dag312

Hi Folks,

Planning a trip to Thailand for a Honeymoon and wanted to get your input on the best way to spend our time. I'm down to two options.

OPTION 1:
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Spend 2 nights in Bangkok (ONLY one full day because we get in late at night)
Spend 3 nights in Chiang Mai
Spend 3 nights in Phuket
Spend 2 nights in Hong Kong

OPTION 2:
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Spend 3 nights in Bangkok (with 2 full days)
Spend 4 nights in Phuket
Spend 3 nights in Hong Kong

Ultimately, my questions are:

(1) Is 1 full day enough in Bangkok or do I need more? I've heard from some folks that Bangkok is not all that it's cut out to be but who knows.

(2) Is it worth spending a few nights in Chiang Mai

Thanks!

Smeagol

I'd go for option 2 (although i LOVE Chiang Mai) Bangkok is a fabulous city and defiantely worth more than 1 day. do you fly in and out of BKK? and where are you flying from?

Gpanda

Option 2. Bangkok is magical. Plus, your trip is too short to have four locations. You'll be traveling to much. Two full days in Bangkok will be wonderful.

simpsonc510

Option two... no question! I guess there are a few people who don't enjoy Bangkok, but I'm not one of them. I go to BKK and stay for a couple of weeks JUST IN BKK. It really is a fantastic city. You have to give it time in order to appreciate all it has to offer.

dag312

Thanks All.

I am flying from LA and will be flying into Bangkok, but flying out of Hong Kong.

Looks like option 2 it is! Anyone disagree? I guess I'll have to find out where the good spots are. The feedback I received from friends was that there wasn't much going on there and that it was very shady (sex industry, etc)...

Gpanda

In Bangkok, you should stay on the river. It is wonderful to watch the river traffic from your hotel window. There are five river hotels mentioned very favorably on this forum. In descending order of expense they are:

Oriental Hotel
Peninsula Hotel
Shangrila Hotel
Royal Orchid Sheraton
Marriott Resort and Spa

There is also a Milleniium Hilton that is well situated. All hotels have a ferry to the Taksin Skytrain stop (Shangrila is next to the stop and does not have a shuttle.)

If you stay at one of these hotels, you will have a respite from the frenzy of BKK. Also, you will have very little or no exposure to the seamier side of BKK. It will not be an issue.

If you have points at marriott, Sheraton or Hilton, you might use these to get a bargain.

Smeagol

There are VERY seedy areas in Bangkok, just as there are in LA BUT they can be easily avoided. Bangkok is a magical place with tons to do, i am going for my 5th visit in December and can't wait. Personally i think if you could change the HK flight to Bangkok i would do BKK - Chiang Mai- Phuket and just stick with Thailand, i would save HK for another time.

Kathie

Bangkok is my favorite city in the world. Two full days and you'll barely scratch the surface, but in one day, you might go home telling people that Bangkok "isn't all it's cut out to be."

I use Bangkok as my entry point to SE Asia, so I'm there almost every year (20+ times) and I still have lots on my list to do/see/experience that I haven't yet had time to do.

dag312

Thanks all for your thoughtful responses. This definitely puts me at ease and gives me confidence that we'll have a great time in Bangkok. Guess Chiang Mai can wait for another time.

Did any of you guys take cooking lessons in Bangkok? If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them.

Kathie

With a mere two days in Bangkok, I wouldn't spend a half a day or a full day in a cooking class. You can do a cooking class in Phuket if you'd like, or save it for next trip.

dag312

Kathie, after hearing all this feedback on Bangkok, we are going to spend 3 days in Bangkok. Do you think it would be worth it then?

Smeagol

No i would still save it for another time UNLESS your REALLY want to do it. The Blue elephant do a cookery school as does the Oriental. Do you like shopping? if not then maybe a cookery school is a good idea.

Kathie

dag, it depends on what your priorities are. For a first trip to Bangkok, you'll want to visit the Grand Palace and the most famous wats (Emerald Buddha, Wat Po and Wat Arun) That's at least a good half day. You'll want to visit the Jim Thompson House and perhaps one other house Museum, either the Teak Palace or the Suan Pakkard House. That's another half day. You'll also want to do some shopping and some spa, I expect. I'd want to the to just get acquainted with the city, make some other stops like the Erawan SHrine, etc.

The half day cooking school is the Blue Elephant. Last I checked, The Oriental only has cooking classes a week or longer in duration.

dag312

Cool thanks Smeagol & Kathie. Looks like it's a done deal.

I am deciding between the Shangri-La Hotel in Riverside and the Banyan Tree hotel. If anyone has thoughts on either property I'd love to hear them.

Kathie

Stay by the river - it will make all the difference in your experience of Bangkok. The Shangri-La is ideally located at the juncture of two best public transit systems in Bangkok: the water taxis on the river (take one of these when you go to visit the Grand Palace and the wats in that area) and the Skytrain.

simpsonc510

I would agree (and I am not a "stay on the river" sort of person). Since it is your first time in the city, yes, do stay at the Shangri-La, not the Banyan. Banyan is nice, don't get me wrong. It just doesn't have that river view and respite from the frenzy feel to it.

Go to the top of State Tower one night while you are in Bangkok. You will love the view. Drinks are expensive, so just buy ONE and sip it slowly, watching the lights of the city. Dress in nice attire for this one... trust me... it is worth it to see the view from Sky Bar. And the building (State Tower) is very close to the river. There is also dining at the top of State Tower, but, personally, I would not pay to have a meal up there... too expensive and not all that great, in my opinion. If you want dining with a view, try the Long Table, which is "in the city" at Sukhumvit soi 16... 34th floor or something like that. Modern, chic... I think you would enjoy it.


Carol

rhkkmk

#2.. can you squeek out one more day for bkk??
choose your hotels carefully

dag312

rhkkmk, yes I can squeeze out one more day for BKK. I actually think I'm going to do that after all the positive feedback I received on this forum regarding Bangkok. Most friends who have travelled to Thailand had less than positive things to say about the city, saying that it was polluted, there wasn't much to see and that they were constantly finding themselves in seedy areas of town.

However, after hearing about all the great things to do in Bangkok, I am encouraged. If you have any suggestions on things to do/see during a Honeymoon trip in Bangkok, I am all ears.

Gpanda

Typical BKK day:

Breakfast
Sightseeing-lunch
Pool
Massage
Dinner
Repeat

Smeagol

it's only seedy if you want it to be. My other half and i have been 4 times to BKK and he has never seen the seedy side.

There are TONS of things to do (especially if you like shopping and far eastern culture)