All Inclusive - Centara Karon

As the All Inclusive option at this hotel is around the same price as some of the other B%26amp;B hotels we have looked at, I am thinking of booking this package. I like the idea of being able to drink at the swim-up bar for free in the daytime and eat in the hotel if we feel like it, but also have the option of eating out if we like.

I wondered if anyone has tried this package yet? If so, please can you let me know how it was?

The first time that I visited Thailand (1999) I stayed in a hotel (now the Evason Phuket) which at the time was the Phuket Island Resort. This was an AI hotel and the package was great. I am hoping that the Centara Hotels will be offering the same type of AI.

Many thanks!

Jubs

All Inclusive - Centara Karon

It comes down to what they are charging you.

Centara Karon is in the north Karon Circle area, if you have a good deal that is great, but it really vcomes down to the price to see if it%26#39;s value, there are plenty of very cheap deals around at the moment.

If you last visited in 1999 you will see lots of changes !

All Inclusive - Centara Karon

Hi monica4

I have been twice since, the last time was 3 years ago though so feels like ages since I was last there.

The AI is for a Premium Deluxe room and is 拢1300 each All Inclusive with flights with Qatar from Manchester at the beginning of October (2nd). I think it seems like a great offer as we paid that last time we came to stay when we stayed at the Merlin Beach Resort (which we absolutely loved thanks to the wonderful staff!).

We wanted to try out Karon as we can still get to Patong for the night life, but the beack seems better.

I am *this* close to booking! I just wondered if anyone had experienced this package and if is does sound as good as it seems. Really, the most important thing for me is that we can drink on the premises if we don%26#39;t want to move without being charged a whole heap of money! When we were at the Merlin, we ran up a HUGE bill at the swim-up bar playing connect 4 with the staff!

Thanks very much for your reply - much appreciated!

Jubs

I stayed there recently but only B%26amp;B. With drinks included and they do a decent evening buffet, then its good value.

I know with just soft drinks by the time they add service charge, govt tax and with the lower value of the pound it can soon add up.

Hi Preston Traveller!

Many thanks for the reply. I think that it is a good deal and, as you pointed out, with the price of drinks in hotels alone, you can add a lot to the final bill.

Did you like the hotel? What type of room did you have?

Thanks for the info on the dinner buffet too!

Jubs

I don%26#39;t know if it helps with your calculations but if you know how much the Qatar Airwways flights would be, then add on a budget flight to Phuket you can probably work out how good the deals is:

Locally here I have seen their All-Incusive Package offered:

Premium deluxe tropicale twin/double UKP 99.60 for 2, so that%26#39;s UKP 49.80 each per night

So if say you had 12 nights at the resort it would be for the base room UKP 597 each, add that to a BKK-Phuket return ( Thai, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia - cheapest ) plus whatever Qatar Airways fare you can find and add it up.

Remember when they charge per person.

AI deal: 597 pp

Qatar Airways to BKK return: ?

BKK-Phuket return: varies

Simply it leaves you with about 703 each to cover those flights.

Now, you can compare that with the normal B%26amp;B deal they offer which is UKP 48.30 for the normal room or 53 superior ocean view, 56 deluxe lagoon. Premium deluxe 71.42 Including tax, service and breakfast.

So the Premium deluxe room would be 71.42 for 2 so 35.72 each, however, if you stay 12 nights you only pay 6 nights but they add on THB 490 per day per person for compulsory breakfast on the free nights ( that is just on UKP 10 each )

So you pay 6 nights x 35.72= 214 plus 6x10 for that compulsory breakfast = 274 each

So on that deal 12 night would cost you about UKP 274 per person

So unless my calculator ( or me ) is not on the ball you are paying something like UKP 26.92 each for the lunch, dinner, drinks, afternoon tea, open bar etc, that is about THB 1,330 each per day.

So you have to mix the convenience and your drink consumption to see if you think the difference is worth it.

Just note on that stay 12 nights pay 6 nights deal even including those compulsory breakfast charge on the %26#39;free nights%26#39; it is about 274 each, if you then work that with Qatar Airways plus your BKK-Phuket flights you will be eble to see.

Another thought, you know Phuket, how will you feel going out for meals to restaurants when you get the bill thinking %26#39;this would not have cost us anything if we had stayed at the hotel %26#39; ?

So decide if it%26#39;s worth the extra THB 2,660 a day UKP 54 roughly for the 2 of you.

Something to compare, some other Karon places in October, B%26amp;B including tax and service: Twin/double room (= per person )

Best Western Ocean resort Karon deluxe 37.20 ( 18.62 each )

Centara Kata is deluxe 49.30 a nigth for 2 ( 24.65 each ) Stay 12 nights pay 6 nights plus 10 each per night on free night for compulsory breakfast, this is well 4 star !

A bargain last year and again this year is Sugar Palm Resort at Kata 19.12 ( 9.56 each ) with breakfast normal room, 24.15 pool view ( 12.08 each ) 35.21 pool access ( 17.62 each )

Kata Tropical Ggarden Resort deluxe seaview 35.21 ( 17.62 each )

Thara Patong beach from 42 twin for 2 but deluxe 57, stay 12 pay 9 including breakfast works about 256 each for 12 nights.

Hi Monica4!

many thanks for the huge effort that you have put into this reply! I really appreciate it.

I do think that (with all things considered including lunch, open bar etc) that we will book it as it seems like a great rate. I like the convenience of not having to have a huge bill at the end of our stay.

As for the eating out, we tend to book AI hotels and use them as a base - we have the convenience of being able to eat there for nothing if we decide to, but usually (after the initial 3-4 days of doing nothing except recharge our batteries in the sun!) head out after an evening drink to find food and lively night life.

I will take a look at the other hotels that you have suggested too.

Thanks very much for the time and effort, I really do appreciate it.

Jubs x

We had the family deluxe room. I generally liked the hotel, I will post a review soon.

The breakfast for a 3/4 star hotel was equal to a 5 star hotel.

There was a good range of facilities, we enjoyed the pool.

The spa was very good and the prices were much cheaper than many other hotels. Look out for deals of the day and offers valid on the first day of your arrival.

We ate at nearby restaurants and just for a basic meal for 2 adults and 2 kids you are looking at 拢20-30.

Thanks PrestonTraveller - I shall look out for your review.

I%26#39;m glad that you liked it. I am just about to call and book. We aren%26#39;t off there until October, but I will post a review once we are back.

Many thanks again.

Jubs x

A quick update!

I booked this hotel on the AI package. It was 拢1300 each and we were upgraded to a 1 bedroom pool cabana at that price too. This included 13 nights at the Karon and 1 night in Hong Kong on the way out, all transfers etc. We depart from Heathrow on Sept 26th.

If anyone wants the details (I am not sure if I am allowed to say who it was booked with on here), please email me and I will respond.

Thanks everyone for their help!

Jubs x