jfjfbf

I will be in Thailand the first two weeks in May and plan to go to one of the islands during the second week. Can anyone give advice about the weather? The sights around Phuket appeal to me more, but it seems as though Koh Samui will have less rain. Any thoughts?

I'd love to hear any hotel recommendations for either island as well. We'd prefer to be on the beach and would like reasonably nice accomodations but less than $60/night. When I say reasonably nice, I mean 3-4 star (by US standards).

Thanks

Kathie

Here's the best weather site: www.weatherbase.com

As far as hotels are concerned, start by browsing the options on www.sawasdee.com It's a reliable booking site for Thailand and includes tax and service (a total of 17%) and usually breakfast as well in the price. Once you've narrowed your options, post back and people can give you more input.

jfjfbf

I have already looked as sawasdee, asiarooms, precisionreservations, etc. That is part of the reason I'd like some other recommendations. The reviews are informative, but they are all over the board and there are far too many choices.
I was considering the Kata Beach Resort in Phuket or the Best Western Samui Bayview resort in Koh Samui. The Best Western is not on the beach, but it does appear to have beautiful views.

However, I was hoping for some first hand recommendations. Any thoughts on these or others that anyone may recommend?

Thanks for the weather website!

Eekthecat

Hi Jfjfbf

I've been to both islands and I definetly prefer Ko Samui. I found Ko samui easy to get around and alot smaller than Phuket which was nice.

I found Ko Samui to be a little bit less busy but had enough things to see, do and eat!

We stayed at the Burasari in Phuket on Patong and hated it. Beds were uncomfortable and staff rude to us.

There are plenty of recommendations on this forumn and I am sure some of the more established Thai posters can help you out.

Whilst in Ko Samui we stayed at a 2* place near the Beach in Chaeweng Beach and loved it.

Eek

koratcat

I am surprised at your negative impression of the Burasari; a friend of mine stayed there for 2 weeks and he loved it. However it is just 3 stars.

It is a little bit over your budget, but I would recommend a hotel like the Kata Thani in Kata Beach.

Within USD 60, the Jiva Resort can be recommended, however it is not directly at the beach: http://hotel-travel-thailand.com/hotels/HKTJIV.htm

JamesA

Weather for May you would be much better off on Samui. Peace Resort at Bophut is nice and what I would call a "value for money" place. On Samui you have also far more places directly on the beach and many of them are mid and budget priced so you can get good value for your bucks. At peace resort a standard a/c including breakfast is around USD 65.
Samui and Phuket both offer lots of things to do, Phuket has more activities, shopping etc but as you appreciate the weather makes a difference. Phuket is also a lot cheaper to get to with several budget airlines, overall accommodation price and flights Phuket would probably be a lot cheaper, but it depends how you feel on the weather. Also weather in May is the luck of the draw in many respects.
Another thing is that Samui 'does' have a very large number of places right on the beach, so you step from your room thru the gardens or pool area onto the beach, on Phuket the number of such places is very limited and tend to be expensive.
I think if you can tell us how important absolute beachfront is to you, if you want to go sightseeing or just relax, if shopping or nightlife etc are important. A lot of places on Phuket are across beach roads from the beach, fo some this isn't a problem, for other it is a major thing not being 'right on the beach'.
Both places probably in your price range have around 50-80 possible places to stay, so you can affod to be more specific.

JamesA

Sorry I was not really correct there saying Phuket accommodation would be cheaper, in fact in May on Samui you could get like a jacuzzi Room at the malibu in Chaweng for about USD 75, and plenty of mid range on the beach in the 50 dollar region. The nearest to a nice beach hotel in a relatibvely quiet yet convenient area such as karon would be karon beach resort which is right on the beach, but you would be looking at USD 90 plus for that. Sea Sand or Old phuket are across the road from the beach at Karon and around 50-60 should be ok, but remember, they are not 'on the beach'.

jfjfbf

Being on the beach would be nice, but it is not absolutely essential. I would like to keep it under 60 per night if possible. Since Samui is historically a little drier, I am leaning that way. Does anyone have some first hand experiences for hotels on Samui? I find that in Asia the hotels often look nice in photos, the common areas are nice, but the rooms can be less then impressive. I don't need luxury, but I do like clean, comfortable and in good repair.
Any good recommendations for Samui at US $60 or less?