help planning honeymoon in thailand
Sep 28th, 2008, 02:42 PM
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help planning honeymoon in thailand
I am interested in going to Thailand for honeymoon in April 2009. My budget is around 3g or less per person. Will be flying from New York (JFK) I want to experience the best beaches and the culture life in thailand. I want packages that plans things for me such as the domestic flights and some tours. Should i go with the websites such as http://www.hotelthailand.net/trip_in...rgetcurrency=2
or does anyone have better advice. I want this honeymoon to be amazing. My fiance travels a lot but never relaxes or experiences another culture.
or does anyone have better advice. I want this honeymoon to be amazing. My fiance travels a lot but never relaxes or experiences another culture.
Sep 28th, 2008, 03:28 PM
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You really don't need tours - if you want to tour one day (or more) you can hire a private guide and do exactly what you want. The packages such as this and the others site pack way too much into too little time so you never have the time to pause and enjoy a place or get any sense of the culture. If you want your fiance to relax, don't book one of these packages! If you have 12 days on the ground, you want not more than three destinations.
Domestic air tickets are easy to book online. I notice that the package you link to doesn't include domestic air - it's really a high price for this tour. Most of the hotels are so-so at best. The one place that does get recommended here is the Holiday Inn on PhiPhi.
I'd recommend taking a look at a hotel booking site like www.sawadee.com The price usually include tax and service (which adds 17%) and often breakfast.
How much time do you have? Where in Thailand do you want to go? What do you want to experience?
April is the hottest time of the year in Thailand. It is also the time when the Thai new year is celebrated.
Domestic air tickets are easy to book online. I notice that the package you link to doesn't include domestic air - it's really a high price for this tour. Most of the hotels are so-so at best. The one place that does get recommended here is the Holiday Inn on PhiPhi.
I'd recommend taking a look at a hotel booking site like www.sawadee.com The price usually include tax and service (which adds 17%) and often breakfast.
How much time do you have? Where in Thailand do you want to go? What do you want to experience?
April is the hottest time of the year in Thailand. It is also the time when the Thai new year is celebrated.
Sep 28th, 2008, 05:23 PM
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Don't go with a tour, For two weeks in Thailand, you could go to Bangkok, Northern Thailand and a beach. From the US, two weeks is 12 days in Thailand. I suggest the following:
BKK-3 days
Northern Thailand -3 days
Beach-4 days
BKK-2 days
You fly in and out of BKK, so spending some time at the beginning and some at the end makes sense. this saves wasting time at the Airport hotel.
We can help with activities, hotels and restaurants. Assuming the $3000 is exclusive of air fare, you can spend approximately $150 per night on hotels. BKK and the beach are more expensive than Northern Thailand. As Katie says, take a look at Sawadee.com. They are completely reliable and many here have booked with them.
If you have Starwood or Marriott points, this can help a lot with hotels. We always use Starwood points and stay for free in BKK and the beach.
BKK-3 days
Northern Thailand -3 days
Beach-4 days
BKK-2 days
You fly in and out of BKK, so spending some time at the beginning and some at the end makes sense. this saves wasting time at the Airport hotel.
We can help with activities, hotels and restaurants. Assuming the $3000 is exclusive of air fare, you can spend approximately $150 per night on hotels. BKK and the beach are more expensive than Northern Thailand. As Katie says, take a look at Sawadee.com. They are completely reliable and many here have booked with them.
If you have Starwood or Marriott points, this can help a lot with hotels. We always use Starwood points and stay for free in BKK and the beach.
Sep 28th, 2008, 05:26 PM
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kathie has given wonderful advice and i agree with her.....we can help you here with any specific plans and love to do it...
first get your airfare nailed down...many choices from ny...
ANA, EVA, United, northwest, emerites, air france, british air, luftansa, american, japan, china air, singapore....some may leave from newark instead of jfk...
hotels are important in thailand...they can make or break your vacation.... most of the super nice ones are chain hotels, but not all...
get a guide book and read up on various destinations like: bangkok, chiang mai, golden triangle, koh samui, phuket, phi phi, krabi, khoa lak, hua hin, koh chang and many others...
then decide how much time to spend in each place....for a first timer i think 5 days in bkk is a good start....you should know that day one is a down day as you will be dog tired, so don't plan much, stay by the pool and adjust to the heat and humidity which are like the worst day you have in nyc in august--24/7...
many of us like to stay near the river in bkk....the marriott resort and spa is my personal favorite, but the hilton, and sheraton orchid are others....there are more but they may be out of your range, but look at the peninsula also for a splurge...
these hotel web sites will help you with prices: www.asiarooms.com
www.huahin.20m.com
www.agoda.com
get some more structured ideas and come back here and bounce them off of us and we will assist you....we all started that way...
forget organized tour groups---do your own planning and then hire tours after you arrive....some of us like to hire personal guides in bkk---this needs to be done from home---tong is one who many of us love to use...
first get your airfare nailed down...many choices from ny...
ANA, EVA, United, northwest, emerites, air france, british air, luftansa, american, japan, china air, singapore....some may leave from newark instead of jfk...
hotels are important in thailand...they can make or break your vacation.... most of the super nice ones are chain hotels, but not all...
get a guide book and read up on various destinations like: bangkok, chiang mai, golden triangle, koh samui, phuket, phi phi, krabi, khoa lak, hua hin, koh chang and many others...
then decide how much time to spend in each place....for a first timer i think 5 days in bkk is a good start....you should know that day one is a down day as you will be dog tired, so don't plan much, stay by the pool and adjust to the heat and humidity which are like the worst day you have in nyc in august--24/7...
many of us like to stay near the river in bkk....the marriott resort and spa is my personal favorite, but the hilton, and sheraton orchid are others....there are more but they may be out of your range, but look at the peninsula also for a splurge...
these hotel web sites will help you with prices: www.asiarooms.com
www.huahin.20m.com
www.agoda.com
get some more structured ideas and come back here and bounce them off of us and we will assist you....we all started that way...
forget organized tour groups---do your own planning and then hire tours after you arrive....some of us like to hire personal guides in bkk---this needs to be done from home---tong is one who many of us love to use...
Sep 28th, 2008, 06:11 PM
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Can you share something you think of as amazing, NY style? That will help anyone reading guide you towards things you might really enjoy in Thailand.
A lot of people who post here love spending a good deal of time in Bangkok -- which is an amazing city and has a lot to do, but it may not be what you're looking for in a honeymoon if you're a beach person -- so you might want fewer days there. Beaches can be visually stunning in Thailand, where as the city and the north is where you'll experience more culture.
Bangkok for a New Yorker is going to be trippy (I mean that in a good way). It can be very very modern and very very exotic all in within a five block radius.
April will be very hot. Very very hot.
One thing I would definitely recommend is a shared spa experience -- especially a foot rub. For a new husband who never relaxes, it can be a transcendant experience he will always thank you for, and something else I noticed in Thailand, they seem to be sensitive to us gals, as if you do a couples treatment, generally they assign the slightly less attractive female to your husband
A lot of people who post here love spending a good deal of time in Bangkok -- which is an amazing city and has a lot to do, but it may not be what you're looking for in a honeymoon if you're a beach person -- so you might want fewer days there. Beaches can be visually stunning in Thailand, where as the city and the north is where you'll experience more culture.
Bangkok for a New Yorker is going to be trippy (I mean that in a good way). It can be very very modern and very very exotic all in within a five block radius.
April will be very hot. Very very hot.
One thing I would definitely recommend is a shared spa experience -- especially a foot rub. For a new husband who never relaxes, it can be a transcendant experience he will always thank you for, and something else I noticed in Thailand, they seem to be sensitive to us gals, as if you do a couples treatment, generally they assign the slightly less attractive female to your husband
Sep 28th, 2008, 07:34 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I will not be booking a package anymore! but that means I have to do so much work, since my fiance has just left this up 2 me!
Before I look at the hotels I need to figure out which places in april would be best for me to visit. I am def. interested in spending 3-5 days in BBK, but can some one help me figure which islands/beach would be best around april 24th. I want something that is not crowed rather isloated, romantic but where I can do plenty of activites during the night. We are not into the nightlife since we do it all the time in NY! thanks
Before I look at the hotels I need to figure out which places in april would be best for me to visit. I am def. interested in spending 3-5 days in BBK, but can some one help me figure which islands/beach would be best around april 24th. I want something that is not crowed rather isloated, romantic but where I can do plenty of activites during the night. We are not into the nightlife since we do it all the time in NY! thanks
Sep 28th, 2008, 08:31 PM
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From the weather data, it looks like the weather will be slightly better on the Gulf of Thailand side (Koh Samui, etc) rather than the Andaman Sea side (Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi). But both areas are moving into a rainier time in May. So you might do ok at either one, but do be prepared that you might have afternoon rains.
A number of people on this site (notably Leigh) think that Phi Phi is absolute paradise. Take a look at some of the hotels in each area, as the hotels may make your decision.
A number of people on this site (notably Leigh) think that Phi Phi is absolute paradise. Take a look at some of the hotels in each area, as the hotels may make your decision.
Sep 29th, 2008, 03:03 PM
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It's not to early to book if you find the right price. The first thing to do is book your transpacific flights. Check prices now and continue to check prices until you find a good price.
Start doing your hotel research now. You aren't traveling during high season, so you are fine to wait a while to book. But do watch prices.
Start doing your hotel research now. You aren't traveling during high season, so you are fine to wait a while to book. But do watch prices.
Sep 29th, 2008, 04:16 PM
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The best price I am now getting on the flight is $1300 which seems like reasonable to me.
Here is what I came up with so far
BKK 2 days -- Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa (Need to plan activites)
Kho Samui 3 days -Anantara Resort & Spa Koh Samui (Need to plan activites)
Puhket 2 days I need help with this I don’t want to be on a beach just want to shop around go sightseeing suggestions?
Phi island 1day Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa (Just want to relax)
BKK 3 days Imperial Queen's Park Hotel Bangkok
How do these hotels sound? Suggestions for places to visit on the islands and BKK?
What’s the easiest way of arranging transportation between bkk and the islands?
Thanks
Here is what I came up with so far
BKK 2 days -- Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa (Need to plan activites)
Kho Samui 3 days -Anantara Resort & Spa Koh Samui (Need to plan activites)
Puhket 2 days I need help with this I don’t want to be on a beach just want to shop around go sightseeing suggestions?
Phi island 1day Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa (Just want to relax)
BKK 3 days Imperial Queen's Park Hotel Bangkok
How do these hotels sound? Suggestions for places to visit on the islands and BKK?
What’s the easiest way of arranging transportation between bkk and the islands?
Thanks
Sep 29th, 2008, 05:23 PM
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I agree that $1300 RT to Bangkok from NYC is reasonable.
The Marriott Resort and Spa is much loved by Bob, one of the regulars here. It's on the river, which will really enhance your experience of Bangkok. It's a bit away from the city which is either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your point of view.
You'll want to fly between your destinations. The flights to/from Samui are expensive because Bangkok AIr has long been the only airline that flies the route. I understand that Thai Air will have a flight at some point in the future, but I don't know if it will be soon enough for your trip. In general, I recommend that you choose one area for your beach time. It gives you time to relax and you won't spend a lot of extra money on airfares. If you want to visit PhiPhi, I'd suggest you spend all of your beach time in the Phuket/PhiPhi area. One day on Phi Phi also makes no sense. Either go there and stay a few days or don't go. One night on PhiPhi will not give you time to relax.
The two days you list as Phuket "I need help with this I don’t want to be on a beach just want to shop around go sightseeing suggestions? " My suggestion is that you spend the two days in Bangkok. Bangkok has fabulous sightseeing and shopping. Phuket does not. Spend your beach time at the beach. The town of Phuket is not attractive, IMO, and the shopping is not very good (higher prices and less selection than Bangkok).
I assume you have deducted your travel time to/from the US, and that you have 11 nights in Thailand.
So consider these options:
Bangkok 2 nights Marriott Resort and Spa (a good place to get over jetlag!)
Beach: Koh Samui 5 nights at the Anantara. You don't really need to plan activities here. You might want to go snorkeling, etc, but you can choose those while you are there. The prices are better booked on the spot and you'll know what the weather is so you can choose appropriate activities.
OR Beach: Phuket 1 night , PhiPhi 4 nights at the Holiday Inn or PhiPhi Island Village. Again, no need to plan activities here.
Bangkok 4 nights I don't think I'd stay at the Imperial Queen's Park. It's a huge hotel (1250 rooms!) where tour groups and air crews stay and it isn't conveniently located. It looks like quite a walk to the Skytrain. Opt for something close to a Skytrain station - there are lots of choices that are smaller, nicer and more convenient.
My list of must-see places in Bangkok:
Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha
Wat Po (Reclining Buddha)
Wat Arun (which you can incorporate into a klong tour)
The Erawan Shrine
The Jim Thompson House
a klong tour (a boat tour of the canals)
Depending on your interests you can add:
An early morning visit to Wat Ben
The Suan Pakkard Palace
The Prasart Museum (you must make reservations for this in advance)
Plus:
Shopping! Tell us what you want to buy, we can help.
Spa
Food
We have zillions of photos of Bangkok. Take a look, it might give you a better flavor for the city: www.marlandc.com
The Marriott Resort and Spa is much loved by Bob, one of the regulars here. It's on the river, which will really enhance your experience of Bangkok. It's a bit away from the city which is either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your point of view.
You'll want to fly between your destinations. The flights to/from Samui are expensive because Bangkok AIr has long been the only airline that flies the route. I understand that Thai Air will have a flight at some point in the future, but I don't know if it will be soon enough for your trip. In general, I recommend that you choose one area for your beach time. It gives you time to relax and you won't spend a lot of extra money on airfares. If you want to visit PhiPhi, I'd suggest you spend all of your beach time in the Phuket/PhiPhi area. One day on Phi Phi also makes no sense. Either go there and stay a few days or don't go. One night on PhiPhi will not give you time to relax.
The two days you list as Phuket "I need help with this I don’t want to be on a beach just want to shop around go sightseeing suggestions? " My suggestion is that you spend the two days in Bangkok. Bangkok has fabulous sightseeing and shopping. Phuket does not. Spend your beach time at the beach. The town of Phuket is not attractive, IMO, and the shopping is not very good (higher prices and less selection than Bangkok).
I assume you have deducted your travel time to/from the US, and that you have 11 nights in Thailand.
So consider these options:
Bangkok 2 nights Marriott Resort and Spa (a good place to get over jetlag!)
Beach: Koh Samui 5 nights at the Anantara. You don't really need to plan activities here. You might want to go snorkeling, etc, but you can choose those while you are there. The prices are better booked on the spot and you'll know what the weather is so you can choose appropriate activities.
OR Beach: Phuket 1 night , PhiPhi 4 nights at the Holiday Inn or PhiPhi Island Village. Again, no need to plan activities here.
Bangkok 4 nights I don't think I'd stay at the Imperial Queen's Park. It's a huge hotel (1250 rooms!) where tour groups and air crews stay and it isn't conveniently located. It looks like quite a walk to the Skytrain. Opt for something close to a Skytrain station - there are lots of choices that are smaller, nicer and more convenient.
My list of must-see places in Bangkok:
Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha
Wat Po (Reclining Buddha)
Wat Arun (which you can incorporate into a klong tour)
The Erawan Shrine
The Jim Thompson House
a klong tour (a boat tour of the canals)
Depending on your interests you can add:
An early morning visit to Wat Ben
The Suan Pakkard Palace
The Prasart Museum (you must make reservations for this in advance)
Plus:
Shopping! Tell us what you want to buy, we can help.
Spa
Food
We have zillions of photos of Bangkok. Take a look, it might give you a better flavor for the city: www.marlandc.com
Sep 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM
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kathie has given great ideas and i agree with her....first, get rid of the queen hotel---ugh....splurge on the peninsula or try the sheraton or hilton or shangri-la on the river, or alternatively try the cheaper majestic grande near sukhumvit, courtyard near in back of the 4 seasons or the bkk holiday inn on plenochit (not the silom one)...
i would limit my beach to one place, as kathie suggest by staying at samui longer.... your time is too limited to be flying around place to place and wasting time...
many day time activities can be scheduled once you arrive...
i would have a bkk guide for at least one day....tong is fantastic....have her take you to the floating market and then the tiger temple or to the secret place...
i would limit my beach to one place, as kathie suggest by staying at samui longer.... your time is too limited to be flying around place to place and wasting time...
many day time activities can be scheduled once you arrive...
i would have a bkk guide for at least one day....tong is fantastic....have her take you to the floating market and then the tiger temple or to the secret place...
Sep 29th, 2008, 09:22 PM
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Already you have all the expert advice, I agree forget tours, not necessary, getting around is easy. Flights to Samui from Bangkok probably Bangkok Airways as they have the sector pass that you can buy in the US ( others will give you their number ) and that allows you to use them to Chiang mai plus Samui.
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...nd_hotels.html has sawadee rates but gives lots of good ideas and have particular honeymoon, boutique and pool villa pages, not just Phuket includes Chiang Mai, Bangkok, islands and beaches. Thai new Year is mid April and it would be good to time that to be in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
Koh Samui has way more 'right on the beach' places than Phuket, weather, Samui will have the edge, but it does vary year to year and April won't be so bad in Phuket area.
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...ry_hotels.html and for honeymoon specific, though do look at some of boutique resorts
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...honeymoon.html
Anantara is nice but very much a 'resort hotel', if you want something affordable but romantic
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...i-bandara.html
Zazen, Pavillion and others
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...koh-samui.html
Does come down to budget though.
You simply need the long haul flight, domestic ) based on your plan Bangkok Airways ), hotels, and then in some cases a guide like Tong in BKK or Sgt Kai in Chiang mai ( I never have used as I live here but others have and can tell you about those ).
You won't have do do that much work.
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...nd_hotels.html has sawadee rates but gives lots of good ideas and have particular honeymoon, boutique and pool villa pages, not just Phuket includes Chiang Mai, Bangkok, islands and beaches. Thai new Year is mid April and it would be good to time that to be in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
Koh Samui has way more 'right on the beach' places than Phuket, weather, Samui will have the edge, but it does vary year to year and April won't be so bad in Phuket area.
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...ry_hotels.html and for honeymoon specific, though do look at some of boutique resorts
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...honeymoon.html
Anantara is nice but very much a 'resort hotel', if you want something affordable but romantic
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...i-bandara.html
Zazen, Pavillion and others
http://www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com/...koh-samui.html
Does come down to budget though.
You simply need the long haul flight, domestic ) based on your plan Bangkok Airways ), hotels, and then in some cases a guide like Tong in BKK or Sgt Kai in Chiang mai ( I never have used as I live here but others have and can tell you about those ).
You won't have do do that much work.
Sep 29th, 2008, 09:24 PM
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If you plan to do Phi Phi and Phuket and samui I honestly think you are going to be very rushed, you want to enjoy that time relaxing, if you are on Samui you can take just a short boat trip over to Koh Phangan or go snorkeling around Koh Tao, saves another flight or ferry and road trip that would take up a day, you don't want to spend too much time getting place to place.
Panviman resort on Koh Phangan is nice for a honeymoon.
Otherwise go for Phuket, Phi Phi area, I would not do both areas with the time you have.
Panviman resort on Koh Phangan is nice for a honeymoon.
Otherwise go for Phuket, Phi Phi area, I would not do both areas with the time you have.
