zinders

Hi there -

Fiance and I are planning to honeymoon in Thailand after our late Oct. wedding. Neither of us have been to Asia before, so we're not sure about how much time it takes to get places or how much we should budget. We are definitely searching for suggestions. Here's what we're looking for:

A couple of nights in Bangkok...maybe spending the first one or two at the Oriental or another upscale hotel, then moving to a less-expensive - but still romantic and interesting - hotel.

A trip up to the north, possibly to go trekking.

At least a week on one of the beaches...possibly Phuket, or Koh Samui? Am open to suggestions.

A side trip to Angkor Wat, if possible.

Basically, we're trying to figure out if we can do all of this - we have about 2 1/2-3 weeks, and about 4K after our flights over there. Are we dreaming? Or is it realistic? Any advice would be great!

Guenmai

A couple of nights in Bangkok isn't going to work out very well...4 minimum is doable. If you have 3 solid weeks then I'd say it's doable, but sounds stressful. I did Singapore/Bali/Chiangmai/Bangkok in 3 solid weeks and was fine with that amount of time.As for the $4,000 part...the dollar has fallen a lot so I don't know. Just choose your hotels very carefully. You also have to figure in all the extra airfares...within Southeast Asia... if you're going to jump around that much. And remember things in S.E.Asia move slowly. It's not like Europe "If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium". You really could easily stay in Thailand the whole time which is what I'd highly suggest for your situation. Happy Travels!

LeighTravelClub

A couple of nights in Bangkok is more than enough for some of us. So, I think you have that right.
Oriental is a fabulous hotel. You will not be disappointed there!
Look at The Old Bangkok Inn for your cheaper nights in Bangkok.
Your trip up north, well how about Chiang Rai.Right up the top and possibly the most beautiful part of Thailand.
Your beach week, well I would rule out Samui.The Phuket area offers lots of options, but now you have to say what kind of beach break you want. Scenery, snorkeling,diving,white sand,quiet,lively.........it's all available around Phuket. Personally, I don't believe you can top Phi Phi!!
You can easily fit in a trip to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat too, all within your 4K budget.
info on our site at

www.leightravelclub.com

LeighTravelClub

Oh $4000 = £2000 roughly.Two weeks ago, we did 15 nights in Thailand, four and five star hotels all the way. Expensive speedboat transfers,no luxuries denied. You can do loads with your 4K!!!

zinders

Thanks! i just looked at the Old Bangkok Inn website...it looks really nice! Maybe we'll just take the Honeymoon Suite there, have tea at the Oriental and use the savings for other things.

zinders

After spending most of my work day doing research on these forums, I think we'd be able to do about four nights in Bangkok at the Old Bangkok Inn and at least three nights at Siep Ream at the Shinta Mani. I emailed Tong and Ponheary, respectively, to see if they are available.

Now: beach and northern trekking! Any suggestions?

Guenmai

I'm glad you're thinking of adding more nights to Bangkok. To travel all of that distance and then do only two nights to me would seem not practical. There is a lot to do/see/eat in Bangkok and it's not a place that can just be rushed through. I would not rule out the Oriental. I'd do my first two nights at the least expensive hotel and then do the last two at the Oriental. I've stayed at the Oriental and think it would be a great honeymoon experience for you. Happy Travels!

rhkkmk

remember the jet lague or adjustment period upon arrival....it takes about 1.5 to 2 days when not much is accomplished....so 2 bkk days at the beg. and then 2 at the end would work well....at the beg. i would not book a duluxe hotel, just one with a nice pool like the marriott resort and spa or the sheraton orchid or the nei lert...

zinders

I think I have some more things figured out. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Bangkok - 4 nights - Old Bangkok Inn
Siep Ream - 3 nights - Shina Mani
Chiang Dao - 3 nights - one night at the Nest, then a 3 day, 2 night trek
Chiang Mai - 1 night - Baan Orapin
then 4 nights at at yet-undecided beach.

I'm not sure this gives us as much beach time as we wanted, but I don't want to cut our time short in the other areas. I figure we have to stay in Chiang Mai one night, just to give ourselves a rest from the trek. But maybe I'm wrong...Or am I spending too much time in Siep Ream? (seems silly to go all the way over there, then rush the temples tho).

rhkkmk

to go to all the expense of going to SR, you must spend at least 3 nites there, 4 would be better...

i personally find the old bkk inn a bit out of the main stream....it is lovely, but not that well serviced by transportation with your limited time...and it is not upscale by any measure...
i would prefer to have a pool for the first two days to unwind and adjust to the heat and humidity as well...

zinders

Is there something equivalent to the Old Bangkok Inn in a better location? We wanted to avoid high-rises, yet not spend a fortune.

LeighTravelClub

No!!!! there is nothing similar. Don't be put off by advise from people who haven't been there. (OBI) There is no problem with the location. If you want character Bangkok, look no further. If you want all the american glitz, then , either stay in the usa or go to the marriott in Bangkok.
Sorry,but you asked for a romantic and interesting hotel.
ROS, Oriental,Marriott etc don't meet what you are asking for.
PERSONAL experience......obi...fits the bill perfectly.

Kathie

People obviously have strong feelings about where they stay. Do read some of the reviews of OBI on this site. It has gotten rave reviews as well as comments (even from those who rave) that its location is not very convenient. It just depends on what you want.

Ther are some other small places to consider... The Arun Residence was recently reviewed as well as another small place with just a few rooms close to the Grand Palace. Perhaps with that description, someone will remember the name of it. Ther is also a boutique place that sounded great - over on one of teh sois off Sukhumvit. the website looked fabulous - except for all of the animal heads mounted on the walls. Sorry, I have that book marked on my computer at my office, I'll see if I can find the name for you.

Personally, I think there is real romance to staying along the river. But your choices there are much larger hotels. Most people would recommend the Pen, the Oriental or the Shang for a honeymoon place. None of these, of course, are American hotels. The Oriental, the most expensive of the three, has a mythical reputation for personalized service.

(Disclaimer: I don't stay at any of those three hotels, but if a friend were planning a honeymoon, those are the three I'd recommend in Bangkok).

simpsonc510

For your beach break, take a look at the Kata Thani Resort on Kata Beach, Phuket. I think you would enjoy it a lot!

zinders

Thanks all. I think we might stay at the Old Bangkok Inn at the beginning of the trip (I read that it's close to historical sites). We will be touring with Tong at least one of those days. Then, we can stay at the Oriental on our last night of the honeymoon, when we return to Bangkok before our flight. It should be a great finish!

rhkkmk

leigh--i know the area that the inn is in and have stayed not far from there...the traffic can be some of the worst in bkk during the day....it is difficult and i stand by my statement...

i did not say the inn was not nice, just that the location is not the best...

in any case they have made up their mind and will find out whether it suits them or not...

JasonW

Leigh -

Of course there are alternatives to the Old Bangkok Inn, and better ones at that, IMHO. Personally, I don't care for OBI's location; I'd rather stay on or very near the river.

To that end, the best riverside place (with loads of character and charm) is the Chakrabongse Villas. Check out the website at http://www.netimage.co.th/demo/thaivillas/general.html. There are 3 unique villas on the grounds of the Chakrabongse House, which is the former residence of Prince Chakrabongse. Also includes a GREAT riverside pool and wonderful full breakfasts in a private pavilion right on the water. Get up, have coffee, and watch the city come to life on the water. Its truly wonderful.

Maybe the best part, it is centrally located in Old Bangkok, directly across the street from Wat Po. So no matter where you go, your cab driver can always find the way home for you. Being so close to Wat Po, you'll also be virtually next door to the Grand Palace and The Emeralda Buddha (which is one of the most amazing temples anywhere in the world).

Very highly recommended. And you'll have a honeymoon like no other.

Good Luck!

JasonW

JasonW

My apologies. I should have directed my message above to Zinders.

JasonW

zinders

Those villas do look great...I had looked them up earlier, and really liked them. We are on a budget, tho, and we want to make sure that we will be able to see everything that we want to...my fiance is more into traveling than luxurious hotels. But if we can find a way to upgrade our Bangkok accomodations, we will. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Kathie

Ah! The Chakrabongse Villas! That was one of the two places I was trying to think of. Look for a review here. Someone on the board has stayed there in the last year and had some specific recommendations.