patong or kata/karon? going in november. we will be in phuket for 3 nights. want to do some beach-sitting and swimming, also a boat ride and maybe some snorkeling. would also like to be near a town for dinner and some shopping at night. any suggestions?

Kata is the best of those followed by Karon, Patong is now a beach 'town' as it has grown so much. If you want a quick summary of the beaches try this link it shows in simple terms the different beaches

www.phuket.travelreporter.com

We were planning to take earlier advice from JamesA on Kata Beach Resort/Phuket for our stay in early November, but they are completely booked due to an event.

Looking for other suggestions for some beach time from November 1st thru the 6th.

Also, because of our timing after visiting Bangkok and Chiang Mai/Rai, we manage to arrive in the beach area after the prices seem to triple. Does anyone have suggestions for advance booking in early November that will have rates a bit more reasonable?

The two of us are leaving families behind and celebrating the fact we turn 50 and will be eligible for those AARP senior citizen cards! Have learned much from all the wonderful ideas shared here.

... and what do you hope to get with those AARP cards at 50? Not much! They don't work very in the US till you're 65, and less when overseas, if at all. Even AAA gives better hotel discounts than AARP. But I can guarantee you'll get lots of mail from them.

I like Nai Harn Beech. Almost like a private beach for the adjacent Royal Meridien PhuKet Yacht Club - Almost like a private beach, vut not a private beach!

The Meridien Resort at relax Bay is just north of Patong but has it's very own beach, they now actually promote it as being 'Karon Noi Beach' instead of showing it located close to Patong, wonder why!! Anyway it's a fine hotel and the beach is great, 10 minutes or less by tuk-tuk into Patong for shopping/restaurants etc.
To give firm ideas we need an idea of your price range, no point suggesting $200 places if you only want to spend $80.