Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Starwood/Marriott in Thailand - December 2006

Starwood/Marriott in Thailand - December 2006

Old Sep 13th, 2006, 09:15 AM
  #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!


twofortheroad is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2006, 09:24 AM
  #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
SueHuml is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2006, 12:11 PM
  #23  
klangner
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!
 
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 12:36 AM
  #24  
klangner
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!
 
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 05:47 AM
  #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).
Kathie is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 04:34 PM
  #26  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also wanted to mention that the British Mahout at the Anantara Elephant Camp is my 2nd Cousin Mr John Roberts.
Sue
SueHuml is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 09:29 PM
  #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.
Bisbee is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 06:36 AM
  #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!
Kathie is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 01:50 PM
  #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
SueHuml is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 02:14 PM
  #30  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sue this is a great excuse for you to go stay at the Anantara! We really loved the place. The setting is idyllic.
Kathie is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
megan1109
Asia
5
Aug 24th, 2013 05:37 AM
holidaytime
Asia
7
Dec 17th, 2011 12:41 PM
Ybotrock
Asia
5
Dec 6th, 2011 08:27 PM
evelyne13
Asia
11
Feb 10th, 2010 09:41 PM
biga
Asia
10
Jan 19th, 2007 09:26 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -