Thailand Honeymoon?
 

Hello all!! New to this forum. My fiance and I are getting married in August, and think we have narrowed down the choice of our honeymoon destination to Thailand. We are thinking of going to Thailand for 10 or so days towards the end of November.

We would like to have some R and R time on the beach, so I think Phuket seems like a good destination for this. Upon doing some research, the Anantara Phuket Villas seem like they are really nice and will give up some nice time away.

As far as bangkok, I havent started the research yet. I am initially thinking of spening 5 or 6 days in phuket, and the remainder in Bangkok.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions or tips? Also, where is the best place to book flights? Online, or can anyone recommend an agent in the northeast us? (i am based out of central NJ).

TIA!

PS, we searched and searched for a destination that appeals to us. Thailand seems great in that we can get some time relaxing, but also be exposed to some culture (as opposed to Tahiti etc etc).

Thailand is a fabulous choice! Congratulations! And the weather in the end of November should be nice. Bangkok is always hot, but Nov/Dec/Jan offer cooler temps and less humidity.

You should be able to book your flights on line without any trouble. If you have status and miles with any one airline that would be a good place to start. Ticket prices in economy are probably going to run you around $1500 each, maybe more. I used to be able to do Chicago (ORD) to Bangkok for $900. Those days are gone.

I think you will enjoy Phuket. I have not stayed at the Anantara so cannot comment on that location. I would, indeed, spend the rest of the time in Bangkok. It is an amazing city! Since you will be honeymooning, and if you want lux, you should look at the Penninsula along the river, or maybe the Royal Orchid Sheraton or the Oriental. All are very special and would cost you much more $$$$ if they were in NYC or SFO! Bangkok offers great hotels/serviced apartments for all levels and prices. Do you have a budget?

Have fun planning your trip. Come back with more questions, especially when you have a feel for where you might want to stay in Bangkok. You will get lots of information (and opinions) here.

Carol

Thailand is a lovely place for a honeymoon and the end of November is a fine time to go!

You'll get the best air prices online. As Carol says, if either one of you are frequent fliers with an airline, choose that airline or another in the alliance. No use having all those frequent flier miles go to waste! And the airline's own website will have the best fares.

Phuket is lovely, but is an international beach destination, so you'll get most of your cultural experience in Bangkok. There are wonderful, luxury hotels in Bangkok for very reasonable prices.

for bkk hotels, most of us prefer river locations... look at the following: peninsula and oriental (top cost hotels), shangri-la, hilton, royal orchid sheraton, ibiz (cheap alternative), chatrium suites riverside (nice small apartments), centre point silom (not river front)...

if you prefer to be more in the middle of the city there are tons more alternatives: conrad, intercontinental, plaza anthanee (a fav of mine), jw marriott, marriott mayfair (apartment on a fab street), sheraton grande, adelphi suites, emporium suites (easy access to the skytrain), marriott courtyard, bangkok holiday inn on plenochit, four seasons, hyatt and many many more...

the anantara is located in a more remote part of phuket next to the jw marriott.... it is a lovely location but 45 min from the town. it is new which is a good thing...

i personally would prefer le meridien nearer to town..

take a look at the jw marriott at khoa lak, one hour north of the phuket airport.... i will be there in late oct for my second visit....can't beat the price and the hotel is fantastic....no reason to ever leave there.... i rent a car at the phuket airport and drive there very easily, but you can take a taxi or hotel will arrange transfers... fab beach access, huge pools and lagoons, very comfortable rooms, fab breakfasts, good restaurants....nearby town has good restaurants too...

another alternative is the krabi sheraton. fab place on the beach with good pools, nice rooms and local restaurants at the end of the driveway. tha amari vogue up the road is also a very fab place for a honeymoon... you fly to krabi for these hotels...

>>>Thailand Honeymoon?<<<

(No complaints from me)


Now, warm greetings to fodor's and congrats on marriage/honeymoon.

Noticed you're based in central NJ. Not knowing your ultimate flying/lodging budget (and potential interest in a few nights in Singapore), will propose the truly exquisite Singapore Airlines all-business class, non-stop service, EWR-SIN. (With, yes, SQ's business class fares to match.) Sweet rides. Nothing to lose by perusing the ever changing www.singaporeair.com/

(Will add our little adopted home of Singapore is a fun-filled place, provided one knows where to go.)

Should you start off in SIN, keep the party rolling with SQ business class to The Centre of the Known Universe, yes, Bangkok, Thailand. Great spectrum of lodging and diversions.

Keep going with Thai Airways to Phuket and budget permitting, splurge at the Amanpuri. (A lovely, serene place, indeed.)

Have fun, lovebirds.

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Thanks alot for the replies everyone. Sorry Robert, dont think my budget will allow for that :-)

I like the Anantara because of the amazing villas they offer..180sq meters and a private pool! I will definately look into the JW in phuket.

I have heard from friends that staying at 5 star hotels in bangkok is very reasonably priced.

Thanks again everyone!

Good choice with Phuket!

thanks alot guys! what can I expect to pay for a 4-5* accomodation in bangkok? also, can anyone reccommend a tour guide??

Take a look at these booking site: www.sawasdee.com
www.agoda.com
to check on hotel prices in November.

Let us know what kind of place you are looking for and we can help. For a honeymoon, I'd choose a hotel on the river.

Decide whether you want a guide in Bangkok. Bangkok is easy to do on your own. If you stay on the river, you can take water taxis to the most famous wats and the Grand Palace.

august hotel prices will be reasonable.... you can stay in a really nice hotel for as little as $100 or pay as much as $350 for the fabulous places...

hotels along the river tend to be in the $130-200 range except the peninsula and oriental, which are higher...

serviced apartments are really nice and offer most everything a hotel offers: chatrium and marriott marfair being my two favorites and they both are around $100-110.

thanks! will look into all the suggestions you guys made and let you know what we decide!

Also, thoughts on koh samui vs phuket for the r and r portion of the trip?

Bob, they are going in November.

For the end of November, the Phuket area will have better weather.

the Shangri la and the Hilton both look pretty nice in Bangkok...which would you guys recommend over the other? or are both very comparable?

TIA

The Shangri la for sure.

I agree, the Shangri La.

Great thanks!!!

How is Cathay Pacific for air travel? Seems like a 20 hour total flight from Newark...ouch!

CP is just fine.... 20 hrs is not bad at all.... the former direct, non-stop thai flt took over 17...

sh-la hotel would be my pick but hilton is not bad, unless you get a room away from the water, which is quite possible..

there are also tons of other airlines: ANA, Korean, Finn, Japan, Continental, Singpore....

i stand corrected on the month

Yep...CP has the best rate though...

Betterbidding.com good Marriott packages for budget bidding priceline

Usually save a tonne join their preferred guest programs for lots

Of perks free suites club floor upgrades at no cost.

What I do everywhere saves me a tonne great views free food.

Amari.com/watergate nice cheap BKK five star from $50 usually for me bidding priceline also

Congrats!

For air kayak.com/buzz cheapoair.com

Finnair best cheap biz class to BKK for me

Korean also Seoul Phuket to bypass BKK

continental united also does that route might get 2 free onepass CCs 30000 per CC

Buy your tickets with those and with the miles flown you will rack up enough FF miles

For 2 more FREE RT flights with them in the future.

If you don't care where you stay, then bidding on priceline can work for you, but for a honeymoon, I expect you want a specific hotel. Your idea of the Anantara in Phuket or the JW Marriott would both be great.

In Bangkok, the Shangri La is lovely.

I'm not sure what makes qw think the Amari Watergate is 5 star, but it's not where you want to spend your honeymoon.

Kathie, it's very easy to know where you will be staying in you bid on Priceline. Just go to betterbidding.com.

hey guys, for bangkok, what about the banyan tree hotel? how is that location wise?

21/100 South Sathon Road
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Personally, I don't like the location of the Banyan Tree. While you can get a room that has a view of the river, it's very different from the experience of being on the river. It is a very nice hotel.

mcbg, I'm well aware of better bidding and how to manipulate the system to get one of just a few (or sometimes just one) options. My point is that what princeline calls 5 star is not my idea of 5 star. Use qw's example of the Amari Watergate. He likes it and can get it for $50, so that's great for him. But I don't know anyone else who would consider it 5 star. Likewise, priceline's delineation of areas is odd. So you choose riverside in Bangkok and get a place that is quite a ways from the river because it is in priceline's "riverfront" area.

^^thanks,

I think we are going to go with the anantarra phuket and the shangri la. excited to take a boat tour through the bay where james bond island is hehe..

OK, so the time is getting near for our trip! Can anyone recommend some must do activites in HK, BKK, and phuket?

>>>Thanks alot for the replies everyone. Sorry Robert, dont think my budget will allow for that <<<

(No worries; I envision many future Singapore Airlines rides, 'up front', for you and your beloved! Fine crews and friends, flying SIA.)


Now, warm greetings again, and best wishes for upcoming Thai honeymoon. (Will always have such fond memories of our Thai moments.)

Should you end up staying at the Shangri-La in Bangkok, will suggest letting the staff know in advance it's your honeymoon. Rest assured, some extremely warm and professional employees and friends will arrange a lovely in-room arrival package. (My main Shangri-La wing for work is the Krungthep and staff and personal butlers truly know my 'special room' and preferred greeting amenities.)

As for can't miss Bangkok delights, suspect you already know the usual suspects from reading various threads. (And for something a bit off the Bangkok 'tourist trail', there's the same day 'turnaround', flying SQ J to Singapore and back. Yes, yours truly once did that routine to maintain a certain PPS status with Singapore Air. A bit of Saturday holiday shopping at Changi, then back to the BKK Shangri-La, just in time for a late-night, in-room massage. Sweet dreams.)

I'm very happy for you; savour your special Thai times. (And don't forget to post a most detailed trip report.)

robert

banyon tree is a very nice hotel, but the location is not the greatest... its in the middle of the financial hi-rise area of the city...

We went to Thailand in late November and it was totally amazing. Samui, Krabi and Phuket are few of the best destinations of Thailand which remains pleasant in November and around the year. http://www.weareholidays.co.in/trave...visit-thailand