kismet

Dear JamesA.

Let me start by saying, I think you are the best and I appreciate all your fair-minded posts! That said...

In 2002, while staying at the Anatara resort in Hua Hin, some fellow travelers mentioned the Thavorn Beach Village and Spa (Phuket.) They said if I liked the lagoon rooms at the Anatara, I would like the rooms at the Thavorn you reach by cable car. Do you know anything about this? You mentioned something about the pool rooms. Usually I like rooms on the beach (such as when I stayed at the Chedi)but I undertand this is not a choice at the Thavorn. The next consideration is the "nicest" upgraded room (without the added expense of a suite.)

We are two couples traveling together and staying each year at a beach resort. One of the couples is from the States and the other couple is from Hong Kong. We were at the Ana Mandara resort last year in Nha Trang, Vietnam. We have been to Langkawi, Hainan, Hawaii but we always are drawn back to Thailand. This will be our sixth trip. We fly into Bangkok and stay a few days in the city before going someplace. This year we plan to stay at the Peninsula for the first time.

Any suggestions about booking, (we usually call the hotel/resorts directly, hate to pay up front with foreign agencies)rates, accomodations (room types, club floors etc.)and great places to have massages are greatly appreciated!

I need to get on this. I plan to travel in March. Thank you, thank you!

rhkkmk

james has a great suggestion for room booking through a hua hin agent...he has the best prices...

you will love the peninsula....there are several packages available on their site and also on the hua hin site...the one with one way limo and tea is very good...i've done it a couple of times...we usually stay in the basic or next level room which is fine---really quite lux...great breakfasts....pool is nice but not the best in bkk (marriott on the river holds that title)...jesters is a lovely restaurant with a great view...

if you have an early morning flight the room service breakfast is fantastic...we get it at 3AM

sorry to poke in here..james will be along

JamesA

The only drawback with the Thavorn is the hillside, it's a great gimmick about the cable track but imagine if you wanted to stroll? Having said that the location is quite good but you need to rely on tuk-tuks to get to Patong which can get very expensive.
Based on the quality and hence the price range I would seriously look at the Boathouse at Kata, this is an excellent 'small' place with amazing food ( excellent wine many say ) and great beach location. It is walking distance to other places and restaurants, so convenient location, good room choice ( so if some of you want to splash out on a top room others can opt for cheaper ones ), it is not a large place like the Anantara but I believe it gives a good mix of all the essentials. Also being established for many years it has prime beach area, and very few hotels in the area have that.
The Chedi of course is an easy choice, if I had to choose I would go for the Boathouse over the others if you plan to mix staying at hotel plus also venturing out and about. Thavorn is more if you plan to stay put.
With your 'mix' of couples it might be a good idea to be close enough to different places so when necessary each can choose where to go.

kismet

Dear James and rhkkmk,

Thank you both for the good ideas. You are too efficient!

rhkkmk

i vote for james as most efficient