Thailand in November for 17 days-Need itinerary advice
 

My husband and I are going to Thailand right before Thanksgiving. We've never been there so want to get a real feel for the country. Looking for a combination of sightseeing and being lazy on the beaches. Our plan so far is to spend a few days in Bangkok and a few days in Chaing Mai. After that we want to spend the rest of our time (about 11 days) down on the islands. We're thinking of splitting the time between Ko Phi Phi and then to Koh Samui. We want to relax but also want to see the sights. We have an aversion to crowds and really would like quiet beaches, but not so far away and secluded that you can't get around to see the island. No jet skis or hordes of tourists! We have a budget of about $200 per night so would appreciate any recommendations for resorts. Should we try to visit more than 2 islands or just relax and take day trips to other places? All advice is much appreciated!

If you want to get a real feel for the country, you don't want to spend most of your time at the beach, as those are international resorts. Also, since you are traveling in November, you'll want your beach time in the Phuket/PhiPhi/Krabi/Koh Lanta area, as Koh Samui is quite rainy in November.

Bangkok is my favorite city in the world, and I could spend weeks on end there without getting bored. For a first trip, I'd suggest 5 full days in Bangkok. People either love Chiang Mai or not. I'm in the or not category, so I think a few days in CM is plenty. But consider going farther north to the Golden Triangle area instead. Take a look at the Anantara Golden Triangle for a wonderful place to stay.

So if it were me (and it isn't), I'd spend 5 days in Bangkok, fly to Chiang Rai for the Anantara at the Golden Triangle for maybe 4 nights, then go to PhiPhi for my beach time. I'd stay in one area for beach, since, after all, the point is to relax.

Thank you for your advice. I was hoping if we went to Koh Samui at the end of our trip, (first week of Dec.) it may not be as rainy. I know the weather is not something to predict but...

My husband would probably prefer spending a bit longer at the beach. Any recommendations for a hotel on PhiPhi? How about Koh Lanta for beach time? It's been so hard to pick where to go. Our friends in Germany all love vacationing in Koh Samui, but they usually go early spring. I know some folks love Chiang Mai...why do you prefer Chiang Rai?

i too am with kathie about chiang mai, but we are in the minority....imo, it's boring... and its a big city with tons of tourists---not the quiet backwater some folks make it out to be....

for quiet i would pick krabi and either the amari vogue, sheraton or sofitel.... i would not spend my time in ao nang however...

i think you might get quite bored with 11 days at the beach...

i would start and end in bkk with maybe 5 and 3 days....remember your beginning days may be adjustment days for heat/humidity and jet lague....so a few days at the end at a wonderful riverside hotel with a great pool would also be relaxing and also allow for wonderful meals (hotels: marriott resort and spa, royal orchid sheraton, shangri-la, hilton and for real lux the peninsula)....

Chiang Mai is a huge, sprawling city with no public transport and more particulates in the air than Bangkok. The Golden Triangle area is rural and scenic. if you want to interact with elephants, the Anantara has a small division of the Thai Elephant Conservations Camp on its grounds. It has a lovely pol and is very relaxing.

A regular here on Fodors, Leigh loves Koh PhiPhi and his favorite place to stay is the Holiday Inn.

Thanks so much for your advice. We are thinking of staying at the Shangri La in Bangkok. Is it worth it to get a river view room? I know some people say it's sometimes just a peek of the river.

I think it's always worth it to have a view of the river!

Any one know the difference between the river view Krungthep Wing rooms and newly renovated Shangri-La Wing river view rooms?

You're wasting your time in CMX. There are so many better destinations in Thailand that aren't so far.

Sorry, what's CMX? Is that the airport code for which city?

I agree with the others skip Chiang Mai.

cmx=chiang mai

sh-la is a lovely hotel....huge place really.....

not all rooms are full river views.....the one we had was partial view and i mean very limited....

krung thrup wing has balconies which are quite nice, but many of them are very close to a noisy bridge....

the breakfest buffet is the best i have had in bkk

Has anyone stayed in the new Horizon rooms at the Shangri La? Also wondered if the renovation will be finished by end of November. Read some reviews from folks complaining about construction noise, not what I want to hear when arriving from US and jet lagged.

The rates are so much higher for the Krung Thrup wing, not sure it's worth the extra money. Would just like a nice room with a view of the river. Looks like a perfect spot for first time in Bangkok, just can't decide on room to book.

As I understand it (I've not stayed there), the Krung Thrup wing is like a club floor in other hotels... breakfast plus evening cocktails and canapes and desserts included in the price. Some Club rooms even include laundry (don't know about this Sh-La). So the question for you is whether you want to pay extra for a Club room.

We stayed in the KT wing at the S-La last November, it's good value and very good river views, yes some rooms are next to the bridge. (but then i like the hustle and bustle of the river)It's a good option but the hotel didnt wow me. GREAT access to the sky train. If i wanted all the trappings of a club room but without some of the other hotel sky high prices this is a good option.

If you have 17 days on the ground, I suggest that you stay in Bangkok at the beginning and end of your trip, go to Phuket and add in Luang Prabang in Laos. This is a charming place that is perfect for walking I suggest that you break up your trip as follows:

BKK-4 days
Phuket-6 days
Luang Prabang-5 days
BKK-2 days

This will be a wonderful initiation to Southeast Asia.

Still planning this trip. Here's our itinerary so far:

BKK-3 days, Shangri-La
Chiang Rai-3 days, Anantara
Krabi-3 days, still haven't decided where to stay!!
Phi Phi-6 days, Phi Phi Island Village
BKK-2 days, no hotel booked yet

Wondering if we should add Ko Lanta in between Krabi and Phi Phi. Also not sure if 6 days is too long on Phi Phi. We figured we would want to really relax last days of trip before return to BKK for last minute sites and shopping. We can be lazy beach bums easily, but wondering if that's too long a stay given the remote location of Phi Phi Island Village.

Any suggestions?

3 days in BKK at the start is not enough- remember you are going to be jet lagged the first day or so- give it one, maybe two more days before you pack up and hit the road again. Back out 2 days from Phi Phi.