Royal Phuket Marina Everything Under One Roof

The Royal Phuket Marina is the island's most exclusive marina, first opening its doors in 2005. Overlooking Phang Nga Bay on Phuket's eastern seaboard, the marina combines a multitude of features and facilities under one roof. As well as being one of Asia's most sought-after yachting and lifestyle destinations, there are also numerous high quality restaurants and health clubs within its courtyard, alongside high-end residential areas with some of the most stunning waterside properties imaginable.

The Fisherman's Wharf styled boardwalk is the ideal spot to relax in one of the waterside restaurants and watch the world go by. With lots of international eateries, the courtyard has become the place to be for the in-crowd. If boutique shopping is your desire, the marina is home to exquisite Thai crafts within Lotus Art de Vivre, or unique resort wear at Paul Ropp.

Health and beauty is also high on the agenda at the marina. Take the time to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul at the Pearl Spa & Beauty. Ensure your body remains a temple by working out at the fully equipped RPM Health Club or the adjoining floodlit tennis courts.

Boat-lovers will revel in the atmosphere of the marina, which is home to luxurious charter yachts and aesthetically pleasing cruisers reminiscent of those you would witness in St Tropez and Monte Carlo. There are eight tour boat companies within the marina, with one of the most respected being Charter Yacht Phuket, so organizing a scenic journey around the nearby Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island is supremely simple.

Celebrity spotting at the marina is a normal occurrence, with high profile celebs such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, actor Kevin Spacey, American Idol Paula Abdul and European royalty such as Denmark's Prince Henrik and Britain's Princess Eugenie frequent guests. The rich, famous and the extravagant enjoy Royal Phuket Marina and its classy and eclectic environment.

The luxurious living atmosphere of the marina pulls in interesting characters from the corners of the globe. Their exclusive and stunning residential areas have always been the talk of the island. With an earth-shattering choice of Aquaminiums (which recently won the CITYSCAPE Property Award for the best built Waterfront Development)and superfluous Royal Waterfront Villas for sale, this is luxury living at its finest within a much sought after destination. The designs are contemporary with attention to detail being the key phrase. With a host of facilities at the touch of your fingertips, it is hardly any wonder why the marina has received unprecedented praise since its induction.

Whether you desire a tasty meal, a touch of people watching, spa and health clubs, a boat charter, contemporary high-end properties, or just a relaxing stroll around the boardwalk watching the world go by, Royal Phuket Marina is the place for you.

Three Reasons to Book a Phuket Golf Package

One of the things we do best at Phuketgolf.net is to organize your Phuket golf holiday from start to finish. Phuket is one of the world's leading holiday destinations, known for its dreamy beaches, exotic climate and exciting nightlife scene. What most people don't realize is that Phuket is a rather large island, approximately the same size as Singapore. Golf on the island really is something special, so please find out 3 reasons why you need a book a golf tour package with us.

One of the best golf destinations in the worldPhuket has a total of nine golf courses, set over 6 different clubs, offering every type of level imaginable. With the beautiful all-year-round sunny climate, world-class hospitality and facilities at the clubs, alongside extremely friendly caddies and course officials, this is one of the best golf holiday destinations in the world, never mind about Southeast Asia. The Championship golf courses at Blue Canyon and Red Mountain, really compliment the mid-range but excellent value for money courses such as Loch Palm, Mission Hills, Laguna Phuket and Phuket Country Club. If you are a beginner to the game, the 9-hole course and golf academy at Phunaka will be the perfect ticket.

Once in a lifetime holiday
This is a section where other golf holiday locations around the world simply can't match. Phuket is one of the world's best beach holiday destinations with millions of visitors each year. Even if there were no courses on the island, Phuket would still be an amazing place to visit, but with the great courses it has, is a very difficult golf holiday location to beat. Beautiful beaches, fantastic restaurants, scenic natural beauty, amazing nightlife and solid infrastructure makes Phuket a once-in-a-lifetime holiday destination within its own right.

One-stop-shop for golf holidays
As you can see from above, Phuket makes for the best overall golf holiday experience bar none. At Phuketgolf.net, we can book all your green fees for prices much cheaper than the walk-in rates for the courses, we can find and book you a classy hotel in one of Phuket's best beachside areas such as Patong, and will also organize all your taxi transfers to and from the courses and even Phuket International Airport on your arrival and departure dates. We can pretty much do it all, while you can just turn up with your luggage and golf clubs, and we will do the rest.

Top Phuket Sunset Hotspots

One of the great features of the west coast of the island is the breathtaking sunset views. We would like to share with you our experienced wisdom on the best places to enjoy that famous Phuket sunset. Below we have listed our favourite sunset hotspots in no particular order.

Laem Phromthep Cape Viewpoint  Rawai/Nai Harn
Laem Phromthep Viewpoint is the undisputed king for sunset chasers. This purposely-built viewpoint is situated on the southernmost tip of the island on the winding coastline roads between Rawai and Nai Harn. From 5pm until sunset, the viewpoint is a hive of activity with visitors. If you are looking for tranquillity, this probably is not the place for you however, the views are amazing.

Kata Viewpoint  Above Kata Noi
Perched on a mountainside above Kata Noi on the road to Nai Harn, the Kata Viewpoint provides breathtaking elevated views of the ocean. This is a great place to catch the sunset.

Mom Tri's Boathouse Restaurant  Kata
If you like to mix sunset views with fine dining, Mom Tri's Boathouse Restaurant is the place for you. The Boathouse is one of Phuket's longest established top-quality restaurants. Sit just metres from the ocean on their terrace with a glass of fine wine and enjoy the sunset views at Kata with style and elegance.

Small Viewpoint Reggae Bar  Above Kata Noi
One of the most elevated sunset hotspots in Phuket is the Small Viewpoint Reggae Bar, positioned on a mountainside above Kata Noi. Not only are the views overlooking the ocean one of the best in Phuket, the atmosphere is friendly and the food and drink are great value for money. The bar snuggles the jungle treetops in dramatic fashion and we recommend it for unparalleled sunset views.

Layan Beach  Layan
If you prefer to experience the Phuket sunset in more peaceful surroundings, then venturing to Layan Beach is ideal. This beautiful stretch of sand is the proverbial untapped beach that defines Phuket's subtropical reputation. The beach is situated on the Northwest coast of the island and is a romantic spot to enjoy the sunset.

The Big Buddha Temple  Chalong
The panoramic views from the Big Buddha Temple at Chalong literally astound you. The viewpoint is situated upon one of the highest mountains in Phuket. To the east, you can overlook Chalong Bay and Cape Panwa, and to the west, you can enjoy the picturesque sunsets over Karon beach. This is a must see attraction.

Getting away for a Phuket golf weekend break

The Southeast Asian region is becoming a place to be, not just for holidays, but also for business. Cities and countries in the region such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila have become epicenters for international business. Many of you businessmen in the industry seeking to get away for a long weekend playing golf and enjoying great restaurants and nightlife should consider a Phuket golf weekend break.

Many of the locations noted above are within a 1-3 hour flight from Phuket, making it extremely accessible. Not many places in this part of the world can boast a one-stop-shop atmosphere in terms of nightlife, golf and beaches. Find out why a Phuket golf weekend break is just your ticket.

Weekend Golf in Phuket
Phuket has a fantastic selection of golf courses, from the Championship standards at Blue Canyon and Red Mountain to the more value-for-money course at Loch Palm, Phuket Country Club and Mission Hills. If you have never played the game before and always wanted to give it a go, Phunaka GC with its 9-hole course and golf academy is the perfect place to start.

At Phuketgolf,net, we can book all your green fees with the most competitive prices around, organize your taxi transfers to and from the airport and courses, and also book your hotel for you. You don't really have to do much. just turn up with your clubs in hand and we will take care of the rest.

Weekend Holidays in Phuket
Phuket literally has everything. Whether you seek the most exciting nightlife available, amazing value-for-money restaurants, beaches, theme parks, zoos or spas, you will find it on the island. Those of you with families that want to get away for the weekend, there is lots for them do while you are off playing golf. Locations such as Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao are the best and most centrally located areas to stay during your weekend break.

Whether you are seeking a weekend golf getaway for a couple of days or are searching for a golf holiday over a longer duration, 

Thailand Q&A Part 2

Q: What is the voltage of electricity?
A: The voltage in Thailand is 220 volts, 50 cycles per second. Generally speaking, Thailand's plug sockets are two-pronged, so bringing along a converter is a good idea, although you can actually purchase a converter in Thailand.

Q: Can I drink water directly from the tap in Thailand?
A: Nobody would recommend you to drink tap water in Thailand. Bottled water is so cheap, and is the best thing to drink in Thailand if you want to avoid an upset stomach. Even brushing your teeth with tap water is a no no.

Q: Are the dental services in Thailand of a high standard?
A: Yes! If you need any dental work done, we would advise that you take advantage of the excellent dental services in the kingdom. In most cases, they have the innovative technology that you would see in top quality dental practices in the western world, for a quarter of the price.

Q: What are the opening hours of banks and currency exchange services?
A: Commercial Banks
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday (9:30am-3:30pm, except bank holidays)

Currency Exchange Services
Hours of Operation: 7 Days (8:30am-10:00pm)

Authorized Money Changers in hotels
Hours of Operation: 24 hour service

Q: Is every item I want to purchase in Thailand open to the bartering and haggling system?
A: The vast majority of goods you want to buy from the non-food markets are definitely open to bartering. Items that are on display in shopping centres and high-street stalls have fixed prices, so bartering isn't needed.

Q: Can I use my credit cards when holidaying in Thailand?
A: Credit card usage is accepted in most upscale restaurants and in department stalls. Tailors will also accept credit cards. Restaurants at the cheap end of the scale normally only accept cash payment.

Q: What is the best form of transport to travel around Thailand?
A: It all depends what you are looking for. Hiring a car is a great way to traverse the country in comfort and at your own pace, but if you are looking for the most cost effective method, the national bus services are very good. From Bangkok bus station, you can reach the four corners of the nation efficiently for great value.

Q: What happens if I can't use the SIM card in my mobile phone from my home country in Thailand?
A: You can simply purchase a Thai SIM for as little as 100 baht. This will allow you to make cheap calls in the country at all times. You can obtain a Thai SIM card from one of the small mobile phone kiosks/shops you will see at street-side, or even from the 7/11.

TOP PHUKET ADVENTURE ACTIVITY HOTSPOTS

Phuket is famous for its relaxing beachside vibe, being the place to visit to get away from the trials and tribulations life presents. However, this is not enough for thrill seekers and adrenalin junkies who need their fix of danger. Fortunately for you, Phuket's eclectic disposition ensures you can partake in adventurous activities until your heart is content.

Jungle Bungee Jump – Kathu

If relaxing on the beach doesn't quite hit the spot, maybe you would like to throw yourself off a crane suspended 54 metres above a lagoon! Don't worry, you will be attached to the crane by a cord! The Jungle Bungee Jump, situated a short drive from Patong in Kathu, is set within luscious jungle vegetation overlooking a scenic lagoon. The 50m jump will fulfil all your adventurous needs in one swift descent. The Jungle Bungee Jump Company is Phuket's most reputable, providing full insurance.

Kannaree House  Chalong

If you like your adventure activities under one roof, a visit to the Kannaree House complex in Chalong is a must. Here you will find a great selection of Go-Carting, ATV riding and the Phuket Shooting Range. The newly built Go Cart track is ideal for people of all ages, with numerous vehicle types that allow you to traverse the purpose-built course with your child sat next to you. If that is not adventurous enough, you can hire the All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and tackle their dirt track course within these powerful beasts. To top off a great day, you can visit the adjoining Phuket Shooting Range and hire a wide range of firearms under the supervision of trained experts. For adventure activities, Kannaree House is the island's major hotspot and a must visit.

Shooting Cafe  Patong

Situated within the grounds of the Jungceylon Shopping Complex at Patong, you will stumble upon the Shooting Cafe. This interesting shooting gallery provides a unique concept, owning not only a fully equipped shooting range with a vast array of weaponry, but also an adjoining cafe, where you can ingest a tasty beverage and then pop some shots within the range. The staff are well trained and the prices are relatively inexpensive.

Patong Go-Kart Speedway  Kathu

If you want to pretend to be the reincarnation of Lewis Hamilton, you could take your first steps to glory at the Patong Go-Kart Speedway track at Kathu. This purpose-built 750m floodlit track owns a variety of vehicles for you to enjoy. There are standard single karts, super high-speed karts and kids karts thrown in for good measure. Whichever you choose, you will enjoy a high-octane afternoon pretending to be your favourite Formula 1 driver. You can find Patong Go-Kart Speedway at the foot of the hill from Patong in Kathu.

Blue Canyon Country Club Luxury Golf in Phuket

Phuket is blessed with an array of golf courses stunningly moulded into subtropical settings. When you hear the words Phuket and golf in the same sentence, it would be sacrilegious not to mention the Blue Canyon Country Club, which is one of Phuket's finest golf clubs. There are two courses at the club  the world-famous Canyon Course, and its sister, the Lakes Course. Both provide that challenging round of golf that golf fanatics will appreciate.

Canyon Course

The Canyon Course is so famous that the EA Sports computer game, Tiger Woods Golf, actually used the course as a main feature on one of their versions of the game. The course has been home to many joint tournaments from the Asian and European Tours over the years, such as the celebrated Johnnie Walker Classic. Greg Norman actually holds the record lowest score for one round with an amazing 64, which was set in 1994. Those who have played the course will realise how monumental such a score is around this challenging course.

The Canyon Course first opened its doors in 1991, and has since garnered a first-class reputation and won a bag full of awards from the most illustrious golfing publications from around the world. As the name suggests, the course is built upon a scenic canyon, which features on holes 13, 14 and17, proving an immense challenge for pros and amateurs alike. The diverse mixture of tree-lined challenges, numerous doglegs and lightening fast greens means that you need to bring your A-game. Hole 17, which is the longest par-3 in Thailand at 221 yards from the back tees, was awarded as in the Top 500 Best Holes in the World”, is a testing hole from an elevated tee to an island green.

Blue Canyon is simply one of the best courses in Thailand, and a trip to Phuket for any golfer, a visit to the course is a must.

Lakes Course

Although the Lakes pales in comparison to the Canyon course, it is more suited to higher handicapped players while still providing a real challenge for all. With a great mixture of woodlands and water hazards, you will need to be hitting the ball straight in order to get a decent score. Construction on the course was completed in 1999, although it enjoyed a revamp in 2008. The wider fairways than the Canyon Course makes your positional play a little more forgiving, which is why the course is better suited to high handicap players. Water comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes, with the signature 18th hole an astounding design, meandering through two canyon laden levels.

Facilities

The spectacular location of the clubhouse majestically sits in elevated locations overlooking the 18th hole of the Canyon Course. The restaurants and bar areas are grade one, which you would expect from a golf club of such a high standard. One of the major features of the facilities is a fully equipped spa, which is just what the doctor ordered after a challenging round of golf in the warmth of the sunrays. With a club shop that sells all the normal golf apparel and provides hire clubs from top brand names such as Calloway and Nike, you will be able to get your hands on everything you could possible desire for a top notch round of golf.