Hello all,

I have been reading up on all the posts, but I have not seen anything about 1 of the 2 hotels I was planning to stay at. I have the whole trip booked, except for a hotel in Phuket.

2/20/04 - 2/23-04 - Bangkok - Holiday Inn
2/23/04 - 2/28/04 - Phuket - ???
2/28/04 - 3/01/04 - Hong Kong - Eaton Hotel

I am not looking for ultimate luxury, however I do want to spend about $100-$150 a night for my Phuket stay. I was considering the Andaman beach Suite or the Burasari Hotel. Has anyone had any experiences with these hotels? Also, if you have a better suggestion for a hotel in my price range, I am all ears. This is my first time out of the country, and I am excited. I just wish that it turns out ok. Oh yeah, I am also going with my future fiance =).

Thanks in advance.

Phil

Also looking at the Salathai Resort...

In Phuket do you want busy-busy resort area, quieter but still restaurants etc or very quiet? I lived in Phuket for 3 years so know most of them, go back every few months too. Also any kids in tow? Do you want a low rise place of character with perhaps less facilities are is a modern 'block' place ok? Fill us in and I am sure we can help.

Be wary of the word 'resort', it means little or nothing, also need to be wary of so many new places opening that often have poor/very bad locations!

No kids...Just me and my g/f. We want to be close enough to everything where can walk and not rely on Taxis. From what I hear, Patong is the best beach, or the place we would want to be. Some reviews write great things about Patong, while others portray it to be a sleezy dirty place. I don't know what to think anymore...lol....just have to check it out myself I guess.

As far the type of place I would like to stay in...not really too picky. I would love to stay on a beach front hotel...where I can touch the sand from the hotel...but not sure how much these hotels would be. I am not too worried about the style of room it is. I just want something that is far from a roach motel and has some class and comfort to it.

I once booked a "4 star" hotel and it was a dirty hotel that looked like it was rented by the hour. So this is why I am paranoid in booking a hotel from a list I do not know.

I hope I answered the questions...thanks for your help James.

Phil

Ok, Patong Beach is like Kuta on Bali, it is a very busy and crowded place, beach is crowded, after dark street stalls, bars, whatever you fancy. Hotels are across the road from the beach which gets packed full.
My 'tip' for a nice place in walking distance with some 'charm' would be the Garden Cottages at Club Andaman, well established very nice hotel and although you can walk to everywhere it's just that little bit further.
My tips for places cheaper would be Duangjitt resort which is about 100 m/yds from the beach at the south end of Patong. Now the Duangjitt has bungalows in the gardens which makes a nice change. In same area is Coconut Village, these are both 3 star tourist standard hotels but perfectly fine!

Now, if you want absolute beachfront the Karon beach resort Hotel 'is' right on the beach at Kata, about 15 mins south of Patong, decent 3-star tourist hotel, several floors but you get great sunset views from the rooms, Kata much quieter.

End Feb is very much peak season so you need to decide quick.

Summary:-
Club Andama Central Beach Patong 4-star
Coconut Village and Dunagjitt
or if you want more quiet Karon Beach

Click this and it sorts by beaches and also by price, click for the photos and deatisl, very comprehensive.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/phuket/hotels/

Maybe also sort by ABC...so you can find those I mentioned easily, for a couple wanting a reasonable place not pricey but clean and comfortable I'd try the Duangjitt. You can also read recent reviews too.

Have a good browse.

Thanks for all your help James.