Looking for Recommendations on one day in Bangkok and side trips from Phuket
 

At the end of the February we will be going to BKK (1d) - Siem Reap (3.5d) - Phuket (4.5d) - Singapore (3d).
Thanks to Fodorites recommendations - most of the stuff booked - almost all accommodations, internal flights, and a private guide in Siem Reap.

Here are a couple of things I need some help on.
We will be in BKK one day on the way to Siem Reap. This is our second visit. Last time we stayed at Holiday Inn Silom, and visited most of the major sights. We were very busy, with no time for massages. So this time I am thinking of spending a leisure day in BKK - go to a spa, maybe take a long tail boat for a klong tour, a little shopping, a nice dinner, and Jazz at Oriental or so.
What would you recommend? Where does it make sense to stay for one day (two nights- around $150 or less per night)? What spa do you recommend (not too expensive)? What restaurant? I was thinking of Harmonique. Any other recommendations?

Also, we are going to be in Phuket for 5 nights (Andaman Club), and would like to take a couple of side trips. One limitation - we don't kayak, so can not take any kayaking trips. I was thinking of visiting Phang-Nga Bay, Krabi, and/or Phi Phi island. What do you recommend? Any suggestions for tour operators?

Thank you in advance for all your help!

In Bangkok, try the Shangri-la, Marriott Resort, or Royal Orchid Sheraton or the Millenium Hilton...they are all on the river and in your budget.

When you say you don't kayak, does that mean you also don't ride in a kayak that is paddled by a guide? The John Gray Sea Canoe Hongs by Starlight trip was one of the highlights of all of our trips to Thailand. You don't paddle yourself at all unless you want to, and even then, only in open, calm water for about 30 minutes, during which time you could alternatively choose to swim or hang out on the boat.

FOR BKK HOTELS, i might suggest the marriott resort and spa that kim suggests and also the hilton and the shangri-la...another options in the city would be the majestic grande...its on soi 4, sukhumvit behind the jw marriott...

try face spa on soi 38, sukhumvit...make a reservation..

any river hotel will call a long tail boat for you to do the klong tours (2-3 hours and about 500B per hour)...

harmonique is good but not on sunday nites as they are closed...gallery cafe near the sheraton orchid is good...tongue thai in back of the oriental is also good...

biscotti in the four seasons hotel is fantastic if you feel like italian...

supatra on the river is also very good..

Kim, Bob, Thank you!
Kim, sure I can ride in a kayak that is paddled by a guide :) I meant to say that I don't know how to do it myself. I did not realize there are kayakang tours where I don't have to do any work :) Brilliant idea!
So for BKK, sounds like a plan - stay on the river (need to find the best deal), Face spa, klong tour, dinner at harmonique or tong thai gallery cafe.

Any additonal suggestions for Phuket day trips?
Thank you so much again!

There are many companies in Phuket that offer kayak tours. John Gray is the ONLY one that does the trip after all the other companies have gone back to shore...meaning you get the hongs to yourselves. Very magical. The boat is good, guides are excellent, you get two meals on board that are excellent, and the trip overall is just great. Book directly with John Gray by e-mail...give him time to get back to you as he is the only one who does e-mail, and he is often out on a boat. http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/ is his website, which is a bit cumbersome. It's easiest to e-mail to him that you want to do the Hongs by Starlight trip and what day. They pick you up at your hotel and drop you back there afterwards.

We didn't do any other "tours" in the area, and actually stayed in Khao Lak, but there are things in Phuket like Fantasea that some like, tons of shopping, other water sports, spa...with 4 days, you certainly won't run out of things to do.

Kim, I actually looked up the web site already, and it looks wonderful. I will book this tour for sure. Thank you so much!

The only hotel $150 net with breakfast or under would be the marriott resort. A much better option would be the Centre Point Apartments (opposite the Shangri-la hotel) You can get a large 90sqm 1 bedroom for $100 net with breakfast. If you want to be in the Siam square shopping area with all the many malls, then the Pathumwan Princess is a good hotel and right by the skytrain station.

Thanks for the daytrip rec in Phuket, Kimjapan... you are always so helpful. I am booking the starlight trip as a surprise for my bf (though it likely won't be a surprise for long, as he is a fodor's forum junkie...) After seeing the food in Bob's pics, it looks like I'll definitely be needing the tailor link you provided, as my pants probably won't fit anymore!

Helen, regarding Phuket there are just so many tours and trips, it depends what your interests are.
Kim's tip for Jogn Gray is good one, there are day trips to Phi Phi Island, snorkeling trips to other small islands.
Siam Safari have day trips that include elephant ride and soft adventures, the Gibbon Santuary is well worth a visit if animal welfare is of interest.

Fantasea, we went on the opening night so so many years back, it is a spectacle but we never returned, I don't like the 'animal' side of the events, but that is down to the individual. You can do Phi Phi and Koh Khai in one trip. If you like shows Phuket Simon is good value.
http://www.phuketjettour.com/tour/index.html

Apart from John Gray I would wait until you arrive and see how you feel, you do not have much time and you may decide simply to relax rather than taking trips with such limited time, you don't want to arrive and want to relax but are being stuck with pre-booked/paid tours!!

You are going end febr so that is well after the peak of the high season and also after Chinese New Year, so for other trips I would wait until you get there, browse though the moun of brochures and magazines at the resort and see 'how you feel'.

These give you some ideas.
I pressume it's Club Andaman you are staying in Patong ? There are other places with Andaman / club / resort in their name too.
If it's Club Andaman anything you want to know ask, I know it well.

If you are staying in Patong and want a nice day spa, Hideaway on Soi Nanai is very good, has been around years, very natural.
http://phuket-hideaway.com/patong.day.spa.htm

Under 10 mins from Club Andaman

I just checked out the spa rec... very good prices! Also, we booked at Old Phuket (James A helped us with this); we'll be there Jun 19-23, and will post on our experience there.

beware that center point silom is in the process of renovations i believe, but in general it is an excellent suggestion...

try some of the discount hotel sites....www.asiarooms.com or www.huahin.20m.com....these are pre-pays so do not book until you are fully sure that is what you want to do...changes are difficult often...

hilton might be another choice, but we thought the room odd at best!!

James, thanks for all these ideas. We are staying in Andaman Club Patong. I actually booked it based on your recommedndation for Patong. I'll follow your advice, and book John Gray, and wait to book everything else until I get there.
Bob, I checked Asiarooms, and it has much better rates for Marriott and Sheraton than other sites. So, I'll probably go with one of them.

Thank you so much again!