Visiting Phuket for the first time

[The Wolf]

I am headed out to Phuket for the first time at the end of the month and have booked to stay out there for 6 days. Any suggestions on what to do with my time there and also getting in 1-2 days of day dives?

I am torn between staying in Patong and Kata beach. Is there a big difference and also distance?

Or am I better off staying at a fancy hill top resort with the view of the sea and private swimming pool villa and just making day trips to the town?

The airport is 45 minutes to an hour away?

 

[Quero]

Hi again, Hoot72! Yes, the airport is about 45 minutes' drive from the pier where the daytrip boats leave from (Chalong pier). But if you want a hilltop villa with a private pool to keep your ND-SO happy, you can have that in Karon or Kata, too. No need to be in the far northern part of the island.

Patong is a good place for people who want to be in the middle of all the action. Lots of nightlife, lots of restaurants, lots of shopping options (even a mall with a cinema). Karon also has quite a bustling commercial area, but it's also quite easy to get away from it. And the degree of commercialism is a notch down from Patong. Kata is slightly less commercial again. Or if you want to be in an area that isn't very touristy and yet has enough infrastructure to keep you fed, you might consider the area around the Chalong Circle intersection.

 

[happy58900]

Stay down at Kata if you want a big night out grab a tuk tuk up to Patong its on 300- 400 baht. Kata is a lot more layed back and a lot closer to the dive boats

 

[vladimir]

There's a sleaze factor in Patong that might be off-putting to many. On my first trip there (in 1992) I found the whole thing exotic and interesting. Now it's just depressing, so I steer clear of Patong (except for dinner at Baan Rim Pa). I like the Meridien Hotel, a little south of Patong, and the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, close to the southern tip of the island.

 

[The Wolf]

Thanks to Marcia (Quero)for getting back to me via pm messages.

Thanks as well to Vlad and Happy for the additional comments.

Will def. give it some thought tonight and will perhaps change my hotel location from downtown patong to a a different location.

Anyone know if the mercure is any good?

I am probably going to get a day or two of diving in with quero at some point of my trip.

Is Phi Phi island worth the trip? How's the weather holding up this far this past week?

 

[iamafish]

Or am I better off staying at a fancy hill top resort with the view of the sea and private swimming pool villa and just making day trips to the town?

That's what we do when in Phuket...... a fancy cliff resort in a pool villa with a rental car about 30 minutes from Chalong Pier by car.

PM if interested and I'll share with you my favorite resorts and dive centers where I spend my money when on diving trips to Phuket (was just there for around a month diving).

 

[Quero]

Thanks to Marcia (Quero)for getting back to me via pm messages.

More than happy to reply to your emails!

Is Phi Phi island worth the trip? How's the weather holding up this far this past week?

This past week has been a little unsettled in terms of weather. We've got a low pressure system coming through. With any luck, though, it will be fine by the time you're here at the end of the month. I like Phi Phi, and I like Shark Point and Anemone Reef, and Koh Doc Mai, too. When I've got experienced divers like you coming through, those are the places I tend to recommend.

 

[vladimir]

I like Shark Point and Anemone Reef, and Koh Doc Mai, too.

Yes, that's my favorite dive itinerary right there.

 

[The Wolf]

So many resorts/hotels in Phuket..it's mind boggling! lol

 

[Quero]

You might just stay at the Mercure this time since you've already got the booking. It's not like you're locking yourself into a whole month's stay at a place you may decide you don't like. If you stay in Patong for this trip you can get a feel for the place, see whether it appeals to you or if you like a different part of the island more, and next time you'll be in a better position to choose.

One thing you might consider, if you want to save some money on lodging, is keeping an eye on Ensogo for deals. Right now I don't see any deals for Phuket hotels, but sometimes there are some very posh places on offer for a fraction of the regular booking rate.