Club Med Cherating Beach

Hi

I would love any feedback as I am so confused. My hubby and I have two girls 2 yrs and 6 yrs and cant decide whether to book Cherating or Phuket Club Med in April next year.

Shopping wouldnt be such an issue as we will be staying a couple of nights in KL to get that fix!

Any info appreciaated.

Regarding Phuket you'll find my very detailled May feedback in the Phuket forum.

Can't comment on Cherating, but will return to Phuket in two days! YES!!

Phuket is a lot more compact and the mini-club is really wonderful, very well equipped with very caring GOs. I am sure the same is true for Cherating though.
Did you already check out the photo gallery?
http://www.clubmedplanet.com/village_detail.asp?cntnt=pic&vilcode=PHUC

If it's just for one week, you may want to check how easy you can get to either village from Australia.

D-2!

I have been to both clubs in April. My photos of both clubs are in the gallery. It is kind of an in between season at both clubs as far as the weather. In Phuket, you just starting the rainy season, although it isn't bad yet. In Cherating, you are just starting the dry season, although one local told me that they have two seasons in Malaysia, humid and real humid. Cherating will be hotter and more humid.

These are two of the most beautiful clubs in all of Club Med. The kid's clubs are just marvelous. There is probably more to do in the immediate area outside Phuket. The food in both places is outstanding. I am very biased in saying that these are my two favorite clubs. I was most recently in Cherating (last year) and it was a great experience due in great part to a terrific CDV and GO team. Also, both the Malaysians and Thais are wonderfully open and welcoming people. They made me feel very comfortable.

In summary, you just can't go wrong at either club. By the way, I am very, very jealous of Kiki. Kiki, have a great trip, and make sure to take a picture of the chocolate fountain.

John

John,

I'll try not to forget about taking a picture of the chocolate fountain. I forgot it in May, I know....
But I just bought some Swiss chocolate for my fave GOs.

And thanks so much for your good wishes. If only I was already there. 11h on the plane (BTW similar to Mauritius) is the maximum I can take.

thanks guys for your replies. I read both your reports and they were great as well as the wonderful photos.

One moment I am thinking its definately Cherating but then I will read or hear something and will side with Phuket and this changes almost hourly. I should stop googling arrgghh!

My travel agent told me that April is the hottest month in Phuket and it will be extrememly hot and humid. She said it will be slightly cooler but still hot in Malaysia. John you think Cherating will be less hot than Phuket? I dont mind humid weather but notice you went in April too John so would you think the weather would be not too unbearably humid for young children?

We would fly to KL and spend a few nights in KL at beginning or end of our holiday. Phuket works out at about $600 or so more in Aus dollars than Cherating.

Thanks again for your replies and your photos are wonderful!!!

pkmum,

I don't really think that April is the hottest month in Phuket. I would not describe it as extremely hot and humid. Now Bali is extremely hot and humid in April. There's hot and then there is Bali hot. It is just the start of the rainy season in Phuket. We had some evening rains in April. When I was in Phuket in January (I've been twice), we had no rain. I don't think that Cherating is any cooler than Phuket at that time of the year. I would say that Cherating is more humid. However, the kids never seemed to mind.

If you stay in KL, of course, you have to go to the Petronas Towers. I hope I spelled that right. The views are very cool from the bridge. If you didn't have a chance, you can see a lot more of my photos of both places at jdlphotos.smugmug.com. Look under Club Med and Travel. BTW, I have always found that spending the extra days at the end of the vacation in a place like KL make it easier for me to get back in the flow of things back home.

I repeat, you are going to love either place. A nice dilemma to face.

John

PS: If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to contact me either in the forum or by email.