Originally Posted by
kmandrew
We are planning a long trip - LAX-NRT using 90k r/t pp VS miles; spend a few days in Japan , NRT-BKK - 30k AA miles pp, stay 2 days, then paid flight to USM for 5 nights at the Conrad Koh, book a bus/ferry to Phuket for 2 night stay, would the Arcadia be better?
Finally HKT-NRT for AA 30k, then use the final leg of our ANA r/t NRT-LAX.
Conrad Samui to Phuket (Karon or Patong) by bus will take appr. 7,5 - 8h. Bangkok Airways offers direkt flights USM-HKT.
Patong Beach is the main party and red light area of Phuket. Not as "bad" as Pattaya, but also not the best place to relax. The main reason to stay at Patong is that you can sleep where you drink (a lot) or have fun (a lot) without needing transport.
Karon Beach offers some party (and fun) as well, but it's much more an area for families. I think, that almost everybody will say, that the beach at Karon (Hilton) is better than the beach at Patong (DoubleTree).
About the hotels: It's a Hilton versus a DoubleTree. Usually the Hilton wins than competition.