We are looking to stay in Phuket in May 2012.

Has anyone stayed at Aleetna?

If so:
what are your thoughts on it?
It's pricey - did you find it worth it?
Is it close to the beach?
Is there another like it for less?

We will be a family of 9.

Thank you,

Carol

Hi Carol,

I can't help you directly with Aleenta Phuket, but I can comment on my Aleena experience at Hua Hin (Pran Buri) a few years back. Not entirely relevant but the same chain at least. I had a great time there - villa with plunge pool, small, rustic but clean room, rain shower, iPod music system, adequate breakfast served outside your room on a private table overlooking the beach every day. Beach was private and not trafficked by touts or sellers. t I only stayed there because my girlfriend of the time knew someone who worked for Aleenta and so effectively managed to get company rates. For the money I paid it was great but I would hesitate at paying the kinds of prices I sometimes see on hotels websites - but then again I am a budget traveller at heart, if not always in practice!

From the pics Aleenta Phuket does look amazing, and more modern than the Pranburi setup... but I'm seeing prices of £380 ($570) a night for a pool suite, which to me is absurd! For that kind of money you could stay for twice as long at somewhere like Evason Phuket.

Here are some pics from my stay at Aleenta Pranburi (Hua Hin), which looks to be a lot more affordable.











I know that doesn't really help you specifically... maybe someone else can comment personally on Aleenta Phuket...

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Thank you Steve!!! I know the rates for Aleenta Phuket are even above our range, but we are "splurging" on one hotel - and this one and the Banyan Tree were the top two choices. Aleenta Hua Hin seems to be sold out :(. Well for a family of 9, I will email them and see if I can get anywhere. I checked out the Six Senses, Evason Phuket, and it seems nice too, way cheaper as well.

It has the private pool - which is really what we are looking for - that splurge thing! - LOVE the photos - really helps us spoiled Americans! LOL

I am seeing on the sites - AIRPORT transfers....We will be coming from Chiang Mai, flying Thai Air (unless you know a cheaper way), and were going to fly into Phuket. Is this the right route? Is there a better that you know of?

Also - we want to stay a few days - total of 5-6 in Phuket. Three nights at a VERY nice 5*, and then 2-3 at a more economical one. What else or where else would you recommend?

The family consists of:
Three Male Adults
Two Female
Two Teen (16/17) Boys
and one Princess, age 8

we are from Alaska - and VERY outdoors, love kayaking, water sports, site seeing etc. I am a semi-professional photographer too - so we have to put that in there somewhere.

We also heard and have googled Phi Phi Islands....what are your thoughts? Would it be better to stay at one place and take day trips?

Do you have some trust worthy sites?

Again - THANK YOU!!

Hiya,

Yes, the best way to reach Phuket from Chiang Mai is to fly; it's likely that Air Asia (a budget airline) could be substantially cheaper than Thai Airways, especially if you book in advance (i.e. asap!). They have a 20% off sale on right now (until 13 January) so prices will be even more appealing. When you do a dummy booking to see how much seats would cost, ensure you've gone all the way through and that all fees have been added, including checked cabin baggage etc, as like any budget airline they charge for every little thing.

Be aware that Aleenta and other such luxury resorts are generally out of the main tourist areas out in the sticks. This is great for that "getaway" feel but it also makes you a "prisoner" when it comes to high transport costs, high meal costs etc. Aleenta "Phuket" in particular is miles out from that kind of thing - it's not even on Phuket island, but rather on the mainland north of the island! To answer a previous question of yours, it's dead on the beach - this is the satellite view of it: 8°15'16.77"N , 98°16'50.35"E - Google Maps

With that in mind you might wish to spend your "other" days down in tourist central at southern Phuket - Kata, Karon, Rawai or Patong etc. Lots more chance to do activities in this area also, I'd imagine. There are quite a few suggestions on this forum for such places, and I am sure others will be able to chip in with suggestions too.

I have booked a few days in Phi Phi in February and will be staying at a nice resort called Zeavola... a little bit of "splurge" from me too I will post a review of the place here but this won't be until the end of next month. You can get to Phi Phi easily enough by ferry from southern Phuket.

As for trustworthy (booking) sites, I primarily use hotels.com - they have a 10% discount code at the moment, HCJAN10 - or Agoda. One thing to watch with Agoda is that taxes are not immediately included in the price quoted, which I think is poor show, whereas with hotels.com the price you see is the price you pay (in the UK at least).

HTH
cheerio,
Steve

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My latest travels: Shikoku Pilgrimage

Very good to know about being in the sticks! That might change it right there! I'll go check out Zeavola now.

And I have been using Agoda - but found that by going straight to the hotels site - it's been any where from $50-$400USD cheaper. Lots of early bird specials now too.

Anyone else have thoughts on Phuket - let me know please - trying to book this week.

Thanks again Steve
Carol

Take into account that Allenta is not on Phuket island but on the other side of the bridge in Phang Nga. From there it is about 1 hour drive to Patong, even further to Phuket Town, departure point for daytrips to Phi Phi, and e.g. Chalong, departure point for divetrips.

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Diving Phuket and Similans

Yes, we did and we loved it.
The price is great value for money - for what you get. Amazing and huge rooms, private pool, impeccable service, great food (and not expensive), the list goes on...
It is right on the beach, and the beach is long, quiet, and beautiful.
We had a great holidays there with the family over NYE.

For a family of one or two of their 3 or 2 bedroom beachfront villa with private pool. That's what we did.

Hope this helps.
Max