My husband and I are going to Thailand in November and I wanted to get some feedback. We will be there for 7 or 8 nights. We know we can't do too much, but we like to get tastes of the different areas, if possible. We are thinking 2 nights Bangkok (Peninsula or Oriental Hotel?) then 3 nights Chiang Mai OR Chaing Rai -which one would you recommend for seeing the village people and really seeing Thailand. We don't like to shop or real touristy areas. Then we were thinking either Phuket or Ko Samui (can't decide between the 2???) Any special/high-end hotels/resorts that can be recommended in these areas would also be appreciated.

First, I think you are making a huge mistake by trying to go to three place. Personally I'd recommend spending the entire time in Bangkok and take day trips but if you don't want to do that, spend 5 nights in Bangkok and 2 or 3 in Chiang Rai. If you're interested in seeing Thailand, you won't find it at the beaches. They are beautiful but like beach resorts all over the world, they don't have much to do with the culture of the country.

In bangkok, I personally prefer the Oriental over the Peninisula. I find the service warmer, the atmosphere less sterile and it has a sense of history. But there are a lot of people who will totally disagree with me. They are both great hotels and you won't go wrong with either. Different people respond differently to them.

I would pick Chiang Rai over Chiang Mai if you don't want to shop and want to see village people. I have stayed at the Dusit Resort which is lovely but I think there are other, newer deluxe hotels since I was last there.

Gloria

you need more time in bkk....i agree that perhaps the north and bkk would make a good trip....bag the beach...

i prefer the penn over the oriental...i have never stayed at the oriental, but have been there many times and find it to be more of a tourist stop than a lux quiet hotel....i am sure the rooms are beautiful, if a bit old, but the cost differential is not worth it in my opinion...

in such a short stay it will be very difficult for you to experience the true thailand...
one way to get an instant view is to hire a long tail boat in bkk and spend a couple of hours touring the klongs in thornburi...

up north i would suggest you check out the anantara resort north of chiang rai...it is fabulous...rent a car upon arrival in chiang rai and drive one hour north to chiang saen....driving is easy with practically no traffic at all and a good road...visit the king's mother's former residence and estate while there and the opium museum across the street from the anantara...go to burma (myanmar) and laos if you wish as well...
you will see some "locals" while in this area...two settlements of hilltribe people on princess' estate...

i personally dislike chiang mai and would not suggest it for anyone who does not like shopping....that is the main reason for going there in my opinion...

I second the view for the Penn. No bad reports from anyone staying at the Penn- can't say the same for the Oriental. I think Bob's take on it is right on the money!

It's fascinating how different people's experiences can be. I felt the Peninsula was much more touristy than the Oriental -- lots of group tours and never saw a Thai person in the lobby. Service seemed correct but cold and impersonal. Feel that the Oriental is a place where the Thais congretate for their special events and meetings so love to people watch there. But it could also be that I've been going there for 20 years so I feel like I'm coming home when I get there. The Peninsula is a lot less expensive and has a lot more technology in the rooms and everyone seems to have a great time there so I'm sure you will also.

Definitely don't even try three different places in that short a time. If you have 8 nights, then you can probably do two places. With only 7, I don't know. On my first trip a couple of years ago, I only had 6 days total, and spent them all in Bangkok with one daytrip to Ayutthaya, and still had many things I wanted to do but didn't have time for. I don't regret spending the whole time in Bangkok at all. I'm going back in November of this year to see Chiang Rai and Phuket, and will spend a few more days in Bangkok at the end. There is so much to see and do in and around Bangkok. By the way, I don't like to shop either, but shopping in Bangkok is a whole different ball game -- so much gorgeous stuff, so inexpensive, and so much fun to bargain for! At home I don't enjoy shopping a bit, but in Bangkok it was almost half the fun -- an experience in itself. Have fun planning.

As opposed too telling most they can not do this or that do too time. why not try too suggest a way that they could make their itinuary work . and from there they can make the choice.

LIke i've sead a milion times over the years i've been on this forum. many of us will never be able too make return trips whcih we were gifted enough too have made.

aargh.. lol. i've vented now. I've just finished reading some posts today where
it seems "WE" were not paying atention too what was being asked.

ANYWAYS

litlebeth.. sorry im going to be short on suggestions. but all I'll say is it's possible but you'll have too keep the dinning and relaxation too a minimum. and maybe use local tours too keep your itinuary tight. and I'd say try too have the beach at the end just too relax after blazing around BKK, and the north.

Don't know what time you get into BKK, but 2-nts, only gives you one-full day - not nearly enough time to visit much. You definitely need 4-nts which will give you a minimum of 3-days for sightseeing. And considering the heat and humidity, mid-day is often left for relaxing indoors with a/c or at the pool, or massage. That's not to say you couldn't push thru the heat of the day and visit somewhere, hopefully, somewhere with a/c. The temples aren't air conditioned, so best to do these early or late afternoon; shop or relax mid-day.

We stayed at the Pen and loved it, with each room at minimm a Junior Suite, all facing the river, excellent service, and a better rate. If you want to you can take the Pen ferry across the river, where it stops at the base of the Oriental, where you can enjoy a lunch or dinner - then ferry back - takes about 2-minutes each way.

And that leaves you the remaining time for the northern areas - I prefer Chiang Rai/Chiang Sean area where you might even be able to cross into Myanmar (Burma) for a few hours. The Botanic Gardens up at the Princess Mothers home are lovely and a relaxing way to spend a few hours. As to the Night Market in Chiang Mai - we avoided this (and didn't give it another thought) and did most of our souvenir shopping at the Damneon Saduck Floating Market on an early morning trip while in BKK.

That doesn't leave time for the beach at Phuket. Doing only BKK and the north, I believe, is your best option for getting a taste of Thailand - not a beach!