Kata Beach, Phuket

Advantages: Good Location, Friendly staff, nice swimming pool
Disadvantages: Shower facilities quite basic & off season there can be a lack of hot water!

...I definitely experienced my best holiday in Thailand! I started the holiday in Bangkok, and after the rush of the city, it was so nice to relax and experience Phuket. I stayed in Kata, which was such a nice resort... not as built up and 'seedy' as Patong... and it definitely had the best beach! The Kata Beach Resort was lovely! The bungalows were really nice and all spread out on a hill, which meant you weren't disturbed by the noises from the resort. There weren't really many sea views, but you were surrounded by lovely, lush gardens, which made me feel like I was in the Jungle! The accommodation itself was quite standard. Even the more 'luxurious' bungalows were basic! But it was clean and comfortable, and they all had little verandas, which was really nice to sit out on in the early evening. The whole of Kata Beach Resort, is very... Read review

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Advantages: Beaches, People, Food, Weather, Beach sports and Diving
Disadvantages: Accommodation is roughly double the rate of other parts of Thailand, but still cheap compared to Europe and places like Hawaii. Cheaper accom can be found, but harder to find.

...it a “must place” to go if your into scuba diving or fishing. The beaches are clean and the food is fantastic. My favourite beaches were Kata Yai (big) and Kata Noi (small). Both are resort beaches that still retain the beauty of Phuket. Both are ideal for families. People may be suprised that there is a Tesco superstore on the island under the brand name of "Lotus". Here they sell a whole range of goods. So don't pack your case in the UK with cosmetic goods, camera film, sun tan lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, mosquito creams, deodorants etc. As they can be brought for around half the UK price. This is the best place to buy whiskey, vodka, gin etc. Don't buy your spirits from Bangkok Airport as prices are double. My only criticism with Phuket was Phuket Town. To be honest I thought it was old and dirty. Which is completely not what I... Read review

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Advantages: Superb corals and colourful fish.
Disadvantages: A long journey

...Staying at Kata beach few years back, I booked a two dive package from Phuket Aquatic Safaris in Phuket town. At £50 it seemed a bit steep, but I by the time I returned I was amazed at the value. An air conditioned coach picked me up from the hotel on Kata beach and took me to the harbour some 20 miles away. I was met by the divemaster and transferred to an air conditioned express boat for very comfortable one hour journey to Phi Phi. Travelling at 30 knots, the boat glided through the calm seas. It was only when we arrived that I saw my gear, carefully stored on the foredeck. Whilst the other daytrippers boarded a launch to take them ashore I boarded a long tail boat crewed by a couple of local guys. The gear was transferred and I didn't have to lift a finger. I found this hard to believe - I was the only diver, yet here... Read review

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Advantages: the smaller beaches get you away from the hordes of tourists on Phuket island
Disadvantages: none

...Phuket, the island provence in the south of Thailand, is the richest provence in the country. While the provence got rich from rubber and fruit, it stays rich off of tourism. Expect to pay more for things here than anywhere else in Thailand, sometimes as much as 10 times more. However, even at these prices things are still cheap to a Westerner. The biggest town on the island is Phuket town, a rather crowded place that seems as if it were built just for tourists. Most visitors to the island end up here, so if you are looking to get away from the masses of tourists you need to go elsewhere. Phuket's beaches are not even very good when compared to the others around the island, and the snorkelling is certainly better on the western side of the island. The best place i have found to stay is the Patong/Kata area. Patong is a cheesy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good Location, Friendly staff, nice swimming pool
Disadvantages: Shower facilities quite basic & off season there can be a lack of hot water!

...I definitely experienced my best holiday in Thailand! I started the holiday in Bangkok, and after the rush of the city, it was so nice to relax and experience Phuket. I stayed in Kata, which was such a nice resort... not as built up and 'seedy' as Patong... and it definitely had the best beach! The Kata Beach Resort was lovely! The bungalows were really nice and all spread out on a hill, which meant you weren't disturbed by the noises from the resort. There weren't really many sea views, but you were surrounded by lovely, lush gardens, which made me feel like I was in the Jungle! The accommodation itself was quite standard. Even the more 'luxurious' bungalows were basic! But it was clean and comfortable, and they all had little verandas, which was really nice to sit out on in the early evening. The whole of Kata Beach Resort, is very... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beaches, People, Food, Weather, Beach sports and Diving
Disadvantages: Accommodation is roughly double the rate of other parts of Thailand, but still cheap compared to Europe and places like Hawaii. Cheaper accom can be found, but harder to find.

...it a “must place” to go if your into scuba diving or fishing. The beaches are clean and the food is fantastic. My favourite beaches were Kata Yai (big) and Kata Noi (small). Both are resort beaches that still retain the beauty of Phuket. Both are ideal for families. People may be suprised that there is a Tesco superstore on the island under the brand name of "Lotus". Here they sell a whole range of goods. So don't pack your case in the UK with cosmetic goods, camera film, sun tan lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, mosquito creams, deodorants etc. As they can be brought for around half the UK price. This is the best place to buy whiskey, vodka, gin etc. Don't buy your spirits from Bangkok Airport as prices are double. My only criticism with Phuket was Phuket Town. To be honest I thought it was old and dirty. Which is completely not what I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful