Hello,

I am planning to visit Phuket for 3 nights/4 days with my significant other.

Can someone suggest some nice hotel which is not too secluded, yet not on Patong Beach.

We have tried the Banyan Tree, Amanpuri, BoatHouse, but those are too expensive.

Two possible options are: Dusit Laguna and Kata Thani. Anyone know if these are ok, or too secluded?

I look forward to your help.
Thanks
Raj

Have you tried the Priceline Asia board? I don't know if this is still available, but the JW Marriott, which is an awesome resort, was coming up for less than US$40 a night. It's a five star in the Thalang zone. Here's the Asia Pline discussion board. http://pub143.ezboard.com/fpriceline...scussionsfrm15

Just read your requirements again ... this might be too secluded for you. It's pretty much away from everything else.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 02-20-2003).]

Priceline would be a great option but if that doesn't work. I would contact a local travel agency there. I just returned from there and the local agencies had much better prices at the hotels that we could get from here.

Sorry I can't remember the agency that I used but you should be able to find one doing a search on the net.

KT

Stayed at the Chedi in June 2002. It is somewhat secluded - about a 20 minute cab ride to Patong. It shares a beach with Amanpuri. They are the only to resorts on the beach (one of the nicest beaches on the island) and they share facilities and billing privileges. The hotel consisted of individual villas and was nice, but not in the same class as Banyan Tree or Amanpuri. However, it was considerably less expensive. Booked a room through www.asia-hotels.com and got a good deal.

[This message has been edited by mojodog88 (edited 02-20-2003).]

We've stayed at Amari Coral Beach, Kata Beach Resort, and Chedi over the past few years and I'd say that the Kata Beach Resort was the best value along with a fine beach with retail and restaurants just outside the hotel. Not a five star hotel by any means but clean with good food and nice grounds. In fact, the rooms are bigger than the ones next door at Boathouse. Easy to go to the excellent dining that they have at Boathouse, though.
I'd like to try the Kata Thani sometime as well.

I've stayed at the Dusit Laguna and was happy with it, it is very close to Banyan Tree and the Sharaton Grande Laguna. When I was there (in 2001) you could use the facilities of all the Laguna Beach hotels free, now it looks like you have buy a day pass. They had free shuttles between hotels and a free shuttle to the town center. One benefit was that you could eat at any of the hotels and charge it to your room.

As for the Dusit Laguna, they room was very nice and the beach was nice, I thought the Sharaton Grande Laguna had a better pool though. The Dusit Laguna is part of the Leading Hotels of the World group with which I've always had good luck.

Laguna Beach Website

Agree with Carlhaynes re the Dusit Laguna. I stayed there with my family two years ago and had a great time. The staff were REALLY friendly, the location was super. Also, it was nice to be able to go and eat in the restaurants at the other "Laguna" hotels. This way meals were never really monotonous, but always a change.

The Dusit Laguna is a fabulous property with lots to right in the Laguna complex with free shuttles. Relatively close to the airport, but far from both Patong and Phuket Town.

That said, having lived in Phuket, my absolute favorite value for money hotel is The Central Karon Village, perched on a cliff.

It is not in a built up area, yet minutes from Patong and Karon. It is very romantic, with mini mokes shuttling you up and down the steep hotel lay out.

It has an open air massage area to die for. The prices are set for the local Thai market so are considerably cheaper than similar luxury hotels. Oh, the rooms are private bungalows.

The underlying problem with Phuket as a destination is that unless you just want to be marooned at your hotel, a car is essesntial yet driving is not advisable for people unfamiliar with Thailand.

The local taxis are all gangsters, so it helps if your hotel is not in an out of the way spot.


Have fun!



[This message has been edited by SAtransplant (edited 02-22-2003).]

We stayed at the Amanpuri a few years ago. Service,food,accomadations were the best. The perfect trip would be a few days in BKK at the Oriental,then a week at Amanpuri. Those two properties are on the top of every "best" list and my personal in the whole world. Thai hospitality can not be beat, the Oriental sends me a birthday card every year. You will be very happy at Amanpuri expensive but worth it.