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kirstymcc Jul 6th, 2007 06:04 AM

Phuket accommodation
 
Hi
I have been doing a wee bit of research and we are going to Phuket end-November. Problem is a hotel that is luxury yet near lively bars and restaurants we can walk out to at night.
Does anyone have any experience of these places and/or their proximity to nightlife. From what Ive read Patong isnt where we want to be.

Aleenta Resort & Spa, Phuket-Phang Nga
The Chedi Phuket
Banyan Tree Phuket
Amanpuri

Many thanks for your help :D

Kirsty

StanKase Jul 6th, 2007 06:08 AM

We stayed at Amampuri in 2003 and did not enjoy it. It was too stuffy for us and over-priced by #150/night. The Baynan Tree was very nice in 2006 and had enough activity for a couple of young 60's yr. old couple.

deptrai Jul 6th, 2007 06:43 AM

Stayed at Chedi 2 years ago. Lots of stairs. Wonderful staff. Great breakfast. Built on the side of a hill so ants in the room & frogs/lizzards on the patio every night. 10 minute walk to Surin beach where there are plenty of bars/restaurants.

simpsonc510 Jul 6th, 2007 09:41 AM

No experience with your listed items, but take a look at the KataThani on Kata Noi beach. I'd go there again in a heartbeat. Also, Boathouse on Kata Beach. Villa Royale might not be your cup of tea, but take a look. You have to walk down the wooden stairs to get to Kata Noi Beach.
Carol

JamesA Jul 7th, 2007 12:58 AM

" luxury yet near lively bars and restaurants we can walk out to at night".

This depends if you want just a few local bars and some restaurants or whether you want plenty of bars/nightlife/entertainment/shopping.

Perhaps a good 'balance', if you want to be close to nightlife etc would be Le Meridien, this is just south as you leavre Patong but being on it's own secluded cove you get a high class beach hotel/resort but you are only perhaps 5-6 minutes by tuk tuk from the heart of Patong, so you tend to get the beach and luxury but just 'around the corner' to busy Patong.
It's got location-location-location, you can't 'walk' from it though, it's a bit steep up to the main road and so you would need to tuk tuk around.
If yuo stay at the other beaches you can get to/from Patong but that takes time and costs.

You will find bars and restaurants around kata/Karon but certainly nothing near the nightlife/shopping/restaurants of Patong, hope that helps you in choosing.
If you 'did' want to be walking distance in Patong then Gracelands is across the road from the beach, very 'Hyatt' if that makes sense, but across the road from busy beach but just away from the central area. Le Meridien is very large but it does meet the 'on the beach' requirement.


Aleenta is not on Phuket, it is in a 'very very' quiet location at Phang Nga.

Katathani is always a good option, but it depends again if you want a bar to have a drink, choice of some restaurants, or whether you want procimity to very lively Patong.


kirstymcc Aug 10th, 2007 05:14 AM

Hi guys,
Sorry for late response, been having internet probs, many thx for ur advise, gonna go with the boathouse,
thx again :)
kirsty

simpsonc510 Aug 10th, 2007 05:19 AM

I think you will enjoy the Boathouse. The Grill restaurant is one of the top restaurants on Phuket. Fantastic wine list, great service, lovely food presentation. Also, go over to Mom Tri's Kitchen which is located at the Villa Royale property. Very romantic location, and again, great food and service and wine list.

Enjoy your trip.

Gpanda Aug 10th, 2007 08:50 AM

Another choice is the Meridien Beach Resort. You can't walk to the bars, but it's a very short cab ride, 10 minutes into Patong. The best of both worlds, relaxed beaching and easy access to nightlife. Of course, the Boathouse is also wonderful.

Forget the Amanpuri or the Chedi, they're both way too isolated.

StanKase Aug 11th, 2007 05:43 AM

The suggestion of rge Le Meridian Beach & Yacht resort is a good one along with Banyon Tree.

LeighTravelClub Aug 11th, 2007 01:00 PM

My experience of Le Meridien is one I would rather forget. Yes, a great location but, such poor service and customer care, are what I remember of this resort. Actually, the location is only good, not great!

LeighTravelClub Aug 11th, 2007 01:02 PM

Boathouse is my advice.

Kathie Aug 11th, 2007 01:21 PM

Which of the two Meridiens did you not like, Leigh? Was it the Yacht Club or the one close to Patong?

LeighTravelClub Aug 11th, 2007 09:53 PM

Kathie, we used the Le Meridien Beach Resort and were not at all impressed. I certainly wouldn't call it five star. A very tired and worn establishment. We have not been to Le Meridien Yacht Club and maybe that should have been our choice.

Walter_Walltotti Aug 12th, 2007 01:36 AM

I've heard talk that the Le Royal Meridien Yacht Club is changing hands (along with the Le Royal Meriedien in Koh Samui) and will close at Christmas - has anyone else heard about this.

Also having stayed at the yacht club (albeit about 8 years ago) it's a long way from any bars and nightlife

StanKase Aug 12th, 2007 05:03 AM

Our experience in a 4 night stay at :e Merifian Yacht Club was quite enjpyable including the service. Staff turnover of 4-5 staff that one interacys woth that are not very efficient can ruin a lovely hotel.


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