can't help feeling, when i look at pictures of the rooms at VR ... that it looks a little like a mountain lodge somewhere near the Grand Canyon...

My husband and I stayed at the Holiday Inn (Patong) a couple weeks ago and loved it - we are 29, no kids. It's very much a large resort, with 2 pools and several dining options and activities (including a gym). While we weren't too impressed with Patong Beach, we did enjoy the tons of restaurants, bars, shops, massage parlors etc being right outside the hotel, without feeling the noise/crowd when inside the property. The newer Busakorn wing is wonderful and the pool is one of the best I have seen.

We stayed in a beach side cottage at the Chedi and loved it. The architecture is amazing! However, I understand that they got hit by the Tsunami, so the situation may have changed.

I've also stayed (several times) at Marina at Karon beach. They're great cottages (go for the sea view)and I love the lay out and restaurant.

For some really great Phuket info including hotel reviews, take a look at this site. All written by a Brit who has lived in Phuket for the last seven years or so.

http://tinyurl.com/267v7a

OK

The Racha have an internet only rate of 4800 bath (155 USD) for a superior villa (the most basic room) and a pay 3 nights and stay 6 offer (or pay 2 and stay 3). For the free nights you have to pay breakfast at 600 bath (20 USD) per person

That makes a total of very little indeed.

Am tempted to stay there the six nights though suspect i (ulike my wife) would get bored to death so might just go for the three nights at price of two offer there and go for either Indigo or Chedi for the other three nights

stay with the girlfriend and send the wife on to the next place??

i'll suggest that ;-)

for KimJapan: searching the posts i see you've suggested Aleenta a number of times. Have you stayed there?

Also has anyone stayed at the Racha?

No, it's above our budget, and is a couples place more than a family place. Looks lovely though. Been mentioned on the flyertalk.com luxury hotels board where they are quite discerning.

There is nothing wrong with the Aleenta, haven't stayed as wouldn't stay in that area but passed when driving down a while back to see what was developing in that area. It's in Phang Nag area on mainland. There is little around the area.
depends what you are looking for. If you wanted something quiet and 'and to' be very close to Phang Nga then I guess ok, but in that case somewhere on Phi Phi, Khao Lak or something like Centara Krabi Villas personaly would be overall nicer.
Without allowing for the price I don't see the 'benefit / bonus' of such a location when comparing with other 'quiet' resorts that syill allow you to get to/from other places.

If you planned to spend almost all the time in one place and perhaps just go to a few local places to eat and wanted plush luxury style ( at a price ) then sure, but perosnaly I don't see the benefit of being in that area unless you really wanted something very quiet.

If you say compared with Sala Phuket you would get very similar style luxury, quiet, but if you wanted to head to a great restaurant then it would be 'do-able', although quiet area you can get to other restaurants.

Racha is good but you do get day trippers.

Did you want to go out to restaurants in the evening or do any evening shopping etc ? If so that too would affect your choice.

Typo: Phang Nga

Thank you Kim & James

Aleenta is going for €257 but James' comments have somehow put me off... As for PhiPhi we stayed there last time (zeavola) and wanted to try somewhere different.

Thought i'd almost set my mind on Andaman White Sands but then Kristina's trip report (here on Fodors) put me off... maybe i just stop reading and book away...

For time being i have a booking for the first three nights at the Chedi (3 nights for price of 2 so works out around $220 x night). Considered taking their 6 nights for price of 3 (thus paying around $170 x night) but worried about some reports of wear&tear so like to keep option of further three nihgts elsewhere in smaller place...

Thanks again

Top 10....

http://www.phuket.com/hotel/recommen...ic-resorts.htm

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...t=phuket+chedi

scroll down to post #18 for a review. The poster is generally quite fair, likes the Peninsula Bangkok but had a horrible experience at the Oriental Bangkok.

Not an easy decision.

How about looking at Khao Lak? We went to Khao Lak in January 2006 while it was still in deep recovery mode from being literally wiped off the map by the tsunami. We quite liked it then, with the beach being one of the best we've been to in Thailand. The Sarojin might be an option there.

One more idea..Tubkaak in Krabi. I've not been there, but met someone who just raved and raved about it.

I just took a look at the top 10 list on the link. So much to choose from! I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

we've finally settled for 3 nights at the Chedi and 3 nights at the Racha

In both cases they have pay2-stay3 offers so the prices are quite good.

thanks again for all tips/advice

Sounds like you can't go wrong.

Do report back--we're booked at the Racha in December for 4 nights and am dying for some first-hand feedback.