Sep 21, 2014, 10:19 pm
The Naka Island Resort, Phuket Thailand [Master Thread]
Mar 2, 2012, 1:48 am
#151
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
You can also kayak there from the Naka resort during daylight hours : it's 45 minutes paddle round the top of the island. You can't miss it : just look for the "COLD BEER" banner hoisted high in the palm trees on the beach.
It's also a welcome stopover if you're embarking on the 2 hour "kayak all around Naka Island" challenge (which I completed
).
It's also a welcome stopover if you're embarking on the 2 hour "kayak all around Naka Island" challenge (which I completed
).
Mar 3, 2012, 9:15 pm
#153
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
No more points bookings?
When looking at this property, I get no availability for free nights or C&P and this message: "This hotel has Limited Participation in the Starwood Preferred GuestŽ program." Is this a mistake?
Mar 4, 2012, 3:02 am
#155
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: SPG Pt.
Posts: 189
Yes, you can borrow those equipments for free. And if you want to hire a snorkelling instructor, it's 1500thb for first hour and 750thb for every additional hour.
Mar 4, 2012, 12:43 pm
#156
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
See my post above... because this is an all-villa property, it triggers the "no standard room" exemption, and therefore requires double the points to stay. Suites have always been 2x the standard room rate.
Mar 4, 2012, 1:02 pm
#157
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
Ouch! What a shame considering that they had lots of availability and even C&P loaded in the beginning. So 40k/nt now? Yikes! That has to be one of the worst redemption deals out there (the dates I'm looking at price at 12k THB).
Mar 4, 2012, 5:30 pm
#158
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Programs: Sindbad Gold, Etihad Guest Silver, Qatar Privilege Gold.
Posts: 174
Mar 6, 2012, 6:28 am
#161
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
Snorkeling is very poor, lots of dead coral a few small fish and some crabs seen but not a place I'd go for snorkeling. They do have free equip, but I don't understand the comment about snorkeling with a snorkeling instructor sinc e the people there didn't even know how to change a snorkel from one mask to another.
It is okay and the water is warm but not very safe since kayaks, wind surfing and boats can go in the same area where one snorkels.
It is okay and the water is warm but not very safe since kayaks, wind surfing and boats can go in the same area where one snorkels.
Mar 6, 2012, 6:29 pm
#162
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Programs: Sindbad Gold, Etihad Guest Silver, Qatar Privilege Gold.
Posts: 174
Oh no 
that's disappointing but not unexpected for Phuket area. I'm actually PADI openwater but like snorkelling too of course!
Anyway, are the free rental masks, snorkels, fins decent quality & various sizes? I don't think I'll bother taking my kit if there isn't a great deal to look forward to.
The snorkel guide is awfully expensive - even if it includes boat rental to take you out to a reef area.
that's disappointing but not unexpected for Phuket area. I'm actually PADI openwater but like snorkelling too of course! Anyway, are the free rental masks, snorkels, fins decent quality & various sizes? I don't think I'll bother taking my kit if there isn't a great deal to look forward to.
The snorkel guide is awfully expensive - even if it includes boat rental to take you out to a reef area.
Mar 6, 2012, 7:04 pm
#163
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
I looked at it when they had C&P... but for $300 USD, I passed. I need at least $470 in value before I redeem my points (I tend to value SPG points on the high side.) Wife and I grabbed an ocenfront pool villa at LM Khao Lak for $350 including breakfast. As nice as the Naka looks, I wasn't in the mood to be "trapped" on the island, pay the expensive transfer fees, and be captive to way overpriced food.
Mar 6, 2012, 10:30 pm
#164
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
aphro
I'm padi cert. also and have done a lot of diving and snorkeling so...I'd recommend taking your own mask and snorkel (I think they only had 2 and the snorkel I tried b/c mine was leaking also leaked). There were about 10 sets of fins, though which is nice. Even at high tide the water is very shallow and there are lots of rocks (and some pieces of glass) so fins and /sock booties are good. The water is very warm which leads to poor vis. b/c there is so much plankton in the area, but can see millions of tiny baby fish - but not many survive or the water would be solid fish
The best area near the beach is near the white buoy (very small and they will show it to you), they did give me a safety float when I expressed concern about kayaks - but really not necessary - I just waited until there weren't any kayaks out or any windsurfers (esp bad b/c beginners can't really control where they go)
I didn't rent a kayak or take a boat around the island, but doubt the snorkeling is better. It's just barely okay but I'd enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the island mostly and not bother with off island trips (which take hours to get to good diving or snorkeling areas).
Yes the food is expensive (by Thai standards) and I missed being able to get street food, but they give platinum's free breakfast which is quite bountiful and a drink in the bar in the evening which comes with cashews and peanuts (lots of both). They have a"tapas" menu there which are about $10 and enough for a small appetite (eg one is like a california roll). Compared to the LM Phuket the prices almost seem like a bargin!
Hope this helps
I'm padi cert. also and have done a lot of diving and snorkeling so...I'd recommend taking your own mask and snorkel (I think they only had 2 and the snorkel I tried b/c mine was leaking also leaked). There were about 10 sets of fins, though which is nice. Even at high tide the water is very shallow and there are lots of rocks (and some pieces of glass) so fins and /sock booties are good. The water is very warm which leads to poor vis. b/c there is so much plankton in the area, but can see millions of tiny baby fish - but not many survive or the water would be solid fish
The best area near the beach is near the white buoy (very small and they will show it to you), they did give me a safety float when I expressed concern about kayaks - but really not necessary - I just waited until there weren't any kayaks out or any windsurfers (esp bad b/c beginners can't really control where they go)
I didn't rent a kayak or take a boat around the island, but doubt the snorkeling is better. It's just barely okay but I'd enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the island mostly and not bother with off island trips (which take hours to get to good diving or snorkeling areas).
Yes the food is expensive (by Thai standards) and I missed being able to get street food, but they give platinum's free breakfast which is quite bountiful and a drink in the bar in the evening which comes with cashews and peanuts (lots of both). They have a"tapas" menu there which are about $10 and enough for a small appetite (eg one is like a california roll). Compared to the LM Phuket the prices almost seem like a bargin!
Hope this helps