Hey all
I am trying to plan a 1st time trip to Phuket in Feb 08 and having difficulty deciding where to stay. I usually travel in Bali and spend 4 nights relaxing, doing cooking schools and bike tours in Ubud, then head down to Kuta for a bit of shopping and partying...we'd like to do something similar in Phuket but are erring more on the relaxing side of things. Our budget is modest, about AU$100 (2,800THB) per night max.
Someone has suggested Karon as it's pretty quiet, great beaches and still only 15 mins to Patong - do you think this is best? is there somewhere similar to Karon but a bit cheaper?
If anyone can suggest an area where we can chill out without too much noise, at an affordable rate, that's still close enough to Patong should we be in search of nightlife, I would love to hear from you!

Phuket is nothing like Ubud! I would say go to Chiang Mai or Phitsanuloke even if you want more Ubud, though I do not know of anywhere in Thailand like Ubud exactly.

You could go up the coast to Kamala Beach perhaps, but still maybe too spendy? Then Surin Beach, that has some good $ places, but is a bit away from Patong (thank God, I hate Patong). Or even go the other side of the island around Chalong / Rawai; it does not take that long / cost that much to get to Patong from there. I think if you want Kuta style partying, I would personally go to Samui.

__________________
There are two categories of travellers, those that experience a country and those that take their home with them wherever they go.

Be warned, as with any forum, picking a fight with the admin guy is not recommended!

I have never been Phuket (what a way to start) but will be in a month . I have also been to bali 6 times .
So when we first went to Bali we stayed in kuta as it's got just about everything you need , and easy to take a few day trips out to explore , but all our other trips we stayed in legion as we think it's alot quieter but still close to kuta . So when we decided to go Phuket we though about it and decided to stay in patong and travel a bit from there , that's the plan let's hope it will all work out . it will , it will . And hopefuly we will enjoy it and return , i will stop rambling now as this post is proberly pointless

My Bali Pics

We'er Bali lovers too. Going next April on Jetstar special we enjoy Patong you dont have to get into the seemy side of things there and there is a big price range of accomodation there,frends of mine stayed in Karon for afew days they thought it was nice but not much there so they went to Patong went to and had a great time.You could try North Patong which is walking distance into town and is quiet but as Mark says there is nowhere like Ubud on Phuket but ar'nt you going some else for a change.You should have a good time it is a beautiful country. Joy.

Thankyou all for you reply
I agree, its probably not the best analogy or comparison guide but thanks for bearing with me! We have 12 days there so we might try a few days somewhere close to Patong and then head off into the wilderness somewhere!
While I'm here, I'd also like to get some suits made up and I have some silk going wanting. I've been burnt by tailors in Bali before (shocking quality) and would like any recommendations, email or phone numbers of tried and tested tailors on Phuket!

Thanks again!
KT

Hey; I live in Phuket and travel often to Bali. No wherehere like Udid in the whole country!!!

Patong is great if ur young/like traffic, being hassled to buy a suit or eat and love drinking with young ladies Otherwise...

If your looking for something nicer, head to kamala 8kms north. u can get a feel of life in a village here. YOu might find it hard to get by on $100 Oz/day thou if thta includes oyur hotel/food and fun especially in Feb which is the high season.

Head off the island to Phang nga and Ko Lanta for a real realxing place to hang out. Phuket has everything you want in the way of beaches/great food and loads of things to do from Elephant riding to scuba diving/horseback riding/golf/bungy jump and everything in between

__________________
A good Traveler is one who does not know where he is going to,
and a perfect Traveler does not know where he came from.

It seems that staying in Kamala, kata or Karon is going to be too pricey, and the boy doesn't want to stray too far from the nightlife (in case he needs a quick fix of girly bars ) so it looks like we will be staying at either the north or south end of beach road..quieter than central patong, but still close enough to the action.
We'll proabaly take a trip out Ko Lanta for a few days as well.

Thanks again for all your help!

Richard mentioned Koh Lanta and I was wondering if this topic could be extended. We are planning another trip to Phuket but I have read all I can on the net about Koh Lanta and would appreciate any opinions from people who have first hand knowledge. Would like to know if it is OK in the low season and are there more snorkelling opportunities that are offered off Phuket ?- sorry but the massive number of speedboats to Phi Phi just makes me really depressed and saddened by the lack of protection for the environment. One of these trips makes you feel like you are part of a factory production line.
Ideas for hotels would also be useful on Koh Lanta.
Thanks

Hi

If your budget is fairly tight have a look at the Patong Lodge Hotel. They have a website. It is walking distance to Patong Beach or a short tuk tuk ride away. We have stayed there and found it good value for the price- breakfast included and rooms clean and good pool and air con.

Personally i know Patong can be a hell hope BUT there are many many places onthe second road to stay that will be 50% less than anywhere on the beach road north or south. try CNN or PS right at the top of Soi Bangla 1,400 or so high season.

Kamala has small places RIGHT on the beach for 1,000-2,000 baht/night, restaurants on the beach and small shops nearby and there are a few bars with some girls in them on the beach road and main road
NOT like Patong but ...

Ko Lanta is great in the low season, in fact I ONLY go there in the low season. We were there last month and the place we usually stay, ( Andaman Lanta resort) was closed for repairs so went up the road a bit and found a nice place, swiming pool/ON The beach for only 450 baht/night (air and hot water)

Plenty of snorkling in low season right in front of the hotels on the man beach ( first beach you come to after you get of the ferry and head out of Saladang town) ONly high tide thou
BUT after the Tsunamai it has not been as good.

Plenty of bungalow opertaions on the beach, just go in and ask

__________________
A good Traveler is one who does not know where he is going to,
and a perfect Traveler does not know where he came from.