I will be travelling to Thailand on my honeymoon in a few weeks and was hoping to get some advice from seasoned travelers. We are starting in Koh Samui for a week. then we have a few days in Chiang Mai. However, I was wondering if I should go to Luang Prabang instead. Please let me know your thoughts. And then I was wondering what hotel to stay at in Bangkok. Thanks

Brendan (Chicago)

What are your interests and what is your budget?

We think we will be able to relax in Samui. We are hoping to see cultural and geograhic beauty (mountains, rivers, etc.) while in Chiang Mai or LP.

Its our honeymoon, so budget is not an issue.

What do you think?

Then I would stay with Chiang Mai and stay at the Four Seasons Resort. Another option would be to go to the Chiang Rai area (a bit further north of Chiang Mai) and stay at the Anantara.

For Bangkok, stay on the river and if money is no object stay at either the Peninsula (if you like super deluxe modern hotels) or the Oriental (if you like super deluxe old world elegant hotels). If you plan on spending a lot of time at the pool in Bangkok I'd go with the Penn over the Oriental.

Gloria,

Thanks for the advice. We are schedule to go to Chiang Mai at this moment and we are staying at the new mandarin oriental, which looks amazing. I heard the four seasons is great also, but farther out of town than the MOH.

but I also heard that LP is completley unspoiled the way Chiang Mai used to be and there wer some great hotels there also. I was just wondering what you thought.

as for BKK, I can't decide. we only have one night there with 2 full days, so its not a big deal for a pool. But I heard the two hotels you mentioned are the best and I just can't decide which one to stay in. have you been to both?

Yes I've been to both. I personally much prefer the Oriental but I prefer old world elegance to modern deluxe.

Here are some pros and cons.
1. Oriental is the better location since it is on the side of the river where all the tourist attractions and shopping are.

2. Both have gorgeous rooms but the standard rooms at the Penn are a bit bigger than those at the Oriental. If you go for a deluxe (and at this time of year if you tell them it's your honeymoon either hotel will probably upgrade you) they are about the same.

3. Penn has more bells and whistles in terms of technology -- a tv in the bathroom for example.

4. Oriental has all the history of a hotel that has been around for over 125 years.

5. Oriental has a much more interesting lobby and more variety and better restaurants.

If you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer them.

The Mandarin is supposed to be fabulous and you are right that it is much closer than the Four Seasons. If you decide on the Oriental you might check to see if there is some sort of special deal that combines the two hotels since they are both Mandarins. They often do that especially when one is a new property.

By the way-- I also live in Chicago.

Gloria,

I think we are going to try the Oriental in BKK. We only have one night and want to be close to the action. I don't really care if a bathroom has a tv or not. I will look into the combined stay. thanks for the advice.

So are you enjoying the Chicago heat this summer? I live on the north side and work downtown by the Board of Trade. Its humid downtown today!

Are you sure we're not the same person? I also live on the northside and work next door to the Board of Trade.

If we were the same person, it looks like I would already know where to go and what to do while in Thailand!

How often do you get to Asia? It sounds like you are a person to talk to about my trip!

What rooms do you reccomend for the Oriental in Bangkok? Any suggestions?

I would ask for a deluxe room in the garden room with a river view (I think they all have them).

I've been to asia around 25 times -- have been to bangkok 18 times in the last 20 years and have stayed at the Oriental every night of those trips except for one night when I stayed at the Penn.

my personal opinion is that you should be spending more time in bangkok...you will love it....i would go only to samui and split the rest of your time in bkk---at the beginning and the end of your trip..if not then spend the whole remainder in bkk...

the peninsula would please you very much...for less money try the marriott resort and spa...the pool there would make you feel like you are on an island...

chiang mai is not all that great imo...

the anantara north of chiang rai is very nice however and i would go there instead of CM, if it is an option...

The room we had in the garden wing at the Oriental was a bi-level one. The living area was the lower part, with a window overlooking the river; the bedroom was "up" about 10 stairs and had a nice bathroom. There was also a smallish window overlooking the city. Gloria, are all garden wing rooms designed like this?
I have not stayed in the river wing at Oriental, it looks newer, with bigger windows overlooking the river.
The rooms at Penn are larger, bathrooms are nicer (IMO) and I enjoy relaxing in the tub while watching the TV that is recessed into the wall about the tub... aaaahhhhhhhhhhh..

Maybe you should shorten your time on Samui by a couple of days, so you could spend more time in BKK. Four to five days on Samui might be enough.. Just a suggestion.

Carol

I would also shorten your time in Samui and spend a few more days in Bangkok. Many of the rooms in the Garden Wing are split level but not all. All, however, have "different" lay-outs and don't feel like hotel rooms.

The river wing rooms are fine and about 95% have great views of the river. Since this wing is also higher some prefer the views from the higher floors. The standard rooms are lovely but not as large as at the Penn. The deluxe rooms are magnificent.

The bathrooms at the Penn are probably a bit bigger and certainly have more amenities like the tv. Since I never take a bath (just showers) unless I have no choice, that isn't a factor for me but I know it is for others.

Thanks for your advice. I am leaning towards the oriental. Isn't it better to be on that side of the river anyway?

Definitely better to be on that side of the river -- especially when you have limited time.

Thanks Gloria. I am looking forward to it. how long have you lived in Chicago? I work in the Rookery building.

Brendan-- I was born and raised in Evanston and then lived in NY for 30 years. Returned to Chicago in 1997. I work at 111 W. Jackson -- the building just east of board of trade. You work in one of my favorite buildings -- always take friends from out of town to see it.

If you do decide to stay at the Oriental, let me know your full name and dates (you can email me at [email protected]) and I'd be happy to email my friend there who is Director of Guest Relations and ask her to take special care of you.

brendan---honestly it really doesn't matter which side of the river you stay on, imo...people make a lot of noise about staying on the marriott/peninsula side of the river but honestly there is no difference...both hotels provide excellent access with their frequent boats (the boats in themselves are a very nice amenity) to the skytrain and other stops...the penn for instance goes to the skytrain, river city and to their mini office next to the oriental...i actually find access to the center city easier from either of these "far away" hotels....

Wow. NY for 30 years. You have lived in 2 of my favorite cities! I still think Chicago is the best, although I am biased. Grew up on the south side.

Thank you very much for the offer. Have you become friends with the manager over the times you have visited? that is really neat. I am going to make a reservation this morning. Do you think I can request to be put in a certain wing (garden)?