Hi,<BR><BR>I've just read that the Amanpuri will have construction work going on May-Oct. Does anyone have any more info on this? We are staying at the Chedi next door in 4 weeks time, and I really don't want to spend my holiday listening to mechanical diggers !<BR><BR>Thanks

To Milliemoo: I'd also be interested in hearing of construction next door since we will also be staying at the Chedi in July. When I heard back from the Circle of Asia rep yesterday, she didn't say anything about it. What she was clearly concerned about was allaying any fears of SARS. Apparently Thailand now has a mandatory quarantine policy upon arrival. Hopefully only a few hours.<BR> This is our first time there, having stayed at the Sheraton Laguna before. What's the Chedi like?

Hi,<BR>This is our 1st time to the Chedi.We stayed at Le Meridien about 3 years ago, which was lovely, but a bit big ( and full of kids ).<BR>We've booked a beach cottage for 10 nights.....can't wait. I spoke to our rep today re: SARS and they said Thailand was OK, no mention of any quarantine ???

My suggestion is that you determine if the Aman is taking reservations for that period; if they are not or if they have significantly reduced rates, then you would know that the consturction is probably fairly major. You might call the Aman and ask (in the guise of wanting a reservation...) <BR><BR>If you have a non-cancellable booking or have given the Chedi a non-refundable deposit, you should fax or e-mail the Chedi and express your concerns. Ask them if they would agree in writing to release you from your booking or return your deposit if after you arrive you find the noise, etc are interferring with your stay. They should be willing to do this as it is in their interest to have happy long-term customers who will recommend the hotel to their friends and on chat room websites (or not recommend it as the case may be....)<BR><BR>Given SARS and the general downturn in tourism in Phuket, I don't think you would have trouble finding an alternative if the Chedi turns out to be noisy. The JW Marriott is very nice, and the Sheraton and Meridien also mentioned above are poplular on this site as well.

You do realise July is about the peak of the monsoon rainy season in Phuket?<BR><BR>I would check www.phuketgazette.net, it is the online edition of the English Language paper and has lots of information, you will probably find some information there.

Please post what you find out, if you don't mind. I was going to book the Chedi for mid-May and this is the first of heard about the construction. Have not been there so I don't know how close the 2 resorts are to each other...

Hi,<BR>I don't thinks there's much to worry about now. I've only seen this info on one website and nobody else seems to have heard about it. It's probally just annual maintenance. I spoke to my travel agent, who contacted Amanpuri, but I haven't heard back ( he said he'd call if there was a problem ). As the Chedi is at the opposite end of the beach ( not a big beach I know ) and any work, one would assume would be off the beach, more likely on the hotel grounds.<BR>When do you arrive in May ? We will be there for 10 nights from 8th May in a beach cottage......can't wait. We have 4 nights at the Oriental in Bangkok before that.<BR>Cath xxx

That's good to hear. I did email the Aman and haven't heard back from them. I would be arriving on the 15th--am trying to decide how many days to stay, maybe 5? It depends on the weather, if we want to stay on Phi Phi or elsewhere, and how long we might stay in Chiang Mai. I wish it could be longer, though! Am planning on booking through Planet Holiday from a hillside room--do you think this is the best way to go? So, I may be running into you in May!