Minab

Thanks to all the responses we received and further investigating I have put together a tenative itinerary for our trip in December- I think we've decided to leave on Wed. the 15th to arrive on the 17th (around 11pm) and have more time once in Thailand, we'll return the 31st. Please make any suggestions- this is our first trip to Thailand!

Bangkok- 6 nights, staying at Royal Orchid or Le Meridien (anyone have a preference?)

Siem Reap- 4 nights, Heritage Suites (would like cheaper hotel but we're late in booking so not a lot of availability- any suggestions?)

Kho Samui- Bophut 4-5 nights at Anatara Resort- anyone been here?
Also looked into the Sheraton Krabi- Phuket was our first thought for these 4-5 nights but again, availability was not easy to find- our fault for booking late for the busy season!

Would it be easier to leave Bophut and get to Bangkok and fly home to LA the same day (of course depending on our flight times) or should we fly to Bangkok and stay our last night there and leave next morning?

Originally I had wanted to go to Chiang Mai for part of our trip but all the internal flights seemed like too much. The things we are most interested in are seeing the major temples, markets, taking a cooking class either while in Bangkok or Siem Reap, possible elephant experience (is there a specific company that is reputable? I worry a little about the health/care of them- warranted concern? same goes for the tiger experience), long boat trip and boat trip to sightsee while at the beach. While in Siem Reap if we happen to tire of seeing the temples, would a day trip to Phnom Pehn be too far? Anyone have experience doing this?

Thanks again for any help/suggestions- we're so thrilled for the opportunity to take this trip!

Kathie

Personally, I'm partial to the Royal Orchid. I've been staying there for something like 25 years. It's right on the river, which for me, means Bangkok. You can take the water taxis to many of the major temples and the Grand Palace, and the hotel has a shuttle boat to the skytrain station.

I find the air better along the river (no canyons of buildings to trap the car and tuk-tuk exhaust), and it's slightly cooler on the river. If you like to cool off in the pool, the ROS has what I consider to be the loveliest pool area in Bangkok, located in a garden next to the hotel, with both sunny and shady areas, and of course, the de riguer swim-up bar.

I'd opt for something on the Phuket side for a beach. Koh Samui is expensive to fly to.

There are things to do in the Siem Reap area if you tire of temples, but PP is a bit far for a day trip. I'm sure someone here can recommend a less expensive place to stay in Siem Reap - there are lots of good places that are not expensive. Take a look at www.theplf.org for something else you can do while in Siem Reap.

Elephants, I would not try to have an elephant experience this trip. Save it until you go to northern Thailand. And if you are thinking of the Tiger temple for a tiger experience, I'd pass on that as well if you have concerns about the welfare of the tigers.

Do your cooking class in Bangkok, perhaps as the Blue Elephant.

Minab

Thanks Kathie the Royal Orchid was what I was leaning towards as well. I am still looking into Phuket and have found some possible options that have availability.

Do you normally take the skytrain from the airport or a car?

We'll look into the Blue Elephant as well, thanks again for your help!

simpsonc510

I've not tried the skytrain into the city because I'm one who doesn't travel 'light' and the thought of dealing with my luggage on the ride into the city is a bit daunting. Taxi for me everytime.

Phuket will have better weather for you in December. Check out the Kata Thani and Mom Tri's Villa Royale. I've stayed at both, although it has been a good 5 years ago. I'd return to either one of them if I were heading to Phuket.

Carol

Kathie

I use a car from the airport - like Carol, we travel "heavy." In fact, we splurge on a "limo" - a larger sedan to get us to our "home" at the ROS. There is no need to do so, you can take a taxi for about 350 baht. We use AAC limo for about 1000 baht.

Guenmai

What skytrain station is the Le Meridien close to? On the webpage, it just says that it's 10 minutes from the skytrain station. I haven't stayed at the Le Meridien, but have stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. It's all a matter of personal choice. I'm one who prefers to be near a skytrain station and without taking a boat to get to one. But, there are those who don't mind taking the boat. Plus, I prefer being in the heart of city. Why not choose two different hotels in two different locations of the city? I used to do it all the time and that's how I learned the different areas of Bangkok. It's really easy to change hotels as all one has to do is call the front desk and have them put your luggage into a taxi and then when you get to the next hotel, there will be someone to take the luggage to your new room.

In the course of one 7-day stay in BKK, I stayed at the Peninsula, the Royal Orchid Sheraton and my beloved Four Seasons. When I checked out of the Pen, my luggage was put onto the Pen's boat and then I crossed the river and the boat guy, from the Pen, took my luggage and walked it into the reception area of the Royal Orchid Sheraton, and dropped it off. I checked in and then went to my room where my luggage shortly arrived. It was all free of charge. I just gave the guy a tip. Easy.

I like mixing up hotels and areas of the city as Bangkok has lots of great hotels...Lord knows I've stayed in enough of them...LOL! And there are so many interesting areas of the city. Happy Travels!

Minab

Thanks for the suggestions Carol, when I looked last night both the Kata Thani and Mom Tri's were booked Any thoughts about the Sawasdee Village?

We usually try to travel light (emphasis on try!) so perhaps a car/taxi is best. Is AAC limo one of the counters in baggage claim?

Guenmai

Forgot to add as for whether to fly back to L.A. on the same day, flying from somewhere else, personally I like to be in Bangkok at least the night before I fly back to L.A. Happy Travels!

simpsonc510

Minad, you might check Mom Tri's Boathouse Resort. I've also stayed there. It is a bit more basic, but right on the beach at Kata. It probably is already booked as well though, as it is very popular. The restaurant at the Boathouse is one of the best ones on the island, by the way.

Le Meridien is also probably booked out, but it is also very nice. I've not stayed there, but have been on the property at least one or two times. It's big, compared to the other places I've mentioned.

simpsonc510

I would also like to say that I agree with guenmai about staying in a couple of different locations in Bangkok. The river is nice for a first-timer (many on the forums stay on the river everytime). I'm an 'in the city' sort of person. The place where I stay is about a 2 minute walk to the skytrain (very important). Shopping is within 2 skytrain stops (or walkable also). I've done it more than once.

Guenmai

The first time I stayed on the river was when I stayed at the Peninsula, around 2004, I think it was. I had been staying in the city since the 90s, up until the time I tried out the Pen and the Royal Orchid Sheraton on the same trip. Why not just do 3 nights in BKK at the beginning of your trip and three nights at the end? Then you can try something different on the return to Bangkok. Happy Travels!

Kathie

AAC was one of the limo counters at the old airport, with the new airport, AOT got a monopoly on the airport limo counters. I contact AAC via email and they meet me at the airport.

shanek

What booking site are you using for the Phuket Hotels?

I find it hard to imagine all these places being booked out, so far in advance, in the current global climate, even though it is peak season.

Whilst the particular site you are using may have sold all it's inventory, others may have rooms left.

This site seems to show availability at the Kata Thani around your dates......http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/phuket/katathani/

simpsonc510

I always book directly with the hotel. If Kata Thani is available, I would jump on it. You will have a lovely time there.

rhkkmk

the meridien is really not that close to any skytrain stop... ROS for sure even though meridien is newer and more up to date... ROS has a fab pool area...

bophut is a nice little village with a couple of good restaurants/bars... anantara is a good choice..

cooking class... look into the monhora cruise run by the marriott resort and spa, soon to be the anantara in bkk.... fab morning with cooking class given while floating up and down river...

Minab

Thanks everyone! We are still open for any and all suggestions so keep them coming I have been using Kayak and tripadvisor to search multiple websites for hotels which included agoda (last night it seemed that more rooms were available at various places) I will definitely check again for the Kata Thani (thanks for the link!) and perhaps check into coming back to Bangkok for a few days at the end of our trip and staying at a different hotel.

Anyone been on a sailing or boat tour from Phuket to Phi Phi or Phang Nga?

shanek

Phuket Sail Tours is the one to go with for a Phang Nga trip.

Some good information here.....http://cathyandgarystravelpages.com/...sail_tours.htm