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Never been to Thailand before going this December - help!

Never been to Thailand before going this December - help!

Old Sep 1st, 2004, 01:19 PM
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Never been to Thailand before going this December - help!

My partner and I are going to Thailand in December. We are looking to stay 2 nights in Bangkok and then 10 nights on a beach - so far people have recommended krabi, phi phi and koh samui. The more we look into it, the more confused we get. We want somewhere to chill out, nice beaches, nice hotel (not too bothered about price - that's what plastic is for!) choice of bars and restaurants in the evening - if it's any help we're 27 and 33. Thanks
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Old Sep 1st, 2004, 05:18 PM
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Is this your first trip to Bkk? If you like to go out I would say 2 nights in Bkk is short - presumably you will spend the first one getting over your flight and getting used to the weather. Bkk is a lot of fun - I would spend some more time there.
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Old Sep 1st, 2004, 06:38 PM
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i second that more time in bkk is advisable, given what you have told us about you...i think one way you might narrow your choices is to hone in on the hotel....look at a number of hotels in each place and see if one appeals to you....you seem to indicate that the hotel is most important with bars and restaurants second...
look at some of the hotel web-sites that feature thailand hotels:

www.huahin.20m.com
www.asiavoyage24.com
www.marriott.com
www.asiahotels.com
www.starwood.com

after you see something that you like then look at its surrounding areas and see if they have other things that you want...prices are all over the globe, but generally are very reasonable, although seaside hotels are some of the most expensive (and best) in thailand..

i recently stayed at the peace resort in koh samui and found the seafront cottages to be very nice....near-by are lots of good restaurants....

most beach locations are 1-1 1/2 hours flight from bangkok....there is also hua hin about 2 hours drive south of bkk...the marriott, hyatt, sofitel hotels are very nice there and there are plenty of great restaurants...it is a low key resort....

if you stick to your ten days at the beach maybe you should consider 2 places, i.e. phuket and samui or krabi and phi phi
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Old Sep 2nd, 2004, 01:37 AM
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Thanks for the advice. My message was probably a little misleading as hotel isn't priority. We primarily want to go to a Thai beach and to Hong Kong; didn't mention in earlier messgae but we're going to HK for 4 nights after the beach (I've been to HK before, partner hasn't but really wants to go) but it seemed such a waste to go to Bangkok just to change for another flight to a thai beach - hence we're only staying in BKK for a couple of nights. So the real advice we need is re: the beach resort. From a beach resort we'd like clean beach to just sunbathe and read books - (dull I know but it's been a crap year and we just need to get away from it all), choice of bars and restaurants, not too bothered about banging nightlife but also don't want to be in the middle of nowhere - thanks
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Old Sep 2nd, 2004, 02:12 AM
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If you do a search on this thread you will see a TON of suggestions for hotels in Phuket, many in Krabi and Koh Saumui, and a few in Phi Phi. Try "Phuket AND hotel" or similar keywords and this should bring up lots of posts. This would be easier than everyone responding to you, esp as you don't give a price range.

Personally, with only 2 days, I would skip Bangkok and spend the extra days in Hong Kong or the beach. There are non-stop flights to Phuket from Hong Kong, no need to go through Bangkok which only makes the trip longer. You can drive or take a boat to Krabi from Phuket (although connecting via Bangkok is probably faster door to door). I think you do have to change in Bangkok or Singapore for flights to Krabi and Samui/Surat Thani.

Phuket is a bit better weather-wise than Samui in December, as the Gulf side of Thailand still has some lingering monsoon rains, but probably OK unless you are a serious snorkler or scuba diver.

IMO I would not stay on Phi Phi, it is quite developed the hotels are crowded onto a very narrow strip of beach.

You may not find the beaches as peaceful as you want, as they are all public in Thailand (and most of Asia) so there is a bit of bother from T-shirt salesmen, massage ladies, etc. You may end up by a pool looking onto a beach, not necessarily a bad thing. If you want a more private beach, in Phuket try the Amanpuri (amanresorts.com), or the Chedi (phuket.com/chedi; I am not crazy about it, no bathtubs in most rooms and a lot of hills, but it is popular here). The Marriott on Phuket is the only hotel on its stretch of beach and has somewhat less hawkers, and is a very beautiful hotel.

You might also consider chartering a boat and crew for all or some of the trip, this would certainly take you away from it all, let you see many deserted islands and off the beaten path areas. Not cheap, but that does not seem to be your issues. I have done this twice, if you are interested, run a search for "Phuket AND charters" or write back on this thread and I can post info.

December is the perfect month in Hong Kong, great temps, no rain, lots of sun. Great time to go, esp as buildings will be decorated for Christmas. Great time for walks and hiking either on Hong Kong Island or the mainland.

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Old Sep 2nd, 2004, 04:13 AM
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I second Cicerone's reco of Aman resorts - if u can afford it AND want a very exclusive, private type holiday that is the way to go. You can also look at the Meridien Yacht Club in Phuket - very different from Aman, nice in its own way.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2004, 06:47 AM
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not sure if you are aware or not but it would be very difficult to spend all that time on the beach...the sun is simply too hot and penetrating for most skins...
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