Gpanda

We're going to a beach at the end of November. JamesA's response to my Trang inquiry has pointed us back to Phuket. I'd be interested in hotel recommendations for rooms under $225 (approx. B9000). I've read mixed reviews about the Boathouse.

JamesA

A good tip if that the Kata Thani has just completed rennovations and the word is that it is great, so that is worth looking at. Regarding the Boathouse it overall gets very highly rated but it seems that you need to go for the better rooms than the lowest priced ones. I think though that can apply anywhere, you can often get a much better room by taking the 'top level' room/suite in a 3 star than taking the cheapest room in a 4/5 star. Chedi is always a 'safe bet' but again you need the better rooms. I would take a look at the kata Thani, beachwise it's excellent.

simpsonc510

I've been to the Boathouse three times and will continue to stay at one of their several lovely properties each time I return to Phuket. The service and food at the restaurants exceeds expectations! Fabulous wine list. Hotel rooms are very clean and comfortable. Your $225 price might get you a villa at Villa Royale property if it is off season. These 6 villas are really special! Then there is the new 3rd property which faces Kata Noi beach. I've not seen it in its finished state. They were working on it last time I stayed at Villa Royale. I'm sure it would be very very nice though.

James A may tell us whether end of November is peak season or not. We pay a premium to stay in a villa over the New Years holiday! (but it's worth it)
Carol

selinalei

I am a fan of the Le Meridien Phuket (not the Le Meridien Yacht Club, which is also good but very far from town) for various reasons.

First of all, it's only a few minutes' ride to Patong, meaning that anytime when you want to go out for a dinner or shopping, you can go without spending much time and money on transportation. In this regard, the hotel has regular shuttle bus (you have to pay but it's not expensive) to and from Patong, without being in the center of the confusion.

Besides, the hotel has a private beach. Although it's not a long and big one that one may dream of, it has wonderful waves, which mean a lot of fun. You also do not have to worry about your belongings because only hotel guests are allowed and you are not far away from your room, in case you want to go back to pick up something or to take a rest or whatever.

The hotel also provides clean and nice rooms (I usually go for an ocean-view room, which is good and comfortable decorated in thai style), a thai resturant, a French resturant and two more that provide breakfast and buffet dinners, one with a show at night.

There is a spa too. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Unless you want to be far away from town, I highly recommend this hotel.

Gpanda

Thanks everyone. I sent an E-mail to the boathouse and for end of November, they quoted a rate of B12000 per night. This seemed higher than I had expected. The Chedi gave a rate of $224 per night (about B8700). Any thoughts on the disparity?

simpsonc510

Well...I've never stayed at the Chedi so I can't compare quality. But I can tell you that the Boathouse has a very dedicated return business. People go back year after year. Unless it is the off season, rates are not cheap! This is not a large property, so there are not a lot of rooms.

Did you inquire as to the type of room you would be getting for that price? Was it a suite or perhaps one of the new villas overlooking Kata Noi, rather than on Kata? The price could be for one of the villas at Villa Royale, and if so, that's an off-season price as we pay about 17,000baht over the holiday season.

Even if you do not stay at the Boathouse, you must go there for a meal. The Grill (at Boathouse on Kata beach) or Mom Tri's Kitchen (at the Villa Royale property) are absolutely superb!

Carol

(where were the mixed reviews you read on the Boathouse?)

Gpanda

The rate for a superior was B7300 at the Boathouse. The B12000 was for the villa rooms. The mixed reviews consisted mostly of positive reviews from this board "mixed" with a specific negative review from a very Asia-experienced travel agent plus a "tired, small" room review from a gyuide book. I don't remember which one, I've read too many. All books do say the food is exquisite.