can anyone give me advise on good hotels for kids in phuket(age 4,7,10)
not too pricey ones please!

With three little kids I'd highly avoid staying in Patong. With that in mind, we stayed last month in Surin at the Courtyard at Surin Beach and loved it. Great family atmosphere and plenty to do. Big pool, with a smaller kiddie pool, two water slides and just a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Fridge in every room. The breakfast is perhaps one of the best we had in Thailand. 2 for 1 happy hour. It's not right on the beach, but right across the street from it. Surin beach is very nice and clean (unlike Patong) and lots of places there to eat, relax, shop or even get a massage. There are a few things within walking distance in town (a couple of decent restaurants, a family mart and a 7-11, shops, etc...). However, if you're looking for a more vibrant atmosphere, it'll definitely require a taxi ride but not the worst thing.

thanks-i was thinking of the holiday inn but i think this is right in patong-your suggestion sounds better for us-anything else away from patong recommended?
thanks

Bryan- have taken the kids many times to phuket - patong is fine if you are in a resort- also means adults get to go shopping etc and come back for naps easily and without the hassle of negotiating with tuk tuk drivers everytime- in patong Holiday Inn and Courtyard Marriott are both great with kid friendly pool(s) and kids clubs...in Karon the hilton is great too...

saw a special at J W Marriott at Phuket on Travel Zoo.....

$89per night, with add ons.

There is another new Holiday Inn at Mai Khao beach that looks good (not stayed, but it's possible there is a review on the Holiday Inn forum).

Agree that Surin is a good choice for a resort when you have children. There is a good range of hotels in that bay of different price ranges and levels of poshness. Is poshness a word?!

Depends if you want to stay in a hotel-resort (there are so many lovely ones & your choice will depend on your budget) and not go out which is often the most relaxing with children, or if you prefer to be in somewhere more vibrant and go out at night to eat out etc...

thanks for the tips-would like to stay in a hot/resort but want to go out for meals local style,dont need any night life-a nice beach not to busy would be best
hol inn at patong beach seems very crowded?

Patong is just nasty in general. Don't take children there if you can avoid it!

Surin would be a better choice - enough restaurants and some decent beach with less exposure to Patong's touts, dirt & noise, overcrowded beach, tacky shops selling fakes, s&x workers & s&x bars and all the lower class tourists that go with out

thanks-i suppose im looking for somewhere with a nice quietish beach for kids,
and enough stuff at hotel -pool etc to keep entertained,as well as being relatively close to local restaurants and poss other attractions(what do people recommend for kids apart from beach?elephant rides?)
thanks

For kids

http://www.gibbonproject.org/content/about_us.htm
hire a car, it's easy to drive in Phuket

The elephants rides of course are attractive because every child loves elephants - however, they are really touristy & not natural at all. It's not trekking. The elephants are chained up. Be prepared for that.

Sea kayaking, if your children swim.

http://www.splashjunglewaterpark.com/ (that is up in the north of the island, actually just up the beach from the Holiday Inn Mai Khao, but there are not really dining out options nearby)

Go fishing? My mum loves that

The Phuket Aquarium is not bad and very good value. http://www.dmcr.go.th/phuketaquarium/?lang=en

Do they like cashew nuts? You can visit a (commercial) cashew nut factory to see how they are produced & try many flavours. A good place for half an hour if you are travelling between activities.

Try the blue ocean resort in the quieter side of Patong away from the hustle and bustle - yet within walking distance to the beach and restaurants. There is a mini mart downstairs and a couple of places to eat around the corner.

thanks
but isnt patong beach itself best avoided or is it still a good place for kids to play?

The beach at Patong is OK, but it's very busy. Rows of beach beds that you have to pay for, lots of beach vendors selling food and souvenirs, lots of jet skis and banana boats. Personally, if you are coming all the way to Thailand it seems a shame not to find a better quality beach for your children.
Google some pictures of Patong Beach versus Surin Beach and maybe Bangtao Beach.
Patong is not a nice place for children, but that is my opinion

understood-i was thinking about avoiding patong beach but had hheard lots of good things about the holiday inn there.
at surin beach-what hotels do people recommend with good pool..
thanks

Courtyard by Marriott - my colleagues stayed there and said it was v pleasant although the rates vary wildly depending on your dates/season.