Travel: Thailand - Phuket

[javierthompson]

Hey i would be visiting Koh Tao next week, have booked http://www.kohtaoheights.co.uk residing the Sairee beach, anyone have any experience staying here?

[jacsplace]

My family went to Phuket for the first time in May. We stayed at Centara Resort on Karon Beach. It’s great for families. Has many pools, a children’s club, children’s menu in restaurant.


There are lots of food options – Thai and non-Thai – all around the resort. The beach is a five minute walk away. But the waves were too strong, almost swept us away, so we didn’t swim or play on the beach.

We booked through a travel agency in Singapore, so we didn’t have to worry about airport transfers because everything was arranged from here. The agency also gave us a Phuket agency contact because we wanted to do some sightseeing. The Phuket agency booked us on an elephant safari with Siam Safaris, which was really fantastic. We also saw Phuket Fantasea, but this was a huge disappointment. The theme park is like any other and everything in it – food, merchandise – was super expensive. the show was boring. The butterfly garden was a nice way to spend an afternoon. It kept its promise of having lots of butterflies! It has a little cafe with great souvenirs and simple food like burgers and fries which my kids enjoyed.

[NicHei]

Anyone recommendation for accomodation at Patong Beach? Travelling with old and young in Nov 2012.

[mummyv]

Visited Phuket 3 times over the last 4 years. We enjoyed every trip. We travel with young children and elderly. Budget airlines make it so affordable.


First visit stayed near Ibis Hotel, Patong Beach. Second at Marriot, Mai Khao. Third at Dewa Phuket, Karon. Each has its pros and cons.

Ibis we booked standard hotel room. Pool is quite small. Patong is convenient but very crowded, so if you are travelling in a family with young children and not keen on nightlife, give it a miss. It is close to shopping Jungceylon Shopping Centre even has bowling alley for kids.

We booked 2 bed apartments for Marriott and Dewa Phuket. We prefer staying in a fairly large hotel near a beach - Marriott has private beach. Dewa Phuket - need to cross a road. Both have bigger swimming pools. If you can drive, car rental is inexpensive around 1000-1500 baht a day for Honda City. Taxis from Mai Khao to Patong is 800 baht. Dewa Phuket has free shuttle to Patong BUT pre bookings need to be made and it is usually full. Both have Kids Clubs but we did not try it as one is a baby and the other preferred our company.

We enjoyed John Grey Starlight kayak tour (expensive but worth it, you don’t kayak the guide does it) and Khai Island 1/2 day speedboat tour (for elderly this is good, no need to snorkel, wading at the beach you can see hundreds of fish around you - bring some bread). However, not sure if it is seasonal, so pls check. (To side track recently we went to Koh Samui but the snorkelling was a disappointment for it was the wrong season). For seafood, Kru Suwit from Leam Hin Pier (only by taxi or if you drive) - free bum boat ride depart from a rickety pier. Great seafood, very fresh.

For elephant trekking try those with sea view up the mountains. More interesting compared to flat terrain.

Inexpensive Thai massages are everywhere if you are not fussy about only getting one at the hotel type spa.

[jacsplace]

What time of year did you go, mummyv? We went in late May and didn’t get a chance to see the islands because it was rainy season and the seas were choppy. Not good for young children, our Thai guide said.

[mummyv]

hi jacsplace, we go during or slightly before school hols. Mar/Apr/Nov. Khai Island was in Mar/Apr. John Grey was during Nov. It’s a day to night kayak program. Day was sunny but it started raining before sunset. So we did the night kayak in the rain - not too heavy but raining non-stop. Amazing experience. A bit scary when we hit the pitch black caves but my 1+ yo was not too scared. The elder one loved it when the guide let out the air from the kayak to squeeze thru the rocks into the cave. You can check out their videos online - that convinced us to go for this program. After we did this, the next kayaking tour we booked in Samui didn’t even come close.

[jacsplace]

Thanks for the reply, mummyv. How old is your elder one?


My kids are not too keen on dark places. They don’t like our frequent short circuits caused by our helper’s too-hot ironing habit. They also don’t like going into their bedroom and study room at night, always insisting that someone switches on the lights for them first.

We experienced rain during an activity too. Our elephant safari day started off nice and sunny, but it poured during our elephant ride. We got thoroughly soaked, even though we were given a big umbrella. I’m not sure my kids will want to experience that again.

[mummyv]

hi jacsplace Elder one was 9 then. She was and is still scared of the dark, sleeps with night light on. Not to put you off, I did not know it would be scary. It was partly becos it was raining, cold, wet, dark. The night canoe in a cave was part of the Loy Kratong simulation - every family on the tour builds a lantern and releases it into the cave - they only light it awhile and then extinguish it so there is total darkness. I was apprehensive but I wanted to go so \"persuaded\" the elder one to go and just took the baby along (no voting rights) :roll: . The guide paddling the canoe is equipped with a miner's headlamp which can be requested to be switched on. This experience was THE highlight and one which the elder remembers vividly not the snorkelling or the elephant rides. Plus becos we are already in swimgear getting wet was less of a concern - when you wear swimgear, you'll be more prepared to get wet. Well, if you ever go back when kids are older, try it.

[jacsplace]

Hi mummyv,


It certainly sounds like a unique experience. We do have swim suits but we can’t swim.

[kitty2]

jacsplace:

My family went to Phuket for the first time in May. We stayed at Centara Resort on Karon Beach. It's great for families. Has many pools, a children's club, children's menu in restaurant.


There are lots of food options -- Thai and non-Thai -- all around the resort. The beach is a five minute walk away. But the waves were too strong, almost swept us away, so we didn't swim or play on the beach.

We booked through a travel agency in Singapore, so we didn't have to worry about airport transfers because everything was arranged from here. The agency also gave us a Phuket agency contact because we wanted to do some sightseeing. The Phuket agency booked us on an elephant safari with Siam Safaris, which was really fantastic. We also saw Phuket Fantasea, but this was a huge disappointment. The theme park is like any other and everything in it -- food, merchandise -- was super expensive. the show was boring. The butterfly garden was a nice way to spend an afternoon. It kept its promise of having lots of butterflies! It has a little cafe with great souvenirs and simple food like burgers and fries which my kids enjoyed.

May i know which agency did you go to?How much was the package?

Thanks for sharing