Our trip to Thailand was very special and personal for us. Our daughter went there to teach English, and we hadn’t seen her in seven months. We’re so proud of her courage and determination to set off on such an adventure. She had her ups and downs for sure, but as usual, proved to everyone that whatever you set your mind to can be accomplished.

So, this post will have several chapters, since we did and saw so much on this trip of a lifetime…let’s start with where to stay in Phuket.

(A shameless, but well-deserved plug) We were traveling to an unknown place halfway around the world, and though I pride myself in planning trips and doing tons of research, I was hitting a roadblock, and feeling unsure. A family of five, with 3 grown children usually requires 2 rooms and gets pricey, fast. Plus, there were so many resort areas to choose from in Phuket, I was overwhelmed. But after a call to our trusted advisor at www.vacationkids.com we were totally taken care of, and stayed in one of the most beautiful and (very) affordable places we’d ever been to.

The Amari Phuket is set on a hillside, a secluded paradise overlooking Patong Bay. We arrived exhausted after 22 hours of travel, but upon stepping into the spectacular, multi-level marble lobby, impeccably decorated, with a beautiful lounge and immense opening to the water view, plus comfy seating areas…we totally re-energized (and, of course, our family reunion was nothing short of joyous).

The friendly and attentive staffed shuttled us to our room (it is hillside, no exaggeration), and the spacious suite didn’t disappoint in the least. Bright and airy, two bedrooms, a common area where we could hang out, luxurious modern bathrooms with walk-in spa showers. And after that flight, the soft beds and cushy pillows never felt so comfortable.

My son and I woke early to save a spot poolside, but no need, as there was plenty of comfortable lounging to be had. Beds with canopies lined one side, while rows of lounge chairs offered pool or water views that stretch forever. The tranqil setting stretched along the waters edge, lush lawns and the ‘Jetty’  leading out to a coral reef inviting us to explore.

Let’s talk about the breakfast at Rim Talay, the open-air poolside restaurant. Beyond (way beyond) every imaginable breakfast staple, including a made-to-order omelette bar, was an incredible buffet of Thai and Asian food, that would take waaaaay too long to list. If you can imagine it, it was there.

On our non-excursion days (which were far too few) we soaked up every minute of this tranquil paradise. Days spent poolside, at the pool bar, lunches outside under the palms, and themed dinners, including an all-you-can eat BBQ, with meats and seafood grilled to perfection.

The location was a great jumping off point for our excursions, which we’ll get to in the next chapter(s). Its a five minute walk to Patong Beach and the Bangla Road walking street. Now I’ll be the first to admit, these areas aren’t for everyone. Its a crowded beach, full of persistent vendors pushing everything at you, from jet skis to massage.

At night, the walking street is an experience. Its loud, dirty, lots of bad Thai cover bands playing everything American, from Journey to the Carpenters  (who the Thai people love!). You’ll get hit on by the ‘girly boys’, and pulled into the noisy bars. But, let’s not judge…if you’re up for a crazy good time…then check it out and draw your own conclusion. Not for the family, but if you’re with a party crowd, you CAN have a good time.

All that aside, if you are looking for a beautiful, serene and unforgettable beachfront paradise, the Amari Phuket won’t disappoint you.

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