marmite34

19 nights honeymoon - Feb 19 to Mar 10

This is my second visit to Thailand, was last here in 2008. My wife has never been, so we would like to visit a few different areas. Unfortunately the north is not an option due to the air quality this time of year (asthma will make things unpleasant). Does the below itinerary look like a good mix? Or would you say we are trying to squeeze in too much? Beach, pool, relaxation, massages, and enjoying local restaurants and bars will be the main focus along with possibly a day trip or two to possibly visit a nearby island. Phuket was never really in the plan but since we need to fly there to get to Khao Lak we figured we'd do 3 nights in the Kata area. I stayed in Patong when I last visited, wasn't a huge fan but from what I hear Kata is much more along the lines of what we are looking for - nice beach, lots of restaurant choices and a little bit more of a buzzing atmosphere may be good for us before heading up to the slower pace of Khao Lak.

Some may say skip Samui and just stay on the Andaman side but it was my favorite spot in 2008 so would like to go back. Loved all the restaurant options where you could enjoy a meal right on the beach. Anyways, would love some input on this...I guess the main question is would you skip Kata and just add a night to each of KL, KS, & possibly BK?

Does the pace look a bit too hectic?

Feb 19 - arrive BK 530AM - catch early flight to Phuket
Feb 19 - 22 - 3 nights Kata Beach
Feb 22 - private transfer pickup Kata Beach, transfer to Khao Lak
Feb 22 - 28 - 6 nights Khao Lak
Feb 28 - private transfer pickup Khao Lak, transfer to Phuket airport, fly to Koh Samui
Feb 28 - March 6 - 7 nights Koh Samui
March 6 - flight from Koh Samui back to BK
March 6 - 10 - 4 nights BK
March 10 - fly home

Kathie

For my tastes, it's too much beach, too many beaches and too little culture. I love Bangkok and 4 nights there is a mere three days. You'll barely get your bearing before you leave.

I'd skip Kata, and start with 3 nights in Bangkok, then do the rest of your itinerary as is.

If it were me (and it isn't) I'd choose one beach and take a side trip to Angkor.

Whatever you choose, have a wonderful time and best wishes to you both.

marmite34

Too each his own but this is what we want for our honeymoon as we love the beach and just lazing in the sun, especially when we're coming from a cold Canadian winter

I hear you on Bangkok though. Lots to see and do there so maybe we will look to extend our time there.

Thanks for the well wishes!

LancasterLad

Asthma will make things unpleasant!
Then surely you'll want to keep your time in Bangkok to an absolute minimum won't you?

marmite34

I've been to Bangkok before and managed to deal with the asthma OK. I've read that Chaing Mai is especially bad from around mid Feb to mid March due to the crop burning season. Whole city covered in a haze of smoke and smog.

marmite34

How do the beaches in Phuket/Khao Lak (Andaman) compare to the Samui side?
The water looks much more blue in Chaweng, whiter sand too and calmer waters.

LancasterLad

You might have had a lucky escape, and it's something you should discuss at your local travel clinic before travelling.

marmite34

I hear ya and I certainly will!

Kathie

Stay along the river in Bangkok - so much more pleasant in many ways and the air is cleaner. The canyons of tall buildings in downtown trap the bad air. Even at the best of times, Chiang Mai has more particulates in the air than Bangkok does because CM still burns their trash. '

Most people feel the beaches on the Andaman Sea are nicer than Samui, but I think it's all a matter of personal preference.

Smeagol

And when you go, you need to check weather patterns....

marmite34

Yes that's why I'm a little apprehensive to book all the hotels ahead of time. I hear that sometimes the Gulf side can be a little iffy even later in Feb. Should we be OK booking accommodation for the first half our trip now and then the second half once we're there. Or is this still considered the latter half of peak season where we could run into some problems with last minute bookings?

rhkkmk

I think your first days should be devoted to total relaxation... If you are in bkk you might not do that as you will want to get out and get going, BUT I like the idea of a 3 day chill out in bkk at the beginning at a nice riverside hotel with a good pool, like the anantara riverside or chatrium riverside or the peninsula...
Otherwise kata might be ok, but honestly we drove around Phuket a bit this week and it is simply horrible in every way, IMO.

Hope in KL you are considering the JW marriott? Or the le meridian...

Btw, the renaissance just north of Phuket airport would be a perfect place to vedge out as well... In fact it would be my choice.

I would extend KL stay, add more days to bkk, and omit samui...

Great new rest. In KL, is Amaci...

LancasterLad

Phuket horrible? I'll second that, but had I said it I'd have been leaped upon!

Smeagol

We stayed at a FANTASTIC hotel in Phuket, the Paresa, total chill out after 11 days "racing" round Japan, we loved it. What Phuket itself is like I don't know as we didn't venture out of the hotel for the 4 days we were there. We got a fantastic deal on www.mrandmrssmith.com

Kathie

Some areas of Phuket are horrible - many others are not. It has been so for decades. You just have to be selective about where you go on Phuket.

rhkkmk

Kathie, have you been there recently?? You might feel differently if you haven't...

rhkkmk

K says I was rude.. Sorry

Smeagol

Another STUNNING hotel but this time in Krabi is the Rayavadee.... This place ticks a lot of honeymoon boxes....one of the most beautiful places I have stayed at..... I should add though it was in 2006.......

marmite34

Gorgeous hotel! Unfortunately at 500/night it's slightly over our budget

The Krabi area interests us and Railay beach looks stunning but we really want to be able to stay on a beach rather than in the town of Ao Nang and have to commute by boat to beach every day. Has anyone stayed in Ao Nang and done this before? Was it a bit of a hassle?

Was the town of Ao Nang enjoyable?

rhkkmk

IMO, ao nang is a honky to my kind of town..

Look at Sheraton Krabi and an even nicer hotel in the same area the amari vogue, both directly on the beach. Sheraton is cheaper I believe, but vogue is smaller and more attractive