jessika

I am in the process of beginning to plan my end of July/beginning of August 2008 honeymoon. I would appreciate any input, suggestions or answers to my questions

1) 3 Night in Bangkok at one of the following hotel: Le Meridien or the Sheraton. I know there are much nicer hotels in Bangkok but I have over 100,000 starwood hotel points and since Bangkok is the place I care the least about the hotel there is where we are going to use these points. Would you recommend Le Meridien or the one of the two Sheratons. I know one of the Sheratons is on the river, but it didn't look very nice in comparison to the meridien or the other sherton.

2) 4 Nights in either Chiang Mai at the Mandarin Oriental or at the Anatara in the Golden Triangle. What is the difference really between the culture and activities you are able to do in Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle do you recommend these hotels?

3) 6 Nights Ko Samui. Probably going to stay at the Napasai. Thinking of the seaview cottage because it is higher up, more privacy, but also consider the beach view cottage. Where is the pool located in relationship to all the cottages? Are beachview cottages private?

The hotel still considering for Ko Saumi are the Bophut, and Tongsai Bay. Any input on those would be great as well.

Pretty much looking for any advice, and input anyone can give me. The more the better, don't feel like you are writing too much.

Thanks I really really appreciate it.

Gpanda

In BKK, I suggest that you stay at the Roayal Orchid Sheraton in the Towers. I've booked this many times by calling Starwoods directly. They add 1500 points per night for a Towers room. You can inquire whether you can use points for a Towers Suite. I think Kathie has used a combination of points and cash to book a Towers suite in the past. The ROS is on the river and provides an oasis from frantic BKK.

The ROS is also well located for several good restaurants. It has a ferry to take you to the Skytrain terminus at Taksin Pier.

On another note, I would stay in BKK for more than three days. It is a super city and four or five days is much better. This will allow you to see all the major sites in a relaxed fashion. I would subtract the time from Ko Samui. The beach is very nice, but it is just a beach. It is sort of Thailand Lite. It is completely directed towards tourists. The rest of Thailand is magical.

The choice between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai is between a city, CM and a rural setting, CR.

Kathie

I have to agree with Gpanda on all counts. Bangkok is a fabulous city and you'll want more time there. I always stay at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, always in the Towers (includes breakfast and evening cocktails and canapes in the Club, as well as 6 pieces of laundry per person per day in the price of your room). I have been reserving Deluxe Towers Suites for a number of years now. They have a separate living room and bedroom and one and a half baths. All the rooms have a full river view which is absolutely wonderful. It really gives you a feel for Bangkok.

I always vote for CR over CM. The Ananrata at the Golden Triangle is really a lovely resort. And they have elephants on-site (a division of the Thai Elephant Conservation Camp) as well as a wonderful cooking school and a fabulous spa.

Spend a few days at Koh Samui, but as Gpanda says, it is Thailand Lite. CR and Bangkok will give you more of a sense of the warm and inviting Thai culture. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time at the beach, but it just won't be a cultural experience.

rhkkmk

sheraton lite---yup that is the sheraton orchid.....the best part of it is its river location, but that is not to be underestimated in any way...

the sheraton grande on the other had is a fabulous hotel, but clearly not on the river, but in the midst of the chaos which is central bangkok....

i guess it depends on what you are looking for....personally the peninsula would be my honeymoon choice, but they do not honor starwoods points...

i much favor the river hotels, but ROS is my least favorite, except for the royal river hotel...

kathie, gpanda and i agree on most things but not on this....while it is not in the worst location along the river it is not in the best either....also, taxis are easy if you take them from the hotel door but not from the street outside....they do now finally have a boat that runs to the skytrain but not all that often---maybe every 30 minutes??

i cannot now think of a meredien in bkk just now....but i may be wrong...

you could also use your points at the westin on sukhumvit which is just across from the sheraton....both have the best entrances to the skytrain of any hotel in bkk....

on samui you might look at the pansea, it is very nice.....the meredien is nice also but a bit issolated....

the anantara is quite nice in the north...it too is quite issolated and with the exception of the opium museum, which is directly across the street, everything is a car ride to get to....there are trips on the river, crossings into laos and myanmar (both border towns as sort of non-typical), the doi tung estate (former home of the king's mother), which is quite fabulous and river and country settings....very laid back...

like the ROS, i would not give house room to chiang mai...i find it way over rated and over developed....it is a huge city, not a sleepy back water town....

i have not been to the new oriental there but hear that it is quite spectacular, or over done, as some have put it...

the four seasons is way out of town but very lovely and perfect for a honeymoon, imo....

CFW

Bangkok -- For your honeymoon I would definately stay on the river in BKK. If you have starwood points, use them for the Royal Orchid Sheraton on the river, and upgrade to the towers as Gpanda suggests.

Northern Thailand - Unlike Bob, I like Chiang Mai, and there is a lot to see & do in & around the city. If you want to ride elephants the Thai elephant conservation center is about an hour away, and it is fabulous. The small elephant encampment at the Anatara does not compare. Within Chiang Mai there is great shopping, wonderful spas, and on Sundays a big crafts market (the walking street) that is lots of fun. Also, Doi Suthep, which is a Buddhist temple on a hill overlooking the city, is one of the lovliest in Thailand, with beautiful grounds. As to hotels, the Mandarin Oriental is, in my opinion, s bit over the top, but it may be what you want for a honeymoon. There are also lots of other very nice hotels now in Chiang Mai, and the four seasons, which is about 45 minutes out of town, is much more special than the Anantara.

glorialf

I also love Chiang Mai and since you are spending 6 nights at a resort in the south would probably pick it over the Anantara. But if I were you I would reduce my time in the south (which really could be anywhere) and spend time in BOTH CM and the Anantara.

Kathie

CFW and Gloria, I'm glad to get some balance in this discussion as both Bob and I are not fond of CM. It's important for newcomers to the board to know that CM is one of those places people either love or not.

simpsonc510

I always enjoy Chiang Mai, but only need two days to enjoy it. I was just at Doi Sutep about a week ago, and it really is a lovely place.