Thailand - Book lodgings ahead or no?
Feb 28th, 2010, 09:46 AM
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Thailand - Book lodgings ahead or no?
25+ countries later we're finally making our first trip to Asia - Thailand! Depart in 2 weeks. Most of our friends who've been before have recommended that we don't book any of our hotels, etc. until we arrive (for best prices, I suppose) so except for a livaboard scuba boat in the Similans & Surins, we have no strings attached. But now I'm seeing that guide books recommend reservations after all. At least for BKK. So the plan is to get that done today (although I'm still stumped at what part of town we should stay in so will be surfing around here for a bit more info since the darn books have just too much info) but I'd love to hear thoughts on whether we should book the other lodgings for our trip. (Somewhat that is - we're going to be in country for 15 days, and we would like to do some Andaman side island hopping to find just the right place for us so are hesitant to lock into too much). That being said, Phi Phi will defo be on the list so I am checking on availability of the HI and PPIV next assuming booking ahead makes sense... thanks as always to the fantastic Fodors forum folks!
Feb 28th, 2010, 10:04 AM
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If you're planing on staying at hostels or the backpacker kind of hotels then there's no need. If you want 3,4 or 5 star hotels then I recommend you reserve before you come. The higher end hotels don't usually drop their rates for walk in customers.
Feb 28th, 2010, 10:08 AM
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Unless you want to stay at low end places (where you can walk in and get a good price), you are always better off price-wise to book ahead. Higher end places charge more (sometimes much, much more) to walk-ins. If you want a particular place, like on PhiPhi, definitely book ahead.
That said, if you aren't traveling at high season (and you aren't) and a number of places would meet your needs (such as appears to be true in Bangkok) you can wait and book just a few days to two weeks ahead at www.latestays.com
For your island-hopping, just get online a day or two ahead and see what you can book. You can always book just a night or two and see how you like it. If you want to extend your stay, you'll have to book online again, as most places won't match the latestay price in person, even after you've stayed a night or two.
That said, if you aren't traveling at high season (and you aren't) and a number of places would meet your needs (such as appears to be true in Bangkok) you can wait and book just a few days to two weeks ahead at www.latestays.com
For your island-hopping, just get online a day or two ahead and see what you can book. You can always book just a night or two and see how you like it. If you want to extend your stay, you'll have to book online again, as most places won't match the latestay price in person, even after you've stayed a night or two.
Feb 28th, 2010, 03:16 PM
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I agree that you can do most of your booking once you are in country, and do go ahead and book PhiPhi if you are certain you are going to go there. But for Bangkok, I would certainly want to know that I have a place reserved for at least the first night or two upon arrival! And that is regardless of the level (3* to 5*) you are seeking!
What do you hope to do in Bangkok? This may help determine a good location for you. Also, what is your intended price per night for lodging?
Carol
What do you hope to do in Bangkok? This may help determine a good location for you. Also, what is your intended price per night for lodging?
Carol
Mar 2nd, 2010, 10:16 AM
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We stayed at relatively inexpensive, but not backpacker places during our trip to Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi) and only made reservations in Bangkok. I'm not even sure that was necessary. We didn't have any trouble with places being full and were most often able to negotiate our prices. More info and pics in our Thailand posts at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/
Mar 3rd, 2010, 06:01 AM
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I would book somewhere to begin with and then maybe move on or stay.
If you have a phone or internet access you can always book ahead in Thailand without committing yourself to a rigid itinerary.
I've got good walk-in prices at a couple of "higher-end" places - if you stay in the 1000to 2000 range you should be OK.
however if your holiday coincides with high season or Thai holidays it's probably best to book ahead to avoid disappointment - you'll always get a room just not the one you wanted.
If you have a phone or internet access you can always book ahead in Thailand without committing yourself to a rigid itinerary.
I've got good walk-in prices at a couple of "higher-end" places - if you stay in the 1000to 2000 range you should be OK.
however if your holiday coincides with high season or Thai holidays it's probably best to book ahead to avoid disappointment - you'll always get a room just not the one you wanted.
Mar 7th, 2010, 07:54 PM
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Thanks everyone! Based on the great advice I booked the BKK portion of our trip. We're there from 3/17-4/1. The first half is now reserved (BKK as mentioned plus 4 days on a liveaboard for diving the Similans & Surins). Since we're unsure of our moods after the boat (Phi Phi is not 100% - it's a possibility as is Lanta but who knows, maybe someone we meet on the trip will sway us one way or another), I think we might play it by ear - a little uneasy for me (The Planner) but probably good for me as well, and it's my DH's preference, so... let you know how it goes (any additional tips in the mean time are of course welcome, though)!
Mar 8th, 2010, 01:15 AM
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As a bit of an expert (living in Phuket and working in a hotel) I can recommend to book in advance if you absolutely want to stay in a particular hotel, especially if the hotel is fairly small. At the Boathouse where I work there are only 38 rooms and often people book long in advance to secure their favorite room. Otherwise, at least when traveling in Phuket, there are lots of hotels and it just depends on what you like (close to the airport, night life, kids friendly, golf course, with spa, all-day round swimming in the sea etc. Choose the area where you want to saty, book one night and go from there would be my advice.
Happy travels!
Happy travels!
