We are going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui at the end of May/beginning of June. A few questions:<BR>1. Better for honeymooon--Oriental or Peninsula?<BR>2. We have a 6am flight on our way back to the States--are we crazy for still wanting to stay in a 5 star hotel night before, or should we suck it up and stay at the airport? Or are there 5 star hotels near the airport?<BR>3. Santiburi or Meridien on Samui?<BR>Thank you for your help.

Hmm, I am also taking a honeymoon to Thailand in mid-May. I am contemplating staying at the Rama Gardern near the airport for the last night, as I think it won't be worth the extra $$ for a nicer place downtown. And, it's no fun getting a taxi in the middle of the night to go to the airport--I think the hotels with a regular airport shuttle are your best bet. Just my $.02.

first where to stay on last nite...we have done both..we fly northwest and they leave bkk at 6:10am....i will never stay at the airport again!!! we had a 3am wake-up last time and the breakfast arrived shortly thereafter....starched napkins...very hot eggs, etc, etc..coffee in china cup...the ride to the airport at that time,even from the peninsula, is less than 30 minutes (you have to allow the same amount of time from an airport...S hotel--shuttle bus never leaves on time.... STAY IN TOWN..<BR><BR>next we like the peninsula...my wife loves it....the oriental just seems a bit stiff and old fashioned, maybe even a bit tired...i think service is about the same, in fact they all steal staff from each other from time to time....the pen guarantees you a room with a fabulous view, the oriental does not...all rooms at the pen face the river (some slightly to the side but still a great river view)...if undecided why not stay some time at each one??? easy to move they are dirrectly across the river from each other....<BR><BR>we last stayed at the westin in chaing mai...its ok and is quite cheap for a 4 star place....<BR><BR>have a blast....if you want some restaurant suggestions ask and i will send, if you haven't seen my other postings....<BR><BR>look at pen web site...currently least expensive room is $140++...the deal with 2 nites, a sky pass and a limo ride one way is excellent--2 day min...

maybe you are on the n/w flight too...if you are coach, the seats at the rear in rows 63-67? are the only two seaters on the plane plus they have a space beside the window seat that my wife can stand up in....while the rear of the plane is not the best, the seats make up for it...<BR>ignor if not n/w although this may apply to other airlines as well..

For a honeymoon it is worth it to stay at the Regent in Chiang Mai. If there is enough time, stay a few days at the Regent for the lux and the beauty of the place and then a few days at the Westin to be in Chiang Mai itself. You will have a fab honeymoon in Thailand.

i agree about the regent...it is out of town and i forget about it...it is truly fabulous

We are planning to honeymoon in Thailand as well this June, 3 nights Bangkok (The Peninsula), 1 week each in Phuket and Koh Samui, and final night at The Peninsula before catching the 6am NWA flight. However, due to SARS, we are seriously considering changing plans to a different destination (Caribbean?). Have you given any thought to changing your travel plans because of SARS?

I forgot the name of the hotel, but the one at the airport is just fine. We stayed in the executive suite and it was very nice. Plus, since you have a wonderful 19 hour flight ahead of you, keep it simple .

In Samui, if you can afford it, stay at the Santiburi (www.santiburi.com), the best hotel on the island. Mick Jagger was just there for the Thai New Year.

Thank you for the responses so far. We are not cancelling the trip due to SARS. I just don't feel that it poses enough of a risk at this point. Check the number of cases in Thailand vs. the US. We are staying at the Regent in Chiang Mai for 4 nights. <BR>Why is Santiburi considered the best hotel on the island, e.g. better than the Meridien?

If you stay at the Oriental, request a room in the garden wing--those rooms are the nicest and have a view of the river. I think the Peninsula is probably the better value, though. If you are staying 4 nights in Chiang Mai you will have plenty of time to enjoy the Regent, the city and activities on the outskirts. On Samui, we stayed at a place called the Laem Set Inn (www.laemset.com). It is a bit off the beaten path but the Lipa Noi Honeymoon Suite is one of the nicest places you could ever stay. Laem Set Inn is a small place and lacks the typical resort activities but it is very romantic and has a great restaurant. Lastly, one of the above posters was referring to the executive &quot;suite&quot; in the airport hotel. What he meant was the executive floor of the Amari Airport Hotel. I highly recommend it. Breakfast is included in the rate and they can bring it to your room at 3 AM. There is a separate check-in/check-out for the executive floor and the hotel is walking distance from the airport (no 1/2 hour ride).