Phuket - any recommendations?

[WinkyWinkola]

We're thinking of going here for our holiday in August 2010.

We'll have a 5 yo, a 3 yo and a 10 month old by then. And my mum who will be 76.

What's Phuket like? Is there lots to see or is it really just a relax and loll about kind of place?

T.i.a.

i would head for khao lak, an hour from phucket airport. the meridian has a lovely kids club from 3 years plus.you can have a baby sitter at £9 per hour for children under that age.. there's a new marriott also opened there with a lovely looking kids club, have seen it but not used it.
we asked about the summer hols and end of july and first 2 weeks in aug are best.
we have just got back with one child and the 11 hour flight is a slog, get a night flight if you can.we slept on the way back but woke and thought "only 9 hours to go!"
phuket is a little crazier but depends on which area/hotel you go for.
mozzies were a big proiblem after 6pm,dd and i are covered even after using deet products.

Would second Khao Lak, we stayed at the Ramada recently which was great with kid's facilities. Have also stayed at the Meridien which is fab too. The weather can be unsettled in August though so bear that it mind

Depends what you want of course but we always stay at Kamala Beach Estate. It's pretty quiet though, but always other kids to play with etc. The houses are beautiful and well equipped ...kitchen, stereo etc, there are lovely maids and nannys available, beautiful pools and lawns and a terrific restaurant. 10 minutes away from all the action by tuk tuk ......

I actually clicked on this with the specific intent of recommending Le Meridien Khao Lak.

It has a couples' wing and a family wing, so you don't have to worry about your kids splashing the chic gay couple in thousand-dollar swimsuits. Or putting the honeymooners off the idea of procreation altogether

Just a word of warning ... we went for a week on our way to Cambodia one August and it poured (like torrential) non-stop - it's rainy season in chunks of SE Asia in August so check your dates/area very carefully!

Yes it is the rainy season at that time of year and most people tend to go the Koh Samui instead for a similar type of holiday.

be warned in my opinion Phuket has some really awful areas, we stayed in kata, few miles away, beach and atmosphere much nicer