Phuket Travel Forum

Hi all, planning a trip to Phuket about April 2009 and was looking for some information from people who had been there. Looking for ideas on accommodation either in Karon or Kata. Want to stay on the beach, in a really nice resort, budget - not too high but want it to be special so are prepared to pay higher than budget accomm. Want to know whether Kata is better than Karon to stay at, not worried about how far it is from Patong cos we can drive there somehow. Also want to know where to go from there, we are going for about 3 weeks and want to stay in one place for about 1 week and then go somewhere else, dont want to fly too far, would rather catch a boat to next destination. We are not into the hustle and bustle would prefer low key and relaxing. Would love to find a nice beach hut somewhere for one part of the trip. Has anyone got any ideas?

There are not many beach front properties in Patong, Karon or Kata, but this one might be what you're looking for Kata Delight Villas. Two other options for a week would be either Phi-Phi or Krabi.

Regards

John

Kata Beach is pretty much all fronted by the big Club Med resort. There are really only two hotels where you can step right out onto the beach: Kata Beach Resort and Mom Tris; these two places are right next to each other at the southern end of Kata Beach. I just had a couple of divers stay at Mom Tri's last April at pretty good low season rates.

Karon Beach has one beachfront hotel just at the bottom of the headland going south towards Kata. It's called Karon Beach Resort (and is owned by the same group as the Kata Beach Resort). I have some customers who stay at the Karon Beach Resort every year to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Other than that one property, all the hotels in Karon are across the road from the beach.

Generally speaking, Kata is a bit funkier and more intimate as a town than Karon. Karon has more of the mega-resorts like the Hilton and the Movenpick. You might consider Kata Noi beach as well. There's only one resort there, the Kata Thani, and one wing is right on the beach while the other is across the road.

Hi, we stayed in the Katathani at Kata Noi just 5 mins south of Kata in 2006 and are off again next month. The resort is lovely and if you are staying after peak (you might just be at the end of it in April) you can book a room from around Australian $130 per night. We have stayed in the Bhuri Wing which is at the southern end of the resort with a small road (which is basically used to turn around as it is a dead end) between you and the beach which is really only used by the hotel guests. There are several pools and massages in the gorgeous grounds and the staff are very pleasing. You have to be prepared to walk outside the resort and maybe catch a tuk tuk into Kata if you want to shop or have more choices for eating but we found it perfect for our needs... esp if we spent all day out doing trips just to return to the quite of Kata Noi. We have always booked online thru asiarooms.com and found them to have the best price (todate). If you want a little more action the Kata Beach Hotel is in a busier part of Kata Beach but seemed a reasonable Hotel. We didnt look at the rooms just walked thru the lobby and pool area. There are no gardens as such but a pleasant right on the beach atmosphere - bit noisy during school holidays as only one pool area (that we saw) Again it is right on the beach with many options for shopping, restaurants and a bit more of a night life.
Krabi looks interesting and is only a boat trip from Phuket Marina (a couple of hours i think). Good luck and I hope this helps. Regards, Tracey

Thanks for your info i have looked the resorts up and they look great. still havent decided but we have plenty of time. Thanks for replying.
broni

Thanks for your info, that was one of the hotels that we were looking at. Someone else recommended that too. Some of the resorts look good and then you read the reviews on 'Trip Adviser'. But then I think some people are quite picky. We just want nice accommodation and the memorable holiday at a good price. We do want to go somehwere for 3 nights and just lavish ourselves, that would be the ultimate holiday. Thanks so much for replying.
Broni

Thanks Broni, we are off to Phuket in 7 sleeps.. even the teenagers are excited (not easily accomplished!) I will do a post and review of the hotels and trip here and on tripadvisor.com and asiarooms.com when we are back at the end of July ..... as I have gained so much info from these sites it only seems fare to contribute something! Good luck with your planning. regards, tracey
Just another thought you can catch a ferry (2hrs) over to Krabi or hire a car & driver (3hrs) to get you over there.... we havent been yet but were planning on going this time just for the day.