Hi all!
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Thailand in January (from NYC), and are at the early stages of planning (but very excited!).
Right now I'd love to visit Bangkok (for culture/food/temples) and Phuket (for service,beaches,relaxation, romance)--are there any other must see's for a 10 day trip (and first time to Asia)? How does one get from Bangkok to Phuket?
Thank you!

For ten days you should just do Bangkok and a beach (if you are a beach lover). I would suggest 6-7 days in Bangkok and 3-4 in Phuket. You can fly between the two. However, you are going at peak season so need to make your reservations (espcially hotels) soon or you may not be able to stay where you want.

Tell us what your budget is for hotels- 5 star or 3 star. River or central town location, etc. Is this your first trip to Asia?

This is our first trip to Asia. Our budget would be about $150p.night (up to $200 if it's a huge step up) although will probably splurge one night at a 5 star. I think we would like to be central but not too touristy if that's possible. Any recommendations for hotels in Bangkok and Phuket since it sounds like we need to book asap?
How is it flying b/ween the 2 locations, is it safe/expensive?
Thank you for your help!

Maybe check out the 4 Seasons. If that is too expensive maybe the Intercontinental- it is centrally located and has a skytrain stop right at its front door. Go to www.asiahotels.com and see what they offer.

We are staying at the Plaza Athenee for 4 nights on our trip next February (we are also staying at the Penninsula for 4 nights). The Athenee is a luxury hotel that is in your price range and is also well-situated. As first-timers to Bangkok however, you might consider staying on the river - the Marriot Resort is frequently recommended on this board and is in your price range. The best rates can be found on such sites as asiarooms.com, asiahotels.com and huahin.20m.com - be sure to pay careful attention to the terms and conditions.

I have found that www.sawadee.com are a bit cheaper than www.asiahotels.com.

Flights from Bangkok to Phuket are cheap, frequent and safe. I agree with others, with just 10 days, choose just two locations. Given your interests, Bangkok and Phuket sound like a good choice.

If you can stay on the river in Bangkok, I highly recommend that. You can get a 4 or 5 star hotel in Bangkok in your price range. You'll nmeed to get your plane tickets to and from Thailand and your hotel reservations soon (as in now) as this is high season. The plane from Bangkok to Phuket will be easy as there are hourly flights.

For river hotels, check out (in addition to the Marriott), the Shangri-La and the Royal Orchid Sheraton, both very well located, and they sometimes have specials in your price range. If you are a member of the frequent stay clubs at either you can often get better prices.

The Oriental and the Pen are both a step up from those, but are also much more expensive.

Thank you for the excellent responses--some great tips that'll help me focus and book asap.
I saw some photos (on a website) of people riding elephants--where does that happen?
Is Phuket the nicest of the beach/islands? Looking to book this wkend and will have loads more questions by then!

I'd say get yourself a guidebook ASAP. Phuket is just one of many islands to choose from. Northern Thailand is more where you will find the elephants, though I belive there are places on Phuket that will put you on an elephant.

like others i prefer to stay on the river in bkk...it gives a completely different feel to the city....

the cheaper would be the marriott resort and spa which is always my first overall value choice...the peninsula is my next favorite but it is almost twice as expensive...the shangri-la is very nice and in between in price...

a new hilton is just opening and has rates around $105 per nite...it is an excellent location, just across from the sheraton orchid, which i personally do not like at all, although its location is ok and it has the 2nd nicest pool after the marriott...

one consideration is being near to transportation and especially the skytrain for ease in getting around...the sh-la is the best, penn and marriott next...

i did not mention the oriental but it is over your price...

a good hotel site is:

www.huahin.20m.com
this is the same as the sawadee site mentioned above.. tax/service are included (17.7%) and usually breakfast which are a big plus...

in the middle of town i would look at the following:

davis hotel
jw marriott
4 seasons
intercontinental
holiday inn bangkok (plenochit rd)
westin grande
sheraton grande (very very nice)
chateaur de bangkok
plaza anthanee
hyatt
most of these are less than $150

koh samui is an alternative place to phuket as is krabi....i would look at all of them....thai air flights to phuket and krabi are very reasonable and frequent....maybe $100-150 r.t.

bangkok air is an alternative to thai air as well...all are very safe and reliable

I would not stay at a brand new hotel until it has worked out some teething issues. For a first trip I would also highly recommend staying on the river but I would stick to the river area that is most convenient which means the Royal Orchid Sheraton or Shangrila in your price range.

Although I haven't been yet I will be staying at the Centre Point Silom serviced apartments. This place looks awesome! They have kitchens (read refrigerator for cold beverages!) and washing machines.

You can even view a virtual tours of the rooms at www.centrepoint.com.

Have a great trip!

Book air and hotel quickly. You can figure out internal activities later. I suggest you stay on the river at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, Marriott or Shangri-la. The ROS and S-la allow easier transport, but the Marriott may be the best value. If you spend $120-150 in BKK, you can spend closer to $200-250 in Phuket. The Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club is very nice as is Mon Tri's Boathouse. All of the hotels mentioned so far by the various posts will be very nice. Don't agonize over the perfect choice. Just decide and book

Thai Airways is better than all domestic US carriers. Look at their website, pick a time and book. With 10 days, I suggest 4 days BKK, 4 days Phuket and 2 days BKK. If you do this or something similar, you can leave some luggage at your hotel in bkk. You won't need as many things in Phuket. Also, the domestic weight limit is less than the international weight limit. Relax, you'll have a great time.

Gpanda is giving you excellent advice -- which means I agree 100%.

If you are a Starwood frequent stay member, they've had specials recently at the Royal Orchid for $119 a night including breakfast and laundry (that's a real deal).

Oops- I should have added, I don't know if the deal is good in January.

do they pay you $119 to stay there kathie??

rhkkmk:
Just curious, what is it that you disliked about the Royal Orchid Sheraton?

Also (to everyone), for Phuket, I've heard it can get quite touristy/tacky in some areas, are there hotels there which are a little more romantic/quiet? GPanda recommended Le Meridian and Mon Truk which I'm looking into (thanks!).
I'd love to take Thai Air, but at first glance appears to be $600 higher than the US carriers which is a big chunk!
Thank u for all the great responses!!

jessy, don't take Bob too seriously about the Royal Orchid, he likes to jab at me a bit because I've been staying there for some 20 years. On his last morning there, as they were leaving there were fumes in the room (they were in the midst of remodeling) and Bob felt the staff were not responsive to his concern. He's been staying at the Marriott for years, and so of course, the staff there know him, just like the staff at the Sheraton know me.

Some the the regulars here enjoy teasing each other about their hotel preferences, as it's an object of endless debate.