Bali or Phuket?
 

Going to be in Asia in early/mid September.

Looking to take a week, and work on my tan.

I have never been to either location, and would appreciate any insights contrasting the two resort areas.

Thanks in advance for all your advice.

I've been to both and botrh are great. In Phuket, Patong is the real chavvy end of the market. It's wher all the US sailors(from the nearby base) got to find their lafy friends. It can get very rowdy when they're in town.
Be careful of Bali. there are alot of government warnings to avoid the islands due to terrorist activity.

Hard to say, if your tan is the primary consideration.

Apart from that, I'd say Bali has a much greater variety of things to do.

Choice
 

BALI - why complicate matters when the choice is so simple :)

I've never been to Phuket but I did spend a week in Bali this past winter. The island is beautiful and as aforementioned has such a variety of things to do.

Also, Bali is still quite affordable. The fact that the Thai Baht has risen spectacualry over the past year should be given consideration.

I've been to both and it's a tough choice. Are you going with someone, will there be kids, or are you going solo?

I've taken my kids to Bali, and I don't care what the warnings say Bali is still a safe good place to go and I'll still take my kids there. Now Thailand, I love thailand more then Bali. What's it called, the land of smiles or something like that. It really is a neat place. There are a lot of places you can go to work on your tan if you don't want the bar fly's but I've never had a problem anywhere in Thailand. Assuming you want the the sun and beaches there tons of out of the way places if you want to avoid Phuket and I just returned from 10 days there and will be going back in about three weeks.

If kids are involved then Bali has more for kids then Thailand does. No matter what the exchange is, Thailand is still a great bargain, just a little less then before.

It's not a tough choice. It's no choice at all. The OP is talking about working on his or her tan in early-mid September. It will be pouring rain nonstop in Phuket at that time of year. Okay, a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. It's the height of the rainy season. Phuket is not an option for someone looking to tan.

(underlining above mine)

Leaving aside weather/tanning considerations, I'd much sooner pick Bali anyway. Much as I love Thailand, I did not care much for Phuket. Patong was a pure tourist trap, no culture. Other parts of the island, where we stayed, were nice enough but nothing spectacular. Bali, in comparison, is spectacular in almost every way. Magical. Lots of wonderful Balinese culture to explore if you get tired of tanning. And the Balinese are a very warm, welcoming people, second only to the Land of Smiles. The only caveat about Bali is that some of the main beaches aren't all that. Avoid Kuta--a tourist trap no less than Patong--and find a nice quiet beach someplace.

Historically, yes you are correct. You're looking at 15 inches of rain in Sept in Phuket compared to 5 inches of rain in Sept at Bali.

But two things, even during rainy season Thai usually gets the quick hard showers that generally cool things off. More importantly, this year rainy season in Thai has been very very dry. Their rainy season is supposed to be May through October and I"ve been there twice since June and it is very very very dry without any rain during my stay

September is statistically the rainiest month of the year on Phuket - but generally, as mentioned before, rain showers tend to be brief and then to clear - but not always.

I live on Phuket, but have vacationed on Bali. I like Phuket more - the touts are not so persistent, you feel far safer on the streets late a night, traffic seems safer, and the beaches tend to be cleaner. I was quite put off by watching toilet paper float by me during a swim in the sea - went in and never went back out.

Bali, even if Phuket gets less rain. Bali is fascinating and much more interesting.

May to October is raining season in Phuket but dry season in Bali.

1) Bali is more exotic but Phuket has better food and beaches are nicer.

2) If you are into culture, go to Bali; if you are after the sun and the sea, Phuket has more to offer (unless you are a surfer).

After countless trips to both Phuket and Bali over the years, I still cant decide which I prefer better. I just alternate between the two islands .......

Good Choice !!

I live in Singapore but have a condo in Phuket. As much as I love the place, I'd clearly say Bali. In Phuket you could easily have a few days of all day rain/clouds. It's not worth the risk if the beach is your goal.

Bali over Phuket, for sure.
 

As previously mentioned, as long as u stay away from Kuta, Bali is much more interesting than Phuket. Although I live in Thailand and love the thai people, cuisine, etc, Bali is my choice for a nice 7-10 day retreat. Many great hotels along the beach (Seminyak, Nusa Dua or Sanur) and very affordable. If you get that tan and what to explore, Ubud is an interesting area for a day or two.

Been to both and would strongly suggest BALI.......

Very nice area, lots of culture, plus I did spend the week in the BALI INTERCONTI with a CLUB arrangement.....Hard to beat that, it was absolutely great! They had good beach towards the west, so great sunsets, the hotel is fantastic if you have CLUB arrangement, nice seafood restaurants for little $$$ directly next to the Hotel at the beach (litterally!). It was quite, relaxing, just PERFECT

Phuket would be more a family or party vacation thing, and if you are looking for that, than I would go with Phuket.......