Smeagol

We are (i think) set on going to Phuket for 4 days after we visit Japan in November (mainly due to trying to get a less expensive flight from Kix and we are now routing via KUL) anyway, we were originally going to revist Hua Hin but as we will now be at KUL airport we thought we would see where is available to us a reasonable price and easy connection. (we will have landed very early a.m from an overnight flight from Osaka)
So we are thinking about Phuket...

Can any recommend a hotel/area in Phuket?
We like boutique type hotels but all things would be considered (although Aman and Banyan tree are out as they are waaaay above the budget ) i guess i am looking for max spend around $300 per night.
Somewhere with a Thai/ chilled feel and ideally easy walking or short cab ride to some nice restuarants but away from the the more shall we say livlier aspects of Phuket! We have been to Thailand many times before but this would be our first visit to Phuket. Not too bothered about activities as we will want to just chill in peaceful surroundings during the day) Oh and not too long a transfer from the airport!!! (dont want much do I )

I have looked at the Twin Palms and that looks nice and the Surin, but am not sure of the location, can any help and advise please?

S

Hanuman

Six Senses Yao Noi, not on Phuket but nice view!

However, for you I highly suggest the Amanpuri. Tell Muffin to sell his Bugatti Veyron and drive a Camry Hybrid like me and you can stay in all the Aman around the world.

Smeagol

Pook, the Aman is currently running at $1150 per night.... M would love to stay there (as would I) but as we will have blown the budget in Japan, I really need to reign things in(we already sold the Veyron to pay for the air tix .... what is the location like at Six Senses? anything else around there? how long would it take to get from the airport?

Smeagol

Pook, must be something wrong with your camry, it had morphed into a BMW when you picked me up in Bangkok last year!!!!

Smeagol

Also, is Kho lak an option?

Hanuman

Khoa Lak, Koh Yao etc are all nice but IMO you don't have many non hotel dining options. If you don't mind that then go for it!

For the past few years I have only stayed at the Banyan Tree because of a relative's investment at the resort. Before that I love the Amanpuri, tranquil quite beach and great food. Wish I can be of more help but if you need a recommendation on which pool villa to book at the BT then let me know!

Smeagol

Ok thanks Pook. I will lok to see if I can find any offers at BT and if I do I will ask your opinion re villas.

Just looking at the JW Marriot which looks nice ( and reminds me of the Hyatt Regency in HH which we liked) hopefully some more opinions / suggestions will come soon!

Kathie

The JW a Khoa Lak is a favorite of Bob's. The JW Phuket us also very nice.

Smeagol

The one @ KL has no availability and maybe the one in Phuket is a bit big... I now have a list of places as long as my arm... But my head hurts because A) most of them are WAAAY out of my budget or B) I can't figure if the location is good...
I am hoping someone chins in with a little gem they have stayed at which will save me hours of head scratching
Anyway I suppose I should book the KIX-KUL -HKT flights first before I start getting all get up about hotels... Am going to do that now!

rhkkmk

look at the renaissance, just a stone's throw from the jw, phuket

rhkkmk

another thought: at krabi the amari vogue or the ritz

Smeagol

Thanks bob. Will probably fly to HKT as the flights work better, so not sure what transfer time to Krabi would be. Want to keep it to a minimum as we will have already done kix- KUL ( overnight erghhhh) and then KUL - HKT. Any ideas how long that would take?

So far I am looking at:
twin Palm
Indio Pearl
Paresa ( there is a great deal on one of my usual webs)
Pavillions ( if I can find a deal).....

There are loads and loads of great hotels but as I think I mentioned before, very expensive..

Will definitly check out the Renaissance.

rhkkmk

I think it might be 3 hours, even though we have done it a couple of times, I forget

zoso

I vote JW!Stayed 3 times at this property.If u like quiet.
Great b/fast!Beautiful beach area almost empty and beautiful sunsets.

Smeagol

I have found this place ( well it was listed in the latest Sunday times magazine and think it looks lovely reminds me of Qinci villas in Lombok) anyway, anyone have a take on the location....
www.vijittresort.com
A review on TA suggests its the " wrong side" of Phuket? Is there a wrong side?

Kathie

There is a "wrong side" of Phuket, the side of the island facing the mainland. It does look like that is where it is.

rhkkmk

I would just add that Phuket town is pretty crummy

Smeagol

Ideally I would rethink Phuket, but it makes sense as it fits within the flight schedule from KUL and then on to Bangkok a few days later...... ( we will avoid the "crummy " parts.
Just struggling to find a nice resort that isn't totally isolated .....we do like to sample other restuarants and not feel like the hotel is the only option....

Kathie, just to expand a little further on your comment, is it the wrong side because the view is not nice of the main land.? ( I am just trying to understand what is not good about it)

I had thought about Lombok and would LOVE to revisit Qunci but I whilst I can find a great flight from KUL to LOP I can't find a direct one then back to BKK!.... Oh decisions....

KimJapan

Trisara has great Virtuoso benefits that may make it more attractive, as does Anantara. Khao Lak has the Sarojin which is also Virtuoso. The JW Marriott in Khao Lak is very nice. Also, have a look at the Merlin Khao Lak. And the Holiday Inn in Patong is unlike any Holiday Inn elsewhere, don't let the name fool you.

simpsonc510

Don't know the pricing point when you are going, but Mom Tri's Villa Royale (Dao-a-Dung is one of the named vllas if you can get it)is pampering plus! The resort overlooks Kata Noi beach, Phuket, which is a lovely smaller beach.

Katathani Resort is also good (on same beach as above)but it is a much larger resort.

Hello from Bastille Day, Paris!!!!!