Anyone and Everyone:

In the final process of planning the honeymoon in November '09. Surprise for bride, but am planning on going to Bangkok for three days and spending the rest of our time (the 3rd week in November) relaxing in either Phuket - Kata Beach or Bali - Nusa Dua.

I am undecided, more conflicted than anything else. I know that traveling to Phuket in November is a good time to go. Get in after the rainy season, but out before the high tourist season. On the other side, I know that traveling to Bali in November can be a crap shoot. It's during the wet season, but like weather, it may or may not rain and the duration is anyone's guess.

Just wanting to get your thoughts...

Thanks,
The Groom

My biggest concern baout your Bali plan is that you plan to stay at Nusa Dua. I always recommend that people stay away from Nusa Dua. It's a totally sterile tourist enclave. I wouldn't worry about the weather on Bali too much. I've been there a number of times at time of the year. It does rain, usually in short but intense bursts, often in the late afternoon or at night. If you are the kind of people whose vacation nwould be ruined by that kind of rain, don't. But if you could enjoy a rainy afternoon at the spa or relaxing on your balcony reading or watching the scenery, it would be just fine.

Where would you stay on Kata.

If you only intend to relax on a beach for the week - with no interest in culture after leaving BKK - although Nusa Dua has arguably the best beaches in Bali, I feel they are no match for for Phuket's beaches. Sounds like Phuket for you.

stay in thailand...there are great places to go there and the cost and time to get to bali will take away from your relaxation.....kathie is right about nusa dua---ugH!!

look at the amari vogue near to krabi for a beach location...
look at le meridien at khao lak..

look at jw marriott in phuket....also le meridien....and many more...

even easier is hua hin....the hyatt is fantastic and the sheraton is new and nice, but north of town...no flight required to get there and weather will be great

If a beautiful beach is your agenda, opt for the Phuket area. Hua Hin is nice, but the beach is only ok, though it has some very nice hotels. We can give you specific recommendations if you give us a per night price range. If you are looking at luxury properties, take a look at this website: http://www.phuket.com/hotel/recommen...ic-resorts.htm

Also, we can recommend Bangkok hotels if you give us a price range. Thailand will be a wonderful honeymoon!

I always have enjoyed Kata and Kata Noi Beach. Take a lot at Mom Tri's Boathouse (although not particularly special for a honeymoon) and Mom Tri's Villa Royale, and then the Kata Thani Resort on Kata Noi Beach. I've stayed at Villa Royale, and it is really extra nice!! However, you have to take some wooden steps down to the beach (Kata Noi Beach) if you want to swim or walk. Kata Noi Beach is smaller than Kata Beach, and a bit more private.

Even if you stay somewhere other than a Mom Tri's property, you really MUST go to their restaurants!! The Boathouse Grill at the Boathouse is excellent. The Mom Tri's Kitchen at the Villa Royale property is really a special treat, with a nice romantic atmosphere. Others here on fodors have tried the Kitchen, at my suggestion, and have enjoyed it.

Weather in Phuket should be very nice by November! I've been there in September and December/January (new years time) and the weather is definitely better as you get closer to the holiday season.

Carol

maybe the groom got cold feet?

Don't be mean, Bob, it's only been 6 hours since his original post.

Other Thailand addicts, of course, would have replied 6 times by now, but not everyone (fortunately) is like us.

i thought it was a day old...sorry....we are usually very nice but we get anxious....its like we are going on the trip...

Well, my price range is about $150-$200 a night. We want to have a great time, just enjoy getting away. The beach is the main agenda, and is where we will probably spend the majority of our time.

I want a romantic atmosphere, one that isn't cheesy or a cliché. I'm sure that would be dificult to find, but it is something that I am searching for.

If we were to stay in Phuket, it would be in Kata Noi, although when I was first looking at Phuket, I was interested in the JW Marriott.

No cold feet...at least not yet!

we really liked the jw marriott, but it is way removed from the town, like 45 minutes, but if you would be content to just hang out there, it would be a great place...

villa royale, that carol suggests, is excellent, with one of the best restaurants on the island to boot...

for 150-200 you have a ton of choices...

www.asiarooms.com
www.sawadee.com
www.agoda.com

these are all good listing places to start looking at hotels...if you find something you like, also give the hotel itself a chance to match it....breakfasts included is a big bonus as is tax/service which amounts to over 17%...the sites above include both usually

Looking at it further, JW Marriott, while a beautiful spot and close to the airport seems a little isolated from everything else on the island. I think when it really comes down to it, I'm not flying Phuket or Bali to stay inside. With that being said, I think Phuket is the choice, as the possibility of sitting in the rain is very unpleasant.

I'm not adverse to spending more, if we're getting a great service. I will check out the links that you posted. Any other comments are grealy appreciated.

One of the regulars here, Leigh, believes that PhiPhi is heaven on earth. Look for some of his reviews. To get to PhiPhi, you go to Phuket, then take a boat. So as you look at hotels, remember that Krabi and Koh Lak are in the same area (weather pattern) as Phuket and PhiPhi, so any of those areas are possibilities to be considered.