In planning our Thailand trip for the beach portion we are considering the following resorts. We want 5-6 days of quiet, understated luxury with nice beach and water. The quiet part is very important we don't care if we are isolated from action. We will be visiting plenty of busy cultural places and all the city of Bangkok offers as well. Have been web surfing for days reading reviews but thought I might ask the fodorites directly. If anyone has advice on which room category offers best value no sense going for the pool villa if other rooms are just as nice and better located, with better views and more privacy. Envelope please- the finalists are.
Travelling in November so Ko Samui is out.
Sarojin, Khoa Lak
Pimalai, Ko Lanta
Nakamanda, Krabi

Thanks to all.

I'd be partial to the Sarojin for it's location.

It's in Khao Lak, which is having a hard time recovering from the tsunami...the tourists just aren't going like they are to other tsunami affected areas. Even at peak season this past New Years, there were very few tourists and lots of empty rooms in the area.

The beach is lovely in the Khao Lak area, particularly south of the national park where the Merlin is and up farther north where the Sarojin and Le Meridien are.

Khao Lak is certainly a place to relax, is isolated from the action, but still only an hour from Phuket, and we thought the beaches were lovely.

One thing to consider...have you considered the weather in November?

I thought Krabi, Ko Lanta and Khao Lak would have similar weather in November. I've read Ko Samui and Gulf of Thailand islands tend to be wet in November. If this is not the case further advice might be needed.

I think that in general, November can be a wet month most anywhere. I do know this year was wet in Phuket through December...and though unusual, not unheard of. You are right, Samui is said to be even wetter. I only mentioned weather because it isn't really dry season in November, and if you are hoping for 5 days of clear sky and sun, you may be disappointed.
http://www.phuket-guide.net/phuket_home/index.htm is just one link where you can find general weather information. I would think the closer to the end of the month of November would be better than the beginning.

I suggest that you look at Krabi. We were there and it was quiet and very relaxing. We've been in Phuket twice in late November and the weather was great. Krabi would be the same.

My favorite website for weather is www.weatherbase.com It gives average high and low temps for each month and average rainfall for a wide variety of locations.