Phuket - Is it Bogan for Bogan?

[munitalP]

With my work bonus being delayed and my AKL lunch with Bossreggie having to be canned, I am pissed that my 19th wedding anniversary and my wifes 45th birthday celebration have been screwed up, so looking at random Hilton destinations last night, Phuket popped up on the radar. Not overly expensive and good reviews. AFF has previously had a Phuket thread (now closed) with some quite strong opinions of Phuket which lost focus quite quickly.

I'm not interested in the pro's and con's of why I should/should not travel to Thailand or how bad the lady boys are or how good the golf is, im interested in what peoples experiences are in Phuket, and if anyone has stayed at the Hilton, what the hotel is like.

My other concern is, is Phuket really a Bogan magnet?

Thanks in advance!

[Warks]

Well Jet* flies there.




That is all.

[amaroo]

My other concern is, is Phuket really a Bogan magnet?

Thanks in advance!

After arriving from Laos for our 6 night stay.....I would have to say - YES In fact you don't even need to be in Phuket to see it.......you'll get that impression upon boarding at BKK or any OZ port with direct flights.

We won't be going back

[kpc]

I have been to Phuket the last 2 years and stayed at the Hilton. Really enjoyed the first trip, 2nd trip was not too bad but I'm a bit ""Phuket" out now! Hilton resort is nice with lounge over looking the Andaman sea; it is at Karon beach which is too rough to swim (quite a few drownings in recent times) and about 45 mins from airport. Phuket is a bit of a rip off with tourist prices eg fixed taxi fares, the usual shopping scams etc. Phuket is full of Aussies tho., and apart from a quick visit to Patong beach (where you will find lots of the Bogans), I wouldn't spend too much time there. Massages, Thai food in local restaurants are cheap. A day visit to Phi Phi Island and/ or James Bond Island is a must! An island tour to visit the local temples etc is interesting. Unless you like lying by the pool all day, 4-5 nights should be more than enough. If you have never been before, worth at least one visit in your life....Krabi (not personally been) on the other side of the sea maybe another place to visit / stay. Happy to answer any further Qs...

[travelislife]

Depends where you go. There are some amazing restaurants and hotels and the riff raff can easily be avoided. Every year we spend some time at the JW Marriott up on the northern part of the island and it is absolutely brilliant, you will struggle to find your typical aussie bogan there. It is miles from Patong though which is a good thing!

[moa999]

If you want something closeish but relaxed - head for Koh Lanta, no Hilton but a number of local 5*s
KOH LANTA HOTELS, RESORTS & ACCOMMODATION

[meloz]

Phuket in my opinion is a sh!th0le but it is a good gateway to many other nice spots. Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach and many others. Karon Beach is less bogan than Patong Beach. HKT Hilton seem to treat their Diamonds well. I have always been accomodated in the wing with the lounge. I always get welcome home flowers on the room door. I have on several occassions hired a car from HKT and headed down Krabi way to enjoy some of the nicer parts of Thailand.

Meloz

[JohnK]

Personally I would stay away from Phuket as much for the Bogans and the prices charged.

Hua Hin has a very nice Hilton (you might be lucky and get the Pacific Suite), does not have any bogans (unless I fall into the bogan category ), has some nice beaches, good golf courses but also has expensive fixed rate tuk-tuks.

[CaptainPesmo]

I went last year with a group of friends and stayed in Patong, we quickly came to the conclusion that it was where all the bogans went to get their singlets and tattoos. Having said that, having also done some day trips beyond Patong (Phi Phi Island etc) I'd agree as pointed out earlier in the thread, it is very much a case of where you stay, what you decide to do, and I wouldn't write off the whole island as being "bogan".

[AVC]

Phuket is a bit like Bali, if you go to where the riff raff are, you will find riff raff.
We always stay at the Novotel Resort. Good selection of bars and restaurants on site, 3 pools, gym, and a tailor as well.
In other word you don't need to go down to the mobs if you don't want to.
Additionally, it is up on the hill (great views, and tsunami proof) and they have their own transport, and good security.

There are certainly some great things to do, as said before james Bond Island, and plenty of other tours around the Andaman Sea. But we tend to stay in the resort, and go and visit the bogan areas occasionally (sort of like a trip to the zoo).