Travel: Thailand - Phuket

[mummychia]

Hi JR


I also prefer Karon than Patong. Patong is too crowded & busy with activities. My last visit I stayed in Centara grand beach resort in Karon.

[Dnls_mum]

JR:

Dnls_mum:

[quote=\"JR\"]We also had a short trip to Phuket recently. We stayed at Karon Beach as we felt that Patong Beach is not that suitable for children.


One thing I must say about the tours that we booked in Phuket. They are quite punctual about their stated timing. Quite impressed.

Hi JR,
We have never stayed at Karon, but heard that it is a nice place to stay in Phuket. So far, only stayed at Bang Tao Bay and Mai Khao area, and both are quite far from Patong. Where did you stay at Karon? In what way was it good for the kids? TIA!

Hi Dnls_mum,

Sorry for the late reply. We stayed at Grand Sunset Hotel. It is a new 3 star hotel within walking distance to the beach. It is so new (but actually quite basic) that most tuk tuk / bus / taxi got lost trying to look for it when we want to get back to the hotel.

Anyway, I prefer Karon as it is less sleezy compared to Patong and less traffic jam. The beach is clean and long. The waves are quite strong though.[/quote] :thankyou: JR.

[gen-mummy]

Hi, I am planning a trip to Phuket and would like to get some opinions on the airport transfer. Any good and cheap airport transfer service to recommend?

[aggaliciousg]

The airport is pretty small. Get out of the 'aircon' area where there are lots of touters with more expensive rates. I think the touters out of the aircon area are more competitive.


I think I used one of them during one of my earlier trips there.

Subsequently, I realized there is a taxi company on the extreme end of the airport (non-aircon area). They only offer taxis (cannot choose limo, sedan etc), and a standard price. Coming from sg, I thought this is more transparent and used the taxi for airport transfer since

I do not recommend that you take the vans (ie they collect a fee per head, quite cheap I recalled). The van will only move off when it is filled! It can be a long wait! I made the mistake once.... They told me no choice pls wait.... I ended up 'topping up' the amt and got a sedan to send me to my hotel.

These days, We get a car from the airport and drive straight to the hotel! Dump everything and all the kids in the car and drive off! Own time own target Only advisable if you are an experience driver and familiar with the roads tho.

Hope this helps

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

gen-mummy:

Hi, I am planning a trip to Phuket and would like to get some opinions on the airport transfer. Any good and cheap airport transfer service to recommend?

Hi,
We engaged the service of Easy Day Thailand for the airport transfer and we have a van and personalised service just for 2 adults and 1 child. You may want to refer to the website for more details: http://www.easydaythailand.com/phuket/transport_phuketairport.php

Hope this helps.

[happyfeet11]

Any nice 3 bedrooms villas with pool to recommend?

[mummyloves]

A few questions- anyone can help?


For the John gray canoeing trip? Is it suitable for 2 year old and 76 year old? I’m bringing my mom and kids, the rest are older and I thought this would be fun.

Did u book tour here or when u r there?

Thanks!

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

mummyloves:

A few questions- anyone can help?


For the John gray canoeing trip? Is it suitable for 2 year old and 76 year old? I'm bringing my mom and kids, the rest are older and I thought this would be fun.

Did u book tour here or when u r there?

Thanks!

We signed up for the tour on-line through their website if I remember correctly.

For the older kids I think they will enjoy the trip. There will be free activity time (eg. swimming or doing kayaking) after some exploration of caves etc. My son was 8 yrs old at time and he thoroughly enjoyed the trip especially during the free activity time when one staff taught him how to surf on an overturned canoe. The food served was also fabulous.

For the elderly, my only concern is the climbing of steps to the upper deck of the boat where briefing and lunch are held. The lower deck is where the toilets are and for boarding the canoe.

Hope this info helps.

[mummyloves]

Hey thanks so much for your prompt reply! i was reading the review from tripadvisor and everyone was raving about the John Gray trip! my mom is still pretty mobile though walk slowly etc… she can climb overhead bridges etc so think should be able to go up the deck. was thinking if worse case scenario she doesnt want to go on the kayaking, she can just stay on the boat? what do you think? : )

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

mummyloves:

Hey thanks so much for your prompt reply! i was reading the review from tripadvisor and everyone was raving about the John Gray trip! my mom is still pretty mobile though walk slowly etc... she can climb overhead bridges etc so think should be able to go up the deck. was thinking if worse case scenario she doesnt want to go on the kayaking, she can just stay on the boat? what do you think? : )

Hi,

Checked my record, we actually booked through the tour through Asia Web Direct tour and not the John Gray's website.

The link to the upper deck is via a vertical ladder type of steps, not the overhead bridge type with wide steps.