The Singapore Forum

Decided to dump the kids with Possum for 3 days and head to Phuket with Crackers. Need any suggestions for a good relaxing hotel. Doesn't need to be cheap. No need to cater for families.

We've never been to Phuket (or Thailand) so we have no idea where to stay. Daytime will be spent touristy stuff or shopping. Don't need a beach. Night time nice restaurants.

Suggestions please, including best place to book. Looking at Tue, Wed and Thursday block.

The Boathouse (Kata). Wonderful service and location. Rooms not as posh as some, but restaurant and atmosphere make up for it.

I always recommend it as a good place to propose.

(Just watch you don't come back with another BBB on the way.........)

I'd second The Boathouse although quite a few years since I was last there and the rooms were starting to look a wee bit tired, as SM said great restauarant, nice setting.

Another place I liked a lot was TwinPalms in Phuket, urban chic, great spa.

I haven't stayed (just eaten) there since the Tsunami, but they totally refurbished (had to) after that.

Yes we ate at The Boathouse a couple of months after the tsunami, and they were still rebuilding.

We stayed at the Mangosteen - beautiful villas up a hill (hey, we wanted to spend our tourist dollars there but were taking no chances). Restaurant was not as fabulous as we were led to believe but we had a great time there.

You've never been to Thailand?

Banyan Tree. very nice (before the tsunami).

TwinPalms it is. The fact they don't cater for anything family / kid related nudged it over the line for this trip.

Can't believe who overpriced Bintan is when I look at Phuket prices.

I can not believe you've never been to Thailand!

baloo wrote:TwinPalms it is. The fact they don't cater for anything family / kid related nudged it over the line for this trip.

Can't believe who overpriced Bintan is when I look at Phuket prices.

That's because it's low season in Phuket right now. It's their monsoon season (sorry to rain on your parade).

Lili Von Shtupp wrote:I can not believe you've never been to Thailand!

Nope, never. When I first got to Asia all the Thai trips being organised seemed to be centred around ping pong shows. Not my scene at all so I didn't bother. Then it just never came about as holidays started happening either to Aus or Japan. Now that the boys are a bit older I reckon we'll start seeing a bit more of Asia.

I've only ever been to Bali once.

nev wrote:That's because it's low season in Phuket right now. It's their monsoon season (sorry to rain on your parade).

Granted right now, but even looking at peak season prices, Bintan is a complete rip off. The only reason they get away with it is because it's only a cheap 40min ferry ride away.

And might I just add, Possum

Lili Von Shtupp wrote:And might I just add, Possum

Possum is paying off lost bets

The rugby club stay in either the Expat Hotel or the Hyton Leelavadee in Patong. However, as the rugby club sponsors students, the idea is to find somewhere cheap.

Good breakfast: Yorkshire Inn near Soi Bangla - inlcludes black pudding

Good sports bar: the Aussie bar on Soi Bangla

I'm pretty sure you won't be interested in any of the other bars that the rugby club visits. Or you may, but crackers may not.

Definitely go to The Boathouse for a meal.

baloo wrote:

Lili Von Shtupp wrote:And might I just add, Possum

Possum is paying off lost bets

Poss needs to learn to choose her bets more carefully

Ooh Twin Palms! Good choice, and on one of my favourite beaches too...Surin Beach! Be sure to enjoy sundowners at Catch which is Twin Palms Beach Bar & Restaurant... Word of advice though...two long island ice teas is enough...have a third at your own risk! The sunsets can be spectacular!

Oh, and just to really annoy others, be sure to post this link to all your friends to rally up some envy

http://twinpalms-phuket.com/catch-beach ... ebcam.html

Hee hee...

If you want tonpush the boat out, the Trisara. Alternatively, up in Khao Lak, try the Sarojin - v nice and has a no under 14s policy

Odd that most your recommendations are for places in Soi Bangla, FB

Stayed here for decades - new owners now - also Dino golf next door now
bit lovely private cottages overlooking the water -great gardens- nice beach etc

'Where the Jungle Meets the Sea'

http://www.marinaphuket.com/home.html

Even if you don't stay there highly recommend On the Rocks restaurant right on the rocks by the sea for nice romantic evening

BoD wrote:Odd that most your recommendations are for places in Soi Bangla, FB

It's where the rugby club goes....that's all;)

Duck: A teddy bear does the resort, so naff I actualy had a chuckly
The Webcam very windy today outside that pool!!! Very odd to watch because seriously windy outside my office in Sydney with the trees bending about the same proportion - felt a bit surreal.

Yes, it is wet season.........

Staying in and playing ping pong?

Something like that. I was mildly surprised to hear our room qualifies us for free alcohol at the lounge from 12pm to 10pm.

We're happy.

Every cloud, eh?