A little help
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 02:09 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 83
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A little help
Hi,
I am a 30 year old female and am taking a 2 week vacation to Thailand with another 30 year old female. We are both single and love a good nightlife, but also love outdoor activities and want to see the tourist locations and at the same time, get a taste of the local Thai life. Neither of us have been to Thailand. Any suggestions on what parts of Thailand we should see? We are definately starting in Bangkok, but from there, we have not been able to make a decision. What are some favorite locations? What beaches should we go to? Should be do day trips to the islands or stay on them??? As you can tell, we need help! Thanks
I am a 30 year old female and am taking a 2 week vacation to Thailand with another 30 year old female. We are both single and love a good nightlife, but also love outdoor activities and want to see the tourist locations and at the same time, get a taste of the local Thai life. Neither of us have been to Thailand. Any suggestions on what parts of Thailand we should see? We are definately starting in Bangkok, but from there, we have not been able to make a decision. What are some favorite locations? What beaches should we go to? Should be do day trips to the islands or stay on them??? As you can tell, we need help! Thanks
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 04:07 PM
#2
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
You don't really give us much information to go on... such as price for hotels, type of food you like, etc. Are you shoppers??? If you are shoppers then Bangkok is YOUR kind of place.
I'm in BKK right now. I'm doing the "Hello from Bangkok" thread. This is my 9th trip here. I'm female, but not single, and not 30. I wish I HAD discovered this place at age 30...
I am currently here for two weeks (all of it in BKK except for a two-day trip to Chiang Mai coming up later this week). Two weeks is too short! LOL
I consider Bangkok to be my home away from home. That's how much I love this city.
Your first decision should be whether you want to stay on the river or in the heart of the shopping. Since you are first-timers, I'd suggest starting on the river, then breaking up your visit with a trip to Phuket or Koh Samui, and then back to Bangkok to stay in the heart of the city. I've stayed at the Penninsula and the Oriental on the river. Loved them both, but prefer the Penn. I have also stayed at the Intercontinental in the heart of the city. Nice hotel also. For my last five or six trips though, I've stayed at serviced apartments. I like the size and the idea that there is a kitchen for making coffee, soup, etc. and a fridge for fresh veggies and fruit.
Let us know more about what you like and I'm sure others will jump in here with all kinds of information and help.
Carol
I'm in BKK right now. I'm doing the "Hello from Bangkok" thread. This is my 9th trip here. I'm female, but not single, and not 30. I wish I HAD discovered this place at age 30...
I am currently here for two weeks (all of it in BKK except for a two-day trip to Chiang Mai coming up later this week). Two weeks is too short! LOL
I consider Bangkok to be my home away from home. That's how much I love this city.
Your first decision should be whether you want to stay on the river or in the heart of the shopping. Since you are first-timers, I'd suggest starting on the river, then breaking up your visit with a trip to Phuket or Koh Samui, and then back to Bangkok to stay in the heart of the city. I've stayed at the Penninsula and the Oriental on the river. Loved them both, but prefer the Penn. I have also stayed at the Intercontinental in the heart of the city. Nice hotel also. For my last five or six trips though, I've stayed at serviced apartments. I like the size and the idea that there is a kitchen for making coffee, soup, etc. and a fridge for fresh veggies and fruit.
Let us know more about what you like and I'm sure others will jump in here with all kinds of information and help.
Carol
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 04:34 PM
#3
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 83
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After I posted my initial question, I realized that I didn't post enough information and had intended to come back on here and post more, but got busy at work....
We are going to Thailand at the end of July, early August (so the off season). Both of us love to shop and want to do some of this, but don't want this to be an exclusive shopping trip. We both are interested in the temples and historical sights, but also in the natural beauty that Thailand has to offer, including beaches, waterfalls, caves, etc. We want to see both Bangkok, but also the southern and/or northern portions (we heard Chaing Mai is a must see), but don't know if we can fit it all in. We are looking to stay at places that are around (70-100 dollars a night).
We will begin and end in Bangkok, that is the one thing we know for sure. Other than that, our plans are up in the air. We have travel books, but there is so much to see and do... We are trying to make an iternerary and are struggling....
Any ideas would be helpful
Thanks,
Jennifer
We are going to Thailand at the end of July, early August (so the off season). Both of us love to shop and want to do some of this, but don't want this to be an exclusive shopping trip. We both are interested in the temples and historical sights, but also in the natural beauty that Thailand has to offer, including beaches, waterfalls, caves, etc. We want to see both Bangkok, but also the southern and/or northern portions (we heard Chaing Mai is a must see), but don't know if we can fit it all in. We are looking to stay at places that are around (70-100 dollars a night).
We will begin and end in Bangkok, that is the one thing we know for sure. Other than that, our plans are up in the air. We have travel books, but there is so much to see and do... We are trying to make an iternerary and are struggling....
Any ideas would be helpful
Thanks,
Jennifer
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 04:45 PM
#4
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Jennifer
You will get all sorts of helpful information on this forum.
For $70-100 per night you will probably not be staying right "ON" the river. You might consider a serviced apartment that is nearby though. Centre Point Silom I think is the name of it... If you do a search for centre point or center point you would probably find out about location and pricing. A fellow fodorite just stayed there not long ago and was very pleased.
Chiang Mai is a very interesting city. Rather the opposite to BKK, it is large but much less hectic. People go there to shop for handcrafts and wood products, Thai furniture, that sort of thing. There are also those who go from CM to elephant camps for trekking. I've not done that, but I've been to CM probably 6 times.
Thirty-year-olds might enjoy Samui more than Phuket... not sure. I prefer Phuket I think. I was there in September of 05 and stayed at the Katathani on Kata Noi beach. Beautiful!! Peaceful!! Since you are going off-season, you might find a great deal at the Katathani. It will be the rainy season so the weather is iffy. I've been to Phuket several times during the rainy season and did not let it dampen my spirits. We did not have constant rain. In fact, we have some really lovely days. Nice enough to take the day-trip to Phi Phi island and not a drop of rain.
Again, ask away. You'll get lots of helpful information here. This forum is one of the nicest groups of people!!
Carol
You will get all sorts of helpful information on this forum.
For $70-100 per night you will probably not be staying right "ON" the river. You might consider a serviced apartment that is nearby though. Centre Point Silom I think is the name of it... If you do a search for centre point or center point you would probably find out about location and pricing. A fellow fodorite just stayed there not long ago and was very pleased.
Chiang Mai is a very interesting city. Rather the opposite to BKK, it is large but much less hectic. People go there to shop for handcrafts and wood products, Thai furniture, that sort of thing. There are also those who go from CM to elephant camps for trekking. I've not done that, but I've been to CM probably 6 times.
Thirty-year-olds might enjoy Samui more than Phuket... not sure. I prefer Phuket I think. I was there in September of 05 and stayed at the Katathani on Kata Noi beach. Beautiful!! Peaceful!! Since you are going off-season, you might find a great deal at the Katathani. It will be the rainy season so the weather is iffy. I've been to Phuket several times during the rainy season and did not let it dampen my spirits. We did not have constant rain. In fact, we have some really lovely days. Nice enough to take the day-trip to Phi Phi island and not a drop of rain.
Again, ask away. You'll get lots of helpful information here. This forum is one of the nicest groups of people!!
Carol
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 05:18 PM
#5
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Hi Jenn,
I can relate to your confusion about trying to decide where to go in Thailand. It took me months to plan our itinerary and I fine tuned it many times. I can't be of much help though since I finally will arrive there in less than 2 weeks!
When I return in March I will provide you with my thoughts, preferences and hotel details.
You might try going to www.sawadee.com for hotel reviews, prices and photos.
We are staying at the Centre Point Silom near the river and right on the sky train in Bangkok. We rented a 1 bedroom apartment for $80. Check it out at http://www.centrepoint.
In Chiang Mai we are staying at Baan Orapin for $40 a night. www.baanorapin.com
A great website to do some research is www.travelfish.org.
Carol is right! This forum has some great people that are so willing to help.
Good luck!!!
Tamara
I can relate to your confusion about trying to decide where to go in Thailand. It took me months to plan our itinerary and I fine tuned it many times. I can't be of much help though since I finally will arrive there in less than 2 weeks!
When I return in March I will provide you with my thoughts, preferences and hotel details.
You might try going to www.sawadee.com for hotel reviews, prices and photos.
We are staying at the Centre Point Silom near the river and right on the sky train in Bangkok. We rented a 1 bedroom apartment for $80. Check it out at http://www.centrepoint.
In Chiang Mai we are staying at Baan Orapin for $40 a night. www.baanorapin.com
A great website to do some research is www.travelfish.org.
Carol is right! This forum has some great people that are so willing to help.
Good luck!!!
Tamara
Jan 23rd, 2006 | 05:39 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
i assume you are coming from n. america by your language....you will be very tired upon arrival so plan on doing nothing day one and not a huge amount on day 2....
you have wisely learned to be in bkk at both the beginning and the end of your trip....good decision...
you will want an hotel with a good pool for day one and marriott is that hotel or sheraton orchid, both on the river
at that time of year you can stay at the marriott resort and spa on the river....right around $100 or slightly more, all inclusive including breakfast...taxes and service add 17% to normal hotel bills so the site below includes it...
use this site for hotels :
www.huahin.20m.com
it is a pre pay but they will only charge your first day when you make the res and the rest just before your arrival....it is about the cheapest site for thailand...
don't book until you are totally sure, becasue changes are difficult...
i would pick one other location to go to....an island as you mention...i think of two....koh samui and phuket....i think however there may be some weather issues with one or the other...you need to check that out...
phuket is a large very go go type place and samui is more laid back but still plenty to do and smaller...phuket was hit by the tsumni but samui was not...
both places have hotels in all price ranges....again look at the site above...
pictures of hotels are often deceptive so ask us here once you see something you like...
sor first get your airfare set...then do the hotel, then deal with the rest...
get a good guidebook also like frommers or fodors to assist you...
the nancy chandler map of bkk is very helpful for getting aquainted with bkk (amazon) and the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand and myanmar by ron krannich is great for upscale hotels and restaurants and shopping...
then come back to us with tons of questions...we love to help
bob
you have wisely learned to be in bkk at both the beginning and the end of your trip....good decision...
you will want an hotel with a good pool for day one and marriott is that hotel or sheraton orchid, both on the river
at that time of year you can stay at the marriott resort and spa on the river....right around $100 or slightly more, all inclusive including breakfast...taxes and service add 17% to normal hotel bills so the site below includes it...
use this site for hotels :
www.huahin.20m.com
it is a pre pay but they will only charge your first day when you make the res and the rest just before your arrival....it is about the cheapest site for thailand...
don't book until you are totally sure, becasue changes are difficult...
i would pick one other location to go to....an island as you mention...i think of two....koh samui and phuket....i think however there may be some weather issues with one or the other...you need to check that out...
phuket is a large very go go type place and samui is more laid back but still plenty to do and smaller...phuket was hit by the tsumni but samui was not...
both places have hotels in all price ranges....again look at the site above...
pictures of hotels are often deceptive so ask us here once you see something you like...
sor first get your airfare set...then do the hotel, then deal with the rest...
get a good guidebook also like frommers or fodors to assist you...
the nancy chandler map of bkk is very helpful for getting aquainted with bkk (amazon) and the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand and myanmar by ron krannich is great for upscale hotels and restaurants and shopping...
then come back to us with tons of questions...we love to help
bob
