Trip Reports - Phuket resorts

Can anyone shed some light on the top few resorts in Phuket. I know Thailand very well (used to live there, spent many holidays there, etc) but have not been to Phuket in about 10 years.

- Amanpuri
- Banyan Tree
- Chedi
- Dusit Laguna
- Phuket Yacht Club

I'm going with my wife and infant daughter. I hate large tourist resorts, so all those are out. Want quiet, secluded feel. The less 'diversions' and more 'authentic' the better.

Any insider tips? Thanks

Stayed at Dusit Laguna in Jan. Would reccommend it highly! Visited all 5 resorts at Laguna area(free shuttle bus and boat run continually) so you can use restaurants,etc. at all 5 very easily. E-mail me if you have specific questions.

A great site for prices and specials as well as information on the resorts is:

http://www.phuket.com/

They normally have much better rates than I can get from a TA or Airlines.

I stayed at the Banyan Tree in Feb. It was great. I had a private house with a courtyard and pool. Service was excellent. Very easy not even to leave your room.

If you want brand new and classy, VERY comfortable, beautiful grounds, OFF the beaten path and away from the masses, CLOSE to Phuket airport, then you want the JW Marriott.

And a great little beach restaurant without a dress code IMMEDIATELY next to the hotel property line. Just a matter of a few steps. No need to eat and drink at the hotel every day. No need to drive into town. Beach is almost private and serene. But the pools are very inviting and comfortable.

Thanks for all your replies...I will digest them over the next couple of days!

Didn't even know there was a Marriott on Phuket.

Brand new! Stayed there for the 'soft' opening week of Christmas.

Had a look at the website...looks very nice indeed. Must admit that not being tied to the resort is a big attraction.

A few years ago my wife and I stayed at the Baan Taling Naam on Koh Samui. After two days we got a bit bored of the restaurants there and asked for a car to take us into the next town (Nanton, I think) for dinner. This came as a bit of a surprise to the concierge, who couldn't figure out why we would want to leave. They eventually summoned a large black Volvo with uniformed driver to take us into town. I found a restaurant over the fish market where only a few locals were having dinner. We had the best meal of our holiday there, while the driver waited (for 90 minutes) with the engine running to keep the car cool. The charge on my hotel bill for the taxi was about 4 times the price of the meal!

I stayed at the Marriott resort during the "soft" opening and it was amazing. I am sure that it's even better now. I can highly recommend it if you're not looking to be in the center of activity (e.g. Patong).