Phuket vs. Bali
 

Looking at staying at one of the Aman resorts in either Phuket, Thailand or Bali. Which Hotel and island is better?

Been to both:<BR>Both islands share a common problem, sprawl and tacky shantytowns, a good one quater of the islands land is now shantytown due to rapid population growth.<BR><BR>Though I would say go with Bali, more exotic. Though Phuket has the advantage in less hassle and beggars.

Agree 100% with Jerry. Both very similar, Phuket less trouble from people hassling all the time. Both have some beautiful locations but mass commercial tourism has drowned most of the culture and everyone is just after a fast buck. There are far nicer places to go in both Indonesia and Thailand than this pair.

you mention there are better places to visit in thailand and indonesia than phuket and bali. please recommend....

In Thailand the range of beaches and resorts is countless. On the eastern seeboard you have the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Samet, the busy beach resorts of Jomtien Beach and Pattaya. In the far south the islands and beaches of Trang province. Closer to Bangkok you have Cha Am, Hua Hin, Bang Saphan ( lovely offshore islands, snorkeling and inland orchid farms, villages, mountains and parks ). There are island north of Koh Samui like Koh Tao, and I think Koh Samui and Krabi, although quite commercial are far nicer than Phuket. Try http://www.sawadee.com for much information. You can also use http://www.travelforum.org which has much information and messages about Bali and Thailand. If you want more details about Phuket then http://www.phuketgazette.net is a good insight.<BR> In Indonesia we prefer Lombok to Bali and there are many islands and beaches in Sumatra. The range is endless.