Just got back from almost two weeks in patong staying at the Patong Merlin. The hotel was fantastic, and i didn't expect it to be so good. The buffett dinners are fantastic aswell as the breakfast. The pools are second to none, and the staff we so helpful and the were fantastic.

SHOPPING
I thought that the best shopping was directly behing the patong merlin at the Patong o top markets. I was never crowded and there were plenty of bargains.
priced are as follows;
t-shirts 150 baht
tank tops 100 baht
DVDs 80 baht
handbags 300-800 baht (depending on quality)
watches 450-800 baht (depending on quality)

RESTURANTS
One of the best resturants that we found, and a place where we spent a lot of time was at Shakers steakhouse, which is directly behind the patong merlin. Great, cheap food with the average meal never being over 350 baht.
Savouy Seafood was fantastic. The food, service and the whole package was A++++. For me the best resturant by a mile, Try the tiger prawns.
Franco Roma was a suprisingly nice place at the northern end of patong beach. The place can get noisy but the food is good and reasonably priced. Try the chicken breast stuffed with shrimp.

TOURS
We booked all our tour from a lovely lady who has a tour desk at the main entrance to the patong o top markets. She was so helpful and gave us childrens prices on most of the tours, which were a lot cheaoer than the prices people were paying at their resorts. Prices that we paid are as follows;
Phi Phi by speedboat 1300 baht pp
White water rafting/ATV/Elephant trek 1300 baht pp
John Grey starlight phang nga bay 2900 baht pp
Fantasea show with buffett 1300 baht pp

All of these tours are a must do for first timmers to Phuket. The john Grey tour was sensational, and the man himself made an appearance. Words cannot describe how good this was. The phi phi by speedboats was also exceptional. The snorkelling is great as hundreds of fish litterally eat out of your hands.

We also spent a few days at the beach getting massages, playing cricket and soccer, and went jet ski riding, which was fantastic. Also went to a cobra show, with was amazing also.

WEATHER
The whole time we were there it rained on 3 out of 11 days. Two of those days it rained for about 30 mins to 1 hour, while the other day it rained on and off thoughout the day. That day we spent white water rafting, and it therefore made the rapids more fun. I was expecting bad weather but this was never the case.

This was the most enjoyable trip I have ever been on, and having been to Bali before, i have to say the Phuket is 10 times better than bali. I will be going back soon.

Cheers,
Flippa

Hi Flippa,

Thanks for the great report!

We are coming to Patong Merlin on 31st of October and looking forward to it. I have one little question; how busy was it at the Merlin? Was it fully booked?

We certainly visit Patong o top markets and of course the Savour Seafood restaurant.

Bye,

Miranda & Paul
The Netherlands

Hi Miranda and Paul,

The Patong Merlin was never over crowded and it was never empty. It was probably at around 65% full, and considering that not all of the rooms have been fully fixed from the tsunami yet, thats pretty good. The was only a dozen or so rooms still to be finished, but don't worry as there is no sign of damage anywhere.
When you go, make sure you use a tuk tuk driver called Poung. He is situated directly at the front of the hotel, if front of the seven eleven. He is so helpful and friendly. When he saw us walk out of the hotel, he would litterally stand in the middle of the road and stop traffic so that we could cross the street.

Cheers,
Flippa

Hi Flippa,
What's the situation with the beach side entrance to the Patong Merlin ie restaurant and sunset bar. I arrive at hotel on Thursday and on a previous trip the sunset bar was a favorite spot before dinner.
Jeff

Great report Flippa, thanks, one quick question, were was the cobra show ? havn't seen this mentioned before ,
Cheers , Ray.

Thanks, that was great. our first time to Phuket in two weeks time after late destination change from Bali. Were wondering what tours to go on and prices in Phuket. Will follow your lead. Thanks again

HI Jeff.

The leelawadee resturant is up and running and rotates three themed buffets. The buffets are seafood and bbq, thai, and international. We tried the first two and they were fantastic. Cant remember how much it was, but I think it was around $10 Australian per person.

Im not sure what the sunset bar looked like before, but it is just a patio with some chairs there. Unfortunately the seaside garden resturant is not there any more, and is just an empty cement block, which is a bit of an eye sore, but if you did'nt know that it wasn't there before, you wouldn't know that it has been demolished.

Cheers,
Flippa.

Sorry, I forgot to log on before.

Hi Ray, the cobra show was near chalong bar, which is on the southern end of phuket island. Our tuk tuk driven took us on a tour of the island and we just stopped in there. It was magnificent and i have some good photos if you want to see. I also had a photo while holding a python.

Cheers,
Flippa

Hi annon,

if you go on the Phi Phi by speedboat, make sure you go with a company that goes to Khai Nok Island. I recommend the Andaman Ranger, as you have 2 free hours to relax at this island aswell as all the Phi Phi islands. Khai Nok island is one of the most beautiful islands ive been to, and it only takes 10 minutes to walk the whole way around it.

Cheers,
Flippa.

Hi Flippa,
Great trip report, did you go to Phuket Town for any shopping and also to Central Festival Shopping Complex.
Any interesting places to see on your Island Tour?
Cheers,
Stewie.