Phuket 2 Weeks

borich_planner

borich_planner

borich_planner

Associate
Joined
16 Feb 2009
Posts
1,505
The Wife and I are off to Thailand for two weeks staying at

http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/hktjw-jw-marriott-phuket-resort-and-spa/

We are looking at booking a number of day trips off to include:

Elephant trekking
Phang Nga Islands
Shooting Range
MTB (thats me only)

Is it best to book all of the above before we go. or is it cheaper and easier to book things when we are out there?

Has anyone been near where we are staying and have any tips or recommend places to go?

Cheers
 
Much better booking it when you're there. There'll be loads of travel agents who will be able to help. You'll also be able to strike up a conversation with people over there who'll recommend which companies are good. They come and go very quickly there so best to wait in my experience.

But, think about the elephant trekking. I see the appeal, but by and large the elephants aren't treated at all well. After seeing the suffering of the animals, it's not something I'd want to partake in - much like a circus with animals.
 
That hotel is mad expensive, over £120 per night is crazy. I'm in the north of the country paying less than £3 per night for a good room in a 'condotel'. Try and get as much as you can while you're there, there's travel agents around and you'll be able to haggle with the prices. Better to change your hotel and have a holiday for twice as long, if you haven't paid already, in my opinion.
 
yhack said:
That hotel is mad expensive, over £120 per night is crazy. I'm in the north of the country paying less than £3 per night for a good room in a 'condotel'.
Click to expand...

£3! Everyone has different standards. When I was in Krabi this December I was paying over £100 a night. Also stayed in a £50/night at http://www.maritimeparkandspa.com/ and that was a shocker. Decor from the 80s and ants all over my room.
 
As Yhack said.

Why is the Hotel so expensive ?

We paid £27 a night for a 2 bedroom studio in a really decent hotel overlooking the city of Bangkok (with 2 separate bathrooms, office, 2 Plasmas, 3 Telephones and a reception area with fresh flowers every day)

Fair enough - it was Bangkok, but the view was breathtaking - and the room/service was astounding for the money.

And I know a guy who pays £35 a night for an apartment in Phuket.
 
Last edited:
I have stayed in that JW marriott hotel, its not bad but not amazing. I have also stayed in the hotel next door
http://phuket.anantara.com

This was our room
534651_10152291740750158_1772700858_n.jpg

468254_10152291742905158_596225005_o.jpg

Now that was a amazing hotel, a little more expensive but worth every penny. You get your own pool (my room in the JW had its own pool but it was crap). If its not too late to change the hotel I would go with the anantra.

The beach is beautiful, however the see can be very rough there.
Here is a photo I took last year.
468149_10152293870695158_2031862437_o.jpg



There is absolutely NOTHING to do in that area. You are a good 40min drive (about a £20 taxi ride) from the main area, the restaurants are average in both hotels.

With regards to bookings trips, when you stay in the expensive hotels you will pay full price for a boat trip. If you go down to Paton there are 100's of travel agents and you will get 50 to 60% discount on the published price.

Not all boat trips are equal, the more expensive ones generally will be much nicer, you will get better food, the staff will be better and you will not be packed on a small boat like Sardines.

This is probably the best boat trip you will find
http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/thailand/hong-by-starlight.htm
Its expensive but well worth it.

Elephant trekking in phuket is a little crap really, you need to go to the north of Thailand if you want to do it properly.

Shooting, was a little expensive and not really that exiting.

If you want to stay somewhere with a little more life and restaurants try Kata Beach or Karon Beach they are both nice and have plenty to do while still away from the crazy ness that is Patong.

You can find perfectly good hostels for £15 per night but thats not what you are looking for, I
stayed in all sorts of hotels in Phuket from cheap hostels to £350 per night rooms and have had a absolute blast where ever I have been.

If visiting Bangkok the Hansor is very nice as is the Luba.
http://www.hansarbangkok.com
 
Last edited:
smokedog said:
£3! Everyone has different standards. When I was in Krabi this December I was paying over £100 a night. Also stayed in a £50/night at http://www.maritimeparkandspa.com/ and that was a shocker. Decor from the 80s and ants all over my room.
Click to expand...

For £3 per night I get a large bedroom with a king-size bed, big swimming pool downstairs, balcony, TV with 2 English movie channels and BBC World News, the option of fan or air-con, plus free Wi-Fi. I know someone paying less than me who has a whole house, although it's in a village outside the city. Hotels here are ridiculously expensive, it's cheaper to rent an apartment for a whole month than get a single night in a posh hotel.
 
yhack said:
For £3 per night I get a large bedroom with a king-size bed, big swimming pool downstairs, balcony, TV with 2 English movie channels and BBC World News, the option of fan or air-con, plus free Wi-Fi. I know someone paying less than me who has a whole house, although it's in a village outside the city. Hotels here are ridiculously expensive, it's cheaper to rent an apartment for a whole month than get a single night in a posh hotel.
Click to expand...
Details please.
 
Easy to book stuff when you are there but I will be honest with you, I HATED Phuket. Was the worst place I visited when I went so make sure you don't spend to much time around that tourist trap and get out on trips as much as possible.

James Bond island was boring, phi phi was stunning, the national park (ang thong was incredible), elephant owner for a day was fun and terrifying.
 
Brookert said:
What company did you go with? I visited some waterfalls which were lovely, but the visit to that town in the sea was a bit weird, and those damn noisy longboats ruined it for me.
Click to expand...

I have done it a few times with different groups of friends. The John Gray was the best one. I can't remember which company I used for the speed boat trip but it was also good.

PhiPhi I dont like, I stayed there for 3 or 4 nights once and its just a hippy playground with dirty beaches and water (maybe I got unlucky as it was a VERY busy time of year), there are much nicer islands to visit.

EDIT: Did you go into the hong inside James bond island?
 
Slightly off topic, but what sort of budget are you looking at for two weeks, staying in a decent place, with excursions, flights and spending money?

Quite fancy a trip to Thailand but haven't ventured outside Europe in a long time!
 
yhack said:
For £3 per night I get a large bedroom with a king-size bed, big swimming pool downstairs, balcony, TV with 2 English movie channels and BBC World News, the option of fan or air-con, plus free Wi-Fi. I know someone paying less than me who has a whole house, although it's in a village outside the city. Hotels here are ridiculously expensive, it's cheaper to rent an apartment for a whole month than get a single night in a posh hotel.
Click to expand...

Send me some details of that please? Interested
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom