Hi David
We were there a few years ago at the Merlin Beach and we were paying 150 bt each way... it'll be at least 200 bt by now. There is a free shuttle bus that doubles as a personnel carrier for the staff. This runs to the Patong Merlin and the other Merlin hotel in Phuket town (we had to book to secure a seat) Often we got the bus and found our own way back by tut tut. Merlin Beach is a nice hotel but a little isolated for us... it's about 5-10 mins by bus/tut tut depending who you speak to. I reckon it's more like 10 minutes but I've been howled down by some who say it's 5 ... would you mind timing it
Have a great time.
Cheers Geri