First I would like to thank those who contributed to my questions regarding Guam vs. Boracay. After spending many hours researching, talking to different people and reading forums here at Fodor's, we have finally decided to go to Thailand for our 1 year anniversary. We were thinking to spend 3 days in Bangkok and rest at Phuket. Here's what we were thinking.

Oct. 7-10 or 11 Bangkok:
From what I read everyone is saying to stay either at Shangri-La Hotel or Peninsula. Any other hotels that might be little cheaper or best value? I was thinking price around $100-$150. Do you think Oct 7-10 is enough to see major attractions in Bangkok or stay another day until the 11th? Must see or must do in Bangkok?

Oct 10/11-16 Phuket:
There are so many resorts, please help us decide... The prices seems similar so here are our choices. If you could recommend one over the other for us I would greatly appreciate it.
* Diamond Cliff Resort
* Dusit Laguna Resort
* Katathani Resort (I hear they were closed until Nov. for renovation, is this true?)
* Merlin Beach Resort
* Blue Marine Resort

From my research they all seems nice and from the pictures they all look great. This is what we are looking for and what we are hoping to do. Hotel with good food, nice view, nice service and some recreation. We like to spend lot of time doing water sports, snorkling, scuba, jet ski, and relaxing on the beach (white sand would be nice). So easy access to the beach is important. In the evening venture out for dinner or out to the town so it would be nice if it were close to those things as well. Must do or must see in Phuket?

This is our first time in Southeast Asia so any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated. Please help us decide. Thank you in advance for your help.

We are flying out to BBK on the 6th Oct - arr 7th. We are spending first 2 nights in BKK at the Silom Sofitel which is very good value!! Stayed at the Sofitel in Hanoi and I was very pleased with the standard of accom. We are spending another 3 nights in BBK at the end of our trip and staying at the Shangri-la which is good value for a riverside hotel. I would personally add another night in BBK, not sure where you are flying in from but you will probably need to get over the jet lag.

Re hotel in Phuket I can't really advise you, I stayed at the Amari on Phuket about 8 years ago, nice hotel and good location. Sure the others on here will be able to point you in the right direction.

Hope you have a lovely trip!!

I would spend more days in BKK and less in Phuket. BKK is a magical city, Phuket is just a beutiful beach. It's a waste to go all that way and spend most of it on the beach. Yes, you will have a good time, but you will have missed an opportunity to soak up the wonder of BKK. I suggest that you spend at least 5 days in BKK. You'll see the main sights and have a chance to wander and shop. It's hot, so the extra days in BKK will give you time to intermingle relaxation, e.g., pool and massage.

Thank you for your responses. From what I have read from your responses, I'm thinking to stay little longer at Bangkok. By the way, I'm flying in from Seoul Korea. If it's easier, could you please tell me which area/town I should stay in in both Bangkok and Phuket? Also, has anyone done a dinner cruise in Bangkok? I'm thinking to do something special for the night of our anniversary. If so which dinner cruise or a better suggestions?
Thanks,

* Diamond Cliff Resort - I would not recommend at all, it is at the north end of Patong on a sloping hillside, steep, quite a walk to the beach, nothing special at all

* Dusit Laguna Resort

Dusit is in the Laguna area, a fine resort hotel along with others such as Sheraton, Banyan Tree etc, this is an area where you plan to spend most of your time in and around the resort as although you 'can' get to busier beaches it is somewhat far, again, place that is nice if you intend to spend your days mainly in the resort itself. As you seem to want to go out to restaurants and I guess perhaps evening/night markets etc perhaps this area might be too quiet.

* Katathani Resort (I hear they were closed until Nov. for renovation, is this true?)

A favorite of mine and others too, it is the 'Buri' which re-opens November but the main Resort ( Thani )is open and operating and has been for a long time, it was only effected in avery minor way from the Tsunami, it provides a good 4-star range place with a good reputation, Kata beach is busier than the Laguna area but not as busy as Patong, there are restaurants and some shopping.


* Merlin Beach Resort / Blue Marine - Not familiar with these.


The first thing actually to decide is which beach, although relatively easy to get from one place to another being within easy/short distance helps.

I think the Kata Thani might be what you are after, some nice restaurants in Kata and very easy to get to Karon and even Patong is around 15-20 minutes. It gives a balance of what you are after.

Unfortunately the busier the beach area the less chance to find right on the beach hotels/resorts, if you get a place with absolute beachfront it is likely to be in a quieter area, there are exceptions, the Kata beach resort and Karon beach resort are 'right on the beach' but from the places you mentioned it seems you want 4/5 range but these 2 are 3 star, but for location they win hands down ! Karon beach resort is about USD 65 including breakfast and taxes etc.
Kata Thani is the USD 75(standard)-145(suite) region. ( Junior Suite/deluxe about USD 105, plus they have a very good Spa too.

There are just so many but often they are way back from the beaches. I honestly think the Kata Thani is about your best 'safe' idea.

If you want to see photos of those other places not on your original list twy www.phuket-luxury-hotels.com, lots of photos and ideas of places plus quite a few deals for October still.

less expensive but still on the river is the marriott resort and spa...great value for money with all the river amenities...lots of restaurants, and a mini mall also...nice free boat ride to skytrain when ever you want...12 minute ride...should be less than $100 in october...use this site: www.huahin.20m.com

all inclusive pricing incl. tax/service and breakfast...through oct 31 some upgrade specials...


you need more time in bkk...you have selected too much time in phuket imo

Thank you all for your responses. So here's what I'm thinking to do...

Oct. 7 - 11 Bangkok
Probably stay at Shangri-La Hotel. I think I can get a rate for $129/night (is this good deal?)

Oct. 11 - 16 Phuket
From what I hear I should stay at Katathani over all the others. Katathani has good facilities, service and good access to the surrounding area? Good beach with white sand? How are the rooms? Do we have easy access to extra activities like scuba, snorkeling, and other water sports? One thing that confuses me is that when I go to www.huahin.20m.com and see the pictures of the rooms are they the actual rooms of main Thani or are they the pictures of the newly renovated Buri?

Lastly, we were thinking that maybe we should slit and stay couple of days at Banyan Tree… How is it? Is it worth the money?

So this is what I'm thinking from everyone's suggestion. Please let me know what everyone thinks and maybe any other suggestions. I really appreciate all your help, please help me out little more.
Thanks,

That's a good price for the Shangri-La, especailly if it includes tax and service. Check a few of the booking websites.

Personally, I don't like changing hotels at a location. But some others do. Is it worth interupting your relaxation to move to a different hotel?

Well, that's a good question. For me NO but for my wife MAYBE. She mentioned that she wants to try Banyan Tree since she hear it was really nice. So is it true? Is it worth the switch to try out Banyan?

I've not stayed at the Banyan Tree, but the location is not good - it's not on the river nor is it at a skytrain stop. If I were you, I'd stay on the river and go visit the Banyan Tree. The reviews I've heard have not been especially good.

banyon tree is quite nice but as kathie says the location is sort of inconvenient...i think it may be overprices...

I apologize for the confussion. I was referring to Banyan Tree at Phuket. We are definitely thinking to stay at Shangri-La in BKK after everyone's recommendation.

I've heard good reviews of the Banyan Tree in Phuket. Do a search here and you should find some reviews.

If you would really like to indulge yourselves for a few days why not try the Rayavadee in the Krabi area rather than the Banyan Tree,this way you will get to see another part of Thailand and experience the most amazing beach that Asia has to offer.I have stayed at the Allamanda resort which was right next to the Banyan Tree and even though it is a very impessive hotel the area is isolated and the beach is only just ok and at that time of the year is very rough and not so good for water sports.
You could transfer from the Kata Thani to Rayavadee in about 3 hours and this would include a fantasic speed boat trip through Phang Na bay which most visitors to Phuket end up doing as a day trip.Once at the resort you can get to Ao nang by long tail boat in about 10 minutes from the resort for some great shopping and eating.
The price of the two resorts are not that much different and I am absolutely positive that if you are looking for a once in a lifetime "magical" experience,you are much more likely to find it at the Rayavadee rather than wasting your money on an upscale resort in a so-so area.You can also easily fly back to Bangkok from Krabi airport and the transfer would take no longer than from the Kata Thani to Phuket airport.
Myself and my family will be in Bangkok from the 10/10-16/10 and then 14 days at the Kata beach resort so we will just miss being there at the same time.It is my 9th trip to Thailand and I cant wait.If our Budget could extend a bit further and we wern't taking the kids we would definately spend a few days at the Rayavadee.If you are going to burn some money you might as well burn a few hundred more and really do it in style.

I want to thank everyone for valuable information. You all have been awesome. I'll be sure to post my trip report once I get back.
Thanks,

The Banyan Tree on Phuket is good but you are really 'paying a lot'. If you just want to laze on the beach in a quiet area then the JW Marriott probably gives you everything you could want, on the other hand if you plan to go sightseeing, shopping and dining out in the evenings and in general see more of Phuket and the surrounding area then you are paying a small fortune at the Banyan just for a place to stay and you are far from things like lots of restaurants, night markets and shopping etc.
Do remember that if you plan to be out and about during the day you are paying a lot for somewhere to sleeep, on the other hand if it is just beach time in comfort I really don't think the banyan is even a good location for 'that'.

Shanek, with kids the Kata Beach resort is a 'perfect choice'. This is one of the few absolute beachfront hotels in the area.
Do be careful swimming in the sea at that time and do heed the warnings for swimming.

I really appreciate eveyone's insights. I have decided on Shangri-La for BKK. And almost for Phuket, Katathani Resort. But my lovely wife is putting a little break saying how about Sheraton Laguna. I know it's last minute but could you please give me some opinion about Sheraton itself. Also, opinion about Katathani vs. Sheraton in respect to facility, beach, distance from other parts of Phuket such as town, Patong, restaurants, etc. Sorry for the last minute request and as alway greatly appreciate any and all feedbacks.
Thanks,

I don't know anything about the Sheraton, but I did just stay at the Katathani a few days ago. I enjoyed it very much. It is a very large and very pretty resort, with absolute beach front. Rooms are nice, the breakfast buffet is a great variety, and the staff was very helpful.

Carol

jc74: Kata is a lovely beach area, quiet but yet lots of restaurants and easy to get to other places.
Sheraton is different, although it is 'relatively easy' to get down to other beaches the Laguna area is mainly high end places like the Sheraton, not a lot around, they are very much on their own, sure, you will find some restaurants around but Kata is much more active, they are very different. If you want to be in a quiet area then Sheraton but I think you will miss out a lot on not being in a slightly more 'active area' with just overall more 'life' going on around you. For 'me' I would never stay in that area, nothing wrong with nice resorts but I just think you will get more out of being in Kata.