Marriott Phuket Beach Club advice, please!

[Fi2]

Thanks in advance, for any guidance you can share, especially before our AM departure from NJ on Mon, Jul 15

Long story short, I neglected to do any research into our first ever Phuket stay, enroute to a Singapore wedding, since we’re flying the morning after to squeeze some Alaskan pre-cruise excursions in (ridiculous itinerary, I know!), and haven’t finalized those bookings yet either.

Where do you exchange for baht? I’m used to just pulling local money out of the Citibank ATMs at Singapore’s airport, and by the Tang Plaza (explorer collection) hotel, but don’t know if I can do this upon arrival in Phuket, or by the resort as needed

How do you manage airport transfers? I’m traveling with three kids, check-in luggage (clothes and footwear for the tropics, a family wedding, some AK outdoor adventure, and the cruise don’t all fit in our carry-ons)

I read that repeat visitors stop at a supermarket before checking in, since there are few reasonably priced stores or restaurants nearby (I’d love to be corrected if this info is out of date!). I also need to keep basics on hand for my multiple food-allergy child. Which store(s) should we visit on our way to the resort? Which nearby options do you recommend?

Our flight arrives Phuket at 10:30AM. Should I bother booking a room for the night prior, or will baggage, immigration, and a supermarket run occupy the time until check in? I know my points will go into holding, and that’s okay. They were in holding already, when I booked!

Will I have reliably good WiFi at the resort? Out and about Phuket? I use Tmobile at home, and am Platinum Elite in Marriott if that makes any difference

My main purpose in booking Phuket was to allow time to get over jet lag prior to the wedding, at less than half the cost of the explorer club options in Singapore, so we’re perfectly fine not doing anything more touristy than eating local/street foods. Have any recommendations?

What have I forgotten?

Again, thanks in advance!

 

[Fi2]

Oops, I forgot that I’m Titanium vs Platinum Elite, if that makes any difference to the resort.

 

[bazzap]

You can exchange for Thai Baht all around Phuket.
There are ATMs at the airport, which you might need to use to pay for your transfer if you haven’t already got some local cash, also at the resort and the nearby small shopping complexes.
They all charge a withdrawal fee, THB 220 (approx $7) as I recall, so you are best taking out fewer larger amounts.

For transfer, unless you want to splash out on the resort limo, you can take a taxi from the airport for around THB 600.
Just be sure to look for the “official” taxi rank.

As for supermarkets, it depends how much you want to buy.
There are local supermarkets within walking distance of the resort - 7 Eleven and Turtle Mart, where you can buy basics and you can do online shopping from the resort with Tesco, Central, Villa Market... or you can take the taxi to a large Tesco.

We often arrive early, have swimming gear packed ready to hand and just chill out by the pool until our unit is ready.

Wifi is available all over the resort and grounds, it has recently been upgraded so should be very good indeed.
Out and about, you might want to pick up a local SIM either at the airport or at the 7 Eleven.

With Bonvoy Titanium status, you will receive your arrival gift and discounts at the resort restaurants run by the JW which is co-located with Phuket Beach Club.
The resort restaurants can be expensive, but there are several “local” restaurants nearby which are also very good - JJs, KinDee.... etc

Enjoy.

 

[Fi2]

You can exchange for Thai Baht all around Phuket.
There are ATMs at the airport, which you might need to use to pay for your transfer if you haven’t already got some local cash, also at the resort and the nearby small shopping complexes.
They all charge a withdrawal fee, THB 220 (approx $7) as I recall, so you are best taking out fewer larger amounts.

For transfer, unless you want to splash out on the resort limo, you can take a taxi from the airport for around THB 600.
Just be sure to look for the “official” taxi rank.

As for supermarkets, it depends how much you want to buy.
There are local supermarkets within walking distance of the resort - 7 Eleven and Turtle Mart, where you can buy basics and you can do online shopping from the resort with Tesco, Central, Villa Market... or you can take the taxi to a large Tesco.

We often arrive early, have swimming gear packed ready to hand and just chill out by the pool until our unit is ready.

Wifi is available all over the resort and grounds, it has recently been upgraded so should be very good indeed.
Out and about, you might want to pick up a local SIM either at the airport or at the 7 Eleven.

With Bonvoy Titanium status, you will receive your arrival gift and discounts at the resort restaurants run by the JW which is co-located with Phuket Beach Club.
The resort restaurants can be expensive, but there are several “local” restaurants nearby which are also very good - JJs, KinDee.... etc

Enjoy.

Thank you, so much! It’s been so long since I’ve traveled to a country where I can’t at least get by in the local language, so your insight and advice are invaluable.

 

[bazzap]

I meant to say that I checked for someone else recently and at the wide range of JW/PBC resort restaurants they do have good experience of catering for guests with food allergies.
They suggest contacting the restaurant manager when booking to discuss your needs.
“Local” restaurants I am not so sure about and it may be more difficult to explain.
Peanuts especially are used extensively, if that is one of your concerns.
You can buy food allergy cards in Thai language to show them, which might be a good idea.

 

[Fi2]

Thank you for the allergy card suggestion! This is the first time in decades that I’m traveling to a country where I can’t speak any local language, so I’ve never looked into them before.

Thankfully, my youngest has outgrown her soy, wheat, and peanut allergies, but as she is still very allergic to tree nuts (cashews, especially!), eggs and milk, I’ll also be picking up an extra epipen prescription today.

 

[turkel]

Your T mobile phone will work in Phuket. No need for a SIM card. PBC is a great resort. If you have kids you might want to request to not be placed by the quiet pool. The walk will be shorter to the JW pool and a pool we’re your kids can be themselves.

 

[Fi2]

(deleted)

 

[Fi2]

Thank you!

 

[Fi2]

Thanks again, for the fantastic info!

Has anyone been to Phuket frequently/long enough to require a haircut? Yes, I realize that I get a discount at the JW’s spa, but am not interested in paying premium prices for simple kids’ cuts. As it is, my girls typically have gotten their haircuts for free, every time they had about 14 inches to donate to Locks for Love, or the like

 

[bazzap]

A short walk from the resort at Mai Khao Plaza is
https://m.facebook.com/VY-Nails-Care-Salon-1847766325437718/
They say they offer nail and hair care services - you could email them and ask?
They would certainly be lower price than the JW Spa, but probably still more than real local prices.