- Phuket
- (43)
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Thailand
Situated on the pristine beach of Nai Yang, the Dewa Phuket Resort is a classy place. We went fot the cheaper - and simpler - suite, instead of one of the villas. The room was adequate for us, quite spacious, even luxurious, and we had our own little green terrace. The food was great (and not too spicy) served in the restaurant or brought to the room. The service was excellent, the staff friendly. A very relaxing, quiet place but also full of activities, from diving to excursions.
www.dewaphuketresort.com/
Nai Yang beach, Phuket
+66 (0) 76 372 300
Google map: bit.ly/HCPfOl
The place was extremely accommodating with a parking lot and all. The crew at the Merlin Beach Resort offered exceptional aid to our needs. The resort presented a wonderful stay. The restroom was trendy. We feel gratified to know we got what we paid for
99 Muen Ngoen Road, Tri Trang Beach
+66 762 94300
merlinbeachphuket.com
Google map: bit.ly/fNPbVx
Down the coast from Patong in Phuket is a much quieter and far more laid back resort called Kata. If you plan on heading there I would recommend a restaurant called Kata Mama at the southern end of Kata beach. The food is simply fantastic and amongst some more pricier restaurants certainly gives you more value for money. Fresh fish and the best curries.
Kata beach, Phuket
Google map: tinyurl.com/yzphl4e
If you fancy escaping from the frenetic pace of Phuket's beach-and-bar tourism, this little oasis of yogic calm situated off the beaten track is pretty, welcoming and comfortable.
Family-owned, the place attracts a more laid-back tourist, with many long-term visitors and repeat guests available to offer tips on the best beaches and spots to watch the sunset, for the as-yet uninitiated. There's a small pool, a sociable lounge/dining area and an in-house masseuse, plus a morning yoga class available to book if that takes your fancy.
There's also absolutely fantastic food, freshly cooked to order all day. Try the Shanti Delight, and I challenge you to be able to order anything else for the rest of your stay - you'll be hooked!
Shanti Lodge, near Wat Chalong temple. You can print a map from the website and show it to taxi drivers from Phuket airport.
www.shantilodge.com/shanti-phuket-c-13.html
+66-(0)76-280233
Don't let your wheelchair prevent you from enjoying Thailand. Bangkok has cheap taxis and flat access can be found. In Phuket, use the backpacker's hostel in Chalong. It has ramps and friendly staff available to help!
Hostelling International Thailand
www.hihostels.com/dba/country-Thailand-TH.en.htm
The Similan Islands are a group of nine virtually uninhabited tropic islands lying approximately 80km (50 miles) northwest of Phuket. The group has been declared a marine national park, and increasing efforts are being made to keep them in their currently pristine condition.
The islands include some of the best dive sites in Thailand. The possibilities range from touring coral gardens to adventurous drift diving in strong currents. The visibility tops out at over 40 metres (130 feet) during the November to April peak season, revealing a wonder world among the giant coral encrusted granite boulders, which are piled on top of each other from depths of 25 metres (90 feet) and more.
Koh Huyong, the southernmost island of the Similan group, offers a magnificent coral garden in 7 to 14 metres (23 to 46 feet) of clear waters. This site frequently has more than 30 metres (100 foot) visibility, only slight currents and is considered a very safe site.
Its a all-day trip (about 11 - 10pm) run by John Grey Sea Canoes, that takes you into the beatutiful hongs of Phang Nga Bay. It is a truly spiritual journey that is away from the crowds, and is the only trip that allows you to experience this magical world after sunset.
Pick up is from your hotel, and you are provided with complimentary food and drink all day (the food is great also). You have only 2 people per canoe plus your own personal guide. This company has won so many awards ... and with good reason.
www.johngray-seacanoe.com
Pick up is from any hotel in Phuket.
Both Phi-Phi Don and Phi-Phi Ley deserve the reputation they have for stunning beauty. However they have been taken over somewhat by twentysomethings drinking alcohol out of a bucket and wanting to get laid. If that is what you are looking for, this is the place for you! If this is not what you are looking for and you are not twenty anymore it is quite off putting, but the islands are stunning and they are worth the trip. Particularly beautiful is nearby Bamboo island which you can stay on, is simply stunning and very peaceful.
There are better beaches and cheaper hotels elsewhere in Thailand. We were on a liveaboard in the Similan Islands for three days, which was just awesome. But staying in Phuket was a comedown.
Kata is ok, Patong is just awful - I couldn't find a single redeeming feature. Other parts of Phuket are doubtless interesting, but not the beaches in the south.
A long, usually empty beach with tall shady casuarina trees. In the right season there is the chance of seeing a turtle burying her eggs at night. Easy swimming and snorkelling.
Many visitors rent little Suzuki jeeps but as petrol/diesel isn't expensive by European standards and for UK drivers driving is so easy (same side of the road etc.) why not rent a nice big pickup with dark windows and get all the respect of a native from police and fellow road users.
Pay your respects to the Budda. Perhaps use a box of firecrackers - from the little kiosk - to make your point.
Start a good night off with a drink at Tubby's before descending to the fleshpots of Patong. If you're lucky jam along with the passing Italian Bues Band.
Half-way along Nanai Road at the back of Patong
Ideal place to watch the sunset and take photos of your sweetie holding the sun in their hands.
Book a boat - much less expensive than the USA and Europe - and have a day fishing for marlin, wahoo, Spanish mackeral and mahi mahi with tuna almost guaranteed! B13 has always been lucky for me.
www.phuket-travel.com/fishing/frameme.php?page=fishing_02.htm
Airport bus is a inexpensive gov't official bus service transfer from airport-down. It is very cheap only 1.50 pound. Avoid the taxi or tuktuk.
Phi Phi is an island that has everything and it can be covered in a day, but to appreciate its treasures you will need longer. It offers great fishing and secluded beaches, and accommodation ranges from beach huts to air conditioned rooms. Traditional thai massage, snorkelling and diving all have to be tried. The island is bliss and I wish I was there. Be sure to seek out tourist info before you leave. You can even arrange for a guide to wait for you upon arrival. Thailand has so much to offer.
I hired a jeep type thing in January 2005 for about £10 per day. Mopeds are about £1.20 per day. A Harley Davidson could be hired for about £8 per day
This does not seem to exist in Phuket, which I guess is why they want to look after your passport for the duration of the hire period. Any damage, and you get your passport back when the damage is made good.
Low season is from May to October (this is the monsoon season). High season is from November to April.Regardless of season the temperature is about 30-33 degrees centigrade. The difference is that it rains frequently in the low season, and hardly ever in the high season. Don’t write off the low season just yet though. It has its upside: 1. This is the time to surf on Phuket.2. The sun is mostly behind clouds3. There is a refreshing downpour several times a day 4. Accommodation is half the price it is in high season. Strange but true. Rooms costing about 1,000-1,500 baht in high season can be had for half this amount in low season.
Is this your business?Search Been there
