Phuket Hotel Tips by stappm

Well, what can I say - we have Marriott time share..... so we're at the Marriott again.... This time in Phuket, we're beginning to get their concept. Here on the island the Marriott is about a 40 minute drive to "town". A great place for couples and families, I guess. Someone who doesn't want to leave the hotel, perfect for someone who is not really interested in seeing "Thailand", trying local food, or meeting the locals. They do have a Thai Night Market, that is an attempt at local color. It does have the Marriott feel.

The Marriott has made it rather difficult to leave this resort, literally. One must order a Taxi, preferably an hour in advance, or you can take a Shuttle bus, but be warned the times of the shuttle are inconvenient, and drop-off/pick-up locations out of the way and restrictive. You are really better off in a cab. Plus the cab drivers will wait for you (cabs back to the hotel can be hard to find) for an additional, however nominal, fee (round trip and 3 hr wait 1500 BHT).

The hotel has 5 restaurants, however surprisingly none of them Thai?!@#$ All very good, but VERY western. Cucina is the "Best Italian in Asia" and quite good - reminded me very much of a place back home (you know pretty much any trendy Italian place you can think of)

The spa is beautiful, and I just recently saw it on one of the Top Spa Destinations in the World on one of those travel shows. You can expect to pay the same price for services as you would back home ($60 to $120 per treatment). However you can get a much better massage from one of the masseuses on the beach (MUCH cheaper too 300 BHT - less then 10 bucks!) The hotel offers activities from learning to scuba to beach fitness classes, however come rain they cancel them with no back up plan....

I dropped by here on my 2nd, 3rd & 4th visit to Thailand - on the 2nd right after the Tsunami - and it was still there, they had made a quick recovery and there were no signs of the Tsunami disaster there (besides vacancy rate.)

Unique Qualities: The Pool is AMAZING! Beautiful! great for kids with an activity room too.
Hotel right on beach where you may get luck and spot a Sea Turtle. However, There is NOTHING I mean NOTHING within walking distance to this hotel, not even a convience store. The Marriott does offer quite the compound, it gets a bit expensive and leaves one longing for culture, but there is a lot there. The condos are spacious and well appointed. And again the Spa is quite pretty and the fitness center is nice too!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: Marriott in Phuket
Website: www.marriott.com

When I drove by this hotel in my Taxi - I told the driver to keep going - It is painted a very bright Salmon Pink color. However, after touring a couple places nearby, I went back. The room was beautiful, the location perfect. It is a larger hotel in comparison of those near by, and the rooms open to an inside atrium. They have a lovely terrace cafe for breakfast and lunch and the pool is right on the beach.

I stayed here 01/07/05 - 1 week after the Tsunami and although there were not a lot of people there, it was beautiful and one could not tell there had been a natural disaster on the island just a week before.

Kata is a great place to stay - a little off the beaten path of Patong (not as many people) however close enuf to still enjoy the night life.

Unique Qualities: Right on the beach, great pool.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 6676 330530
Address: 5 2 Moo 2

I love this place! (almost so much I don't want to put it in here, fir fear it might fill up!) It is a great location, great room, and a great price. This is the C & N Resort, not the C & N Hotel - same owner different location.

The rooms are clean, modern, marble floors, balcony, granite bathrooms, minbar. Hillside location provides a great view (make sure you get a room on one of the top floors) The hotel is small, maybe 50-60 rooms. The pool is beautiful as well with fountains and breakfast is included.

My room was VERY simular to the one in Kata, but a fraction of the price (less then 1/2) - about 1500 BHT a night.

Unique Qualities: They prvide a free shuttle from the Airport (1 way only) But you must call ahead and ask them to pick you up when you book, make reservation.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 66-0 7634 5949
Address: 3 Sirirat Rd., Patong, Phuket
Directions: South side of Patong
Website: http://www.phuketresortandspa.com/

This hotel/motel is located high up on the hill in Patong, but before that sways you from staying here the view is wonderful! However there are a lot of stairs to climb to get to your room. We stayed here for the New Year and watching all the fireworks and floating lanterns from our balcony was the hi-lite of the accommodation, the morning view and sunset over Patong is lovely as well. The room was clean, mini-bar, safe, umbrellas, and balcony. However the linens and furniture were showing signs of wear and age. We were here at peak season however ended up paying 200 BHT more per night then the high-season price posted on their website :(#$%^&*........ very odd.... however my favorite place was all booked and time was running out.

You will need to rent a motorbike or rely on Tuk-Tuk, Taxi Motorbikes or Taxis for transportation. The hotel does have a shuttle to and from the Beach for a nominal fee.

Unique Qualities: Great Views, pool, restaurant, quiet location. Buffet Breakfast included (nothing to write home about). We even got up at 6:00 am when breakfast stared and it was still cold.... al la carte menu available for additional charge.... but was eatable. Make sure you print out the map from the web-site for the Taxi driver if you are coming from the airport..... as it is off the beaten track.

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Theme: Motel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: Tel.: (66-76) 345823-5
Address: 205/14 Nanai Rd. Patong, Kathu, Phuket, 83150
Directions: off Nanai Road on the Hillside
Website: http://www.patongcottage.com/
Other Contact: E-mail: contact@patongcottage.co