Honeymoon planning - Thailand, Malaysia or Bali?
 

I am planning a two week honeymoon for Aug/Sept of 2005 and I am trying to decide between Tahiland (probably Phuket, Ko Samui, or Krabi), Malaysia (probably Langkawi, but I am open to suggestions as I don't knwo too much about the country) or Bali. For a little background, we are 27 and from Seattle, WA. We are looking for a place to relax - we would like a place with luxurious accomodations, a nice pool, a beach and nice restaraunts. If possible, we would like a place where we aren't too secluded (private3 island type) so that we can experience life outside of the resort. Does anyone have any locales they recommend ove rthe others? Does anyone have any specific lodging recommendations? How about weather? I have been to Ko Samui in late July, early August, and although it was hot, it seemed like there was always a breeze, and it wasn't bad at all. Do any of these places have better weather in August/September than the others? How about attitude towards Americans. I know these places aren't going to love us, I can't really say I blame them, and I realize I will be plenty safe at the resort areas, but at the same time, I don't really want to go where I am not wanted. Last time I went to Thailand, i thought the people must be the friendliest in the world, but that was before Bush began his reign of Terror... Anyways, any help anyone could give would be great, as you can imagine, I am trying to plan the perfect trip!!!

I'd pick Bali.

Lets keep the politics out of this forum- we get enough of that in other mediums- it doesn't belong here.

Sorry Bill, I did not mean to get political. However, I do feel that friendliness towards Americans is a valid concern, but at the same time, I don't want to come off as someone who expects the world to be outwardly friendly towards Americans...

Agreed- valid point to know how Americans are treated in the places we are planning on visiting.

So Bill, have you been to any of these places?

Langkawi is too small for 2 weeks so you'll probably want to travel around Malaysia. If you want to stay in one place, I would recommend Bali. There are enough places to visit and things to do there. Plenty of lux hotels to choose from. People are very friendly. Relaxing atmosphere, romantic settings... The weather in Bali is perfect Aug, but Sept is ok too and it's a lot cheaper than Aug.
Thailand is nice too but IMO Bali is more romantic.

Bali would be a great option for you as there is much to see and do as well and a great variety of places to stay both on the beach and inland at places like Ubud. There is also a huge price range. There are luxury places as expensive as any you'll find elsewhere, as well as lovely 4 and 5 star places that are real bargains.

I've been to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. My experience is that people are able to tell the difference between individuals and their government. I feel the Thai people are the warmest, but I was certainly well-received in Indonesia and Malaysia.

We vsited all of these places in Nov-Dec 04. For luxury nothing will beat the Marriott in Phuket. It's the only hotel north of the airport and drips with luxury. Massages on the beach next to the hotel were $6.00. When finished you walked back to the pool and were greeted with freah chilled fruit, and sprayed with cool lemon scented mist. Unfortunately it's not near anything, ie; you don't walk into town to see the seedy t-shirt shops and run into toursits off the cruise ships.
Bali has lots of resorts that are destinations in themselves. Day or overnight trips to Ubud and other places on the island are great. We were there 6 weeks after the terrible nightclub explosion and people were still walking around in shock. We stayed in Sanur, the beaches there aren't nice, but we had our fill of nice beaches in Phuket. You can also scuba dive and snorkel on Bali.Agree that Langkawi is small. We're right down the road in Olympia. If you have any questions email is [email protected].

Thanks Kathie and Travelmug. Are there any specific places (either areas or resorts) in Bali that you recommend. I am just now becoming familiar with the island, and like you said, there are som nay places that sound wonderful.

Which Marriott was it, I think there are two on the island. Was it the JW? Thanks for the email, I tried to use it, but I got an undeliverable, so I tried one that more closely resembled your screen name. let me know if you didn't get it.

Tyler,
I loved Bali...it's very rich culturally and quite fascinting as well as very romantic. My husband and I loved a small resort in Ubud called Ibah if you search for Ibah or Bali here you should be able to find my detailed recommendation. There website doesn't do the place justice. Check out the auction site Luxurylink which has great room package, unfortunately we paid much more! There's also a Bali Travel forum which is run by Australians and is quite helpful.

I highky recommend Bali for the variety and the beauty of the country but, I don't think Bali's strength is as a beach destination.

Also although I haven't been there I think there's rain in Phuket in the summer.

Hope that helps!

The Pacific Northwest is out in full force today. I live in Seattle, too.

There are lots of wonderful places to stay on Bali. If you choose Bali, the one suggestion I'd make is to avoid Nusa Dua. It's a sterile tourist enclave. You'll have enough time to stay at a beach and to stay near Ubud. Do a search on this board,as there are lots of excellent descriptions of places to stay.

If you opt for Phuket, there are dozens of places that are luxury resorts that would have amenities comparable to what was described at the Marriott. Phuket has nicer beaches than Bali, but you don't really get a cultural experience in Phuket, which you do in Bali. If you want Phuket beaches, you could combine it with some time in Bangkok.

Tyler- we tend to be big city people and the wife wants to shop/shop/shop so these beach resorts and scenic venues are out right now. We have been to Sydney/Singapore/Kaula Lumpur/Hong Kong/Bangkok and next year we are going to Manila. We might do a few days at one of the beach resort areas but would need to move on to the big cities.

I've been to all of your listed countries. For a honeymoon, I would recommend Bali and the Kamandalu Hotel near Ubud so that you aren't too isolated, plus the price is not that bad for the Kamandalu. I suggested to friends who chose it for their honeymoon. It's not a hotel that's listed in every book, but was in a honeymoon book some years ago. Another friend stays there regularly and swears by it.As far as peoples attitudes towards Americans in Southeast Asia, I've had no problems at all. Happy Travels!

I guess I am getting conflicting perceptions... are there nice beaches on Bali?

There are gorgeous beaches in Bali. And there any many wonderful resorts on them. However, Ubud is not on a beach so if you really want a beach don't stay in that area.

What side of the island (area) do you recommend for the best beaches. From what I can tell, the beaches on the north side seem to be quite rocky...

may i suggest that you look at the new conrad hotel in bali...we loved it..

If you want a good resort by a good beach you best pick would be Grand Hyatt Bali