Club Med Phuket

Hi,

We are wanting to plan an extended family holiday next Xmas/ New Year for 3 generations (6 adults, 4 kids) and have had a good experience with Club Med's in the past (Cherating back in the 80's was great in April).

Wondering if anyone can help us out with ideas or feedback on the obvious resorts that fit our criteria:

We want a resort that is:
1. Within 8-9 hrs flying of Perth/ Melbourne
2. Is in dry season - or at least can expect good weather for outdoor activities (any experience with Bali in late Dec?)
3. Has a wide range of activities, preferably including watersports
4. Has a mini club for kids (kids ages between 4 and 7)
5. Has a "bungalow" feel rather than a hotel feel.

Cherating looked great until I read they have heavy rain that time of year and Phuket doesn't have quite as good an activity range.

Bali looks OK - but I think it is still pretty wet this time of year. Then again I do recall going to Noumea in December years ago and it was OK.

Any comments on likely weather in Cherating/ Bali or other resorts we should consider?

Cheers

Russel

As they say, everywhere is a long way from Australia. I'm afraid that you will not find the best weather at Cherating or Bali. It's the rainy season at both places. The same goes for Bora Bora. That doesn't mean you might not get good weather, but your chances aren't the best. Even though you aren't excited about the selection of activities at Phuket, the weather is perfect there at that time of the year.

I'll be quite honest, Phuket is one of my favorite clubs--golf, archery, excursions, tennis, snorkeling, yoga, not to mention the fantastic food. I wouldn't cross it off of my list.

John

Thanks John - yes it seems the logical conclusion is Phuket.

Is it far enough removed from the rest of the bedlam that is Phuket (eg Patong Beach)

I read somewhere that they stopped watersports there after the Tsunami....no plans to reintroduce, as far as you know are there?

Cheers

Russel

Russel

Yes, Kata Beach is far enough from Patong Beach.

It's true Club med stopped the water sports after the tsunami. There are water sports provided by the beach vendors like water scooter, banana boat.

The other place which fulfils your criteria is Lindeman Island.



Aita Pea Pea

It is my understanding that they still have snorkeling. If you like, I have a GO friend who is in Phuket, and I can ask her.

John

Snokerelling = water sports ! *lol* Yes, they do have that.

But I think they may outsourced snorkelling and diving to a company called Euro Divers or something. According to thewebsite, snorkelling is included.

They discontinued sailing wind surfing and kayaking.


Aita Pea Pea

Snorkeling is still within the CM activites and done by them.
Right now, it's the well known and long standing GO Kiki, Mauritian, responsible sailing Kani during the last year, who is in charge of it.

We were in Club Med Phuket in April last year (we are from Melbourne too) and absolutely loved it. There is definitely snorkelling as well as a range of other activities. The beach is stunning and Kata is about 20 minutes by tuk tuk away from Patong. There is heaps to do on Phuket, particularly sailing trips etc. The resort offered these trips but they were incredibly expensive compared to just wandering outside to the closest tour company.

I have no doubt you will love Phuket and the weather should be great in December.

Deb

Hi

One other reason which you may want to consider Phuket over Bali is that Bali remains unrenovated, so the resort is looking a bit tired. If they begin renovations in Bali soon (has anyone heard any news about that?), they may not be completed by year end. So Phuket may still be a better bet.

And I think Phuket has better food (both inside and outside the club). The shopping is also fab with the new-ish Central Festival located within a short taxi ride away.

Yrs truly
Maukitten

I believe, Bali will be closed from September to December 2008.
(At least this is what I've mentioned in the 'News for summer 2008' in the Information forum'.)
http://www.clubmedplanet.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7179

Maukitten,
Tell me about Central Festival, please. Is it a shopping mall? In Kata Beach itself? Thanks.
Anyway, when last time in Phuket, I did most of my shopping in Phuket Town and found the prices more interesting than in the typical tourist spots.

Hi Kiki

Central Festival is a somewhat new shopping mall a bit further away from Kata Beach, but not as far away as Phuket Town. If you remember the route from the airport to the village, you would have passed a huge Tesco supermarket? Well, Central Festival is located opposite Tesco.

The place looks very nice and chic. There are restaurants downstairs around a courtyard, a large Jim Thompson store, a multi-storey Central departmental store, as well as lots of other individual shops - sports goods, a shop which groups some Thai designers, nice handicraft, and a huge food court upstairs (very delicious food).

The prices would be pretty regular as lots of locals go there.

Maukitten

Sounds good. Thanks Maukitten.

Can't wait to go back to Phuket. Still working on a date in the near future. Has been 10 years or so...

Hi
the room renovations in Bali are ongoing at the moment (love the deluxe rooms). When the village closes in September 08, it will be to renovate the pool area, bar and restaurant. There is a new beach bar which is fantastic for those wanting to relax during the day and before dinner. When I was in Bali in November the weather was fantastic and once per week they have an awesome Beach party down at the beach bar after the nightly show.

Bali remains my favourite village. I have stayed previously during New Year and I found the weather to be great. The seasons are changing so much these days its hard to determine the wet season from the dry season. Personally I would travel to Bali at any time of the year.

If you travel in December 2008 to Bali you will experience a newly renovated resort.

Ezza

Re: Bali over NYE - as it's the monsoon season things get a little unpredictable that time of year. I was in Bali for NYE and it poured crazy rain 10minutes before 2008. All of us at the beach got drenched trying to run back to the main bar..the poor GOs were soaked and the rain didn't stop till about 3am. Despite that we had heaps of fun.

The GOs told me it also rained over X'mas and Boxing Day..but like i said you can't predict things like the weather. Phuket might have better weather though around Dec/Jan.