My partner has booked a holiday for Patong Beach, and I'm a little sceptical as some web sites say that the night life is a little "seedy". I'm keen to go, but don't know what to expect, and just how bad "seedy" is. Please help!

Patong is the largest and by far the busiest beach in Phuket. As such It has a lot of all things but I dont think you should worry too much. It has lots of good retaurants (in and out of the many hotels and resorts), nice bars and places to shop and stroll on the beach. I guess the "seedy" part referred to in the sites you browsed was Soi Bangla, where all the Bar Beers and Go Go Bars are located. But its only one street on the far end of the beach and if you dont go there, you will not notice it. There are many quieter and more pristine beaches on the Island; Kata, Karon, Kamala, Laguna to name a few, but if you are happy with the hotel and prefer to be close to the Island's many activities, you should not be deterred by any "seedyness". Its not.

Thanks for the prompt info. We are staying at the Impiana...I wouldn't mind experiencing a little of the colourful nightlife, but sort of hope it won't be on our doorstep. I'm not a prude, but can see myself getting a little harried if we're inundated by it. Thanks again.

The Impiana probably has the very best location in Patong, right on the beach, but it is also in the heart of the resort and just a stroll along to the busy Soi Bangla, that is where most of the nightlife is. It's most quite friendly and fun, it depends on you though. But that is one street and there's another street with lots of bars a little north of Impiana, but otherwise it's a lively busy resort, ideal if you want a lively and busy place, those who prefer quiet as magical said tend to go to kata, Karon, kamala etc and then just go in to patong for those evenings when they want a lively place. The beach at Impiana is very busy but you are so lucky to be able to be right on the beach whilst everyone else has to walk dowen and cross the beach road to get there! You should like it, it has been completely re-done and refurbished, almost totaly rebuilt.

Hi, This is just another view. Guess it depends on how much night life you want, etc. My husband and I took a taxi to Patong for the day and couldn't wait to get back to Karon Beach, where the beach was cleaner and quieter. We're seniors so that might make a difference as to our opinion of Patong. We stayed at a fairly quiet hotel, The Old Phuket Hotel, a half block from a beautiful beach. There were mostly Europeans and families at the hotel. We would go back again. The help was very friendly and several good restaurants were steps away from hotel and beach.

We took a couple trips to Kata beach, and would consider staying there also.

My husband and I stayed at Patong Beach Resort about 4 years ago, and honestly, we loved being around all of the action for a change..Normally we stay somewhere really quiet and isolated, so it was a pleasant change for us...I would stay there again if i ever went back to Phuket..Although, i wouldn't base my whole vacation in Thailand there...

When we stayed at the Marriott on Phuket 2 years ago, we took the free trip limo to Patong for the evening. I really disliked it there and could not wait to get back to the Marriott. We just returned from another trip to Thailand (with a week on Phuket) and had no desire to even spend any time at all in Patong. Of course I must tell you I really have such a problem seeing these beautiful, lovely, Thai girls with ugly, old, old, Europen men in Thailand on a sex tour, and they were evrywhere in Patong. I feel so bad for the girls and want so much to help them find a way out of such a life. Sorry if it's not OK to post such thoughts.
Sue

My thoughts about Patong being not so desirable for my tastes has more to do with the pushy touts on the shopping street along the beach than with the seedy areas. One can opt to go to those areas or not. I opt NOT...

But, if you are staying on the beach, you will be barraged with the touts all the time. I prefer Kata/Kata Noi. I'm always glad to get back there after a short trip to Patong. We went to Patong one time (for about an hour) and decided that was enough.

Carol