While often called a tropical island
paradise, is different things to different people. Obviously most
visitors who come here love it, or the island’s tourist trade would
not be blossoming as it is. The island also enjoys a high percentage
of return visitors. But not everyone has a great time here, as is to
be expected, and some do go away disappointed. The most common
complaint we hear comes from visitors who end up staying in areas of
the island they do not like. Phuket is a large island with many
different beaches, areas and atmospheres. Here is the critical,
first choice each visitor should make before booking a hotel.
Which part of the island to stay
at?
First, choose your beach:
There are corners of the island so quiet they would surely drive
most people to boredom after a few days of doing absolutely nothing.
At the other extreme is Patong, a wild, colourful bazaar of great
food, sexy nightlife, shopping, bars and endless after-dark
activity. And there are many environments in between. If the beach
you land on is the wrong one for your personal tastes, and your
hotel is already paid for, you may not enjoy Phuket. So our first
recommendation is that you check out our pages on beaches and make
the basic decision on where you want to stay on Phuket.
There are many other things that one should consider carefully
before making commitments. Here are some of them:
Hotels:
Once you have chosen a beach with the right atmosphere, start
looking through the hotel pages. Phuket offers everything from
world-class 5-star resorts to low-budget bungalows. We give hotel
descriptions and links to some better establishments, though we do
not yet offer direct bookings. Look up Phuket Hotels.
What to expect?
This website includes lots of spectacular photographs, but we
suggest you do not expect to see every day looking as bright and
beautiful as seen in these photos. Our photographers have spent
years exploring every little island of the region and have shot most
of these places in the prime conditions and beautiful light.
At the same time, none of the photographs on this web site have been
manipulated in the computer, and if you are determined, and have
time enough, you will have an opportunity to see virtually
everything that our photographers present here.
Please, for your own good (and for Phuket’s), do some research
BEFORE making your bookings, and make good decisions before making
commitments. That way you will enjoy your experience here all the
more.
Day Tours:
If you are going to make a day tour or two, where and how should
this be done? If you are going to pre-book restaurants, events or
other outings be sure you know exactly what to expect.
Disappointments are common when visitors pay in advance, before
examining the choices. All day tours that can be booked in advance
can also be purchased locally. Before advance booking a day tour to
Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island or the Phi Phi Islands look them up
here and see what the real situation is, and what options are
available. Click on Day Tours.
Transport
Phuket is a big island, and we strongly suggest you try to see more
of it than your home beach. Even more, why not rent a car or boat
and get right off the island, for beyond the shores of Phuket many
fascinating worlds await to be explored; worlds of people, of
strange geographical environments, of forests and animals, coral
reefs, deserted islands and beaches and more. We show the many
options for transport by land and sea. See our pages on Transport.
Phuket’s fabulous region
When you want to know more about the fascinating Andaman region that
surrounds Phuket Island and is waiting to be explored by car, boat,
bike, canoe or foot, look up the many pages under Andaman Region.
