Sep 21, 2014, 10:19 pm
The Naka Island Resort, Phuket Thailand [Master Thread]
Jan 31, 2024, 3:56 pm
#436
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,210
Personally, I wouldn't not want to ruin the memory of an excellent stay here at the end of 2016 when the property offered two hours of free-flow sundowners each day at the bar as an elite benefit. Marriott stopped that guest-pleaser quickly enough. Same reason I wouldn't stay again at the Le Meridien Chiang Rai, Sheraton Hua Hin, the Pranburi Villas, Sheraton Full Moon... all excellent SPG experiences that I do not want to taint the memories of with their modern cost-reduced replacements.
Jan 31, 2024, 5:18 pm
#437
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
Personally, I wouldn't not want to ruin the memory of an excellent stay here at the end of 2016 when the property offered two hours of free-flow sundowners each day at the bar as an elite benefit. Marriott stopped that guest-pleaser quickly enough. Same reason I wouldn't stay again at the Le Meridien Chiang Rai, Sheraton Hua Hin, the Pranburi Villas, Sheraton Full Moon... all excellent SPG experiences that I do not want to taint the memories of with their modern cost-reduced replacements.
Jan 31, 2024, 5:53 pm
#438
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
For what it is worth I stayed at this property last year and got food poisoning, as did my wife. (She ended up in the hospital.) We met another couple at the Naka, and they also got food poisoning. So caveat emptor!
Feb 1, 2024, 6:13 am
#439
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 787
That's a shame. I stayed 5 nights back in April, and didn't have any issues.
Feb 1, 2024, 11:41 am
#440
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SoCal
Posts: 77
Thanks! Do you happen to know what the operating hours are for the speedboat? Trying to figure out what time I'd need to land in HKT to make sure I can transfer to the pier in time for pickup.
Feb 1, 2024, 12:13 pm
#441
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
We arrived pretty late (I think about 10 pm) and it was very dark when we got there. They were aware of our arrival time and had all of the necessary arrangements made to transfer us to the island. I think they must operate it pretty much anytime for arriving guests. We did arrange our transfer through the hotel. If you arrange transfer from the airport through other channels, I don't know if it would run so smoothly.
Feb 1, 2024, 12:28 pm
#442
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SoCal
Posts: 77
We arrived pretty late (I think about 10 pm) and it was very dark when we got there. They were aware of our arrival time and had all of the necessary arrangements made to transfer us to the island. I think they must operate it pretty much anytime for arriving guests. We did arrange our transfer through the hotel. If you arrange transfer from the airport through other channels, I don't know if it would run so smoothly.
I emailed the property to ask about operating hours (assuming [email protected] is indeed their email) and can share here for posterity when I hear back.
Feb 1, 2024, 2:09 pm
#443
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
My understanding is that they charge a fee if you want to go off island during your stay but do not charge for your arrival or departure. I think there are set times when you can go off island for free but the times are very few. We actually had a much earlier arrival from Chiang Mai booked, but the airline cancelled and left me with either early morning or late night.
Feb 1, 2024, 6:03 pm
#444
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: HGH
Programs: Marriott Titanium (LT Silver), United Silver
Posts: 48
My understanding is that they charge a fee if you want to go off island during your stay but do not charge for your arrival or departure. I think there are set times when you can go off island for free but the times are very few. We actually had a much earlier arrival from Chiang Mai booked, but the airline cancelled and left me with either early morning or late night.
During stay with us, we provided complimentary shuttle speedboat for our in-house guest at 6:30 am – 7:45 pm as following detail;
Ao Po Grand Marina – Resort are every _ _: 15 and _ _: 45
Resort - Ao Po Grand Marina are every _ _: 00 and _ _: 30
Out of the schedule we provided with additional charge at THB 1,000 net per way
Ao Po Grand Marina – Resort are every _ _: 15 and _ _: 45
Resort - Ao Po Grand Marina are every _ _: 00 and _ _: 30
Out of the schedule we provided with additional charge at THB 1,000 net per way
Mar 14, 2024, 9:28 am
#446
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Jakarta, ID
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy: Titanium, IHG: Diamond Ambassador, Accor ALL: Gold
Posts: 64
I managed to secure 1-bedroom villa garden view in June on redemption same amount of points as the entry-level Naka guest room .. Is a 3-nights stay sufficient to explore the island and enjoy the resort? We plan to move to Intercontinental Phuket after The Naka for another 3 nights. Or should I extend another night at the Naka, and reduce the stay in the mainland Phuket by 1 night instead?
Mar 14, 2024, 1:36 pm
#447
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,182
Just, of course, a personal opinion, but yes, I would say three nights is sufficient. "Explore the island" isn't really a thing, there isn't much to see. We took out (poorly maintained) bikes one day and found little of interest. We also took the kayaks out and into the mangroves one day which was good. Otherwise, we went off island for most of the rest of the time