![\"Holiday](\"http:\/\/terrystacy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/3036cDSC_3951.jpg\" "\\"3036cDSC_3951\\"")
<\/a>South side of the hotel, balcony view from room 631.<\/p><\/div>\n
The Holiday Inn was also completely different to Red Ginger,\u00a0being a much bigger complex with long carpeted corridors.\u00a0 Our room on the 6th<\/sup> floor was about as far away from the pool and restaurant complex as could be.\u00a0 Though we didn\u2019t mind and having guard on hand to call a lift for you was nice.<\/p>\n Lobby in Holiday Inn, Patong, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n The main pool at the front of the hotel, Holiday Inn, Patong beach. The pool is actually much larger than appears in this picture.<\/p><\/div>\n Holiday Inn, Patong beach main pool at night<\/p><\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n Holiday Inn, room view at sunset<\/p><\/div>\n Many of the Tripadvisor review recommend the Busakorn Wing and whilst this did look impressive, it was very quiet and somewhat lacking in atmosphere.\u00a0We were quite happy staying around the main pool when not on the beach.<\/p>\n Holiday Inn, Patong Beach, Busakorn pool<\/p><\/div>\n The Busakorn pool has a rather nice swim up bar.<\/p><\/div>\n The breakfast selection was amazing with a wide range of choices including freshly baked pastries.\u00a0 A super selection to start the day.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Patong beach, Phuket on a hot, hot day.<\/p><\/div>\n Bikini bar, Patong Beach<\/p><\/div>\n Longtail on Patong Beach, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n One of the many beach bars willing to look after you and bring you another cold Chang beer<\/p><\/div>\n 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.<\/p><\/div>\n A great view of Patong beach. the food is excellent too.<\/p><\/div>\n The famous Bang La road had a great vibe with the only downside the frequent offers of timeshare, suits or notorious ping-pong shows.\u00a0 Numerous bars to watch the action and the ladyboys.\u00a0 Not our scene but great atmosphere.<\/p>\n Bars off Bang La Road, Patong Beach, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n 400bht from Patong in a tuk-tuk, we couldn\u2019t manage to negotiate lower but for both trips managed to find others in a similar position haggling so shared the cost.\u00a0 Its about 10 minutes by Tuk Tuk to the long, sandy beach.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Great location for a massage – the beautiful Karon beach, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n Looking north across Karon beach. A much quieter beach than Patong.<\/p><\/div>\n 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\u00a0found a great place further down by the beach next to the dive centre.<\/p>\n We really missed the exotic beaches of Krabi and so booked a day trip to Coral Island.\u00a0 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\u2019t beat a longtail.<\/p>\n Longtail off Coral Beach, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n Its about 15 minutes from Chalong pier to Coral island by a packed speedboat.<\/p><\/div>\n Parasailing of Coral Island, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n We booked Siam Safari through the hotel.<\/p>\n Siam Safari elephant ride<\/p><\/div>\n I hope you enjoyed this diary. If you did please let me know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Its around a 2.5 hour drive from Ao Nang to Patong, Phuket.\u00a0 Patong has a completely different vibe, more like a big commercialised beach resort. Holiday Inn, Patong Beach The Holiday Inn was also completely different to Red Ginger,\u00a0being a … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Patong Beach<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Patong sites and eating<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nKaron beach<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\nCoral Island<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Elephant Safari<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n