columbiaman

All,

I plan on visiting Thailand from May 29th thru June 3rd with my wife and children (7 and 3). I would like some opinion on?

1. What are some good beaches for this time of the year for someone travelling with family? Some have suggested Ko Samui (gulf)? What do you all think?

2. We would like to do 2 days in Bangkok and 2 days at some beach location, any ideas on locations and hotels and links?

Thanks
CM

rhkkmk

i will be there the same time that you are....i am staying at the peace resort in koh samui....place looks fabulous and jamesA, our resident thai expert highly recommends it....in bkk i love the bangkok marriott resort and spa on the river....others with kids like the centre point apartments which is considerably cheaper....two days in each place is not very much....how about all 4 days in bkk with a lovely pool area...that would be the marriott...

columbiaman

actually a bit more detail on our iternary:
29th, 30th, 31st at Beach
1st, 2nd and 3rd at Bangkok

So its more like 2.5 days and 3 nights at beach and 3 days and 2 nighst at BKK. So Koh Samui seems like teh way to go for beach?

rhkkmk

to save money you might consider hua hin as you can drive there in 2.5 hours or less from bkk....the marriott, hyatt and sofitel hotels (top range) are very nice there....nice beach, boring town...good pools hotels are right on beach...this would save time and money on airfares and still give you the beach situation

columbiaman

I am going to look into Hua Hin as an alternative to Koh Samui. You are right Koh Samui adds about $600 to our tab for 4 tix on-line. I have also sent an email to the seatoursthai.com individual. How about th weather in June? Will it be good?

rhkkmk

it will be hot as hell, but generally pretty good weather from all reports..

Sameera_Anand

Koh Samet is another beach option tho I think with kids Hua Hin may be better.

columbiaman

Thanks for all your help so far, I have a few more questions:

- What is the most efficient method of getting to Hua Hin from the BKK Airport.

- Will the waters at Hua Hin be as calm as Koh Samui?

Thanks

JamesA

From Bangkok Airport to Hua hin a normal Taxi ( small Corolla, very tight!) will cost B 1,500, but the Limo service at B 2,500 (Large sedan, sometimes a Mercedes if you are lucky but othertwise at least a large Toyota) is worth the extra for the comfort and smooth ride. No need to book, just go to the larhe Limo counter after Customes, they operate 24/7 and I urge this choice over normal taxi.
Hua Hin never gets high waves, the water will not be as clear and pritsine as Koh Samui, the 'big' item though is the difference in getting to Koh Samui compared with Hua Hin, especially now we have all the new budget carriers the close on US194 return BKK to Samui appears more 'ludicrous'(?sp) than just 'expensive'. The saving is substantial. With kids of that age the Marriott (with kids club) is a good choice as it is right on the beach and you can walk into town, take a tuk-tuk in a few minutes or ride a samlor (Bicycle rickshaw). I have just had a week extensive travel around and even stopping for a roadside meal near Hua Hin the price difference is very apparent, i.e Hua Hin is 'cheap'!
Having said this do remember, Koh Samui is a 'trpical island' and Hua Hin is a 'coastal' area with beach, I hope that helps in your vision of what to expect, if your dream is swaying palm tress then Samui, if it's beach and good value then Hua Hin. Another place worth taking a quick look at ( especially if you are wisely watching the costs) is Jomtien beach, 20 minutes 'over the hill' from Pattaya, also very very cheap and although far more commercial than Hua Hin it has the benefit of simply 'endless' fun fro the kids from Underwaterworld to Waterpark, Ripleys 'Believe it or Not' to Mini Sima, go karts, and on and on.

JamesA

Jomtien Beach costs by taxi/limo the same as Hua Hin but takes about 1 hr 45 mins as opposed to about 3 hrs to Hua Hin. Jomtien Grand Palace cost us about $60 for 2 adults and 2 kids in their Grand Chelt De-luxe, about same for bungalow, that was last w/end.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/pa...mtien/details/

JamesA

Sorry for typos, I've had a long day!

columbiaman

JamesA,

Everyone recognizes you as an authroity so I was wondering about your responses. Anyway, glad to have your input.

Because of the short nature of the trip I am hesitent to go for 3 days to Koh Sumui and spend. So most likely it is Hua Hin ( although I am also looking at the otehr place you suggested).

I am consider Hilton but was concerned about a few things:

1. Someone posted something about Jelly fishes at Hua Hin. How real is this?

2. Someone also posted this about Hilton
" Nice hotel, friendly staff,... there is not much of a beach, there is nowhere to go..."

What does the author mean when they say "not much of a beach"

Thanks james A.

JamesA

I think you would be disappointed with the Hilton, it is a high rise ( looks like 17-20 levels high!) and there is no real beach but food stalls and you have to walk along near the Sofitel for a beach, there simply is no reason not to choose somewhere else. The Sofitel is like Singapore's Raffles, built 1920 and although up to date they retain the same style, marvelous hotel, could easily rank as one of Asia'a best in terms of being a Raffles style place 'on the beach'. The Marriott and Hyatt resorts both good. The Anantara a bit far from town but very Thai style, great spa. I would go for Sofitel/Marriott/Hyatt or Anantara or one of the smaller boutique style places like Kaban Tamor.

Jellyfish, yes, they can come and go.

Hua hin has lots of restaurants and probably around 50 bars which mostly have music, maybe pool tables, lots of girls hanging around. There is no other nightlife, there used to be a great Dinner and Show place there but they closed and moved to Phuket, there are a couple of disco pubs and that is it, so if you just want an evening of shopping, a meal, maybe a few drinks then OK but certainly no other nightlife at all.
Jomtien Beach is highly developed but in the Jomtien/Pattaya are are some great hotels, Dusit Pattaya is first class, Amari beach, Woodlands, the Royal Cliff resort, in Jomtien itself the Rabbit resort is good.
The 'difference' between the 2 is that Jomtien has a lot more to do and you are 20 minutes or less over the hill into Pattaya where you can see large vegas style shows, take a dinner cruise and show, see Thai dancing and cultural show at restaurants, lots of nightime shopping, and the list goes on and on.
They are very different and hence it makes the choice a lot easier.

http://www.hua-hin-hotels.8m com

http://www.jomtien-beach.travelreporter

both can give you some ideas of what is available and what to expect.

Both places are 'very cheap' compared with say Phuket.