Anyone stay at the Sheraton or Le Meridien?

[dummy_plug]

I'm debating the two hotels so wanted to see if anyone had :: recent :: experiences at either properties. If so, please post about how you thought of the overall property, general area (i.e. is it convenient, are there restaurants around, etc), and thoughts about the service. I'm trying to book soon so any input is appreciated!

[Snick]

There are two Sheratons, the one on the river is in a poor location (unless thats what you want). The Sukhemvit one is very nice, but I was underwhelmed by the pool. Foods great.

Le Meridien is new, I haven't had a chance to go there yet. I do plan on going for a meal sometime (I have a 2 for 1 card).

[Master Bator]

I think he is talking Phuket here Snick...

Meridian is closer to Patong, Sheraton Laguna way out near the airport.

I can't afford to stay at either...

[Snick]

D'OH - My bad, didn't see that this was under Phuket.
In that case, I'm even less help - haven't stayed at either one.

[SamplerDoc]

DP,
Whats the cost difference or how much do they cost per night?
Does the price include the same items?

Comparing the above may help.
Did you look at agoda or hotel.com for any ratings?

Hope that helps.

[paradise_juggler]

Le Meridien - for sure

Nice private beach and good pool & gym.

And much closer to the action on Bangla Road.

[petesie]

I've stayed at both Meridiens.....the one between Patong & Karong with its own private beach and the one in Khao Lak.............the latter was better all round but nowhere near any real action..............

The Patong one is fairly good but to be honest is relatively expensive for what you get so unless you're getting a superb deal......I would certainly look around............not LB friendly!

[lblavr]

2 months ago,I had a nice 2 story villa zt the sheraton for 2 nights, at 500 euros each and nobody cares if you are with a ladyboy or not,however the beach is too far away ,10 min walking and the hotel is simply too big. the Dusit Thani is much nicer,compact.However Patong is too far away,easily 40 min drive, which was no problem to me as I had imported my ladyboy from BKK,however if I had to do it again and looking for nightlife I would certainly get a hotel closer to the ladyboys

[Guest]

meridien near patong even frowns on GG's never mind LBs, stay away from them i would suggest

[Snick]

I'm voting for the Sheraton

Five-star hotel chef gunned down in Kathu

KATHU, PHUKET: -- A chef at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort in Karon was gunned down in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Kanchai Yoksri, 31, was found dead with two bullet wounds to the chest in front of the police radio monitoring station on Wichit Songkhram Road in Kathu.

Tung Tong Police received a report of the shooting at 1am and rushed to the scene together with Vachira Hospital doctors and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation.

At the scene they found Mr Kanchai€™s body on the ground near a motorcycle. A plastic bag containing two cans of beer was still hanging from the handlebars.

Police recovered .38 caliber bullet casings nearby.

Kusoldharm Foundation workers later transported the body to Vachira Hospital Phuket for an autopsy.

An initial investigation revealed that earlier that night the deceased was drinking with friends at Si Kor Intersection on Wichit Songkhram Road, about a kilometer from where the shooting took place.

At around midnight, Mr Kanchai headed home. On the way he stopped off to buy two cans of beer.

As he passed two men on another bike, the man riding pillion pulled a gun from his belt and shot Mr Kanchai twice in the chest, killing him instantly. The pair then fled.

Tung Tong police are investigating to find possible motives and track down his assailants.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-06-18

[Guest]

Anyone ever been to the Marriott resort on the beach? The misses and I are thinking about going there - we can get a free week from all my marriott traveling. But I'm only interested in "high" season or more precisely wen it's not raining all the time - Are Jan-Feb good times to go for sunny weather? Can go before them - in afghan right noe and have to report back for duty in Mar.

If Jan-feb are not good - then i guess it's Rio in Brasil!

[azza33]

Email the hotel you pick and check the joiner policy - some of these upmarket places have huge joiner fee policy 2000-3000 baht per night to dissuade guests of any persuasion.

[rxpharm]

Jan-Feb is a fine time to go - it is not the during the rainy season (May-Oct), and before the hot season (Mar-May) However on the island, you can experience the occasional tropical downpour so keep an umbrella on hand if it looks cloudy or the weather predicts a shower.

Azza, it sounds like he will be traveling with a regular companion - so if he books for two, no problem with a joiner fee if he checks in with her.

[driftwood]

(paladin @ Sep. 20 2009,07:20) Anyone ever been to the Marriott resort on the beach?

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa  is a beautiful property. Very upscale, located on Mai Khao beach, great views, lush landscaping, nice pool, top notch service.
Beautiful and romantic for couples. A great place to get away and chill with your lady.

I stayed there about 5 years ago. One drawback is that it's located several miles outside Patong. Being a single dude with the sole intention of getting down to Bangla Road every night, I found the resort is too far away from the action. Marriott does provide some shuttle services, but it cost a small fortune in taxi/tuk-tuk fees to get around to all the places I wanted to be.

[jimbo34]

If you want to be near the action but upscale, look at Holiday Inn, or similar in Patong.
Meridien is ok but very guest hostile, and is a mile or so outside Patong and will involve being ripped off both ways in a tuk-tuk.