Paging James and/or Thai island experts
 

JamesA, hoping for your help here. Not sure if you saw my last post on this subject or not, but need some insight into which island to pick for our December trip.

Right now, we're looking at either Ko Racha or Ko Hai as possibilities. Ko Hai obviously seems a bit more affordable but seems also like it might take a bit longer to get to (we're a bit short on time--3 days--for our island visit). Is Ko Hai really backpacker-ish?

We loved Phi Phi 2 years ago, but loved it mostly because we were on the east side, away from the hordes, and the magnificent scenery and unbelivable snorkeling (definitely a must again!) What I didn't like was the whole Club Med feel Phi Phi Island Village had. Would prefer accomodations to be nice (not looking for an Aman, but not a thatched fan bungalow either) but also want that remote, blue/green, beautiful sand that PP afforded.

The less camera-clickers, the better.

We're an open book as far as possibilities, so bring on the suggestions!

how about koh chang?? the amari (emerald cove) there is quite nice and i think i just saw that some other hotel just opened up there....

The benefit of Koh Racha is that you are closer to Phuket, that means travel is relatively easy, just fly to Phuket and then take the particular resor boat over.

"The Racha" is expensive(!) as all villas and I guess you would be looking at $300+, Ban Racha different altogether, cheaper and more simple.

Now, for Hai do you mean:
For Koh Ngai(Hai) getting there is trickier, you need to fly into Krabi ( not as many flight ) and then road down the coast and boat, or take the current 1 daily Nok Air to Trang and then road/boat.
Koh Ngai gives that away from it all tropical isoland R&R and little else if that is what you are after.
Sivalai Resort about the best. Otherwise lots of thatched beach places.

'or Koh Hae' near Phuket ( spellings vary so much ) which is about 30 mins off, that is Coral island resort, I would say no to that ( humble opinion )

I think if you are looking Phuket area Racha is quiet if you want easy access, but it isn't Phi Phi !!

One you didn't mention was Koh Yao, Paradise Resort, though December think about 220-300 range. But very quiet, and boat trip required.

If you only have the 3 days I would perhaps think about some place easy to get to, perhaps Krabi(?) _ centara resort ? But again expect 300+ range easily for December. Though certainly plenty cheaper.

I think perhaps with the time limit you have stick relatively close to either Phuket or Krabi Airport.
On Phuket you could try a failry quiet place like Andaman White Beach at Nai Thon beach, think though 350-400+ in December

or perhaps as Bob suggested somewhere different like Koh Chang, lots of new places opening.

A lot comes down to price and whether for just 3 days you want a long journey at each end.

The Rach might in the end be closet to what you are looking for, around I guess 40 mins from Chalong by boat, but you 'do' get day trippers from Phuket coming over, whether that would spoil it all I can't say, but there are those day trippers.

If you were still thinking Koh Ngai http://www.beachsiam.com/koh_ngai.htl
gives you map and ideas of what available

I'll try again:
http://www.beachsiam.com/koh_ngai.html

Sivali is actualy Koh Mook close to Ngai
http://komooksivalai.com/gallerys.html

Will, we have stayed at all of the 'top-end hotels' on Phi Phi and enjoyed each one, but..... a beachfront bungalow at Holiday Inn CANNOT be beaten. Remember....there are only 12 such bungalows, so you have to book in advance. We will be there again next week, after a few days in Singapore.....and I just can't wait.

A couple of nights at Rayavadee was intended to cool our affection for this place....as was our trip to The Maldives.......but they both fell short by some way.

For those who are interested I will post from Laem Tong Bay, when we arrive.

Oh and yes Will, the Club Med feel you talk of at Island Village is my take too.But most definitely not so at Laem Tong Bay. A very special place.

Thanks for the input, Leigh--as much affection as I have for it, I don't see a return to Phi Phi in the forseeable future...just want to experience something different this time.

James, you've given me lots to chew on. Gonna check out some of your suggestions on get back to you. Thanks again!

Take a look at Krabi. We really liked it.

Narrowing this down a bit after some research and am zeroing in on 3 choices:

The Racha - looks stunning and the proximity to Phuket makes getting there very appealing. My big worry is the repeat of the "Club Med" atmosphere we got on Phi Phi last time. It seems to have a big resort feel--plus all those day trippers scare me. Obviously the most expensive choice by a mile.

Koh Lipe Castaway Resort - as far as setting, this really looks like the most "us" of everywhere I've seen. The accomodations, while new, do like a bit on the sparse side. But maybe that's part of the charm of Ko Lipe? It seems like having a fan-only room that far south might make for some really sweltering nights (I have a hard time sleeping in extreme heat). Maybe someone has some experience on this front?

Koh Mook Sivalai - the beach looks amazing, but seems like it's very difficult to get to (maybe not more difficult than Ko Lipe, though) Seems very Thai-run, which is absolutely appealing. Grounds look somewhat overgrown in the pics I've seen (is that intentional?)

Where we go will have a lot to do with how the Burma plans map out.

But, for the time, these are the prime candidates when schedule isn't factored in.

Will, several years ago, whilst on a trip to Crete, we had to return home early because I became quite ill. We had booked accommodation without air-con......big mistake. So, when travelling to hot countries, air-con room is a must for us. I would think very carefuly about fan-only rooms especially as you know you have problems sleeping when it's very hot.

However, I can see the appeal of Castaway Resort.....It looks fabulous. Very much 'my kind of place'.