Thailand in June- Itinerary Review
Aug 28th, 2007, 05:36 PM
#22
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Kathie, is 5 nights in Anantara necessary? It seems better to add one or two of those nights to Bangkok in this itinerary.
If you're going to skip something, I would say skin Anantara to go to Siem Reap. Btw, flights to Siem Reap are expensive on their own, so I would consider Bangkok Airways Discovery Pass since you will have 3 legs. However, they only fly to Phuket, not Krabi directly.
If you're going to skip something, I would say skin Anantara to go to Siem Reap. Btw, flights to Siem Reap are expensive on their own, so I would consider Bangkok Airways Discovery Pass since you will have 3 legs. However, they only fly to Phuket, not Krabi directly.
Aug 28th, 2007, 06:01 PM
#23
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Necessary? Really, it depends on the family's interests. Depending on what they want to do (mahout training, for instance) it may be the amount of time they need for their plans. We spent 5 or 6 nights there ourselves and loved every minute.
Aug 28th, 2007, 06:46 PM
#24
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The Aleenta is is the Phang Nga area, it is very remote, it is a boutique style luxury place, sort of place for couples who want to be in a very quiet area. They are good but very expensive indeed ! For a couple wanting a quiet romantic boutique place, sure, great, but i just wonder from the view of a family beach place.
From what I know it would cost several hundred dollars a night at least ?
There are of course so many possible accommodations, with a 'family' in those ages had you though of perhaps somewhere like the JW Marriott Phuket ? In June you would get a good deal on the villas there and convenient for those trips and plenty for the kids to do. That is away from busy areas but does give more for the kids to do
It is totaly different from Aleenta style.
If you want to go out in the evenenings, shopping or other restaurants do note the locations, it may suit you but remember 'quiet' means just that.
From what I know it would cost several hundred dollars a night at least ?
There are of course so many possible accommodations, with a 'family' in those ages had you though of perhaps somewhere like the JW Marriott Phuket ? In June you would get a good deal on the villas there and convenient for those trips and plenty for the kids to do. That is away from busy areas but does give more for the kids to do
It is totaly different from Aleenta style.
If you want to go out in the evenenings, shopping or other restaurants do note the locations, it may suit you but remember 'quiet' means just that.
Aug 28th, 2007, 06:56 PM
#25
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i would not take the kids to a remote place in thailand....they will be bored silly....bad enough to spend all that time with you without being able to get out and do something....
the jw marriott would be perfect for the family....look at marriott time shares as a renter....was $169 this summer....
the merediens also would be good or the sheraton in krabi or phuket or the mer. in khao lak....i will be there in june, maybe we will run into each other...
the jw marriott would be perfect for the family....look at marriott time shares as a renter....was $169 this summer....
the merediens also would be good or the sheraton in krabi or phuket or the mer. in khao lak....i will be there in june, maybe we will run into each other...
Aug 29th, 2007, 08:35 AM
#26
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I appreciate the responses. I think there is plenty do do in and around Golden Triangle to keep us occupied for five days. I anticipate that we are much like Crosscheck and her family and two full days in BKK will be enough for our first time. If I am wrong, we will be back 
JamesA, from Aleenta's position, how far is it by car or speedboat to Khao Lok/Krabi respectively? Will look at the other hotel options but we are not much for large chain hotels, although they will be fairly empty in June I suppose.
Bob- you are staying at the Merlin in Khao Lok or the Meridien?
JamesA, from Aleenta's position, how far is it by car or speedboat to Khao Lok/Krabi respectively? Will look at the other hotel options but we are not much for large chain hotels, although they will be fairly empty in June I suppose.
Bob- you are staying at the Merlin in Khao Lok or the Meridien?
Aug 29th, 2007, 09:37 AM
#27
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meridien....
i like the hotel chains because you can count on decent up keep usually, which can be a problem in asia....
we also find very decent service in most of the big chains...plus there is never a problem with making res, etc...no faxing of credit cards or making deposits to far off bank accounts....for us it just works better all around...
i like the hotel chains because you can count on decent up keep usually, which can be a problem in asia....
we also find very decent service in most of the big chains...plus there is never a problem with making res, etc...no faxing of credit cards or making deposits to far off bank accounts....for us it just works better all around...
Aug 29th, 2007, 10:22 AM
#28
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The Meridien does look great. Here is a question. I really tend to plan in advance as you can see. The Meridien is showing an SPG rate for August/September this year of $385 for a two bedroom suite -- this is indeed a great rate! If I put in my June 2008 dates, they show no specials available and a rate of $605 for the same suite. The higher rate is comparable to what I have "negotiated" with the Aleenta for 2 loft suites including breakfast, cooking class and RT transfers from Phuket. Is it likely the rates will go down to $385 or thereabouts for next June? When do the summer specials start showing up in the Starwood system?
Aug 30th, 2007, 09:52 AM
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Well just to put a spanner in the works, I WOULD skip Bangkok for the sake of Siem Reap. The Angkor Complex is totally unique and , for now, very accessible. It will not be that way for much longer. Bangkok is a wonderful city and has much to offer, but for a jaw-dropping, soul-shaking experience.....see Angkor before the inevitable limitation of access is enforced.
Bangkok will forever, be easily accessible to most travellers, you can go there anytime.
Bangkok will forever, be easily accessible to most travellers, you can go there anytime.
Aug 30th, 2007, 12:06 PM
#32
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USD 600 a night ( THB 20,000 + ) is a 'huge' amount of money for 2 adults and 2 children/teens.
Phang Nga is like between Khao Lak and Krabi areas on the mainland. You are not talking big distances here, Phuket to krabi depending on area 2.5 to 3 hrs, up to Khao lak a couple of hours, not long distances. But staying up Phang Nga way you are remote and I doubt the children would find other children there, mau, but I doubt it, and that is a hige amount in the low/rainy season.
Le Merdien Phuket June this year around US$ 120 a night, JW Marriott around 146, and these are at the very top end of the price range.
A beachfront Pool Villa at Andaman White beach which is quiet beach but 'on Phuket' goes for around $ 250, but the great thing about Thailand is that you can find good accommodation without having to pay top dollar, and June is the 'low season' in that area and there are plenty of bargains, free night offers etc.
Indigo Pearl at Nai yang ( quiet beach area up in the northern part of the island though not as north as the Marriott ) $125, stay 4 nights pay for 3, stay 5 nights pay 4.
You don't have to go for large chain hotels, Sunwing Resort and Spa at Bangtao $168 for 2 bedroom suite.
Premier Bantao Beach resort, quiet beach ( but from these beaches you have access easily to busier areas, attractions and activities ) $119 for a family up to 5 ! 2 large pools, spa, on the beach, restaurants etc, ok, it's not a small boutique place but for a family at the beach should be great, for $120 a night, hard to beat!
'Our' family budget 2 adults and 2 kids is between $40 and 70 and I can tell you we never rough it, always stay well.
Along same lines you can get somewhere at Khao Lak for a few days and also krabi area, do remember it is low season so there are good rates. I am sure with the children they will want activities, you might want meals out in the evening, perhaps some market shopping, my concern is Phang Nga is for those escaping from 'everything'.
But to be sure for a family of 4 you don't have to spend amounds like 4/4/6 hundred a night to stay nice!
$500-600 a night low season Phuket/Krabi area is well.......
Getting place to place is easy with car+drivers available 'everywhere' and easily arranged from one hotel to another, trips and tours always readily arranged.
Phang Nga is like between Khao Lak and Krabi areas on the mainland. You are not talking big distances here, Phuket to krabi depending on area 2.5 to 3 hrs, up to Khao lak a couple of hours, not long distances. But staying up Phang Nga way you are remote and I doubt the children would find other children there, mau, but I doubt it, and that is a hige amount in the low/rainy season.
Le Merdien Phuket June this year around US$ 120 a night, JW Marriott around 146, and these are at the very top end of the price range.
A beachfront Pool Villa at Andaman White beach which is quiet beach but 'on Phuket' goes for around $ 250, but the great thing about Thailand is that you can find good accommodation without having to pay top dollar, and June is the 'low season' in that area and there are plenty of bargains, free night offers etc.
Indigo Pearl at Nai yang ( quiet beach area up in the northern part of the island though not as north as the Marriott ) $125, stay 4 nights pay for 3, stay 5 nights pay 4.
You don't have to go for large chain hotels, Sunwing Resort and Spa at Bangtao $168 for 2 bedroom suite.
Premier Bantao Beach resort, quiet beach ( but from these beaches you have access easily to busier areas, attractions and activities ) $119 for a family up to 5 ! 2 large pools, spa, on the beach, restaurants etc, ok, it's not a small boutique place but for a family at the beach should be great, for $120 a night, hard to beat!
'Our' family budget 2 adults and 2 kids is between $40 and 70 and I can tell you we never rough it, always stay well.
Along same lines you can get somewhere at Khao Lak for a few days and also krabi area, do remember it is low season so there are good rates. I am sure with the children they will want activities, you might want meals out in the evening, perhaps some market shopping, my concern is Phang Nga is for those escaping from 'everything'.
But to be sure for a family of 4 you don't have to spend amounds like 4/4/6 hundred a night to stay nice!
$500-600 a night low season Phuket/Krabi area is well.......
Getting place to place is easy with car+drivers available 'everywhere' and easily arranged from one hotel to another, trips and tours always readily arranged.
Aug 30th, 2007, 05:19 PM
#34
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Leigh, you know I love Angkor, but it makes no sense for them to try to substitute Angkor for Bangkok. Logistically, they have to fly into Bangkok anyway, and they are only planning two days there, not enough to see Angkor which takes a minimum of three full days just to see the major temples.
Sep 19th, 2007, 02:00 PM
#36
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Tickets Booked!! I know it is a small thing and so far away but just wanted to share that we have booked our tickets to Thailand and I could not be more excited. Even though DH is traveling on June 1 on his mileage ticket, decided to book the rest of us out on May 30 in the hopes that something will open up for him and we can move his outbound flight to match ours. If not, kids and I will start out in BK and meet up with him on the way to CR and the Anantara. We all fly back on June 17. So, we have 16 nights in Thailand. We are definitely leaning towards adding Angkor Wat -- probably will take a day away from the beach to get three full days there. In the meantime, will keep reading reports like laarista's and asking questions.
Sep 20th, 2007, 07:04 PM
#37
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on the meredien question, i guess i would either call them directly or e mail them and ask if they would honor that rate for next year....i bet they will and they might even throw in other things like transfers, etc....
Sep 20th, 2007, 07:06 PM
#38
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my current planning has us in phuket from june 9 to 13, then in krabi from june 13 to 16 and then khao lak from june 16 to 20 before we return to bkk....maybe we could meet up....
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bob
keep my email: [email protected]
bob
Sep 21st, 2007, 06:57 AM
#39
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Bob-
I am glad to see that an experienced traveler to Thailand like yourself will be in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lok in June -- it gives me comfort that we are not crazy for following the weather patterns and heading to Samui. Where do you stay in Krabi? I have not found anything tha looks on a par with the Meridien. Also, do you rent a car to travel between those three destinations or hire a car and driver?
Thanks.
I am glad to see that an experienced traveler to Thailand like yourself will be in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lok in June -- it gives me comfort that we are not crazy for following the weather patterns and heading to Samui. Where do you stay in Krabi? I have not found anything tha looks on a par with the Meridien. Also, do you rent a car to travel between those three destinations or hire a car and driver?
Thanks.
