Thailand: Soneva Kiri vs. Amanpuri vs. Phulay Bay
 

I might be in China for the Canton Fair in a couple of weeks, and am considering spending a lazy weekend in a beach resort in Thailand at the end of April, before flying back to Europe.

I have narrowed it down to: Phulay Bay, Amanpuri, Trisara and Soneva Kiri.

- Phulay Bay: Hard product looks impressive, though complete lack of beach experience troubles me a bit. Unbeatable price

- Amanpuri: Most beautiful beach among the group - though I tend not to be a fan of "old glories' (e.g. I dislike the MO Bangkok because of the rooms and lobby). I'm concerned that I will be put off by the hard product (especially paired with price tag)

- Trisara: Is a bit of an all-rounder: good hard product, good beach, decent price

- Soneva Kiri: I know less about the property, but the idea of total seclusion and the low room count attracts me. I am concerned that the weather at the end of April won't be too kind on this side of the Gulf of Siam?

Honorable mentions: I know Rayavadee has some big fans of this forum, but I tend to like nicer hard-product properties in less touristy areas. FS Samui: I've been there quite a few times and am a big fan, but wanted to go for something different.

Any opinions?
Thanks!

Phulay Bay : Have only dined there & walked the grounds . OK but , if you are in the region for the first time , it should be Amanpuri & Trisara
You can take a day trip here from Phuket like what we did

Amanpuri : Best beach , all round service , etc . The new villas are chic / modern with " classic Aman " touches depending very much on individual owners ' tastes
Newer areas are more contemporary

We will be staying early May .

Weather should be ok in April , still " high " season .

All restaurants will be open then including the beach bar be que , some closed during low months like Naoki .

Trisara : More contemporary with corally pebbly beach - best have footwear on to avoid cuts
Liked having own pool in the various villas we have been in , ocean front / ocean view , etc

Soneva Kiri : Have not bothered to recce

If you have enough time , & can stretch beyond your weekend , do stay at both Amanpuri & Trisara ;) . Both not quite in touristy areas

I am not sure what you mean by this. If you are implying that Soneva Kiri is not worth trying, that assumption is incorrect.

Amanpuri is very tired looking for sure. Spoke with someone who just came back from Kiri and they mentioned lots of sand flees.

Puri and Trisara beat Phulay Bay by a long shot in every respect. Only good thing about Phulay Bay is taking a boat out to the remote islands.

Between Puri and Trisara, it's basically.

Puri - Better beach, better food better service, better gym more beautiful overall.

Trisara - Better villas, private pools.

This time of year, I'd probably go for Puri because of the beach. (I usually go to both resorts a couple of times a year.)

If you enjoy Sand Flies and being bitten by Moscuitos at night (bathrooms are non AC outside of the bedroom) then by all means go to Soneva Kiri.

Well , I need very cold AC indoors , bathrooms included , especially after sweltering under trees / in the shade ;) when I ' m on the beach . No sand flies there !!
Need I say more why I stay at Puri and Trisara & not other mentioned by OP .. ??
So am very particular where I stay .

So it is Puri for best beach in Phuket . Alternating or possibly also Trisara on same visit , since Puri opening GM is back there ;)

Puri closes annually in June for maintenance , etc . This actually starts by May working in stages , level by level & reopening gradually in July .

I feel exactly the opposite. Soneva resorts suit me so well, it feels like they were designed with me in mind.

FWIW, I live in Thailand and do not like excessive air conditioning in natural resort settings. Maybe this is because I am more acclimated to the weather here than others who visit from more temperate climates.

I don´t need everything air conditioned, especially at a nature-resort. Most Americans don´t believe it, but in Germany perhaps 1 % of the households have air condition. Also it´s not as warm as in Thailand, we are not so keen about it.

Thanks to everyone for the useful information so far.

I am now gravitating towards Iniala, after receiving a glowing recommendation from a well known member of the forum.

If only it weren't so expensive... I guess you get what you pay for (at least that's how I justify it to myself! :D)

Lovely! What exactly did said member say?

Fdw

Thailand seems quite a hike to me, just for a weekend, and I think Phuket has had its day in the sun - about 20 years ago. China itself is more than big cities etc and when this place opened I thought it looked interesting. It's big, yes, but who has ever been here?

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels...hotel-overview

You could spend an interesting weekend just wandering around the resort . . . I guess it's a huge place for Chinese.

Sanya is a resort destination designed for the Chinese. Even MO Sanya is a little challenging for western guests, so I expect R-C is similar in that respect. Sanya is also very touristy and commercialised - the Costa del Sol of China. Phuket is a dream compared to this.

puri rates drop may 1, FHR 4th nt free, pool pavilions are 'new'
1200 garden pool pavilion
(1300 deluxe ocean pavilion)
1350 partial ocean pool pavilion
(1450 premium ocean pavilion)
2000 2BR pool pavilion
2750 2BR garden villa with staff
deluxe/premium well regarded for dramatic oceanfront view IIRC
only one of each, 105 and 103, IIRC 105 is better one / premium
+18.7% service/taxes, while iniala below includes service/taxes
and above is low season starting may 1, not high season before

iniala keeps changing rates:
full board / room / difference
1995 1770 +225 for 2 people
2800 2365 +435 for 6 people
3080 2645 +435 for 6 people
3750 3315 +435 for 6 people
so 112.50 or 72.50 per person
flat rates? great in high season
no specials at the moment?

at trisara can request pool type, horizontal/parallel or vertical/perpendicular (to villa)
at soneva have to check if category guarantees indoor toilet/bathroom

re sanya https://www.bing.com/mapspreview?&ty...=1&form=S00027

You have sandlifes in mind when you design a resort?
This makes it an absolute no go area for me. My Wife had over 100 bites after 2 days on the Beach. They kept itching her for about 6 months!!!

But maybe you dont go to the beach, then of course the resort is fine. (no pre warning from Staff when we arrived). Had to pay for no itch stuff and repellants. This place is just BS.