Starwood/Marriott in Thailand - December 2006
#21
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On our first trip to Thailand in 1998, we did exactly what you are contemplating-Bangkok and beaches. You WILL find soft white sand and turqoise waters and gorgeous scenery. If you've never been to Asia, you will find all of this extremely exotic. We return almost every year and always include at least 2 weeks for beach time.
We started out in Bangkok, but I would suggest Bangkok at the end of your trip when you are rested and somewhat acclimated to the heat. I would also suggest at least 4 full days.
I would start out in Phuket. From there you can easily reach the other destinations by boat. I would choose either JWMarriott or Royal Meridian Yacht Club. The JWM is close to the airport, and gets good reviews. The RMYC is about an hour from the airport at the very tip of Phuket. Either of these will be as others have said, out of the fray and serene. Most of what's in between seems to be filling up with eastern european package tours and a Coney Island atmosphere.
From Phuket, you take a boat to PhiPhi. We hired a long tail boat almost every day and stopped at various beautiful beaches. From Phuket, you can take a boat to either Koh Lanta, Au Nang, Railay or Krabi town. Our first trip, we went PhiPhi to Railay. On a subsequent trip to Koh Lanta from Krabi. You could boat to Koh Lanta and then boat to Krabi.
On Koh Lanta, we stayed at the Pimilai and highly recommend it. A beautiful property. Railay has gorgeous scenery, but a backpacker paradise. We also hired a longtail boat every day to beautiful islands. Whatever you choose, you will love it!
We started out in Bangkok, but I would suggest Bangkok at the end of your trip when you are rested and somewhat acclimated to the heat. I would also suggest at least 4 full days.
I would start out in Phuket. From there you can easily reach the other destinations by boat. I would choose either JWMarriott or Royal Meridian Yacht Club. The JWM is close to the airport, and gets good reviews. The RMYC is about an hour from the airport at the very tip of Phuket. Either of these will be as others have said, out of the fray and serene. Most of what's in between seems to be filling up with eastern european package tours and a Coney Island atmosphere.
From Phuket, you take a boat to PhiPhi. We hired a long tail boat almost every day and stopped at various beautiful beaches. From Phuket, you can take a boat to either Koh Lanta, Au Nang, Railay or Krabi town. Our first trip, we went PhiPhi to Railay. On a subsequent trip to Koh Lanta from Krabi. You could boat to Koh Lanta and then boat to Krabi.
On Koh Lanta, we stayed at the Pimilai and highly recommend it. A beautiful property. Railay has gorgeous scenery, but a backpacker paradise. We also hired a longtail boat every day to beautiful islands. Whatever you choose, you will love it!
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can heartily vouch for the Marriott Phuket. Three absolutely fantastic Pools,wonderful loungers with large unbrellas - single or double, always serviced by attentive attendants offering Ice water, fresh fruit and iced towels. Nice beaches, warm water, cheap- about $10 for an hour of massage on the beach by the local Thai ladies, Plenty of restaurants (though a bit pricey) and a good deli/shop on site. We will be returning there for two weeks in Jan 07. We also recommend the Marriott Resort and Spa Bangkok. A very nice property, well maintained, Thai decor, relaxing, well run, great breakfast buffet.
I would suggest not moving around quite as much, 3 islands will have you spending a lot of time in travel.- Time where you could be getting a nice massage!
PS where in Chicago are you from? - and where are you in Europe? I'm originally from England and have lived in Chicago for the last 25 years!.
Sue
I would suggest not moving around quite as much, 3 islands will have you spending a lot of time in travel.- Time where you could be getting a nice massage!
PS where in Chicago are you from? - and where are you in Europe? I'm originally from England and have lived in Chicago for the last 25 years!.
Sue
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks all! We're getting very excited for this trip. I have been online all day researching and my head is spinning! We live in the Wrigleyville area of Chicago but have been in Amsterdam for the past 5 months for work. Although its beautiful now, after a few months of rain this fall we'll be ready for something warm and tropical!
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Based on your comments and the time we have allotted for this trip (20 days now), we think we would like to add some time up north in addition to Bangkok and beaches, in CM and CR. I am now looking at the Anantara and the Baan Orapin. A day in the city is fine, but we are most interested in being outside of "cities", visiting the Elephant Conservation Center, etc. Should we allocate time in both CM and CR, or should we just pick one to visit? If so, which would you recommend? My next stop is a guidebook I promise! The english book center I visited yesterday did not carry any on Thailand, so I am on to the American Book Center today! Hopefully my questions will be more informed going forward. Thank you!
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally, I'd recommend the Anantara at the Golden Triangle. You fly into CR. The resort is on a hillside overlooking Laos and Burma. There is a division of the Elephant Conservation Camp on site. You will be out in the countryside rather than in Thailand's second largest city (CM).
#27
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Sheraton Pattaya is excellent. 2 large pools and couple very good restaurants. Stayed in a Deluxe Pavillion Room and it was wonderful. However, the beach isn't very good and the hotel is a bit isolated (you'll need to get a taxi if you want to go anywhere). I'd stay there again.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sue, it's such a small world! We stayed at the Anantara at the Golden Triangle within a month of the opening. While we did not do the mahout training, we had several lovely conversations with your cousin. He's such a nice man!
#29
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kathie, that is amazing. What's even more amazing is that we were staying at the Marriott Phuket time shares in February and there was a really glossy Magazine in our villa all about Thai luxury venues, my husband was reading it and he said isn't your cousin in Thailand working with elephants? I said yes he is, and there was a four page spread with photos of my cousin the mahout at the Antara. I've not seen him in several years but there he was right in that particular issue which was in our villa! Interesting that you met him, talked with him and remembered him too. He has a Thai wife who I've also not yet met.
Sue
Sue