Help choosing a Thailand beach in November??
Sep 3rd, 2009, 12:59 PM
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Help choosing a Thailand beach in November??
Hello
We are planning our first trip to Thailand in mid-late November and would like a little help choosing a beach resort. We are spending 5 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Chiang Mai and then 5 nights at a beach resort at the end. With all the choice we are struggling in choosing a beach resort so would welcome any advice.
We are in our Mid thirties and would like a number of places to eat near-by, gorgeous scenery, not too commercial but some shops and bars, good beach and clean water.
Ideally we would like a villa with a pool and prefer smaller places over 'large could be anywhere' resort type hotels. Budget is quite flexible.
Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions!
Wendy
We are planning our first trip to Thailand in mid-late November and would like a little help choosing a beach resort. We are spending 5 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Chiang Mai and then 5 nights at a beach resort at the end. With all the choice we are struggling in choosing a beach resort so would welcome any advice.
We are in our Mid thirties and would like a number of places to eat near-by, gorgeous scenery, not too commercial but some shops and bars, good beach and clean water.
Ideally we would like a villa with a pool and prefer smaller places over 'large could be anywhere' resort type hotels. Budget is quite flexible.
Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions!
Wendy
Sep 3rd, 2009, 01:57 PM
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Mom Tri's Villa Royale, Phuket, overlooking Kata Noi beach!! But expensive... maybe priced out of your range. Mom Tri's Boathouse is on Kata beach, and a bit less expensive, and maybe closer to activity than the villa property. The villa location is overlooking a smaller beach, with a wooden stairway (maybe 60' distance???) to get there. The beach is a quieter one. If you go to Phuket, avoid Patong beach, IMO.
Krabi is also really nice... more laid back. I just stayed at Ao Nang beach about 2 weeks ago, and liked it a lot. I've been to Phuket, Samui, and Phi Phi. Other than Phi Phi, Krabi is more laid back than the others. I stayed at Ao Nang Princeville, which has restaurants and shops right outside the resort. Very handy.
Carol
Krabi is also really nice... more laid back. I just stayed at Ao Nang beach about 2 weeks ago, and liked it a lot. I've been to Phuket, Samui, and Phi Phi. Other than Phi Phi, Krabi is more laid back than the others. I stayed at Ao Nang Princeville, which has restaurants and shops right outside the resort. Very handy.
Carol
Sep 3rd, 2009, 02:55 PM
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There's an easy Chiang Mai to Phuket flight without transiting through Bangkok. Phuket is a large island. Patong is the busy part with crowded beaches. there are many isolated beaches that are relatively close to more commercial areas. It depends on your budget. There are decent hotels at every level. Are you a Starwoods points person? If so, the Meridien Beach resort is very nice. Otherwise, check out Sawadee.com.
Sep 3rd, 2009, 11:58 PM
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Check this weather map - you are likely to get a fair bit of rain - not that it should interfere much with your enjoyment. later in November the better.
http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php
http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php
Sep 4th, 2009, 06:06 AM
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Well, rain might interfere with your enjoyment--it did ours. Our experience in February was that after a rainfall Kata Beach was filthy. Disgusting rows of debris and plastic blew in and no clear access was left to the sea. Easily the worst I've seen on any holiday beach I've been to, but I guess that is what the world is coming to.
Sep 4th, 2009, 06:57 AM
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November is the month in which the monsoon changes. So mid-Nov or later is best.
Here's a website with some great hotel recommendations:
http://www.phuket.com/hotel/recommen...ic-resorts.htm
I don't know if I'd book through them (check sawasdee.dom asiarooms.com and agoda.com ) for competitive rates.
Here's a website with some great hotel recommendations:
http://www.phuket.com/hotel/recommen...ic-resorts.htm
I don't know if I'd book through them (check sawasdee.dom asiarooms.com and agoda.com ) for competitive rates.
Sep 4th, 2009, 08:37 AM
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Take the words "monsoon season" with a grain of salt. I've now been in Thailand in pretty much every month of the year. I can recall maybe 3 really heavy downpours. Two of them were in July, in the city of BKK, where streets flooded (but the water level went down very quickly). The third time was on Samui, during what was supposed the be one of the "better times" to visit the island, weatherwise. Rain can (and does) happen anytime. I don't let it spoil my vacation. No matter what month of the year, I'll visit the beach that I want to visit, when I want to visit.......
Anyway, take a look at the weather sites along with hotel booking sites, and then decide where you would like to go. Thailand has some really lovely beaches. You will be able to find something to your liking, I'm sure.
Carol
Anyway, take a look at the weather sites along with hotel booking sites, and then decide where you would like to go. Thailand has some really lovely beaches. You will be able to find something to your liking, I'm sure.
Carol
Sep 5th, 2009, 07:41 PM
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Rainy season-wise, Samui has a sort of double-whammy, one from the East and one from the West - the run-off from the rain can cause problems.
firstly those wishing to scuba will find visibility poor. Then, swimmers may find the sea full of debris - and unfortunately drainage and sewage overflow.
(I have heard of many people getting conjunctivitis after swimming off Samui)
Samui has also been recklessly de-forested and the resulting flash flooding following a downpour can be inconvenient as the drains simply can't cope.
firstly those wishing to scuba will find visibility poor. Then, swimmers may find the sea full of debris - and unfortunately drainage and sewage overflow.
(I have heard of many people getting conjunctivitis after swimming off Samui)
Samui has also been recklessly de-forested and the resulting flash flooding following a downpour can be inconvenient as the drains simply can't cope.
Dec 17th, 2010, 01:47 AM
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Phuket direct from Chang Mai for me
to maximize your brief beach time.
www.asiarooms.com other discounters many nice cheap options
based on budget.
Have fun,
to maximize your brief beach time.
www.asiarooms.com other discounters many nice cheap options
based on budget.
Have fun,
Dec 17th, 2010, 01:52 AM
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