I was a bit disappointed to find there is nowhere around Phuket where you can access good coral from the beach, but I have found some boat trips from Phi Phi which are reasonably priced. Now I need to find a quiet hotel. Can anyone recommend one?
I am adding a week in Thailand to my annual trip to New Zealand to see my daughter.
I don't know of any...but generally speaking, I rely on www.tripadvisor.com whenever I'm in an unfamiliar area.
ps: Could you bring me some razorblades and a pack of Newports whenever you get back from Kopaniang?
If you want really quiet, what about one of the smaller islands, like Koh Lipe, Koh Muk, Koh Ngai? Same general area, boat trips avaliable.
In Phi Phi, what about this one, away from the main beach and tourist area, and reviews say it's quiet: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Province.html
or, in the same area but a bit cheaper: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Province.html
I was in Phi Phi before the tsunami so I obviously don't know what it's like now, but then it was really lovely. Touristy, but not as built-up as some of the other places nearby (phuket etc..)
Hope you have a lovely holiday!
We too stayed in Phi Phi just before the tsunami. Like others say, it was quite touristy but we really enjoyed it and it is possible to escape the crowds. We'd eat grilled fish on the beach most nights. We stayed at the PP Princess resort which has a diving school and were really a great bunch.
Are you going diving or snorkeling? In my opinion, best diving and snorkeling in Thailand can be found from the Similan Islands which is a little further out. The season to go there is from November to April. If you are looking for something quiet, you can rent a bungalow from the National Park: http://web3.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/as...?npid=212&lg=2 or just visit the island on a day trip. For diving, staying on a liveaboard would be the best solution. Most liveaboards depart from Phuket and cost typically 100-300e/night all inclusive.
I stayed at a resort about an hour west of Bangkok once. It's next to a river and near an oceanfront that's famed for farming clams.
I spent 3 days there and was bored to tears because it was so secluded and quiet with no television, plus it was the low season and I swear that I was the only guest. But they had free internet (thank GAWD!) and the restaurant wasn't bad either.
So if you want clams and quiet, I know where to send you. If you want sun, surf, tan, and a coral reef, I don't have any advice, yet agree with LiB's recommendation for Trip Advisor.