Puket Accommodations

Does anyone have any hotel recommendations for a 3 day stay in Puket during January? We would like to keep it in the $50-100US range per night for 3 people.

[Up2U]

I would recommend the Siam-Palm, a level 10-15 walk to the gay bars.

http://www.siam-palm.com

[haikudude]

Or if you would like something way out of the way, try CC Blooms on Kata Beach. Quit, relaxing and great views. When I was there in May, they were doing a pool volley ball tournament and BBQ every 3rd Sunday of the month with teams from the gay bars around Patong Beach. Good fun and very cute staff too.

http://www.ccbloomshotel.com/

[Dick]

http://www.boontarika.com/

Its central for the gay scene yet off centre from the hubub and noise.
Plus Patrick will look after you and he's a good source for activities, attractions, bike rental, etc.

Siam Palm is also good as suggested, but given the choice, I prefer Rendezvous as for me better value.
I found Siam Palm's restaurant of a very good standard.

If you party includes Thai people, I advise you not stay at Connect or Aquarius as they might find it intimidating. Too much lewd camp gay in your face style for some. Better value to be had elsewhere.

There have been a number of previous threads on Phuket accommodation if you care to search.

[jinks]

I can personally recommend...

http://www.cluboneseven.net/ and http://www.patongbeachbungalows.com/

[TrongpaiExpat]

We stayed at the Siam Palm last month and there was a lot of construction going on across the street and on the corner. It was low season and it was easy to switch to a room in the back.

The construction across the street is in the final stages but on the corner they were sinking the cement supports and that can be quite loud.

Otherwise Siam Palm is fine. The back rooms seem to avoid the noise, so ask for one in advance.

If you party includes Thai people, I advise you not stay at Connect or Aquarius as they might find it intimidating. Too much lewd camp gay in your face style for some.

Thanks for this advice Dick, I was wondering where would be best for my friend to feel most comfortable.

I think ideally, we'd like somewhere with both Falang and Thai guests - is there such a place?

Thanks,

Steve

[Dick]

pepperami

If your Thai friend's background is 'normal' i.e. he's not a working boy, and he's not 'out', then you would be better off in a hotel that maintains some sort of integrity, or where you are left alone to do your own thing. Your boy would likely be shocked at some of the behaviour of Thai 'hotel' staff or working boys in the Paradise complex, who seem to expect and pander to the single male farangs sorry I mean sex toursist's expectations that if it is Thai with two legs, its there for shagging. So if it's a mixed Farang/Thai hotel you're looking for, you're not going to find what you expect in the sleazier end of the market. You'll be more embarrased at putting your boy through his embarrassment. Your boy will not want other people to assume that because he is Thai, he is like the others i.e. a bar boy. And whatever you do, Don't go on Connect's all day Island adventure. It's for sex starved single farang only, not farang/thai couples.

A normal Thai hotel might suit... I find my guy use to be more concerned at what Thai people thought of him... what straight farang couples thought was of no consequence. Do look at jink's suggestions... he's been to Phuket more times than many and previous threads have endorsed his suggestions too.
Or go up market with http://www.clubbamboo.com - varying reports on service levels although I don't know how they rate lately, or maybe http://www.baanyindee.com. I've been to neither but did the homework and have seriously considered both.

I have always stayed inside the Paradise Complex. Obviously, if a Thai guy has a farang traveling companion, most Thais will assume he is a paid escort of BF regardless if they stay at Connect or at the most expensive hotel on Phuket island. In fact, the companion probably won't be subject to the same looks and smirks he might be subject to in some of the higher end straight hotels. I tend to agree that I like to stay in places with my BF where he is not viewed as just another prostitute; however, I'm not sure that place exists in Thailand.

As for Connect's gay tour, I greatly enjoyed it and highly reccomend it. IMO, it is great value for the price, and it is very comfortable because it is all gay. The times I took my Thai companions on mainstream tours in Phuket, the other guests thought they were staff, or looked at us with veiled contempt, or the Thai staff made them feel uncomfortable in subtle ways.

If things are too gay for one's Thai companion, then you probably won't want to visit Paradise Complex or the gay beach anyway. You might want to try CC Blooms which is a very nice gay boutique hotel in Karon Beach. You get the best of Phuket without being in a highly sex-centric environment.

Pete