Hello! Just needed some help and thought the 2 of you were perfect!

rhkkmk- we will be booking the Mariott R&S. How are the views in the deluxe rooms? Is there a huge difference between the river view and the standard one, besides the view? View really worth the extra $20?

JamesA- husband and I will be going to Phuket, we are trying to decide between Karona or Kata beach, any suggestions? Any other beach? We would like something relatively quiet, but with some restaurants and few shops around. I've been looking at:

* Karona Resort and Spa (have a great rate, pay 4 stay 6), but how far from the beach?
* Karona Beach Resort
* Thavorn Beach Bungalows

Any other recomendations?

Thanks in advance!

you may have no view at all from the non river view rooms....the room interior itself is exactly the same as near as i can judge...you may have a garden view?? i prefer the room that looks out over the garden and pool to the river (these are the rooms in the center of the "U" of buildings)....they consider them the river view rooms as well...you can however have a total river view room from the end of one of the buildings that hang out over the river or from the back of one of the side buildings---i have never had a back side room, but have had an end of building room---i prefer the center of "U" room...after so many visits it is NOT worth the extra money imo....it is a place to economize if you want...save the $20 per, but if you want the full experience then spend the money....i no longer pay the extra money...

hope you are using www.huahin.20m.com or one of the other sites to save additional monies and have tax/service and breakfast included....
bob

Do note that 'some' hotel/resorts are actually 'on the beach' but most are across the road from the beach, or a short or long walk, others even further.
In my personal opinion if you are going somewhere for 'beach' being right on the beach makes the world of difference. Others may not agree but my own opinion is being able to walk from your hotel room past the pool and bardens and be 'right on the sandy' beach has tremendous value, also of course it means heading back to your room or simply just needing to 'use' the bathroom is just so so much better.

Karon Beach resort is what I term 'absolute beachfront', being that it is right on the beach, no roads to cross etc.
The number of places that are right on the beach is not that many, further north along the Phuket coast there are quite a few but that means they are somewhat remote.
At Karon you have: Central Karon up on the hill ( down from the Karon to Patong Road ), steep, eventual access to the beach, but you need transport to get 'anywhere'.
At the sound end of Karon is 'Karon beach Resort', right on the beach, Marina Cottages is almost behind it, they have access to a very small beach area. At Kata you have Mon Tri's, Kata Thani, the 'Kata Beach Resort'.

If you forsake being right on the beach there is a very very large choice, at Karon Sea Sand resort and Old Phuket are short walk to the beach and great value, but if it's right on the beach you want ( no lugging bags, towels and everthing from your accommodation to and from the beach ) then Karon beach resort I would certainly go for.

What time of year? And what's your budget ?

Bob- Thank you for the fast reply. I was also thinking we could save the $20 and spend on something else. Yes, I am using the huahin website, which is what you recommended. They are also offering a free sunset cruise-what is this?- and a free drink per stay per per person.

JamesA- we are planning this trip for mid May. I've read about the weather and it is very unpredictable. We thought about Koh Samui, but it would be a bit more expensive. Our budget is about $100 a night, less would be great! We wanted to stay at a nice hotel, incase it rains, we have somewhere nice where we can relax and get a massage. =)

Did you mean Karona Beach resort or Karona resort and spa? what's the difference?

take the cruise if it fits in with your day's activities...usually it is the sunset cruise that goes for exactly one hour about 5 or 6PM....we did it year before last....it took us up to memorial bridge and back on one of the converted monarah (sp) rice barges..its worth the effort...they gave us some crummy hors d'oeuvres and we bought a drink as i remember...maybe cost $10....nice view of the riverside areas....sometimes they go down river, which while not as interesting is probably the only time you would go down that way so it too holds some interest...

the free drink on arrival is terrible as they always are....we usually don't take it, but some day you can get it at the pool too....it may be restricted to the lobby bars however...take what you can get....soon your $20 savings will be $21....

you are going to love the marriott...

btw....in the mini mall there is a wonderful small thai restaurant on the left side...not far from the bank if fact....it is very cheap and the food is very good....tons of thais in there....we pay between $12-16 for the two of us for tons of food and a couple of beers...name is: will post it in a minute...

if you don't have my restaurant listing yet, send me a request and i will send it to you

[email protected]

bob

the name is Kaew Saveoy

btw...the hotel never asks for the vouchers for the room from the HH site...odd

It's the "Karon Beach Resort", should be about USD 88-89 including tax, service, breakfast, all rooms with balconies and views. It's not as class as the kata Thani but is great value if you want to be 'right on the beach' itself.
Karona tropical resort should be around USD 38 for a standard twin, but it isn't 'beachfront'.
If you can manage $88 then you get the beachfront benefit, but otherwise Karona is certainly cheap and good value. Thavorn Beach Bungalows is much quieter but not too far from Patong but not so much available in the area.
Kata/Karon gives easy access to plentu of restaurants.

You are so helpful! Thanks! I will email you, I would love a copy of your restaurant listings.