April is a great time to go. It should be hot but breezes should help cool it a bit. We haven't been to Phuket yet but have been to Hua Hin in April. If you are lucky you will see the Songkran festival( in fact you will be involved in it what ever!) This is a water festival to celebrate their New Year. You will end up soaking wet and your face covered in something resembling shaving foam which is actually really softening on the skin. Thais will dab this on your face for good luck( in Hua Hin anyway they made sure it was ok to do this first!) Arm yourself with a water pistol and join in the fun. Unfortunately we do not have a review for the hotel yet but I will request the hotel to be added to our review section.
Its location is somewhat remote, although there are a number of local restaurants within easy reach. The hotel is set in spacious grounds on its own beach. The beach is not suitable for swimming due to the fact its straight on to coral reef and rocks so its too easy to bash yourself. Having said that it quite pleasant to wander about at low tide. I would not describe it as a great place to snorkel though.
The setting of the hotel is on a hillside with numerous steps and paths between rooms, restaurants and the beach. The hotel has its own funicular if you don't feel like the hike back to your room. Rooms when we visited were adequate...with great views. The hotel is near to Phuket port so you see the odd cruise liner sail past at quite close quarters.
Its a good location for trips to outlying islands. The hotel has its own boat and jetty with trips to a nearby island with good beaches and coral reef. As said earlier there are a few local restaurants and shops within walking distance...however it does involve negotiating a steep hill - the hotel does provide transport though.
I'm looking at The Cape Panwa Hotel in Phuket early February. Has anyone been, and can give me any ideas for day trips. Would love to go to Phi Phi, and maybe other islands nearby. Any advice/ suggestions welcome.
Jill
Panwa is not far from Phuket port so is well placed to go for trips out to Phi-Phi...you easy book up to stay overnight if you wish. Its also a short trip to Wat Chalong which is a spectacular temple complex on Phuket. Its also possible to book a taxi for the day to see some of the sights..we took in waterfalls (which are not up to much in February) and the gibbon rehabilitation sanctuary as well as Phuket Hill which overlooks Phuket Town....there's a well regarded cafe at the top that does great coffees.
Phuket Town is closeby with its night markets and department store shopping
We stayed at the Cape Panwa in April this year for 12 nights, our first visit to Thailand. My full review is listed in the hotel reviews.
After a few hiccups, we enjoyed our stay and I would reccomed this hotel if you want a relaxing, peaceful holiday, we would not visit this hotel again as we like to visit other places and do not generally return to the same hotel.
The staff down at the beach are excellent and their service is first class.
We went on many trips, the best being phi phi island and the half day jungle safari and the Simon Show.
Is the Cape Panwa Hotel central enough to take full advantage of trips to other islands?
Would it be possible to arrange a trip to Krabi from the resort?
Jill
I've done various trips from Panwa taking in the islands. The Sea Canoe trip was one of the best and this visited an number of hongs in Phang-Na bay. I seen speedboats visiting Koh Hong (just off Krabi mainland) that have originated from the Panwa area. To do a trip to Krabi from Panwa on land would be quite a journey as you have to go back the full length of Phuket Island and round Phang-Na bay to get to Krabi.
Getting back to the original question, Cape Panwa is a nice little hotel but maybe a little too lively for us. I don't think that the location is particularly central but it's easy enough to get to the pier for the ferries and speedboat daytrips.
DON'T miss Phi Phi. Maybe even consider staying on the island for a few nights.
It caters to package and older clients, is quite large, and is a bit of an effort (but not much) to get out and about on the island.
I'd put it 3*+ - 4*, with plenty of positives.
We are staying at the Cape Panwa hotel in February. Has anyone stayed here and is able to tell us if we can book day trips either through hotel or nearby. Which ones would you recommend?
as with most hotels in Thailand it will have a tour desk where you can book your trips. If you have a rep they'll sell you trips as well. The hotel has its own jetty and they do regular trips to nearby Coral Island which has a lovely beach and reef to snorkel over.
Its also possible to get a taxi driver for the day, many hang out around the entrance to the Bay Inn apartments (owned by the same group as the Cape Panwa hotel). You can negotiate a rate with them and where you might want to visit - we used them to go to Wat Chalong, Phuket Hill and various waterfalls and the Gibbon rehabilitation sanctuary.
Looking for a bit of reassurance, booked for 11 nights (+ 4 BKK) & having spoken to a few people they think it may be to remote for us. We love to walk, definetly not party animals but don't like to spend all day/every day sunbathing (enjoy swimming).
Are there any long walks we could do, what are prices in taxis (heard they are expensive).
Thanks
AJ
Be prepared for the heat and humidity if you are too walk any great distance and take plenty of water and sun protection. Beach side at Panwa you are a bit limited in terms of long walk as the beach has rocky outcrops at either end.
Note that the beach at Panwa while attractive and sheltered at most times of the year is impossible to swim on a lower tides due to rocks and coral reef.
I'm thinking of asking travel agent if we can change our booking & spend a few nights at Karon or Kata, possabily 4. Do you think this would be feasable or would we be better trying to get an hotel when were there? Just if if Cape Panwa to quiete maybe then have best both worlds.
Taxi's from Cape Panwa are they a set price, it's just that we don't have a clue wether we haggle & if so what's a fair price.
Thanks
AJ
I use latestays.com to check prices of property a few days before travelling. They do deals up to two weeks ahead...Ive seen properties going for 900 baht a night B&B on there for a good three star property. On the other hand your TA may be able to organise something for you doing two centres in Phuket. You could even do a few nights on Phi Phi, easy to do from Panwa which is near the marine port.
Just panicking because its the unkown, we've been repeat visitors to Goa so know costs, tips etc perhaps got too comfortable.
I'm sure I'll pick up many tips if I keep checking site, well hoping so.
Thanks
AJ
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