Sorry Tintin I know it’s another restaurant question, but I have looked, and have not found what I am looking for!

If I remember correctly David Perth happened to mention that there is a Restaurant on the hill overlooking the little bay where the Merlin Beach Resort is, and that despite a bit of a climb it was well worth the effort, is this correct and if so what is its name.

I would have asked David but he is over there now, lucky so and so!

Any assistance will be much appreciated.

Regards, BJC

Hi BJC,

I think the restaurant is called "Good View". The steps to it are at the end of the very small beach at the Merlin Beach Resort. You can't miss it. It is only a short climb but is rather steep and could be a bit dangerous in the dark, especially if you have had a few drinks. Are you thinking of staying at the Merlin Beach Resort ? We have stayed there three times, two of which were great, the last time was terrible.

Regards
Michelle

Sorry BJC to high-jack your thread but I was interested in why Michelle thought the Merlin Beach was terrible.

Cheers Geri

Hi Geri,

If you look at my postings you will find a link to a hotel review that I wrote about the MBR.

Michelle

Hi Michelle, oh and Geri (by the way are you the Geri of BFT fame?)

Thanks for the info on the restaurant, is the food worth the climb, and is there another way there, I believe it is very popular, they can’t all come from the MBR or is the food there so good.

Sorry to hear and read about your bad experience isn’t it always the case you think you have found a place that you like and somehow they loose the plot.

Yes we are at the MBR, we are going up with good friends of many, many years to celebrate a 60th, as it turns out to get in before the school holidays we are arriving on Good Friday for a week.

Our friends picked the MBR I believe on a recommendation, and because they didn’t want to be on the Patong Beach strip.

Haven’t been to Phuket since we visited, just for the day, back in the mid 90’s when on a cruise on the old Gemini, so would appreciate any suggestions on what to do, but not too strenuous like WW Rafting or Bungy Jumping!?

Since then it has been either Bali, Singapore or Penang for short chill out holidays, and for full on holidays we go Cruising.

Anyway thanks for any suggestions you can give, and where to eat?

Regards, Bruce (BJC)

Thanks Michelle I read your report... can't think why I missed it the first time around.

BJC Are you referring to the restaurant that is over the road from the front of the Merlin Beach, turn left out of the hotel and up the hill a bit ?. It looked over the bay to-wards Patong. A German bloke owed it. I hear it got badly damaged in the Tsunami and I don't know if it got rebuilt. Crystals rings a bell but I'm really not sure.
Cheers Geri

Hi Bruce,

There are so many restaurants to choose from but one of my favourites is K Hotel which is owned by an Austrian. It has European food and is immaculately clean. Walk down Bangla Rd, in the middle of Patong, away from the beach and turn left at the end and go down another 50 yards or so and look for the K Hotel sign and enter through the garden. They have another restaurant at Surin Beach, called Pla, about 15 minutes drive north. It is situated on the beach and is so relaxing. The restaurant has hot showers plus an outdoor shower so you can wash after you have a swim. You can hire beach lounges and umbrellas a few metres from the restaurant for a couple of dollars and still get restaurant service as you lie relaxing. It is a superb spot and was very quiet when we were there in October. You can hire a taxi home from a rank just across the road from the Twin Palms Resort which is located a few minutes walk from behind their restaurant called The Beach Club, another great restaurant with more sophisticated food than Pla. They actually have lounges and coffee tables set up on the beach under umbrellas to resemble a living room. Have a look at the Twin Palms Resort if you go to Surin. We are thinking of staying there this year. Both restaurants are located right on the beach. When you are standing in the beach car park, Pla is to the left and The Beach Club is to the right. If you are sick of Thai food and want a baked dinner, go down Bangla Rd away from the beach and about half way along there is a soi on the right where you will find the Islander restaurant, great food and really cheap. Unfortunately I can't suggest any Thai restaurants as I have forgotten the names of the good ones, but I'm sure someone else will give lots of suggestions. Elizabeth's restaurant at little Kata is very nice also. Located on a small cliff overlooking the beach. Great views and good service. Not easy to get a taxi from there late at night though. If you need a cheap reliable driver let me know and I will give you the phone number. Sometimes it is easier to hire a driver all day rather than having to keep paying tuktuks all day. We don't do much when we go to Phuket, just laze around near the beach or pool and eat, drink and shop so I can't offer any suggestions as to activities. People seem to like the Fantasea show. We did go on a speed boat trip one year but I think we picked a poorly run company so we haven't done another one. Go to Cathy and Gary's postings and read about the cruises with Phuket Richard, they sounded really good and not too strenuous !!. I hope these suggestions may be of some help.

Regards
Michelle

Yes! it is I from 'the other side' ... I was also wondering if you was the same BJC
We are going Good Friday for a 60th... but to Bali. Co-indecently there are a few forumites from other sites there at the same time and so I am looking forward to catching up with them again.
Then October to Phuket to the Busakorn Wing, Holiday Inn. I'm very partial to that hotel and Phuket. You should wander in for a sqizz for next time.
We have stayed at the Merlin Beach in a deluxe room about 18 months after it opened. The first room they gave us was behind the children's slide and all we could see from the patio was a concrete mass so we rejected that. Another room was also rejected because of the smell of 'fust' I noticed they had portable blue lights on, just guessing this might help eradicate the smell.
Anyway, we excepted the 3rd room which was lovely. We had also enquired about the direct pool rooms and one became available and even though we were perfectly happy where we were... we moved and it was lovely, but smaller than the deluxe. If I were to go again I'd just go deluxe.
Have a great time and hope to hear all about it on your return.
Cheers Geri