Sandy & John's JBR 18/4 to 27/4/07

Hi All,

We have just been back for 3 days from the best holiday ever in Phuket, thanks to all the invaluable information provided by all of you lovely forum members, with special thanks to Lee %26amp; Trevor and a host of you that helped us plan our holiday.

We flew out on Wednesday 18th April with 16 other family members and friends.We had obtained return tickets with Jetstar for $357 return, and, as an engagement present, John insisted we upgrade to Star Class for an extra $300 each - it was well worth it, just for the extra legroom and wide, comfortable seats, and headphones for the video on demand, instead of the painful ear plugs that they provide for the economy passengers. We therefore really enjoyed the trip and felt great when we landed at Phuket.

The others in our group were staying at the Novotel and the Deevana, and we had a deluxe poolside room booked at Phuket Gracelands, which was close to both of their hotels. All I can say is that we loved it there so much, we have booked the first 5 nights of our honeymoon in October to stay there again, before we go to Koh Samui for the remaining 4 days. The pools are incredible, and the resort is directly across the road from the northern part of Patong Beach, which, in our opinion, is the nicest part.

On Friday night we were picked up and taken to the bbq arranged by Richard %26amp; Megumi and for 150THB we ate fantastic food and met lots of the people that are on the forum. We then went to a Regae bar at the top of Kata hills, which is very close to the Rehab centre that Richard takes many people to, Unfortunately the Sunshine bar was closed for the week, so we went there and had drinks and listened to some ';interesting'; music. When the boys in the band didn%26#39;t know the words, they just sang ';quack, quack, quack'; We did have a lovely night, and look forward to the night out again in October when Richard has assured us that is will be at the Sunshine bar.

We did lots of shopping in Patong. DVDs from Kittys was a great find, ate at some great restaurants (Sweets, Sabai Beach Restaurant, and mainly any of the outdoor restaurants on Rat-U-Tit road.

After having been to Phuket twice before, I had to find a more economical way of contacting my son %26amp; daughter who were back in Australia - they were looking after??? our villa, and I need to be re-assured that the place was still standing, and there weren%26#39;t too many bodies sleeping there. So after some research on the forums, decided that the best way was to take over an unlocked phone %26amp; buy a sim card over there. What a blessing that was! We walked into a phone shop in Bangla Road, bought a ';Happy'; sim card for 400THB with 50THB credit. The nice lady set it up for us, changed it back to English, and away we went. We topped up with a 500THB recharge, and made 2-3 calls to Australia each day, phoned local mobiles (cheap, cheap, cheap) and still came back with credit on the phone. A call to Australia cost about 10THB per minute, but you must use the prefix 00961 (not 00161, as this is the most expensive) After each call we just entered *101# and pressed send, and a message comes up with how much credit you have left. The great thing is, that when we travel back in October, we have the sim card %26amp; just have to top us with new credit.

While we were on holidays, we looked at a few of the other hotels.

Burasari

Holiday Inn

Thara Patong

Kata Beach Resort

Salathai

Royal Phawadee Village

Deevana

Baan Norbert Apartment in Kalim Bay.

In the past I have stayed at Andaman Beach Suites, Seaview Patong %26amp; Andaman Seaview at Karon Beach.

If anyone would like to know about these places, feel free to ask.

The intention of looking at these places, was that we had made bookings at the Holiday Inn Busakorn Pool Access Villas %26amp; Kata Beach Resort for our honeymoon, but, as we loved Gracelands so much, we just have to go back there.

We went out with Captain Mark from Phuket Sails Tours on his private sailing boat one day. There were 7 of us, and we had an absolutely wonderful day. It cost around 2,100THB each, and it was well worth it. Food was fantastic, company of Mark, the skipper %26amp; Mark%26#39;s lady cook was so enjoyable, and we all had a great day doing the hongs, swimming and eating, and enjoying being with no other tourists. Mark was great. John %26amp; I were moving to Merlin Beach Resort for 3 nights, so he had us picked up, kept our suitcases at his place, and then had us dropped off at the Merlin about 7.30pm that night. Thank you Mark for a great day!!!

We stayed in a deluxe pool access room at MBR, and, wow, what can I say - ultimate relaxation %26amp; luxury. Met some lovely people. The last night we went out with a couple from the Gold Coast %26amp; did the bars %26amp; Bangla Road. I was pole dancing at a ping-pong show %26amp; then the girls at a bar got me up on the bench to dance with them. I even spied Deidre from Adelaide taking a photo of me!!! Yes, that%26#39;s Dee from the forum. Dee, you should have joined me!!

I forgot to mention that Lee %26amp; Trevor came to Gracelands for a drink or 2 or 3 one afternoon, and it was great getting together with them.

Unfortunately we left last Friday to go home - Economy Jetstar - needless to say I have been extremely tired for 3 days.

Well, that holiday is over, and John %26amp; I must say that each time we go, it just gets better and better. It was so wonderful to meet Richard %26amp; Megumi, and lots of other forum members.

The ONLY DISAPPOINTING THING that happened was the day we went to meet Charlie %26amp; Lum Yai - THEY DIDN';T COME DOWN!!! Richard said that it happens very occassionally, and I think Charlie probably thought that I would kidnap him and take him home to my cat, Gizmo. But we will have something to look forward to in October, so we will have to wait till then.

I%26#39;m so sorry if this JBR is too long - but we had such a great time, I didn%26#39;t want to miss anything.

Love to all of you. Missing the place already.

Sandy %26amp; John

Sandy %26amp; John's JBR 18/4 to 27/4/07

Hi Sandy %26amp; john, loved reading your JBR, so much useful info. Pity we didn%26#39;t get out together, Michelle (Sunny39) %26amp; I did a quick spot of pole dancing one night. I can only imagine the mischief we could have got up to. It was so nice to spend that quick arvo with both of you after so long. Gracelands really looked lovely, I wish we had stayed there when in Patong. I%26#39;m also very glad you had a great day out sailing with Mark after Trevor talked so much about it.

Pity about Charlie %26amp; Yum Lai, but at least you already know when you will be back. You will really enjoy the Sunshine bar (and wont sit down all night). Least the phone/sim card worked out, we forgot to ask about this when we saw you on our last day.

Hope you got my email re Samui, am checking out some of the hotels again too.

Thanks again for your report, we have been home for 8 nights now, and I%26#39;m a bit flat.

Luv Lee

Sandy %26amp; John's JBR 18/4 to 27/4/07

Hi Sandy %26amp; John sounds like you guys enjoyed yourselves.Start counting down now for the honeymoon. Good to see other people go to ping pong shows when over in Phuket. lol. CJ

Thanks for that great report Sandy %26amp; John and at least you dont have to wait long before your back there again.

Gracelands just sounds like heaven, we have had a look at it for a long stay next year but think we would have 2 settle for less time there.

Cathy

Thanks SandyL- great report.i%26#39;d like to know your thoughts on the Andaman Seaview in Karon Beach.I%26#39;m due to stay there in July. It%26#39;s my first time to Phuket and have already booked a day sailing with captain mark.Haven%26#39;t seen that much posted about this hotel so any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!!

Hi Sandy and John,

We are in Phuket next week and are having 7 nights at the Marina

and then 6 nights at the Kata Beach Resort and I was wondering

what you thought about it?

Sounds like you had a great time maybe Gracelands is the go next time

Thanks Lindy.

Hi again,

Sorry, loved your report, it just makes it harder than ever to wait

until we get there.

4 more sleeps!!!!

Luv Lindy.

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies - glad you like the report. I have to mention that it wasn%26#39;t Dee from Adelaide that took a photo of me dancing on the bar - It was Deidre from Sydney (Hi Dee) I was lucky I didn%26#39;t knock the girls off the bar - they are all soooooo small!!!!

Cathy, when you stay next door to Gracelands, don%26#39;t forget to sneak in and have a swim. I%26#39;m sure they won%26#39;t notice.

Sydc, the Andaman Seaview Hotel is very nice - just a minutes walk to the beach. Try %26amp; get a room overlooking the main pool - it%26#39;s much nicer. We looked at 3 different rooms before we were happy with our choice - the seaview rooms are not worth it as you just look over an undeveloped block of land. If you are in a superior room, have a look at the deluxe rooms - they are HUGE with separate loungeroom etc. and 2 king-size beds, walk in robes %26amp; huge bathroom.

Lindy, We really did like the Kata Beach Resort - it is total beachfront. But there was no air-con in the foya or lifts and that turned John off a bit. But the grand deluxe seaview room was lovely, and the staff were extremely nice to us as we had booked a time to meet with them. They even had our names up on a board - Welcome Ms Sandra %26amp; Mr John!! We have been spoilt with Pool Access for our holiday, and decided that upper floors are not really our cup of tea. It is so easy to go to the loo, make a drink etc. when you%26#39;re on the same level as the pool. But that is just us. I%26#39;m sure that you will love the Kata Beach Resort.

Lee, It was so great meeting you %26amp; Trevor, and I really hope that we can see each other again - Do you want to join us for our honeymoon??? Different rooms of course.

We can%26#39;t wait for the REAL Friday night BBQ %26amp; meeting Charlie %26amp; Lum Yai and catching up with Richard, Megumi %26amp; Mark from Phuket Sail Tours again.

Lots of love

Sandy %26amp; John XXXX

Hi Sandy And John,

Thanks for your wonderful trip report, sounds like you had a great time over there.

Always wondered whar Gracelands was like as each night standing on our balcony at the Andaman Beach Suites we could see it, and the first time we went we actually saw it being built.

Cheers,

Stewie.

Hi Sandy,

I can%26#39;t believe you guys are home already.

Glad you had such a great holiday - it must be a real nice feeling to know that you only have to wait a few more months and you%26#39;ll be back there on holidays again!

We passed Gracelands a couple of times on the bus and it looked lovely. Our son Joel is very upset we didn%26#39;t stay there, he would have gone bowling every night!!!

Glad you liked Merlin Beach.

Like Lee, Ken and I are feeling rather flat at the moment. We need to organise another holiday to perk us up again.

Nicky

There has always been a life in the reception area of the Kata beach resort. It is the black marbel colume on your left as you walk from reception past the restrooms to the restaurant,coffee shop,wine cellar area. There was also a restroom near the side bar/restaurant next to the second pool area. The hotel is disabled friendly there are wheelchair ramps everywhere as well. CJ