Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa [No longer Hilton after 3/23] {THA}
#151
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I like the Hilton. It's spread out so it doesn't feel crowded, even with large tour groups. The local news reports that fewer China tour groups are coming to Phuket now because of the recent incident with a tour boat sinking so now's the time.
I recommend you rent a car at the airport and drive. You need transport given the Hilton's location and the size of Phuket island/peninsular. Taxis are expensive. Grab doesn't really work. Scooters are dangerous.
I recommend you rent a car at the airport and drive. You need transport given the Hilton's location and the size of Phuket island/peninsular. Taxis are expensive. Grab doesn't really work. Scooters are dangerous.
@escape4
Thanks for the additional feedback. If I decide to go with Hyatt (which is looking less likely), I will definitely pass on Regency Club access. Thanks also for the additional clarification regarding the "beach" in front of HR.
The hotel rates you quote I find very expensive for even November. I would look for better value elsewhere. Admittedly, in general hotel rates in Phuket are far higher than in other parts of Thailand but USD 950 for 4 nights - that is ridiculously expensive IMO. Did you consider Khao Lak? (about 80 km/1 1/2 hours drive north of the airport - it is not Phuket). You should be able to find nice beach properties there.
I wouldn't base my choice of hotel on the possibility of late check-out. Most properties in Thailand are very stingy about late check-out so I would count on a 4-5 PM check-out if that is what you are expecting. A 1-2 PM check-out is often what you get.
I wouldn't base my choice of hotel on the possibility of late check-out. Most properties in Thailand are very stingy about late check-out so I would count on a 4-5 PM check-out if that is what you are expecting. A 1-2 PM check-out is often what you get.
Thanks for suggesting Khao Lak. I'll look into it for sure. Unfortunately no Hilton/Hyatt/IHG up there, but I will look into it some more.
Not expecting 4pm checkout, but I really hope to get at least a 2pm checkout. If not, that would suck. In Asia (except Jpn where they tend to be stingy), 2pm checkout has never been a problem as a Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum or IHG Gold. Mind you, I've only been to HKG and SIN!
#152
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
Holiday Inn at Mai Khao. Near airport. I moved there
for 2 nights after the Hilton. Really enjoyed it and nice Beach assuming the weather calms down. Also it is area where turtles come to lay eggs, and it is nature protected area. Prices were very cheap as well even for pool access rooms etc
for 2 nights after the Hilton. Really enjoyed it and nice Beach assuming the weather calms down. Also it is area where turtles come to lay eggs, and it is nature protected area. Prices were very cheap as well even for pool access rooms etc
#153
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,809
For most Asian countries you need to look beyond the chain hotels. First of all you pay a significant premium for such properties and secondly there are many more (no-brand or other brands) hotels out there. Asia has several luxury hotel chains that most Americans have never heard about. If you have no status with HYATT or IHG then no reason to stay at these hotels. Just my two cents..
#154
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,268
Just completed a quick overnighter, as I needed Honors stay credit, and it was a convenient (& nostalgic) location for us to call in on after many years! Not much has changed since we first stayed in about 2004! The grounds & (most) of the public spaces are apparently in good repair, but there are many signs of wear & tear evident if one gives more than a passing glance. All staff interactions were very pleasant & I was warmly welcomed as a Diamond/returning guest.
I booked a standard King & was pre-upgraded to a King Sea View Junior Suite in the Lotus Wing. These rooms whilst convenient for the Exec Lounge are very tired (same decor as 14 years ago) & if I was here for more than a night or two - I would choose a renovated/much more upscale option. Having said that, everything was in good working order. A welcome amenity of fruit, chocolates & macarons was waiting for us, which was thoughtful.
The Exec lounge put on a really good spread in the evening; satay/samosas/beef skewers/arancini balls/sandwiches/salads/cheese/bread & cakes/deserts. Easily enough for dinner if one chose. Drinks were proactively offered, including spirits/beers/cocktails - staff were excellent. Breakfast (7am-11am) was also well catered, with cooked to order eggs, plus the usual buffet staples. Biggest issue is that Happy Hour starts at 5pm & finishes at 6.30pm - which is silly early, quite frankly.
If the price is right (& the pitfalls are not considered an issue) this place can make for a decent choice for families - if looking for a decidedly upscale option - then look elsewhere.
I booked a standard King & was pre-upgraded to a King Sea View Junior Suite in the Lotus Wing. These rooms whilst convenient for the Exec Lounge are very tired (same decor as 14 years ago) & if I was here for more than a night or two - I would choose a renovated/much more upscale option. Having said that, everything was in good working order. A welcome amenity of fruit, chocolates & macarons was waiting for us, which was thoughtful.
The Exec lounge put on a really good spread in the evening; satay/samosas/beef skewers/arancini balls/sandwiches/salads/cheese/bread & cakes/deserts. Easily enough for dinner if one chose. Drinks were proactively offered, including spirits/beers/cocktails - staff were excellent. Breakfast (7am-11am) was also well catered, with cooked to order eggs, plus the usual buffet staples. Biggest issue is that Happy Hour starts at 5pm & finishes at 6.30pm - which is silly early, quite frankly.
If the price is right (& the pitfalls are not considered an issue) this place can make for a decent choice for families - if looking for a decidedly upscale option - then look elsewhere.
#155
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I booked a standard King & was pre-upgraded to a King Sea View Junior Suite in the Lotus Wing. These rooms whilst convenient for the Exec Lounge are very tired (same decor as 14 years ago) & if I was here for more than a night or two - I would choose a renovated/much more upscale option.
Question: Is there a particular part of the resort that's renovated? If so, do you know where and how would I "choose"? Via OLCI room selection or email request to the hotel?
#156
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Right now, there's a "flash sale" going on where it's THB 3080 + tax per night for the standard room.
I've been keeping track of room rate off and on, and this is the cheapest I've seen. Our trip is coming up in 2 months.
Do you think this is about as good as the rates get, or should I continue to hold off?
I've been keeping track of room rate off and on, and this is the cheapest I've seen. Our trip is coming up in 2 months.
Do you think this is about as good as the rates get, or should I continue to hold off?
#158
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
Right now, there's a "flash sale" going on where it's THB 3080 + tax per night for the standard room.
I've been keeping track of room rate off and on, and this is the cheapest I've seen. Our trip is coming up in 2 months.
Do you think this is about as good as the rates get, or should I continue to hold off?
I've been keeping track of room rate off and on, and this is the cheapest I've seen. Our trip is coming up in 2 months.
Do you think this is about as good as the rates get, or should I continue to hold off?
I don’t recall seeing anything under 3000 before
#159
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,268
I do not know exactly which rooms are renovated but the resort will, no doubt, be able to advise you of this. I believe I saw something about this somewhere in this very thread & seem to recall that it was the "standard" rooms. Best of luck!
#160
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
I went ahead and grabbed the nonrefundable rates. It's been a while since I've done such thing, but I couldn't pass it up.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
#161
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,268
I went ahead and grabbed the nonrefundable rates. It's been a while since I've done such thing, but I couldn't pass it up.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
#162
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
I went ahead and grabbed the nonrefundable rates. It's been a while since I've done such thing, but I couldn't pass it up.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
Thank you, I will find out when I check in. I booked Deluxe Plus Seaview room, and that room type is supposed to be in Andaman wing based on their website. So I guess that's where I'll be barring an upgrade.
Most likely you will get a Junior Suite, Lotus Wing, which is same as Exec Lounge.
#163
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
The Andaman wing is renovated, for what that's worth. I reviewed the Deluxe Suite with photos earlier in this thread.
#164
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,268
#165
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
To me, the biggest downside of the Lotus wing is the noise from the circular atrium.