Good resort for families

Hi

A group of my friends are wanting to travel to Phuket in April 2009 (Aussie school holidays). There will be around 6 families with children ranging in age from 2 to 14.

Of course all of us have different tastes, with some wanting 5 star luxury, and others not wanting to spend quite that much. Is there a good resort that would be good for families ie. kids club, activities, good pool/private beach etc, but also caters for the adults (day spa, bar, restaurants)?

We don%26#39;t necessarily have to stay right in Patong. Many years ago my husband and I stayed at Le Meridien (pre kids) which we just loved, but as it%26#39;s been 10 years since our last visit I%26#39;m sure things have changed.

I%26#39;d love some feedback.

Thanks

Good resort for families

Traveling with such a large, diverse group, seriously consider splitting up and staying at adjacent hotels eg Patong Merlin (great pools) and Holiday Inn (nicer feel, has kids club) - 2 minutes walk apart, with JW Marriott (new hotel) in between for the luxury-ites. You get to visit and use the facilities of each others hotels, but still get alone time if you want.

Also, at all hotels, there is a selection of room types, so you can get budget and luxury at the same place.

';Kids club'; is rarely what you think it%26#39;s going to be, often not much there for the kids to do, they just watch over them. It%26#39;s not like Club Med. If you think you can just dump them and they will be entertained all day, think again. You might be better off hiring a couple of nannies.

If Le Meridien is what you are used to... you will struggle to be happy in Patong, the only ';private beaches'; are at either end and reportedly a little rocky, eg Amari. Maybe Kata or Kata/Kamala/Surin will be more to your taste ? ... which really defeats the purpose of going to Phuket, IMO. Beaches are just as nice in Qld, why bother ? The hustle and bustle of Patong is what it%26#39;s all about.

If not, consider Merlin Beach resort, a little bit out of Patong, which has it%26#39;s own beach and a free shuttle into Patong a couple of times a day (a little inconvenient) and I think you can use the facilities at Patong Merlin (you better check this).

Another popular choice is Gracelands, at the quieter northern end, opposite a nice section of beach and with a huge pool (not so good for littlies), and too far for the kids to walk into town.

Don%26#39;t know much about other areas, but Kata Palm and Thara get good reviews for staying with littlies.

Always go for a pool access room if the budget allows.

Why the long answer ? Just then booked the airfares myself for next May ! And this time, not taking the kids. I%26#39;m stoked. Whoo-hoo !

Good resort for families

Hi there. April is a great time to visit. You should try to be here for Songkran the water festival. Biggest water fight in the world the kids would love it let alone the adults.

I would have to say that I am totally over Patong as it is getting busier and busier. I have been recommending Surin Beach especially to those that have families. You are 15 minutes from Patong if you want to go there. They have an assorted aray of different accomadations at different star ratings and prices.

The restaurants in the area are great and there are plenty of bars on the beach as well. The beach itself is 1 of the best on the island if not the best.

I would look at the following hotels/resorts if you are interested in this area.

The twin palms

The courtyard marriot surin

The Chava resort

The Chedi

The Armanpuri

Cheers Brian

Wow, I loved your reply! Thanks!!

I have to admit that living in Sydney we%26#39;re spoilt for fabulous beaches, but it%26#39;s always nice to have the option to swim in a pool or at a beach when you%26#39;re away. But, not an absolute must.

Le Meridien at Phuket gave us the best of both worlds, without being too far way from Patong. It was great to be able to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Patong, but also to be able to escape to our little bit of heaven up and over the hill! Mind you, that was 10 years ago and there was just the 2 of us! It would probably not be quite as easy getting in and out of town with a large group.

Great idea about staying at different resorts that are close to each other....... and an even better idea to use each other%26#39;s facilities!!

What a shame about the kids clubs not being very good. We certainly wouldn%26#39;t want to leave the kids there for hours on end, but it would be good to know there was a place where they could have time out from us, and vice versa. Will look into the nanny situation for sure.

Thanks again.

Thanks Brian. I%26#39;ll look into your suggestions too!

Hi,

We came back from Patong in Dec and stayed at the Patong Merlin - good room prices, excellent full breakfasts and top choice of pool areas (3 large pools all seperated by trees etc) - and so close to the beach/sports and shopping in the heart of Patong.

A great place and not to noisy at all.

All our kids talked about was the pool/breakfast and beach sports.

Maybe the first idea of splitting up next to each other ie:Patong Merlin and the Resort next door is not a bad idea if you want to experience both - and go visit each other!!! 2 for 1. lol.

Anyhow have a wonderfull time the kids (and the big kids) will love it.

Regards

Bec and Don

Oztravellers1975

Le meridien is still excellent, with of course the beach in particular the bonus, I think you would be hard pushed to beat le meridien, though of course expensive compared to many. Kata beach resort and karon beach resort are both right on the beach.

Centara resort kata although not on the beach is very good value and of particular interest for families they have 2 bedroom family suites which workl out well if they are a large number of you in families. Including tax, service, breakfast in April a 2 bedroom family suite about AU$ 254, 1 bedroom family suite about AU$ 180, twin room for any couples about AU$90 or for those who can manage perhaps with an extra bed in that room for 1 child.

It is very good for both families and couples, again, not right on the beach ( in the area behind Club Med ) but if you want good class qaulity but %26#39;affordable price%26#39; then dollar for dollar it%26#39;s very good indeed.

I think if you also read the reviews you can see it is good for families

r24.org/patong-beach-hotels.com/鈥eview.html

For Patong for other places

patong-beach-hotels.com/popular-hotels.html but unless you really want/need to be in Patong I think Kata has a nice balance of %26#39;enough to do%26#39; without being as bult-up / busy as Patong.

Do note that Thai new year ( Songkran ) is mid April.

Merlin Beach or Patong Beach are great family hotels. Merlin Beach has a great pool and service is good, not too bad on pricing. The only inconvenience is you have to catch a tuk tuk to %26amp; from to get anywhere.

Novotel Resort is also a great family hotel, has kids activities, across the road from beach, 3 pools, not in the busy part of Patong so you can walk down %26amp; catch a tuk tuk back for 200 baht. Pricing very reasonable.

Just don%26#39;t do Gracelands - looks great but friends son said it was below average.

Travelling with a large group can have its advantages and disadvantages. In 2006 our family group of 8 went to Thailand. Although it was great to have family I found that we spent/wasted so much time trying to decide what to do. Then when you finally said ok I am going to do this everyone would go ok I%26#39;ll come too and then you would have to wait for them to get ready.

If you are travelling together, having a few different hotels might be a good idea. This way you are still together but also have a bit of breathing space where you can meet up later.

I would also try to do your research before you go on what there is to do and see. Then sort of do a list of must do%26#39;s, not interested and will do if we have time.

I did that this year and found we saved so much time knowing exacltly what we wanted to see/do but at the same time we were flexible on when we did it.

If the 6 families got together and decided what they were interested in before you go then you will save so much time trying to discuss it overthere. You will also have a rough idea of how many are interested in doing each activity and this will help you organise transport etc.Having a large group should also allow you to negotiate prices when you want to book tours etc.

Much cheaper to do when there and to do it at a tour place on the street rather than the hotel. Also research drivers before you go - much cheaper to hire somebody with vans...

hope this helps

karin