Prelimary planning for BKK, LP, Hanoi next winter
May 4th, 2007, 01:11 PM
#42
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Thanks, yet again, to both of you. I am going to look into Dragon Pearl.
This agent is quoting me a rate of $309 US inclusive of taxes and service charge, with breakfast, for a deluxe room at Peninsula Bangkok in January. Does that sound about right? Any particular rooms I should ask for if I let him book for me?
From Hanoi, he has one day for Perfume Pagoda and another day for Hoa Lu; apparently unable to combine both in the same day. I would love to hear details about either or both of these places and if you would recommend a visit from Hanoi.
Thank you...
This agent is quoting me a rate of $309 US inclusive of taxes and service charge, with breakfast, for a deluxe room at Peninsula Bangkok in January. Does that sound about right? Any particular rooms I should ask for if I let him book for me?
From Hanoi, he has one day for Perfume Pagoda and another day for Hoa Lu; apparently unable to combine both in the same day. I would love to hear details about either or both of these places and if you would recommend a visit from Hanoi.
Thank you...
May 4th, 2007, 01:26 PM
#43
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eks-
That rate sounds high at first, but I think it might be ok.
Back out about $30 for breakfast and 17% for taxes and see what the rate is to compare to the Pen's website rates.
BTW, the only difference between a "deluxe" and a "grand deluxe" room is the Grand is on a higher floor, thus much better view. When you check in they may upgrade you if you ask and they have availability.
Last year we paid $220 a night for a Grand Deluxe room with breakfast in March. I booked directly through the Pen and got them to match a rate I found on another website (after a few emails back and forth).
I wonder if rates have gone up or it's just more because January is high season?
Also, the breakfast there is truely amazing. More choices than one can humanly eat, though my husband did try! However, if you're not a breakfast person, it may be worth it to get the room without breakfast and save a little $$.
That rate sounds high at first, but I think it might be ok.
Back out about $30 for breakfast and 17% for taxes and see what the rate is to compare to the Pen's website rates.
BTW, the only difference between a "deluxe" and a "grand deluxe" room is the Grand is on a higher floor, thus much better view. When you check in they may upgrade you if you ask and they have availability.
Last year we paid $220 a night for a Grand Deluxe room with breakfast in March. I booked directly through the Pen and got them to match a rate I found on another website (after a few emails back and forth).
I wonder if rates have gone up or it's just more because January is high season?
Also, the breakfast there is truely amazing. More choices than one can humanly eat, though my husband did try! However, if you're not a breakfast person, it may be worth it to get the room without breakfast and save a little $$.
May 4th, 2007, 02:59 PM
#44
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The Peninsula has not yet loaded special rates or packages for January yet, but they will likely have a Winter Splendor rate like last winter, plus their usual "value the experience" and "river retreat" rates. If the price were $260.00 per night including breakfast but not tax and service, it would be the same as your agent's price.
May 5th, 2007, 03:34 AM
#45
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Kristina I am impressed that you got that price at the Peninsula. KimJ that is helpful..I am leaning toward letting this travel agent make the reservations but first will do some more checking around..(by the way, I took at look at the Okura Garden and it did not seem close to the level of the MeridienShanghai)
The internet rate at the Residence PV in LP is $276 per night for a mountain view room (the least expensive) with all taxes but no breakfast; his rate is $257 and includes taxes and breakfast..
The internet rate at the Residence PV in LP is $276 per night for a mountain view room (the least expensive) with all taxes but no breakfast; his rate is $257 and includes taxes and breakfast..
May 5th, 2007, 08:05 AM
#46
My notes say I did a day trip to Tam Loc, but since we also visited a temple complex, I believe this is the same trip as Hua Lu (I traded my Vietnam LP in Phnom Penh, so can't look it up). I had met four women in the Tamarind Cafe, with whom I had done the Halong Bay Dragon Pearl trip, and we all agreed that it was a disappointment after Halong Bay.
The scenery is much more impressive on the bay, and on the small boats on the river you are a captive audience for souvenir sellers. There are better ways to spend you time in Hanoi!
The scenery is much more impressive on the bay, and on the small boats on the river you are a captive audience for souvenir sellers. There are better ways to spend you time in Hanoi!
May 8th, 2007, 04:50 AM
#48
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Now that I have settled more or less on my itinerary, I am thinking about my 5 days in Bangkok. I have read many posts about using private drivers including Ratt and Tong. Would someone mind posting the addreses for these two people and giving information on recent experiences with these two, or any other, recommended drivers that I can use for a day or two. And approximate prices.
I have been to Bangkok a few times before (in the 80s!) but might like to revisit a few places like Jim Thompson. Never been to Prasart so will go there..
Also want to have clothes made and do some shopping, of course!
Many thanks.
I have been to Bangkok a few times before (in the 80s!) but might like to revisit a few places like Jim Thompson. Never been to Prasart so will go there..
Also want to have clothes made and do some shopping, of course!
Many thanks.
May 8th, 2007, 06:48 AM
#49
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For specific info on Ratt (a driver) and Tong (a guide) or Cherry (a guide) search on their names here and you'll find extensive reviews, prices and email addresses.
People either love having a driver/guide or not. For Bangkok, I'm in the "or not" category. Given Bangkok's infamous traffic, I want the flexibility to decide how to get from place to place. I use water taxis and the Skytrain a lot, but I also use taxis judiciously. Being tied to a car feels constraining to me. The one place you want to go for which you will need a driver is the Prasart. I hired a driver from Julie Taxi for six hours to get to the Prasart and back and to take us to an out of the way arts and antiques place out near the old airport.
It does make sense to hire a driver for out of town trips, but for Bangkok - it's just not for me. Ther are others who swear by having a driver.
So think about your travel style in deciding whether to hire a driver or guide.
Also, since you haven't been to Bangkok since the 80s, the Skytrain has made travel within Bangkok much easier. You can take the Skytrain to (or nearly to) many of the places you'll want to go. There is a Skytrain stop near the Jim Thompson house, for instance.
People either love having a driver/guide or not. For Bangkok, I'm in the "or not" category. Given Bangkok's infamous traffic, I want the flexibility to decide how to get from place to place. I use water taxis and the Skytrain a lot, but I also use taxis judiciously. Being tied to a car feels constraining to me. The one place you want to go for which you will need a driver is the Prasart. I hired a driver from Julie Taxi for six hours to get to the Prasart and back and to take us to an out of the way arts and antiques place out near the old airport.
It does make sense to hire a driver for out of town trips, but for Bangkok - it's just not for me. Ther are others who swear by having a driver.
So think about your travel style in deciding whether to hire a driver or guide.
Also, since you haven't been to Bangkok since the 80s, the Skytrain has made travel within Bangkok much easier. You can take the Skytrain to (or nearly to) many of the places you'll want to go. There is a Skytrain stop near the Jim Thompson house, for instance.
May 8th, 2007, 12:36 PM
#50
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Thanks, Kathie. I will do a further search; I see so much info on these driver/guides but did not turn up the addresses yet...
I will probably hire one of these or another for one, or at most two, days just for the convenience and to go to the Prasart..it is fun to just have someone to answer my questions but I can certainly make my way alone for most of the time. What I do remember about Bangkok is the searing heat...last time I was there in January and I just about wilted during the day...(same in Saigon in December!) But I can get around that and will also have the pool at the hotels (!).
You are correct..I have not been in BKK since they built the skytrain...a long time ago. I really don't know why it took me so long to get back to Asia!
I will probably hire one of these or another for one, or at most two, days just for the convenience and to go to the Prasart..it is fun to just have someone to answer my questions but I can certainly make my way alone for most of the time. What I do remember about Bangkok is the searing heat...last time I was there in January and I just about wilted during the day...(same in Saigon in December!) But I can get around that and will also have the pool at the hotels (!).
You are correct..I have not been in BKK since they built the skytrain...a long time ago. I really don't know why it took me so long to get back to Asia!
May 8th, 2007, 12:43 PM
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Here is another question unrelated to my trip but that has me wondering.
I visited Koh Samui several times but the last, again, was in the 1980s before there was an airport and before there were any big hotels. I see the beach there in my dreams..it was THE quintessential tropical beach with white sand and clear turquoise waters. I would guess I was on Chaweng both times.
But recently I read here that the beaches on Samui are NOT so fabulous. Is my memory playing tricks on me or has something changed radically?
Thanks for answering this question; I am not planning to go there anytime soon but it is bothering me...
I visited Koh Samui several times but the last, again, was in the 1980s before there was an airport and before there were any big hotels. I see the beach there in my dreams..it was THE quintessential tropical beach with white sand and clear turquoise waters. I would guess I was on Chaweng both times.
But recently I read here that the beaches on Samui are NOT so fabulous. Is my memory playing tricks on me or has something changed radically?
Thanks for answering this question; I am not planning to go there anytime soon but it is bothering me...
May 9th, 2007, 02:02 PM
#53
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Since the '80s something has radically changed in Samui...the aiport made access easier, and development took off. There are so many resorts now that you wouldn't believe it. Even from 2000 to 2004 (first and last visit there) the changes were obvious, so I can only imagine comparing it 25 years ago.
May 9th, 2007, 07:59 PM
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The beach where we were we loved, but it was private for the hotel...and the hotel has now been sold and is no longer the same so we don't go there anymore. While Chaweng beach is supposed to be best in terms of sand and swimming, we hated it...people everywhere, tons of hotels and shops and restaurants, not very clean, and noisy. Bophut is quieter, but the water is murky, there was always a fair bit of trash on the beach or on the edge of the beach, and the beach sand itself was squishy in the water...kind of gross feelling. We drove all around the island and stopped in many places, and while we liked Samui, it was the hotel that drew us more than the island. We can't find a reason to go there now actually...it's just too crowded and touristy.
May 10th, 2007, 03:22 AM
#56
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Amazing. Well, why am I surprised? I remember we had to take a very long boat ride (could it have been overnight?) from Surat Thani. And I stayed in one of the more expensive bungalow places and it cost me $5US a night. Whnever I think of a glorious tropical beach Chaweng is the one I think about......
Jun 20th, 2007, 12:20 PM
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The travel agent I used to set up the Vietnam portion of the trip has gotten back to me with the news that the Life Resort in Hoi has no availability for my dates in January. He is suggesting the Victoria Hoi Ann which is on the beach out of town. Those of you who have been to Hoi An, what is your feeling on the inconvenience of being so far away from town?
Are there any other possibilities closer to town with a good swimming pool that I should consider?
Also, there seems to be a problem with the Hyatt in Saigon...which luxury hotel do you suggest in that city? Must be centrally located with a good pool for swimming...
Many thanks......
Are there any other possibilities closer to town with a good swimming pool that I should consider?
Also, there seems to be a problem with the Hyatt in Saigon...which luxury hotel do you suggest in that city? Must be centrally located with a good pool for swimming...
Many thanks......
Jun 20th, 2007, 12:42 PM
#58
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There have been some recent posts about hotels in HCMC. Bisbee (who lives there) recommended teh Sheraton and the Renaissance Riverside. You might want to find those posts (in the last week) for more details.
Jun 20th, 2007, 12:52 PM
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Kathie thank you..I guess I should have known better than to choose a US-based travel agent...I am booked into the Park Hyatt in Saigon but the agent says they are not honoring the original pricing so I will have to pay quite a bit more than I had planned..
This same agent is telling me that there are no hotels he would recommend in Hoi An town aside from the Life Resort and that is why he is booking me into the Victoria.
This same agent is telling me that there are no hotels he would recommend in Hoi An town aside from the Life Resort and that is why he is booking me into the Victoria.
