newlyweds06

Can someone recommend hotels in Kho Samui ($200/night) and would 6 nights in Kho Samui be too much? If we were to split 3 nights in KS, where else could we go for the other 3 nights? I know Phuket is on the opposite side so that would be another flight.

Also, please share your opinions on Phuket vs. Kho Samui. What is the weather like in early Feb at both places?

Thanks!

Bella_Bluebell

I don't think 6 days in samui is too much, esp if you want some time for relaxing by the pool/beach - but what is your overall travel plan? It may be that you could lose a day or two if you have 'shortchanged' another area.

If you were in Samui and did want to split your time, I wouldn't go as far as phuket, I'd look at Thong Nai Pan Noi beach on Ko Pha Ngan - lovely low key beach with some lovely little resorts (and luxe too if you fancy it) - great counter to samui which is more developed. In terms of hotels, I'd first decide which of the Samui beaches you would like to stay on. I prefer the quieter ones - Bophut in particular, but also Maenam and Choeng Mon. But Lamai and Chaweng might be better for you if you want very lively nightlife and immediate access to lots of shops, bars etc. http://www.kosamui.com/beaches/index.html

Once you've got an idea of what would suit you, post back and also have a think about what kind of resort/hotel you prefer - boutique, beach bungalows, big all singing bows on resort etc

JamesA recently recommeded this site as one to use to compare prices at different hotels - http://www.asiaoz.com/thailand_hotels.html. The first one - sawadee - has reviews from people who have actually stayed at the hotels - you get an invitation to post a review once you have booked through sawadee and stayed in the hotel. The third one has good last minute deals if you are going this Feb - although you can only book 28 days before your hotel departure date. Tripadvisor is a good source of info on particular hotels as well - candid traveller photos as well as reviews.

As you are travelling at a time of year when the weather is normally good on both coasts - lots of sunshine, v little rain typically - you could choose to go to samui etc or the andaman coastline (you can fly into phuket as a starting point). Other alternatives/additions to phuket would be phi phi, krabi, ko lanta, khao lak amongst others. I think there is perhaps more variety in terms of areas and activities on this coastline - partly because you have access to a much larger area. We are going to phuket, khao lak and krabi in early feb this year - having spent quite a lot of time on samui in previous summers - but we haven't been to phuket for 9 years and by all accounts a lot has changed since then so I wont venture to compare the two yet - but I am sure someone else will be able to.
hope this helps
BB

Cicerone

I would disagree that the weather in February in Koh Samui is “normally good” and that there is “lots of sunshine”. It is still the winter monsoon on the east coast of Thailand and Malaysia at that time. While the monsoon is receding and does affect Malaysia and Singapore much more at that time than Thailand, you can still get overcast days and rain in February in Samui. You also have the issue of the monsoon receding and attendant wind and waves affecting the water quality for diving and snorkeling. Please consult weather site and read things like trpiadviosr.com for some information. I live in Hong Kong, and used to live in Singapore, and would certainly pick the west coast of Thailand over the east in February if it were my trip. Phuket is in the best weather at that time no doubt and their rains stopped in November so you don't have the wind and wave issues.

MichaelBKK

Not sure where Cicerone is getting her info. While Samui is wetter than Phuket in January, the historical averages for February show that Samui is much drier than Phuket by that time. There's a chart comparing the two here:

http://thailandforvisitors.com/general/getstart.html

Cicerone

I’m getting my info from living in SE Asia for 15 years. As I said in my post, generally the monsoon is further south by that time, but you could have overcast days and rain. Weather stats do not show overcast days, they only show rain. Just because the heavy rain has moved south does not mean that the clouds have as well. As I said, I personally would choose the west coast over the east at that time. Please read my post quite carefully, I am pretty clear on what I said. I am not trying to say that I have all the facts (no one is a weather God), but have lived here a long time, am a diver, and know which side I would prefer at that time of year. The OP asked for opinions.

Bella_Bluebell

The hours of sunshine are also high for Samui in Feb though - and they would be affected by overcast days, unless I am confused.

DH's experience of being in Ko Tao, Samui and Perhentians in Feb was of excellent weather - on two occasions. I think of the op has heart set on Samui, it is not a terrible choice. But I do think there is more variety and stunning landscapes off the west coast.

The op doesn't say if she/he is a diver so the points about diving may be irrelevant - but if so, I would say west coast diving is better and would agree is good at this time of year.