Our time in Phuket Patong Beach

Bernardo Faigenblat
Nov 28, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Apr 1, 2023

June 2022

Our adventure in Phuket Patong Beach was full of exciting encounters and memorable experiences. We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express and were delighted to find a reasonably priced ($154) accommodation for two nights with a complimentary breakfast, a nice pool area, and laundry machines. As we explored the nearby area, we encountered enthusiastic vendors persuading us to enter their shops to make purchases, reflecting on how much Thailand relies on tourism and was hit hard following COVID.

After a brief rain shower, we stopped at a local market to have a drink and try some local food, where we were persuaded to go across the street to Sudjai Massage Place. It was the best foot massage we had ever received, and we even chatted with the masseuses' son on Facetime, sharing American references.

Later on, we visited Bangla Street, where we indulged in street food and watered-down alcohol at Sexy 9 Bar, where we met the owner's daughter, Amaraporn, who was about to start her internship as a chef in a hotel, earning only 1500 Bhat per month ($44). We were shocked at the low wage in that part of the world and decided to give her a shoutout for her amazing desserts on Instagram at @baketory.a.

Our night came to an end after partying with a pop star from Lisbon at New York Live Music Bar, and we stumbled back to our hotel rooms at 3:30 am. The next day, we had a slow start due to the rainy weather, but we booked an ATV adventure through the jungle for an hour. We met two Israeli's, Amit and Ni, and a couple from Saudi Arabia on the shared ride to the top of the mountain to take pictures with The Big Buddha Statue. We highly recommend the Paradise Trip ATV Adventure company that the concierge helped us book for this excursion.

On our way back to the hotel, we met Omar and his wife, Arab's who lived in Israel, who invited me for tea and nargilah upon my arrival in Israel. Later that night, we visited the Michelin Guide recommended steakhouse, "Wagyu," where they gave us an impressive selection of different types of steaks. We were excited to indulge in a wide selection of different types of steaks and we appreciated the affordable price of the meal ($270) compared to what we would have paid in the United States.

The meal included four different beef entrees, two appetizers, and desserts, all to be shared among three of us. Additionally, we were given a choice of different knives to use, with me selecting a French knife and my companions Alex and Jake choosing Australian knives.

During the meal, we noticed a couple at the table next to us, consisting of a lady in her late twenties and a gentleman who was upwards of 70 years old. Although we didn't interact with them much, it was interesting to observe their dynamic and see how they were enjoying their meal.

By the end of the meal, we were all feeling quite full and content, so we decided to call it a night. We headed back to our hotel in a taxi and arrived at around 11:30 pm. Thanks to the food and wine, we were all in a bit of a food coma and quickly fell asleep upon returning to our rooms.

Overall, while the meal at Wagyu wasn't quite what I was expecting, I still enjoyed the experience and appreciated the chance to try a variety of different steaks. If you're in Phuket Patong Beach and looking for an upscale dining option, it's definitely worth considering.