Best Beach Island from Bangkok
 

We will be in Bangkok for a convention in May 2012. We want to leave Bangkok and spend a week on an island just relaxing. Looking for a location that isn't super touristy, in the middle to expensive range. We really like to enjoy the local traditions and nightlife. Might be nice to do a little sea kayaking/exploring, but other than that we will be looking at relaxing on the beach. Of course I have checked out Phuket, but I am looking for other options. We are in our early 40's, if that matters! Thanks for any suggestions!

Well, consider Phuket only if you are fine with a fair amount of rain, about 13.7 inches in an average May. All of the beaches along the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, etc) will have similar rainfall. Prices should be good, but beaches may be red-flagged and things like sea kayaking tours may not be running.

You are better off on the Gulf of Thailand side, Koh Samui has an average of 7.3 inches of rain in May.

You might also want to consider the Hua Hin area. The beaches are not as spectacular, but there is less rain, an average of 4.3 inches in May. There are are some lovely resorts in the Hua Hin area.

I often use www.sawasdee.com to book hotels in Thailand. Their prices are good and most rates include tax and service (a total of 17.7%) and breakfast (often $16-20 pp at luxe places). Browse their offerings and perhaps another booking site like www.agoda.com

I forgot to mention that the weather site I use is www.weatherbase.com

krabi is a nice destination and i like the sheraton there

the jw marriott at khoa lak is very nice too

Perfect! I will check out all those suggestions. Thank you!

http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/vill...rt-spa.en.html

my fav... many other options there with honest reviews

For best price value for me JW Marriott www.betterbidding.com

from $80 in the past for me bidding priceline get preferred

guest upgrades for free an awesome deal marriott.com

The suggestions you have gotten for hotels so far are on the Andaman Sea side.

In Hua Hin, there is a very nice Hyatt and a very nice new Intercontinental. The Sofitel is a "grande Dame" right on the beach in the middle of town. Two to avoid are the Hilton and the Marriott.

Unlike Kathie, we found the Marriott in Hua Hin to be very nice, but we are a "youngish" family so have a slightly different viewpoint. I agree with her about the Hilton, it is too much like a business orientated city hotel and not really suitable for a tropical getaway. It is RIGHT in the centre of town though, if this is important.

The Sofitel is Grand. Not my style, but if you want to stay in a "colonial" type enviroment and revel in all the "pomp and ceremony" that comes with this type of establishment, then it could be what you are after.

Of a nicer balance, is the Hyatt. Resort style with some "Thai-ness", but a little bit further from the main strip.

Do take into consideration that Hua Hin is a retreat for many Thais from Bangkok and does get very busy on weekends. It is a coastal city rather than a tropical paradise, so if your idea of a beach getaway is swaying palms and crystal clear waters, you may be disapointed.

Phuket does not have "ideal" weather in May, but I have been there several times at this time of year and have still enjoyed plenty of fabulous sunny days. If you prefer to have the odds of less rain slightly more in your favor, then Koh Samui would be a good choice. It can tend to be a bit more expensive than Phuket as no budget airline flys there, but there are many more absolute beachfront properties to choose from so if your preference is to stay RIGHT on the sand, then this will balance the equation.

Both Samui and Phuket are quite large and diverse Islands with very tourist orientated, highly developed areas, as well as some more secluded hideaways. What they both do provide is a good balance of what you are after. Both have amazing nightlife, some of which can be on the seedy side but not all, some culture and access to world class adventures like sea kayaking.

You will be able to do the Kayaking in Phuket, unless there is some extreme weather as these tours are in the more sheltered Phang Na Bay area. I have had a tour called off in August once, but we managed to take it the next day. In Samui, a trip to the Ang Thong Marine park for kayaking and snorkelling is a must.

We are lower to mid-range travellers so our specific accomadation choices may not suit, but on Samui, look at the beachfront properties at ChoengMon Beach near this place http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/samui/whitehouse/
as I think the location would be just what you are looking for. This beach is relatively quiet, but with several romantic beach restaraunts and a few bars. It is only a 15 minute taxi ride to Chaweng Beach in the south, or Bophut to the north, if you want a more lively night out.

Shanek I am glad you liked WHitehouse, we just booked that for January and the reviews and web site looked good and price was great.

Yes...the price is great.

The only downside is that the pool is small and the rooms are a little tired.

It has incredibly friendly staff and excellent location which more than makes up for any shortcomings. It is IMHO one of the best deals around.

There was, and hopefully still is, a lovely little family owned restaraunt virtually next door. As you come out the street entrance, turn left and walk past the 7/11. Great food and lovely people.

the hyatt at hua hin is my choice destination too, but this is not an island of course.

Shane, thanks for the thumbs up for the Hua Hin Marriott. We're booked there, on points, for the New Years Eve and Jan 1 holiday festivities, booked several months ago. When I saw Kathie's post I got a bit concerned. But I didn't ask why it was a no-go. Good to see a positive note about the place. I'm sure we're going to enjoy it. We don't need fancy at all.

To the OP of this thread, have you thought about Koh Samui? Check out Crystal Bay Resort, which is on its own more-or-less private beach, very close to Chaweng Beach. It doesn't have a pool, but otherwise it is convenient and scenic, and the beach if really nice there. Not expensive!

Is there a better place to go that might not be as rainy? We could leave Thailand altogether and head east to another island in the south pacific. Would that be a better idea for that time of year?

The South Pacific? Isn't that quite a ways away from Southeast Asia? It rains everywhere tropical from time to time. May, by no means, is the rainiest month, so stick to Thailand and find an island that's most interesting to you. Chances are you'll have lots of sunshine as well as periods of rain. No need to fly 12 hours away. :)

As I mentioned in my initial response to you, Koh Samui will have less rain in May than the Adaman Sea side. And Hua Hin has even less rain.

i have found that both sides of thailand are fine in may quite honestly.... there is some rain but usually near the end of the day, including bkk..