Phuket, the original beach paradise in Thailand, won’t be as popular and crowded as it is now without the loads of activities or day trips you can gobble in or around the island. But if you want my unadulterated opinion, I heart more the popular Philippine beaches/islands based on beach-beauty category (i.e. Boracay, San Antonio, El Nido).
Nevertheless, Phuket has its own charms depending on your relaxing-beach-holiday fetishes. The first time I was in Phuket was in 2008 and tried the 2nd most popular tour from Phuket -Phang Nga bay and James Bond Island tour. Seven years on, it has developed much especially the town center that is Patong beach. If you want peace and relaxation, this area of Phuket isn’t the place to be.
Novotel Kamala. Ocean view room provides epic views, especially at sunset. And yes, it is a see through shower!
We stayed for four nights at Novotel at the much less bustled beach of Kamala. Conveniently 30mins away from the airport, compared to an hour distance if you stay around Patong.
Loungers by the pool and the beach view, likeee!
We were in Phuket mid of July which is a low season and sadly a monsoon season, meaning much of rains or shades than sun (like we haven’t had enough of the Dubai sun/heat!). So if you plan on going on a tour to Phi Phi island or Maya bay, beware of the waves. If you’re easily seasick, don’t do the tours which require long boat rides!
For AED280/USD75 per pax, the tour will take you to the Phi Phi Don island which takes 40mins on calmer seas, but due to the monsoon it took us 1hr and 20mins of rough seas and people puking around (ironically, our 7month old bambino was sleeping well with the waves). Includinng lunch, the tour further takes you to 2 snorkeling spots including Pileh lagoon, monkey beach, viking cave and supposedly Maya bay (shown in LeoD’s movie “The Beach”) which we couldn’t see due to the rough seas.
If you want to explore Phuket island itself, it has much activities to keep your day occupied: go to Bangla road for early beers and loud music (at night, it sort of becomes a red light), zipline, elephant trekking, jungle safari, atv/quad bikes with friends, etc. But for us, towing a 7month bouncy boy, we went to see the tigers at the ‘kingdom’ and randomly saw a cobra show which was pretty fun and amusing (funny emcee and cobra master performer, you can tell they love what they do). And for my adventure-full and thrill-seeking hubby, a run up the hill by the beach was rewarding especially after taking the views atop the greeny hill. 
Phuket has been a fantastic holiday. And it’s always just ‘fanta-bulous’ whenever you holiday with your family. Travelling with a baby has its challenges but always worth it. ‘Til our next adventure, au revoir for now.
Cheers!
NOMADIC PURSUITS 