Marriots Phuket Beach Club

We have been invited to Marriots Phuket Beach Club for a holiday with freinds next year (June 2010). We are not sure about what there is to do outside the resort. Although we like to relax we also need some stimulus like walking to a local bar or town etc. Can anybody shed some light on what we can expect ouside Marriots. The reports on forums for this resort say that there is not a lot to do, can we go on any trips etc. Hope you can help

Marriots Phuket Beach Club

We stayed in Marriott Phuket Beach Club last year, it is actually in the same place as JW Marriott. It%26#39;s near to the airport but far away from town. We rented a car and it took us about 45 mins to reach the town.

At least in my opinion, I should say that the resort is marvellous. We will given a room with 1 king and 2 queen size beds, a sofa bed and a kitchen. It is a very good place for relaxing. There is a restaurant in the resort where I think you can have your drink, though we didn%26#39;t try. Near to the resort, there%26#39;s a Mao Khao Beach, but very quiet. If I%26#39;m not wrong, there are 3 swimming pools in the resort.

During our stay, we didn%26#39;t explore much of the resort, we were busy going to the town area for sight-seeing and shopping but we plan to go back there next year and this time, enjoy the facilities there.

Marriots Phuket Beach Club

We%26#39;ve just gotten back and all the reviews are true! Turtle Beach is the only walkable spot- not even 10min walk or buggy ride if you like. There they have a Bill Bently pub, small supermarket and a Swensens (icecream parlour). Cheaper than the resort but not cheap by Thai standards (although Phuket is probably one of the most expensive areas in Thailand).

To go to Patong takes 45-60min depending on traffic. Hotel has organised trips - but as usual you%26#39;ll pay that little extra.

We hired a driver we found thru TA %26amp; that made a world of difference.

Also check reviews for the JW %26amp; MVC MaiKhao Beach - all in the same spot.

If you%26#39;ve been invited I would go! For us it was a fantastic place to visit - the accom is stunning, def. 5 * but it is isolated for seeing Phuket.

cheers Sharyn

PS I pretty much post just in the Phuket forum- gets picked up better.

Hi, firstly you should extend a huge thanks to your friends.Very nice of them.

For your info,the location of this property is on Hat Mai Khao,Phuket%26#39;s longest stretch of beach-9/10kms. Also a place for leatherback turtles to come nesting during Nov-April.

The main drawback is a steep descend from waterline of beach.So be cautious.

There is a local bar-or I may say an English pub,known as Bill Bentley at newly opened Turtle Village,which you can walk or use the free service of the golf buggy. The free golf buggy can also be used from the entrance of the Marriott%26#39;s Beach Club to main lobby of JW Marriott%26#39;s. Rooms of Beach Club are on North and South Wing of the resort.

Depending on your friend%26#39;s,the rooms on South Wing,in my personal opinion are better in terms of access to other facilities.

Just next to the entrance of North wing Beach Club,outside of resort,there is a taxi stand.Taxi from here to airport is THB500.00.

In Turtle Village,there is also Coffee Club(similar to Brisbane%26#39;s Coffee Club franchise stores); their cakes are good(particularly carrot cake),and other western dishes,their Thai dishes,e.g. Phad Thai is rather disappointing. As advised, cost is slightly higher than (say) in downtown. E.g. their Phad Thai is around THB90.00,whereas in downtown, you can get it for half the price.

Some lovely boutiques in Turtle Village,like the famed Jim Thompson boutique is also here.

Further north from the beach,there are massage ladies,to offer their services, so you get a comparative experience with one in spanky ';wow'; Mandara Spa in JW Marriott.

The Italian-Cucina in JW Marriott is worth checking out.So,is also the Thai restaurant,but still not up to par with Baan Rim Pa(in my eating experience-well, I have known the guys in Baan Rim Pa,since 1994).

You could also pop over to nearby Anantara (which personally in my opinion have a more warm inviting landscape and decor),or to Sala.

To Phuket Town,is around 45 minutes,whilst to Patong Beach is around 50mins(though at one time,due to heavier traffic,it took 1.5hours).

On my first two days, I managed to get a driver by the name of Sam;then for the balance of my stay,I hired a car from sixt(vids) which has a office in JW Marriott,so can conveniently pick up and drop off at the hotel,without extra surcharge.

If you choose to opt renting a car,make sure you have a international driving licence and also your national driving licence.Have both on you.

As I still have my British driving licence,and of course my Malaysian(and also HK) driving licence,I showed all three to them,and they actually referred to the British licence,then after all the paperwork done, we waited at the lobby,and car was driven there.

Apparently,most international car hire companies are able to rent out their cars if your driving licence is in English,but it is still ';not legal'; to drive in Thailand,without an international driving licence-the local police may make it an unpleasant experience for you,if stopped.

during my stay here,also went on a sunset bike tour, a cooking class,and wife also enjoyed the yoga classes.

We are here almost yearly,part of Marriott Vacation Club program,but too often,also gets a bit predictable and boring.

Here is also a tip,but please do not abuse it:- contact a real estate agent,mentioning you are keen to view some properties,they will arrange their free limo to pick you up, see some beautiful villas,then you could kindly ask that you can be dropped off somewhere,and find own your way back. Well, I did commit to a property investment eventually. When the deal was sealed, a nice reception was even provided at the Yacht Club;this place is really a beau,a real wow.Another place is of course Pansea.

I also remembered,when enquiring about Marriott Vacation Club,they threw in a very good deal,something like under USD90 for their two bedroom villa,including breakfast for two,and also free airport transfer;only condition,sit down and listen to a boring 90minutes presentation.

However,on subsequent trips,no more free airport transfer(haha).

The villa,as mentioned have two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, full kitchenette, washing machine %26amp; dryer,fridge, dining and living hall.

Month of June is also usually the low season,things are cheaper; and with so many activities in the resort,it may prove be good,as month of June,historical pattern,are wetter days.