Would love some help in choosing an island for our trip in early May-so far we are going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and want to end our 2 week trip on an island-one that is beautiful, interesting and has nightlife-we are 2 single women and would like to avoid being surrounded by too many couples! So an island that is too quiet with no nightlife is not what we want!

Any auggestions out there for 3 or 4 nights? and places to stay on the islands...

Also-as for hotels in Bangkok-looking to stay at a top notch hotel-Intercontinental or Four Seasons??

bkk has some of the best hotels in thw world....for what you describe---nightlife, i would suggest that you stay downtown....the fours seasons is a good choice, so it the older intercontinental....the grand hyatt or the jw marriott....all are fairly centrally located...near good restaurants, bars and clubs...

the metropolitan is an "in" type place in a different part of town, but you might look at it too...

many of us prefer the river locations but the entertainment is not nearby....the peninsula and shangri-la
hotels are both very nice...

taxis are very cheap in bkk so it really does not matter where you stay...

phuket is the most exciting of the islands with the most nite life...

krabi might also interest you...

an certain parts of samui are quite "busy"....

on another topic....you are going to too many places for 2 weeks imo....i would cut out chiang rai quite honestly, or i would skip CM and do chiang rai...3 places in two weeks is about max for most people or you will be spending all your time coming and going....remember those late nites too...

Yes I was afraind that we were doing too much-our plan is to stay in Bangkok for 3 nites, Chiang Rai for 4 nites (Elephant Camp-beautiful resort), Chiang Mai for 2 nites and then a Beach Resort-too much isn't it?

As for the beaches-thought that phuket was not entirely build up again-and I have heard that Krabi in nice-which one would you lean more towards based on my posting? Also-do we need to be wary of heavy rains? Thought I read that the islands in that part tend to get alot of rain in May. Is Phuket considered too touristy? thx!

I agree with Bob that you should really choose three locations in two weeks. 1. Bangkok, 2. I'd vote for Chaing Rai (I assume you're staying at the Anantara with the Elephant camp - a wonderful place! Take the cooking class.) 3. a beach. In May, Phuket and that whole side of the peninsula (which includes Krabi) have the most rain of the year. So Koh Samui sounds like your choice. There is more night life and activity there than on other islands on that side, and more to do than in areas like Hua Hin. Choose one of the busier beaches on Samui.

how about eliminating the beach all together....novel thought....

do CM and CR and pick a really wonderful hotel in bkk that has a great pool area (marriott resort, shangri-la, peninsula, sheratons--both) and pretend you are at the beach??

i would do all my travelling around, after my initial bkk visit and then return to bkk for the end of the trip for pool, spa relax time for several days!!

I like Ko Phi Phi island. It's near Phuket.

At that time of year, you should look to Ko Samui and the nearby islands. All of which have resorts with lively nightlife. What do you want to do down on the beach - are you interested in snorkelling, sports etc or sunbathing and spa? Also - hope you don't mind me asking - what age group are you in? That might affect your choice as well
BB

Thank you everyone for their responses-I am def thinking of cutting out chang mai now-but need another beach aside from Ko Samui-my friend i am traveling with has already been-since i need to stay away from phuket and krabi due to the rainy season in May-looking for another island that is similiar-beautiful with good night life! we are 2 30-somethings! thank you!

If by nightlife you lively nightlife mean bars, clubs, disco clubs etc then as far as 'islands' go you have 2 simple choices, either Chaweng/Lamai or Koh Samui or Patong on Phuket.
You can stay close to those busy nightlife areas at quieter beaches ( e.g Bophut if going to Samui or Karon / Kata, Kamala if going to Phuket ).

The other islands near Samui are Koh Phangan which is famous for the Full Moon Parties but otherwise is quiet, Koh Tao is also quiet, there is no nightlife as such, you might find someone strumming a guitar somewhere but there is no nightlife 'scene' ( if that's the right terminology ). Same applies to Koh Chang which is very popular at that time of year.

If the nightlife is important, I would say Samui or risk the rain on Phuket, yes, both are very touristy, so lots of facilities, tours, things to do, shopping and restaurants plus nightlife, if your friend has already been to Samui they would have an 'idea' of what to expect Phuket side.
If you want scenery tropical style, then Phi Phi, but you have the rain risk, they may have opened some of the bars and stuff that was there pre tsunami, I honestly don't know.

Here's an idea!

As end May is low season Phuket and the busy season Samui hasn't started, so still low season there too, why not book yourself in for a few nights on Phuket. Decide if you want walking distance to beach and nightlife or if you prefer quieter beach and don't mind 15-20 minutes to nightlife.
Just book a couple of nights, see how the weather is, if it's not good hop across to Samui on the other side, if the weather holds-out then you are fine !
Easy solution which gives you the best opportunities!

If you want to be close to beach but also reasonable for nightlife somewhere like the Graceland Resort on Patong might suit you, it's reasonable standard but not over the top pricewise, about USD 70-95 ( top is for deluxe seaview ), I would class it as a 30'something suitable, right opposite the beach ( road to xorss ), nice pools, few minites into busy part of Patong, you can also walk if you want. Nice pools and nice location, was completed after Tsunami.
Something a little closer Club Andaman, but I think Graceland would suit.

Now, that's Patong, you can of course take lots of day tours and trips from anywhere on the island. If you prefer to be at quieter beach e.g Kata / Karon which are south of Patong say so, and then we can give some ideas.

A reasonable/good 3 star beach hotel ight on the beach at Karon ( Karon beach resort ) goes for about USD 90, that is about half what it would have cost in April! You can find lots in the USD 50-60 range, plus even as low as anything,

Based upton what you are after, plus your freind has done Samui, I think booking into Phuket but confirm say 2 nights and then see how it goes.

Although you have the chance of rain there are actualy a lot of benefits to traveling in what is termed 'low season', although everything is open places are simply less crowded, it is easier to get flights, easy to change flights for flexibility, easy to swop locations knowing hotels and resorts won't be packed full. Add to that hotel rates that could be half or a third of high season and well...

you can count on anything james suggests....he has been 100% for us in the past...

Lizzph:

Sorry for my infamous typos:

"either Chaweng/Lamai or Koh Samui or Patong on Phuket"

That should be: 'either Chaweng/Lamai ON Koh Samui OR Patong on Phuket'

I think Ko Tao has changed somewhat - there is reportedly quite lively nightlife on Sairee beach. Not couple orientated and no seedy side - missing the girly bars of Patong and Chaweng/Lamai which may be a plus for you.