Hello,

My bf and I will be traveling with many connections from JFK to Phuket, arriving about midnight on 12/20, departing to Bangkok on 12/24. Granted this is a high season, the hotel prices are very very high. I read a lot of reviews with ppl suggesting not to stay at Patong Beach area, instead in Kata or near by area. I am not able to find too many resorts that are under $175 with breakfast included except for a few in Patong Beach area.

We are in our early 30's. Whenever we travel, we like to be in the heart of everything and thou we like to stay at a mid range hotel, we dont like to invest on really fancy ones as we are always out and about. We also like everything to be walkable and we love to eat local food instead of dinning at fancy places which we can do to easily in NY. We also love doing many things and do not require privacy beach type as we do that in Mexico every year.

It sounds like Patong would be great for our budget and "accessibility" factor. We plan on at least visiting Phi Phi for a day then if weather is nice, we may consider taking a ferry out for half a day else where (is possible), however, would it be really really cheesy (as I have read many no's to staying there)? and are we going to really hate being in the busiest part of town? The idea of needing to take a taxi into and out of town and being limited to hotel food does not sound very appealing to us.

does anyone feel like it would be just fine? Otherwise, my second choice would be Twinpalms hotel.

thanks for your help.

I, personally, would not stay at Patong. But it sounds like it might be just your cup of tea. It will definitely be right 'in the heart of things' on Phuket. It will also be very busy as this is peak season. The other beaches (I've stayed on Kata and Kata Noi) will cost you quite a bit more.

patong is a very busy town....it is not all that nice, although the ocean laps at its doors... there is a great variety of activities there and restaurants at all levels of cost....its a bit seedy overall but it is not horrible....

its not park avenue but neither is it 125th st (10 years ago).

take a look at the old phuket inn....some have liked that....its down the road a bit...

If you enjoy being elbow to elbow with hordes upon hordes of camera-clicking and drunken tourists, then perhaps Patong might be a fun holiday vacation.

Personally, I think I'd prefer a long, slow root canal from a 6-year old any day over a vacation in Patong. Imagine the worst Club Med you could ever conceive of, then add about 1,000,000 people to the mix and turn the volume up a little bit louder...that might be getting close to what you'd be landing in.

If you're going to fly all that way then do yourself a huge favor and stay in a nicer part of Phuket. It's such a beautiful part of Thailand and you'd be robbing yourself of the experience to stay in a sleazy place like Patong.

I can't imagine there aren't places in Kata (or other parts of the island) that aren't under that $175/night price (all inclusive.)

Have you tried looking at rates on sawadee.com?

psssst... filmwill, tell us how you REALLY feel...

One thing I did enjoy at Patong was parasailing (yes, at my age..haha) DS and I were walking along the beach (not during peak season) at Patong. We had taken a tsongau (truck taxi) from Kata Beach, where we were staying, just to have a look. Vendors were selling parasailing rides and they approached us. The beach was nearly empty. They asked, did we want to have a ride. I said, "Strap me in before I have a chance to change my mind." And up I went!!! Awesome! Really. DS took a turn after I came back down and landed on the sandy beach.

But what I really don't like about Patong (and I've been there for a look-see during peak season) was all of the touts along the beach road. They were very pushy! I find that to be very irritating.

Carol, I'm from New Jersey. That's how we roll.

Patong (especially during peak season) is a pit. I think it's a huge mistake to travel from NYC to Thailand to go to what is essentially an exaggerated version of Cancun on spring break.

BTW, ditto on the parasailing. It's a blast...at any age!

I know you're right about Patong. I'm just trying to justify it for the OP couple. I really think that Kata, or maybe Karon, if they could find a place in their budget, would be much more pleasant for them. Patong is only a short tsongtau ride away, if that's where they want to shop. But I agree with you, I'd NEVER stay there.

I second the Karon call-- very nice beach! Plus, you can take a 10 min taxi ride to visit Patong if you want.

If you must stay in Patong, just make sure you are well off the main drag (cannot even remember the name of the street.)

thanks guys. Base on filmwill's description, it sounds like 5th avenue on St. Patrict's day. Lol...I think I am convinced now. It sounds a bit much, and I am very concern about the seedy part. I am going to look around a bit more and see if I can find something in my price range. THAKS for all your honest opinions. Really appreciate it!

there are tons of things in all prices ranges all over the island...

look at the marriott.com site as they have several new offerings in the area

The Holiday Inn at Patong has been all done over since the tsunami, and is right across from the beach in the heart of things. There is a new Court Yard right there also that looked nice. I am not advocating us brands-but we are loyal Marriott people, but are newly redone, so your room might be a bit nicer than some in the area.

There are also 2 other Court Yards just North of town, in a nice quiet area. Some of these places have shuttles into town. We shuttle into to town and then take a taxi back only if the shuttle time is not what we need. Taxis are not NYC prices either.

that would be courtyards---the patong one is in a lovely colonial building which had substantial work done on it and is just one city block from the sea

I found this hotel in Karon, it's a good rate and seems great. Does anyone know anything about this hotel? It offers shuttle into Patong, so may be just fine. The hotel is The Phulin Resort. www.thephulin.com

it looks like it is away from the beach.... the pool looks like it is between two buildings and not that large??

otherwise it looks nice

rhkkmk: hmm....the pool does look small, I was thinking of booking the direct pool access room, and it offers a free shuttle to Patong and early booking 20% discount. The other two I saw was Peach-hill and Andaman Cannacia, all three in very close price range, same location. I think I read some good reviews on Anadaman. I have to investigate more to see how they are different from one another in terms of amenties, beach walking distant and room offered.