BKK and Phuket Advice
 

My husband and I, along with two of our adult children, are planning another visit to Thailand. We would like a 2-bdrm serviced apt in BKK and are considering the Somerset Suwan Park View near Ploenchit Rd. Is anyone familiar with these apts? Please give me your opinions. They seem to be conveniently located for our needs.

Also, we will spend at least a week in Phuket, and are considering several places. Since we have never been there we don't know a good, QUIET beach location. One hotel/resort we are looking at is south of Patong and the other north. What are the differences in the location other than geographical? Also, what are your suggestions? Since we will need 2 rooms, we would like to stay under $200/room, but we would like something special (if that's possible for that price).

Advice from Fodorites has been very helpful in the past and we look forward to your input again.

Thanks.

mcbeanie

For Phuket, I prefer the beaches south of Patong. I've always stayed on Kata and Kata Noi beaches, in four trips to Phuket so far. I really enjoyed the Kata Thani on Kata Noi. Lovely resort!! Nice quieter smaller beach here. Smaller and quieter than Kata Beach. I can go to Patong for shopping quite easily from the Kata Thani, if I want to. Taxis are waiting right outside the door. You can rent a taxi/van for a day, very reasonably.

I have not stayed at Somerset in BKK, but am just now looking at serviced apartments for myself for an upcoming (11th trip) visit to BKK in mid-July. I like the Ploenchit area because it is in the heart of the shopping district. I'll have to take a look at Somerset.

I did just stay at the Bangkok Holiday Inn, Ploenchit, during my recent visit in February and thought it was very convenient. I tend to prefer a serviced apartment over a hotel room, though, because I like space to stretch out a bit more. The HI really wasn't bad though. My room there was much larger than one I had at the Majestic Grande on Suk soi 2 during that same trip.

Enjoy your trip!

Carol

For Phuket consider the Marriott Beach Resort which is a 2 BR 2 bath unit with kitchen and living area with a sleep sofa. The unit also has a washer/dryer. The furnishing are comfortable and very nice. MBR has a soaking tub. The price should come in around $400 and give you more space and comfort than 2 hotel rooms. The resort is beautiful and you would have access to 3 pools.

The following thread has lots of recent information on serviced apts:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34959392

Are you looking at North/South Patong or the beaches North and south ?

What time of year makes 'so much' difference, what is 200 high could be 70 low season, what is 200 low season could be 400+ high season, so makes a difference.

The Residence Kalim Bay is 'just' outside the center of Patong, past the Diamond Cliff, those are apartment style, it is relatively quiet and a small 'patch' of beach across the road.

But if you are not looking at apartment style Phuket that opens up lots of other choices, but vital we know time of year as seasonal rates differ a huge amount !

Sorry I read slower this time, so quieter beaches north or south. Do you want very quiet or just quieter than Patong ( by far busiest ), time of year and whether hotel/resort or something different.
Sorry for questions but means we don't spend time telling you about places that wouldn't suite.

Thanks everyone. In Phuket, we want to avoid Patong -- too much nightlife for us, and we will be going in July, 2008. I think we should be able to get something nice for that price during low season.

Carol, if you check out the Somerset Suwan apts, will you let me know your impression. You'll be there before we are.

Again, Thanks to everyone.

mcbeanie

Thanks for the link to apts. I had already checked this out and zeroed in on the SSPV.

Thanks.

mcbeanie

You should be fine for that, but July 2008 is a long way off to guess if there would be any or much change in rates.
Pressume you know that July is during the rainy season on Phuket ? November to April much better time to go to Phuket. Has you thought of beaches/islands in Thailand that had better weather in July ?

My first trip to Thailand was during the rainy summer months. I visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. I know we have some rain, but there was not enough of it to dampen the excitement of that first trip. If it rains, you find things to do inside!!

I'm about 95% sure I'm going to stay at the Somerset Suwan Park View on my July trip, so yes, I'll be sure to report back. I've stayed in several serviced apartments in the past, so I look forward to trying a different one.

You should be able to get a great deal on a resort such as the Kata Thani during the rainy season on Phuket. I was there in September a year and a half ago, and absolutely loved the resort. We had rain one day (out of 3) and went shopping at the mall in the middle of the island that day.

Carol

For quiet on Phuket, I can also recommend the Marriott. Their Beach Club 2 bedroom units would suit you well I think. They also offer a huge variety of activities for all ages right there, 3 pools, gorgeous beach (no motorized water sports). http://www.jwmarriottphuket.com/ gives you a great idea of what is on offer there. You can reserve the Beach Club through www.marriott.com, though I'm not sure you'll see pricing for July 2008 yet.

I know this is early to begin searching for accommodations in BKK and Phuket, but ------- it is so-o-o-o exciting just to look.

James, you have a good idea about other islands. Do you have particular ones that you would recommend? What about Krabi? Please let me know what you think.

Again, thanks to all!

mcbeanie