Due to suggestions from this board,
I have decided to go to BKK for 3 days and then Samui for 9 days.
I was going to stay at the Novatel in BKK (what do you think?)
And then maybe Tongsai bay or Santiburi (what else would one recommend?).

Any advice suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oisin

ttt

To avoid repeating may good tips put "Koh Samui" in the search box at the top and click and it will bring up in recent date order all the recent postings, there are so many recently where Koh Samui has been discussed, lots of comments about Chaweng resort and Poppies, lots and lots of posts and reviews, if you don't find any answers, which I doubt, we can all chime in again with some ideas. Novotel on Siam Square is fine but note there is more than 1 Novotel in Bangkok so check it's Siam Sq.

Thanks again james.
In your opinion is there any other/better hotel to stay in in BKK that is around the same price range as the Novotel in Siam Square?
And really quickly..
Tongsai bay or Santiburi Dusit?

Thanks,

Oisin

Just my opinion, but I think 9 days on Samui is a bit too long... I would give myself a few more days in BKK and maybe only 5-7 days on Samui. I've stayed at Chewang Regent Samui and found it to be very nice, but the beach wasn't all that great. The beach at Poppies looks better.

My son has stayed for several days at a place that used to be called Jubilee Beach on Samui. Name has changed. One small resort, on its own private beachfront. Very quiet and private. Nice beach also. But, you would need scooters or jeep in order to get around the island as there is nothing nearby.

In BKK, your choice of Novotel Siam Sq is a good one. It will be close to that shopping area, which is the best area to shop in BKK (IMO). You are also very close to Central Chitlom Dept store and the Gaysonr PLaza/World Trade Center and Pratunam Market area if you stay at Novotel. You won't have to walk too far with your hands full of packages!
Carol

Tell us what you are looking for on Samui. Do you want a class resort with highly equiped rooms, lots of style, or the other direction a nice clean air conditioned thatched cottage on the beach, or whatever in between, the more specifi you can tell us the easier for answers. As Carol says Chaweng regent and Poppies continue with great reviews, but if you can tell us what you are looking for, the great thing is Samui has such a big choice, so the more specific the better, also do you want quiet or busy?
The strange this is that you can pay USD 250 and get a hotel type room at the back part of some resort or pay USD 40 and have a beachfront cottage in a small 10-20 room places, it varies a great deal. We like the Peace Resort but some feel area is too quiet, tell us rough budget but more imprtant is that 'dream place' you have in mind ?

Is it luxury with spa and massage and ultra stylish room service or is it a thached bungalow on the beach?
Here are some last week reviews right up to date for last week, long web address so you can copy and paste it:
http://www.res24.com/review/posts.ht...=beachsiam.com

This again long link sorts by price:

http://r24.org/R24/R24hotels.php?r=s...SD&promo=#

This sorts by beach location

http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/samui/hotels/

If you just want beach lazing 9 days is ok, but if you like cities and other activities you might want to use a couple of days somethwere else, if inclined, I always think a couple of days around the River Kwai is worth it, a couple of hours by cab from Bangkok you have riverside accommodation, river rafts and kayaks, elephants rides, hot springs, golf if you want, plus the history of the area. Being that you just need a couple of hours by cab it is easy, and after Bangkok it gives you a bit of local jungle and river time before heading to the beach, it's then just a cab ride straight to Bangkok Airport from River Kwai for the Samui flight..