Phuket is the largest island of the kingdom of Thailand. It is included in the rating of the best recreation areas in Southeast Asia. The tourism infrastructure is quite developed here, which, combined with picturesque landscapes and interesting sights, attracts travelers from all over the world. Phuket Island has mountainous territory. Most of it - about seventy percent of the area - is covered with dense tropical forests.
The island of Phuket, being one of the most prestigious world resorts, has long become a favorite vacation spot among Russians. There are beautiful beaches, there is the opportunity to go diving, horse riding, play golf. A large number of cultural monuments give tourists the opportunity to get acquainted with the Buddhist religion and life principles in the kingdom.
Climate
Choosing tours to Phuket, you need to get acquainted with the weather conditions of the island in advance. The hot season here begins in March and lasts until the end of May. At this time, the temperature ranges from 24-33 degrees. Somewhere in mid-April, the first signs of the rainy season begin to appear. The temperature drops, sometimes pouring short-term showers. In the first days of summer, monsoons begin, which completely cover Phuket. The sea this season is turbulent, red flags appear everywhere on the beaches, signifying the prohibition of swimming.
Rain with tropical thunderstorms lasts until October, and stable dry weather sets in from November. It was at this time that tours to Phuket are the most popular, since they fall at the peak of the tourist season, which ends only in February.
Prices
In general, two periods are clearly distinguished on the island. It is a dry season and rainy. Therefore, the trip time in many respects needs to be selected based on what kind of vacation tourists prefer. Cost depends on the season. Phuket, whose air temperature does not fluctuate strongly during the year, can be called an all-weather resort. However, tourists who prefer a beach holiday, it is better to choose the period from November-December to April. This time is considered a high season here, and therefore hotels are crowded, and the cost of living rises somewhat.
From April to October, surfers come to Phuket, as well as those who prefer an active form of recreation on the water. At this time, hotels are not fully filled, and prices are somewhat reduced. Therefore, coming to Thailand (Phuket) this season, hotels can be booked without difficulty.
If we talk about the financial side of the trip, then, regardless of the month, prices here will seem to Russians lower than on the mainland, although, compared with Pattaya, they are slightly higher. For example, lunch in a street cafe can cost about four hundred rubles per person, a tuk-tuk ride costs about fifteen rubles, and an air-conditioned taxi costs 250-350 rubles.
In general, Phuket, where prices have risen substantially over the past ten years, is one of the most expensive cities in Thailand.
Cost of tours
This small island breaks records in demand among other Thai resorts. Tours to Phuket are mainly chosen by those who want to plunge into the atmosphere of complete relaxation, unlike the bustling Bangkok or Pattaya itself, which is awash with travelers coming from all over the world.
At the same time, no one is bored here: after time spent on the beach, you can go shopping to the resort’s shops and shopping centers, to the oceanarium. In addition, it is most convenient to go from here to the deserted islands of the Andaman Sea.
At the height of the season, tours to Phuket for residents of the capital of the Russian Federation will cost from sixty thousand rubles with accommodation in a three-star hotel for two. Moreover, a trip from Moscow will be much cheaper than with a departure from the regions due to the large number of charter flights.
The usual time to visit the resort is winter. In January 2015, many Russians bought last-minute trips to Phuket, and special offers are available to absolutely everyone, since Thailand is a visa-free country for the residents of our country.
In April, prices are slightly lower, so for eight nights in a three-star hotel with all-inclusive meals and departure from Moscow for two, you can pay within forty-eight thousand.
How to get there
Charter flights fly to Phuket from many Russian cities. On your own, you can get to the island from Bangkok - the capital of Thailand. Since today Phuket is the pearl of this region, there are a lot of opportunities to get to it at an affordable price and with comfort.
The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, in addition, it has its own international airport. Phuket's air gate is located in its north. They are the second largest in Thailand after Bangkok. In high season, tourists arrive at the resort by direct charters from Europe, Australia and from our country.
Hotels
Phuket is considered a great place to relax with children. And since it is relatively easy for Russians to get here, this direction has become reasonably popular over the past few years. In addition, the island has a very developed infrastructure and a fairly wide hotel base.
It is on this island that first-class hotels, striking in their splendor, are concentrated. The amazing exterior with which they are surrounded captivates everyone, and the diverse infrastructure and elite services will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated guest.
In quality, many hotels in Phuket can be compared with Turkish five-star apartments: there is a high level of service, staff in different languages communicate with guests, both local and European cuisine is well represented. The rooms have all the achievements of modern technology.
For the most part, hotels are located in calm, respectable areas, but there are those located near white beaches. One of them is M-Narina Hotel 3 *. It is about this hotel that we will discuss further.
general information
The hotel is a five-minute walk from the famous Patong Beach in the homonymous area. The city center is ten kilometers away.
It can be reached from the airport in just an hour, so it is great for those who are going to relax with young children who can not tolerate the transfer.
It has an ideal location. Tourists can fully enjoy the benefits of being close to all that this vibrant city has to offer. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel are Jungcelon Shopping Center, a sports complex where you can watch Thai boxing, numerous shops and restaurants. Within walking distance are also located Simon Cabaret, Bangla Night Street, Bazaan Market. On its territory there is a mini-garden, a swimming pool.
The building of M-Narina Hotel is 3 * storey, so elevators work. Its infrastructure includes a round-the-clock reception, laundry, medical office, free parking.
Housing stock
M-Narina Hotel 3 * - a small hotel. It consists of one five-story building, which is equipped with fifty-two standard, superior and deluxe rooms. All of them are recently renovated and furnished with modern furniture - beds, wardrobes, bedside tables. The rooms are decorated in traditional Thai style: masks, paintings, panels with elephants are on the walls. Curtains and bedspreads are matched to the color of the interior, there are nightlights and lights.
On the floor - ceramic tiles. The rooms have balconies with plastic chairs. Air conditioning is provided by split systems. There is also a large makeup mirror. The rooms provide everything to ensure maximum comfort for residents: mini-bar, hairdryer, television, free drinking water. The combined bathrooms have showers. Plumbing works well. In M-Narina Hotel 3 * there are rooms for smokers.
Nutrition
The hotel serves a continental breakfast, which is served in a buffet style restaurant. Judging by the reviews, many Russians liked the local cuisine. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in the restaurants or cafes located next door. In the immediate vicinity there is an excellent Thai cafe with a buffet and affordable prices. It is very popular among residents of the M-Narina Hotel 3 *. The à la carte menu is available in the hotel restaurant or in the bar. In the market, located literally a stone's throw away, you can buy a lot of exotic fruits.
Beach
The hotel provides towels for the sea for free. In five minutes, you can slowly walk to the swimming area. The nearest beach to the hotel is urban, public. Renting sunbeds for tourists will cost 100 baht per day. The coast and the sea are perfectly clean, the coating is fine sand. The entrance to the water is very convenient, which is important for tourists with children. For mattresses and umbrellas, you also need to pay extra. Those who wish can take the bus to other beaches - Kathu or Karon.
Entertainment
Hotel M-Narina Hotel 3 * (Phuket) is urban, so it has a small territory. But on the roof there is an excellent pool, around which there are sun loungers. There is also a bar. Drinks and snacks are paid. There is no animation at the hotel. Those who wish can play billiards (rent for an additional fee), sit in the lobby bar.
But on the beach there are a lot of entertainments, first of all, water ones. Here you can rent diving equipment and enjoy the underwater world with experienced instructors, you can rent a pedalo or a catamaran, sit in a cafe and enjoy delicious cocktails.
Fans of noisy pastimes are recommended to visit the cabaret next door, as well as watch the fights of famous Thai boxers in the center, located within walking distance. In addition, in the office near the hotel you can rent a vehicle and explore all the sights on your own on the island.
At the registration desk, you can order sightseeing tours to nearby islands, go to Pattaya or to wild beaches where there is no one.
Reviews
Many Russians express the opinion that for their three stars M-Narina Hotel 3 * is very good. He does not claim to be a high category, but he is quite consistent with his own.
Judging by the reviews, check-in is carried out instantly: without waiting for the hour stated in the rules, they give keys to the registry and help bring things to the room. The staff speaks English, so there are no special problems with communication among Russians.
There are many positive reviews about the hotel's location: not only shops and numerous small markets are available, there are many inexpensive cafes and restaurants nearby, a stone's throw from the exchanger with a very good course, and a seven-minute walk to the beach.
The rooms are good, everything works, there is a TV with a USB input, a safe. Maids carry out cleaning carefully, without waiting for a tip, they build different figures on the beds, mainly elephants.
At the registration desk, the girls, constantly smiling, help with any problem. Some did not like breakfast, or rather, their scarcity. The Russians, who like to eat tasty and hearty even in the morning, lacked the variety of dishes offered. But some liked freshly squeezed juices, especially from pineapple.
Tourists were also somewhat annoyed by the lack of entertainment for children, although they found a way out: they went for a walk, trying to stay less on the territory of the hotel.