patong Bay Garden Resort

Safari Beach
Salathai

All should be able to find, using Google for their websites

Cloud · #13 28-07-2007, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Hi Cloud,

Welcome to the forum.

I am guessing that as a group of you will be going, a pool will pretty high up on your list when looking for a hotel. The following hotels are all guest friendly, with a pool, and worth having a look at. Pretty much budget type but good quality.

Jintana Patong Hotel
Poppa Palace
Summer Breeze ( guests have use of nearby pool)
Expat
K Hotel
Premier Resort
Sea Sun Sand Resort

Slightly dearer,

Patong Bay Garden Resort

Safari Beach
Salathai

All should be able to find, using Google for their websites

Excellent, exactly what I was after, thanks

jasminethai · #14 28-07-2007, 23:05

Hi Cloud,

I found Salathai hotel very good. I was there in 2006. If you want to stay in Kata beach, stay here :Sawasdee Village, Phuket Thailand, Online Reservation Services By HOTEL THAILAND. Right now is cheap.....After you find your hotel what you do? Oopsy Oopsy!!!!!

Cloud · #15 28-07-2007, 23:10

How far ahead would you think would be a good time to book if we are staying early Feb 2008?

Is it normal if places are fully booked already?

dawsey · #16 28-07-2007, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

How far ahead would you think would be a good time to book if we are staying early Feb 2008?

Is it normal if places are fully booked already?

If you have fixed dates then booking the hotel now would be a good idea. Feb is still pretty busy IMO .

The thing is, are you ready to book your flights yet to coincide with your hotel booking?
That said, if you have to change the hotel booking by a few days to meet the flight arrangements its not usually a problem

Cloud · #17 29-07-2007, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

If you have fixed dates then booking the hotel now would be a good idea. Feb is still pretty busy IMO .

The thing is, are you ready to book your flights yet to coincide with your hotel booking?
That said, if you have to change the hotel booking by a few days to meet the flight arrangements its not usually a problem

Yeh, we are all ready to book now and get things confirmed.

I'll be going to the travel agent on Monday to organise everything

Tomorrow we'll decide on the hotel choices

dawsey · #18 29-07-2007, 01:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Yeh, we are all ready to book now and get things confirmed.

I'll be going to the travel agent on Monday to organise everything

Tomorrow we'll decide on the hotel choices

Can you not book your flights on the internet? You can quite often make a saving on the travel agents fares.
Even get a few prices from Aussie websites, then see if a travel agent can better them.
I haven't used a travel agent for years myself.

Cloud · #19 29-07-2007, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

Can you not book your flights on the internet? You can quite often make a saving on the travel agents fares.
Even get a few prices from Aussie websites, then see if a travel agent can better them.
I haven't used a travel agent for years myself.

I can, but what about packages for accommodation? Travel agents can usually provide something better.

LivinLOS · #20 29-07-2007, 12:45

Yeah usually in a chain hotel which is not GF..

Cloud · #21 29-07-2007, 13:08

Hmm interesting, well at this stage... it's between

Safari Beach and Salathai

Pinot · #22 29-07-2007, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Thanks for the reply, yehh I've been reading basically non stop waiting to be validated

Validated? What would be a better term?

I'm a SummerBreeze fan. Welcome.

dawsey · #23 29-07-2007, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

I can, but what about packages for accommodation? Travel agents can usually provide something better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Yeah usually in a chain hotel which is not GF..

Exactly as LivinLOS says. The chances of geting a hotel that is "guest friendly" is unlikely. You have to remember that the travel agents are dealing with families too, so most unlikely you will be able to bring back a visitor without paying extra.
Dealing directly with the hotel of your choice, or through a web booking agent is the way to go in my experience anyway.

LivinLOS · #24 29-07-2007, 19:21

And secondly you (and also your girl) may not find the reaction is that nice in a chain hotel.. Somehow families with kids seem to get the hump when your getting it on in the pool !!

So finding a place which is GF and treats the girls without giving them hassle every time your backs turned, to make t