Hi everyone, long time no speek! ive been extremely busy but still popped in now and then to see if i could contribute any help!

Anyway back to the important bit, Our new hols.

As you know we always go to our beloved Katathani in Kata Noi, however Mark has just suggested he would like to try another part of the island (allthough i dont, well not at this point anyway).

He is suggesting Kamala. Anyone know if kamala would live up to what we have at kata noi beach? we stay at katathani hotel.

Is the beach as good (cant imagine it is). Any recs for beach hotels? and lastly is there bars/resturants etc within walking distance outside of the hotels?

thanks everyone if you can help

LauraXX

Hi Laura,
We stayed at Kamala in June this year. Stayed at the Kamal Bay Garden Resort.The resort was great for families, we have a 7 year old who had a great time. The pool has a water slide and plenty of other children to befriend. Whether it was just because we were there in the wet season, I'm not sure, but the beach wasn't much chop. There was a lot of debree and the surf was extremely rough. The restaurants along the beach were all closed up and appeared to have been for some time. Unless you hire a car or motor bike it is difficult to get anywhere. Tuk Tuks are expensive. There are no Taxi Meters. The town bus will take you to Phuket Town but not the other way to Patong. It depends what you like in your holiday I guess. I personally like to be amongst a bit more action than Kamala. Hope this helps.

Hi all;

I am an american and live at kamala.
Everything that Tania says is correct for the low season (Late May- Late Oct) The waves are high and all the beach side restaurnats close and there can be a nasty rip tide but for bady surfing and surfing it is one of the ebst on the islands ( at the norhtern end) Personaly I love the waves and low season

From Nov-May the place is great. Plenty of small bars and restaurants and shops along the beach and the beach road and the main road thru town. You also have Phuket Fantasea right there as well.

Tuk tuk are indeed pricy (300-400 baht to Patong which is only 8 kms away) but motorbikes and cars are availabe for hire /day

The beach is much better than Kata Noi wide and the water is flat as glass in the high season and there is actually a thai flavor to kamala which you do not get in kata. Over 85% of the people that live and do business in kamala were born here unlike the other beach areas.
Figure one row of chairs along the beach and some places none rather than 2-3 deep as kata and kata noi experience.

The Main hotel in Kamala is right on the beach next to the Police station with 2 swiming pools walking distance to everywhere Kamala beach resort

I think you will be very happy here.

Thanks to both Richard and Tania. I can let mark know both views of Kamala and see what he thinks.

Many thanks for your help.

LauraXX

Ps, i may be back soon to ask a few more questions about kamala if thats ok.

Sorry, I do not agree at all! Ok I have maybe a prejudice, as my bike was stolen there!

But, give me Kata Noi 100 times! I am not snob, but the hotel on the beach is full with low class tourists, mostly German, that book cheap package deals! There are indeed much nicer hotels in the neighbourhood, but not on the beach! If you use to step out of your hotel in Kata Noi, this can be not so funny!

Mostly, I did not like the atmosphere last time I visited Kamala. I stayed there 10 years ago, and then it was indeed very nice! Kata Noi, is one of these places on the island, where you still can forget, how developed Phuket has become! If you want more atmosphere and crowd, you just go over the hill to Kata village!

I would not think about it, to go to Kamala! Then better go to Laguna beach, that maybe is a bit more remote, but if you can afford the "dusit Laguna" hotel, you will have a very nice play to stay, and stroll into the other bigger hotels, like the Sheraton, or eat at a local restaurant on the beach....