Am planning a trip to BKK but might want to stop in Phuket for the first few days to rest and get over jet lag. Would like to stay ar a 5 star resort/hotel on the beach.(meaning a short walk out onto the beach.) Not looking for any activities- just r and r and maybe visit to the town in the evening to walk around and do some light shopping.
Seems like these places are 30 minutes from the town? Not interested in the bar scene- just some local town shopping and restaurants.

There is one main "town" on Phuket island, called Patong. Most of the 5 star resorts are between 20-45 minutes from Patong. Some resort areas, like Laguna, are a complex of several hotels with shopping and restaurants, and you can eat at restaurants or use spas or shops at the other hotels and charge them to your room, very convenient. The Banyan Tree is part of the Laguna complex, as is the Sheraton. The Phuket Marriott is on its own deserted stretch of beach, which is nice, but there is no place to eat or shop except at the resort (this may be just what you are looking for however). The Aman, a fabulous resort, is on its own little beach which it shares with the Chedi hotel next door. There is not much else in that neighbourhood; although it is a short cab right or longish walk to get to some nearby shopping.

My personal order of preference for 5 star hotels would be: Aman, Banyan Tree, Sheraton (the duplex villas only), Marriott, and Meridien. Take a look at amanhotels.com, lhw.com,slh.com, Marriott.com and Starwood.com

FYI, from what I know of flight schedules, there are very few if any direct flights to Phuket from either the US or Europe. (There are direct charter flights.) Most flights go via a stopover/change in Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong. Given this, it will probably add time to your journey to go to Phuket before going to Bangkok. It might be easier just to fly right to Bangkok first and get a good night's sleep on your first day; usually the best way to get over jet lag. It might be nice to do Phuket at the end of the trip to relax after hectic Bangkok.

Hi Bill,
Carol from Illinois. I have to put in my plug for Mom Tri's Boathouse and Villa Royale. These two properties are located on Kata Beach. The villas are actually on a rocky outcropping rather than the beach. The Boathouse is right on the beach. There are only 6 villas on the Royale property. If you want true peace and quiet, I'd stay there!!!Kata is a much less crowded beach than Patong. As far as shopping, you can walk the main street of Kata and find all sorts of souvenirs. Patong has more shops and is about a 15-20 minute ride in a taxi. There are 3 main beach areas on the southwest side of Phuket. They are Patong, Karon, and Kata. Kata is the farthest south. All are about an hour from the Phuket airport, which is located on the north end of the island. If you need r & r, Kata is much less crowded! Mom Tri's Boathouse and Villa Royale has the BEST food and wine list we've found on Phuket!

How abou the Le Meridian Resort? Anyone been there?

I was just about to suggest it! There are 2 Meridiens, forget the one at Nai Harn beach. The one near Patong is totally on it's own, hence own beach in a small bay. Good place, great pools.
However, if you are flying into Bangkok instead of flying down to Phuket and then getting to a hotel/resort I would suggest jumping into a Thai Limo service mercedes at BKK airport (about $50) and head straigh to the 'Royal Cliff Resort' Pattaya. It is actually 'over the hill' from Pattaya with it's own beach, it is a very large resort with top 5-star service and award winning restaurants, it is absolutely the ideal place to relax for a few days but within 90 minutes drive time of Bangkok. From Bangkok Airport it is elevated expressway for about 1 hour then another 30 minutes, it really is a top class place!

P.S

The Royal Cliff website is easy

www.royalcliff.com

Great place

I have to agree with Cicerone - that you should do Bangkok first - have a decent nights' sleep and when fully rested (even if middle of next day) then go out and enjoy BKK.

Most people go the beach areas after the hectic time in/around Thailand, BKK included, for R&R - not before.

There are two "towns" in Phuket - Phuket Town at the SE tip of the island and Patong Beach midway between the airport and Phuket Town on the West coast of the island. Paton is not really a town, rather the busiest beach cove with lots of restauants, bars and nitelife. The Laguna area has five hotels that share facilities, restaurants, can take shuttle bus between these properties - a Sheraton, Banyan, Dusit, Meridien (I think), and another?? Not sure which!

Mom Tri's Boathouse has the best wine cellar on the island.

So you've got choices.

To James A:
Have looked over the Royal Cliff website.
Where did you book your stay here? I like the Royal Cliff Grand- Regency suite but on all of the hotel websites they do not list this hotel/suite. Also can you give me an idea of the cost of meals at this resort. Often times the meals tend to be way overpriced.

Here's a link, Thai based very good. I live In BKK and use them frequently myself, I checked, they have all the different Suites rates, rates based on Thai rates but you can book in USD too, they respond fast.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/pattaya/royalcliff/

I guess meal prices would be Thai 5-star but that only would mean paying perhaps $5 for a dish that would cost maybe $2 in a local restaurant, a beer might cost you $3 instead of the normal $1, but you are served in style! You can go along to Jomtien which is about 5 minutes away for good and cheap local food. Nong Nual is a busy Seaffod restaurant, crowded and noissy, but fabulous seaffod Lobster the works, if you spent $10 each you would have an amazing meal! There are many food outlets in the resort including a 'Thai Food market' which is very reasonable.
The Royal Cliff is famous within Thailand, used by Presidents and the like, totally top of the line.

Thai Limo have a counter in reception for return transport into Bangkok. if you choose do take the Thai Limo service from the airport, it's worth the extra $15-20 for Mercedes Comfort.

Thanks James A- a few follow up questions:
1) How does the beach and water in Pattaya compare with Phuket. I have also read some negative things about Pattaya (sex scene issues).
2) Can one use all of the 4 hotel's facilities without paying extra?
3) Have you stayed at the Royal Wing and Spa and regency suite? If so how did you like it?
4) What is there to do at night at the resort? Does one have to travel into town?

The sea water is certainly not as clear as Phuket

You can use all the facilities of the resort

I haven't stayed in those rooms, I was in cheaper rooms but in the years after that I have vsiited the place many times.

Pattaya is a very large resort with city status. The Royal Cliff is about 5 km south. For quiet evenings go into Jomtien beach, about 4 kms. In Pattaya there is plenty to do away from the xxxx scene ( which unfortunately gets over-done by the tabloid press to the point of boredom ). In Pattaya the Ruen Thai is a very large outdoor restaurant with 4-star service, great Thai food and almost non-stop Thai classic dance and other cultural displays, great place, gets packed at weekends. It is popluar with japanese, Koreans, Chinese.
Sure there is a 'lively' part of town, but that is up to the individual if they venture there or not. Royal Cliff is way beyond that area, though convenient for shopping and restaurants.

I stayed at the Phuket Marriott Resort last year. The place is amazing and if your looking for R&R, this is it. plenty of restaurants, activities, the grounds are immaculate. Plus, right by the pool, you can get $8 Thai massages right on the beach.