Is this a good place to spend one night? We'll be arriving at Phuket airport at 5:20 PM and were thinking of spending the night in Phuket Town before catching an 8:30 AM ferry the next morning to Phi Phi. <BR>We would appreciate any tips on how to get around from the airport or on where to spend the one night on Phuket before catching the ferry. The hotel we were thinking of in Phuket Town is the Pearl Hotel but we would love to hear of any other suggestions. Thanks!

Phuket town is a dump. Suggest you head immediately for the Marriott which is very near the airport, and do your travelling to the ferry terminal early the next morning (probably an hour in a cab - the concierge will arrange it)

I stayed in Phuket for 9 nights last June - fantastic island but Phuket town is awful and I'd only recommend staying in one of the 4 or 5 star hotels out of town. The shops are full of tack and the pubs full of transvestites and pros.<BR>

That town, like most of the island outside the touist areas is a dump, mostly tin roofed buildings.<BR><BR>Stay in Karon, in the western side of the island.

Phuket Town as a place is a waste of time, also avoid Patong Beach. Nai Harn beach is near the airport and they can arrange transfer, however, if you are just overnighting and just want to sleep and be close for early morning ferry then Pearl is ok.

Thanks to all of you. We definitely will not spend the night in Phuket Town. After doing more reading, we are thinking of Kamala beach - it seems quiet and inexpensive.<BR>Thanks again!