Kata beach resort is right on the beach, walking distance but not on the beach is centara Kata, was the Jiva before, very nice mid range resort.

Hmm, Kata Beach Resort is $280/night during that period, but Kata Centara is about $150. My impression is that Phuket resorts are really jacking up their rates during peak season, much moreso than Samui. (I did get a chuckle out of one place that advertised a "Special compulsory dinner" at Christmas and New Year's--guests dragged from their rooms to a dining hall to listen to slogans chanted at them?)

<i>Hmm, Kata Beach Resort is $280/night during that period, but Kata Centara is about $150. My impression is that Phuket resorts are really jacking up their rates during peak season, much moreso than Samui</i>

Yep. It can be pretty startling. When we stayed at the TwinPalms, the rate was in the low $200s for our stay (lower grade rooms were even less), but jumped to 3x for the following week, which fell within a peak period.

Will, remember that Phuket and Samui have different peak seasons, as they are affected by different monsoon systems. So Samui's rates are highest during June, July and August, while Phuket's are highest November through February. The very highest rates on Phuket are during Xmas - New Years, when prices are several times the high season prices. And yes, it is common at most resort hotels for there to be compulsory Xmas and New Years dinners - you aren't required to attend, just to pay.

Weather is fine in Samui in February, so you could opt to go there - prices may well be lower than the Phuket area.

There is less rainfall in Samui in Feb than in July/August - its a good time to go weatherwise. Rates are high season rates though - as per July and August.

If you want not so expensive and in February there are quite a few reasonable 3 star choices, Sugar palm in Kata is just acrosss from the way onto the beach, though very busy partbof the beach at kata resort, that should be about $90, Pool View probably about $110, Kata Sea Breeze 70-90, top end with pool access, Tropical Garden 90-120, top end for seaview, Centara Kata should be around 125-130, Kata palm about 120, if you decide to go in the plus 120 range the Centara is nice.

Till end of Oct samui would be a better choice since the phuket side will be raining so if after october than phuket is always the best choice with lots of island an hour away for you to unwind.

If you put any value on a sea-view from your room/balcony then it is definately worth stretching the budget to stay at the Kata Beach Resort.Sawadee is quoting $240 a night in Feb for a deluxe sea-view room. If you are only staying 4 nights and you are prepared to pay $200US a night,for an extra $160 all up,you will have what you want. I would pay $160 right now for an hour on that balcony with a Gin and Tonic. We stayed there 2 years ago in October so we did pay considerably less, but if my only choice was to go in high season, I would pay what they ask because to me the view is worth considerably more than the $160 extra you will end up paying.

I totally agree with shanek. I spent hours on my own junior suite balcony at Kata Thani in September of 06. Having that beach view is worth the extra bucks.
Carol

You guys are making me cry.
We stayed at The Katathani
this past June. It was &quot;Heaven On
Earth&quot;. We cried when we left..
&quot;one more day&quot;.
I would give anything to be
sipping a vodka-tonic on the
balcony of my grand suite.