snaks

I'm a big fan of this forum, so in planning for a possible honeymoon in SE Asia, I decided to do my first posting, hoping for some great advice. My fiance and I have had our hearts set on Thailand, but we've realized that September is very wet. We've ruled out Phuket, etc, but were considering Chaing Mai--Koh Samui trip. The weather sites show these areas are a little drier, but i was hoping for personal experience/advice. Or should we do Thailand another time and hit the South Pacific (which seems a little boring now)....

cruisinred

Hi Snaks-

How many days are you planning? Just beach time, or some city time too? What's your budget?

This info will help us give you better answers

rhkkmk

bangkok is really a wonderful city and you could spend lots of time there at one of the nice hotels....the peninsula and the marriott resort and spa are wonderful hotels, the penn being more lux than the marriott...there are others too at a lesser cost, but you can have really lux accomodations for a reasonable price in thailand....plus in bkk there are fabulous restaurants and wonderful shopping in addition to the sights..

weather....every year lately it seems to be different....the later in sept that you go the better...it probably would not be the best for ocean side activities...

hua hin is another great locale which less rain usually....the hyatt there is very nice...

also pattaya and the sheraton there is fantastic...

tell us a little more about what you like and we can help...

chaing mai is a possibility....many like it, but i do not so i will let them sing its praises...

bali might be an alternative for you also....not just sure of the weather...

snaks

We're planning for 2 weeks (not including travel to and from US) and are excited to stay at a few of the nicer/luxury resorts (ie possibly the four seasons resorts at both locales--any opinions?) and splunge on this trip. BKK is certainly a possiblity, and we may start or end the trip there. But we'd enjoy some relaxation and pampering on this trip; beach time is important (hence koh samui) but we're worried that rain may ruin this part of the trip...

Poochi

Snaks - Have you considered Bali? Also, 2 weeks including travel is really not enough time to truly experience either Thailand or Bali, but if you are going you have to fit Bangkok into the itinerary. Don't worry about the rain - it is asia, it rains even in the dry seasons. Take a slicker and enjoy.

Cookiepuss

I would look into Bali - September is a perfect time for that location. I also think it is more romantic, with some of the finest resorts in the world, that really pamper you. Bali is supposed to be truly magical.

snaks

Thank You!

Bali was my original choice! It does look truly amazing, and the weather would be perfect-timing, but we were concerned about the safety issues; the state department warnings were particularly ominous. Perhaps we should reconsider...

Poochi--we are planning on 2 weeks NOT including travel, would that allow enough time to fit in two stops in your opinion?

Cookiepuss

Hi Snaks,
I think it depends on what you want to get out of your trip. You can easily spend two weeks in each location. In Thailand, you can see Bangkok, go up North to Chang Mai, and then head down to the south and island hop. In Bali, you can go all over as well (I say Bali but I should say Indonesia, there are tons of things to see.) Do you only want to lay at a pool or a beach? If so you could do Thailand for a week and then Bali, it does just seem like a waste, a bit, you would probably have to fly back up to Bangkok and then down to Indonesia on an internatinal flight - would take a full day. If you stayed in Thailand you could hop around different islands, to experience different resorts. Same in Bali.
I know, it is tough! You want to see it all...

rhkkmk

safety is an issue everyplace, even the town where you live....i would forget it quite honestly....bali would be perfect...

if you are nervous about it stay in a non-western owned place and stay out of the huge tourist areas and clubs...

jenskar

snaks -- I've got the Bali pom poms right now -- incurably romantic, amazing culture, great food, small enough to see alot of in the time you have. I can't imagine a better honeymoon location. I have a trip report up if you want more detail; we stayed at both Four Seasons.

snaks

It looks like I should really convince my fiance to reconsider Bali. The Four Seasons properties look incredible; a combination trip would be perfect--jenskar, I would love to view your trip report. How far apart are the two properties, and how did you transport between the two (ie, driver)? Is the Four Seasons Canadian-owned?

Thank You!