The lowdown on which Phuket hotel is right for you

Phuket: it’s an island paradise in the heart of Southeast Asia. No wonder Phuket is such a popular destination for traveller coming from around the world. Thinking about a holiday to Phuket? If so, you’ll need to book your Phuket hotel or resort as soon as is humanly possible.

Obviously when thinking about which of the Phuket hotels is right for you, you’re going to need to give careful consideration to the budget. Do you want to stay in a swanky restaurant or would you rather save a bit of money so you can have a few wild nights out?

Another important decision you’ll have to make with regards to your Phuket hotel of choice is where exactly you want to stay. Phuket is a diverse island and as a result, one side of the island will be totally different to the other, so do your homework so you don’t have any regrets later on.

Let’s say, for example, that you want to book a Phuket hotel in a lively spot, perfect for young couples of groups of friends. You need look no farther than Patong, which is where the majority of the island’s action is, including a large number of bars, clubs and nightclubs.

Maybe Patong doesn’t sound like the right place for you to book your Phuket hotel room. In that case, have you ever considered somewhere such as Mai Khao or Cape Panwa. These places are usually a little more expensive to book, but they are quiet and scenic.

Hopefully this doesn’t all sound too daunting and you will be able to pick the requirements for your Phuket hotel with the minimum of fuss. When you’re ready to book, be sure to shop around as the online agents can often different in price.

New Green Luxury Hotel Opens Today

A four-acre family home and vineyard is being billed as "America's greenest hotel." The Bardessono, a 62-room hotel, 92-seat restaurant and spa opens in Yountville, California today. The plans for the Napa Valley hotel have been in progress for 11 years, when the Bardessono family began their journey to turn family vineyard into a hotel. The family worked with Seattle developer Phil Sherburne to create a hotel that they hope will be awarded the platinum rating from the LEED Green Building Rating System. The 62-room hotel also includes a restaurant featuring locally sourced food and beverages and green spa that uses organic products.A rooftop pool includes private cabanas.

Salvaged wood was used for the project and two geothermal wells provide heat and cooling as well as hot water. Solar panels produce power and exterior Venetian blinds are automatically controlled to adjust to the sun. Other green features include low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets, drought-resistant landscaping and organically-sourced linens and cleaning supplies. Rates start around $500 a night.

Jail Hotel

One of the more amazing transformations to occur recently in Boston happened earlier this summer when the Charles Street Jail, built in 1851, became the Liberty Hotel, a 300-room luxury property with 10 suites, three restaurants, lounges, and a fitness center.

After a five-year renovation, the jail has finally turned into a luxury hotel. The renovation costs $150 million and it's best for guests who can afford to pay anywhere from $319 a night for the lowest-priced room to $5,500 for the presidential suite. Liberty hotel has opened starting September.

Architects Cambridge Seven Associates went to great lengths to preserve the original granite jail structure, and many original features of the jail remain intact, including the historic catwalks. If the building was home to notorious criminals before, now it's already a place for well-known people and celebrities and some of the guests who paid the luxury hote a visit are Mick Jagger, Annette Bening, Meg Ryan and Eva Mendes.