Patra Mansion

For those of you desiring a less than common and cookie-cutter experience while in Phuket, then by all means get off the choked beach hotel route and head slightly inland to Phuket-town. There are ten Thais to every westerner, not the other way around, and some of the best food and cheapest (but clean) accomodations are to be found there. For every westerner you see, most of them are expats in this area -- some really interesting people.

I give Patra Mansion four stars, on a relative scale, because of its ammenities to cost ratio. For eighteen U.S. dollars a night (in the low season) you can save hundreds over the course of your stay. It is staffed by friendly and courteous staff, and a quick motorbike ride away (15 minutes) to the beaches. By the way, try PURE CAR RENT on Ratsada Rd. for motorbike rentals at less then $5 per day!!! Patra Mansion has a pool, air-conditioned rooms, in room fridges, Intl. cable t.v. and a lot more. I always stay there when I go, and a lot of the TEFL English teachers live there, so you can meet cool people from OZ, NZ, S. Africa, Canada, GB and US while you're at it -- they usually know some of the best "secret" beach locations and more. Lastly, like most hotels in the Phuket-town area, there are monthly rates available. I believe you can stay (if you're planning on staying three months) for only about $150 per month! Patra Mansion is not too easy to find, if you don't already know where it is, but it is very central to the core of Phuket-town. Ask around for it or look online (I don't know if they have a website yet). The tuk-tuk and cab drivers around the airport may not know of it, but the local guys should.