man.what happend to hotel prices in phuket, thailand?
Hotel Prices
Mo asked:
i was there in 2003/4. had a junior suite at banthai hotel on patong beach for $110/night!!!!!! now the cheepest room for mid december is around $180…. am going there but dont know where to get booking from!
Heidi
i was there in 2003/4. had a junior suite at banthai hotel on patong beach for $110/night!!!!!! now the cheepest room for mid december is around $180…. am going there but dont know where to get booking from!
Heidi
January 4th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I believe they had a major tidal wave in 2005.
January 6th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
It is likely following supply and demand. There is a lot more demand for not as many rooms. Hotels can get away with charging more since they know they will still fill up every room.
Or maybe, the hotel owners says Phuket, let’s charge more.
January 7th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Hi there,
Not sure if this helps, but I stayed at the Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort, which is right across from Karon Beach. It’s a very decent three-star resort, but seems far fancier — the breakfast buffet is fantastic, there are three (very nice) pools, and rooms are clean and comfortable (lovely white linens, spacious bathrooms, and big balconies). We were a little hesitant to stay in an American chain at first (worried we were selling out!) but were very, very pleasantly surprised — this isn’t like any Best Western you’ve stayed at in the states, I assure you. The standard of service is far, far higher. True, you’re not RIGHT on the beach, but you just cross the road and you’re there. Karon Beach is pretty nice, and you can walk five minutes into town for dinner/internet/shopping — it’s not as built up and touristy as Pattaya (yet). We did take a taxi into Pattaya one night to go to the night market, and it wasn’t very expensive — I can’t remember how much, but probably around $3-4 each way.
Anyway, when I stayed there (mid-October last year) we paid the incredibly low price of $38 a night — I just searched for you for mid-December and am getting a room rate of $86 a night. Not QUITE so cheap, but certainly better than $180! And trust me, it’s a very nice place.
Hope that helps!
Holly
January 10th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Well between the US dollar going down almost 20 percent since then and the newer resorts opening up I think they are all gouging prices in Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya….
The baht was from 38 to 42 baht per dollar. And in 4 years of inflation and newer resorts.
I know that I visited Bangkok September ‘04 and got a room at the Plaza Athenee’ for $100 per night and recently I checked it and it is now $140 to $259 per night. The Emerald Hotel, I usually stay at now. Started out in 2005 at $37 per night is now $69 per night.
It’s not supply and demand becuz supply is up and demand is down. They are plain charging more. At least that is what I read. The better hotels are charging more.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
two factors effect the cost, one is the weak dollar and the other is that mid december is the prime season and prices go up about 50% from the low season which is May to Oct.
January 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
From Nov till Jan, this is the peak travel period in Thailand and popular places, the price may even double. So it will be expensive to be there during this period.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Well Thailand just isn’t cheap any more.
that’s all.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Tourist season; all the farangs are heading to the beach and most cheap hotels are already fully booked until February. your best option is to get there and look for a place as you arrive. Many rooms get canceled at the last minute (change of plans, missed flight, illness, etc.). Otherwise, look for Krabi, Koh Lanta and other nicer places. Phuket is convenient but definitely not the nicest spot to spend a holiday in Thailand.