Thailand holiday part 3 – Phuket

Its around a 2.5 hour drive from Ao Nang to Patong, Phuket. Patong has a completely different vibe, more like a big commercialised beach resort.

Holiday Inn, Patong Beach

South side of the hotel, balcony view from room 631.

The Holiday Inn was also completely different to Red Ginger, being a much bigger complex with long carpeted corridors. Our room on the 6^th floor was about as far away from the pool and restaurant complex as could be. Though we didn’t mind and having guard on hand to call a lift for you was nice.

Lobby in Holiday Inn, Patong, Phuket

The main pool at the front of the hotel, Holiday Inn, Patong beach. The pool is actually much larger than appears in this picture.

Holiday Inn, Patong beach main pool at night

We enjoyed the Holiday Inn and its prime position on the beach and only a few minutes walk from Bang La and the centre of town.

Holiday Inn, room view at sunset

Many of the Tripadvisor review recommend the Busakorn Wing and whilst this did look impressive, it was very quiet and somewhat lacking in atmosphere. We were quite happy staying around the main pool when not on the beach.

Holiday Inn, Patong Beach, Busakorn pool

The Busakorn pool has a rather nice swim up bar.

The breakfast selection was amazing with a wide range of choices including freshly baked pastries. A super selection to start the day.

Patong Beach

An excellent long sandy beach with plenty of options for shade, bars and a massage. The Bikini bar in the centre of the beach slightly raised above the beach was a great place to view the beach and watch the sun go down.

Patong beach, Phuket on a hot, hot day.

Bikini bar, Patong Beach

Longtail on Patong Beach, Phuket

One of the many beach bars willing to look after you and bring you another cold Chang beer

We had a cold beer and lunch on this small cafe set above the north end of the beach. A great spot to look out over the whole beach.

A great view of Patong beach. the food is excellent too.

Patong sites and eating

The famous Bang La road had a great vibe with the only downside the frequent offers of timeshare, suits or notorious ping-pong shows. Numerous bars to watch the action and the ladyboys. Not our scene but great atmosphere.

Bars off Bang La Road, Patong Beach, Phuket

Karon beach

400bht from Patong in a tuk-tuk, we couldn’t manage to negotiate lower but for both trips managed to find others in a similar position haggling so shared the cost. Its about 10 minutes by Tuk Tuk to the long, sandy beach. Less busy and manic with the shops separated from the beach by a road and gulley. We would probably stay here if we returned to Phuket.

Great location for a massage – the beautiful Karon beach, Phuket

Looking north across Karon beach. A much quieter beach than Patong.

We had a nice meal at the south end of Karon beach. Unfortunately having been on the beach we weren’t dressed for the On The Rocks restaurant, but found a great place further down by the beach next to the dive centre.

Coral Island

We really missed the exotic beaches of Krabi and so booked a day trip to Coral Island. Whilst the island certainly lived up to Poda and Phra Nang the long minibus ride and packed speedboat from Chalong pier made it a less enjoyable journey, you can’t beat a longtail.