Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [560]
The entire atmosphere is one of religious frenzy, with deafening firecrackers, ritual dancing and bloody T-shirts. Oddly enough, there is no record of this kind of activity associated with Taoist Lent in China…
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Sleeping
When it comes to sleeping on Phuket, the options are endless and there’s something for every wallet size, from swish five-star resorts to orphanage-like dormitories. With over a thousand places to crash, picking your ultimate Phuket crash pad may seem like a tricky process, but it can actually be pretty straightforward.
When choosing your all-important accommodation, you have to start by selecting the location that suits you best. Hat Patong ( Click here) is the most densely populated resort area. It’s got the hottest nightlife, some terrific dining and the beaches are packed all day (300B for a beach chair and umbrella!). Hat Rawai and Hat Nai Han ( Click here) in the far south are rather quiet and sport loads of local food stalls offering street-side cookin’. Hat Kata ( Click here) and Hat Karon ( Click here) tend to cater to Scandinavian package tourists, but it’s generally a fun, young crowd. Kata’s beaches are particularly gorgeous and there are some terrific boutique hotels in the area.
Reasonably priced Hat Kamala ( Click here), just north of Patong, is perfect for long-term and self-catering guests. Hat Surin ( Click here) is undeniably chic. Sprinkled with five-star properties and great beachfront dining, you’d do well to base yourself here if you have the cash. The beach at Ao Bang Thao (opposite) is stunning and the area strikes a funny balance between being an exclusive vacationing paradise and a rural fishing village – it’s not uncommon to spot cows grazing on the greens of a golf course.
Further up the coast, the beaches get even better and more secluded. If you’re looking for a quiet, shoes-optional retreat, try Hat Nai Thon (opposite), Hat Nai Yang or Hat Mai Khao (opposite). Or you can do as the native Phuketians do and call inland Phuket Town ( Click here) home.
Once you’ve decided on a location (and a sense of your budget constraints), you can then start sorting through the myriad lodging options available in the area. Scores of websites and booking pages provide a glut of information on sleeping on Phuket.
While it’s always best to book in advance during high season, the island is starting to experience a bit of overdevelopment, which means that last-minute bookings are still often possible. This surplus of hotel rooms has meant a slight drop in prices, but the island is still one of the most expensive vacation destinations in Thailand.
During the slightly quieter low season, haggling over walk-in prices is quite common. Politely push for a discount and if the price is still too high, ask for the room without breakfast; they might knock off an extra 200B.
NORTHERN BEACHES
Lately, Phuket’s gorgeous northern beaches are a veritable who’s who of world-class resorts. Penny-pinchers fret not, there are still a couple cheapies tucked into the mix.
Hat Nai Yang & Hat Mai Khao
Both Hat Nai Yang and Hat Mai Khao belong to the supremely serene Sirinat National Park ( Click here). Camping is allowed on both beaches without a permit. Click here for eating options nearby.
Nai Yang Beach Resort (0 7632 8300; www.naiyangbeachresort.com; bungalows 1000-7000B; ) This resort is clean, quiet and near the beach, and has swimming pools and wi-fi. Cheaper digs are fan-cooled, while higher-priced pads have chic Thai-style decor.
Golddigger’s Resort (08 1892 1178; www.airport-phuket.com; r 1200-1500B; ) Despite its unsavoury name, Golddigger’s is one of the best midrange options on this beach. The Swiss-run hotel has just 16 rooms, and their decor, spaciousness and choice furniture take them a step above most