Thailand Itinerary with kids--advice needed
Dec 29th, 2016 | 01:17 PM
#1
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Thailand Itinerary with kids--advice needed
My husband and I are planning a two week trip to Thailand for the last two weeks of March with our two children (ages 3 and 5-1/2). I have LOADS of questions, if anyone can help!
Background: We were there for our honeymoon 10 years ago (travelogue here: http://hitherandthither.net/thailand-may-2007/ ) and went to BKK, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui—so this trip is to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Our kids are good travelers, as they do get lots of practice—e.g. We spent a month in Bali with our son when he was one and take 2-3 family trips a year. We live in a small town in California, but also used to live in Manhattan.
Itinerary:
We fly into Bangkok (arriving on a Saturday morning) and fly out of Phuket two weeks later to head back to California. I was thinking 3 (maybe 4) locations max for the trip.
We left out the north on this trip because multiple ppl had mentioned that March is burning season around Chiang Mai and it would be smoky. We're fine with that.
So I'm thinking 4-5 days in Bangkok to start, with the rest of the time spent in the south. Everyone will love being at the beach.
Questions:
Bangkok--we stayed at the Riverside Marriott (now the Anantara) on our honeymoon and many have suggested the Anantara Riverside as great for families, too. Good idea? I like the nostalgia factor and think the kids would enjoy the pool. Or should we try someplace new/someplace more central?
Bangkok--Should we try to include a side trip to Ayutthaya?
Elephants--We'd like to take the kids to a humane Elephant camp. After some research, it looks like the best reputable options for our plan are Elephant Hills in the Khao Sok National Park (there's a 2 day/1 night itinerary that includes a canoe trip and a jungle walk as well as meeting the herd--it's best for ages 4 and up, but younger are welcome, so we think we'd be okay. Anyone been? They'll do transfers.); or Elephant Haven Single Day - Sai Yok Kanchanaburi (2 hr west of Bangkok and run by the same people who started Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai). I liked the idea of getting to see Khao Sok, but it seems to complicate travel too much, the single day in central Thailand could make a triangle route with Ayutthaya before a domestic flight south.
South--If we go with the Khao Sok elephant stay, we could fly into multiple areas. They'll even do transfers from Ko Samui. So it's wide open. BUT we fly out of Phuket, so I'm thinking Andaman sea for the entire stay. (I think weather should be good on both coasts still, correct?)
Which islands/home base?
And here's where I'm most lost: Part of me says pick the destinations and follow with hotels, but a large part of me says pick based on the hotel with the good destination. The right hotel is a bit more crucial with the kids in tow because we're hoping it checks off a lot of boxes--(1)Expectation of families. Doesn't have to be specifically geared for families (water slides etc.), but don't want to feel like we have to tip toe bc we're the only ones with kids. (2) Nice view from room. We'll be putting them to bed and naps sometimes, so we want a nice view to enjoy from the room. (3) 2 bedroom or at least some divider for kids sleeping. (4) On-site restaurant/bar. [Bonus: Would love a private beach or at least a quiet one. / kids care or club a plus, other facilities like spa also a plus, as would be the option to help with daytrips. We are divers, but are probably only snorkeling on this trip. Sigh.] We really liked Tongsai Bay on Ko Samui for our honeymoon, in case it helps. Nice that it felt boutique-y but with the amenities of a bigger resort. Comfort without pretension.
Ideal price range is under $400/night (which feels crazy to me to say, as I'm hoping under $200/night!). But we could splurge more for a couple of nights if something seems like a must-do.
SO: should we base ourselves in Phuket for the entire end of trip and do daytrips? Or should we just finish there? Or do we need to go to Phuket at all--okay to drive from hotel on day of flight out? We have a VERY late flight--around midnight. If yes to Phuket, best spot to stay?
Any recs for resorts with private beaches? Heard best to seek out ones such as those on Mai Khao (JW Marriott) or Kata Noi--anyone have opinions there?
Suggestions for boats for daytrips around the Andaman sea? Want to avoid clubby ferries and such. Would be willing to spend a bit more to get something small or even private and perhaps beat some daytrippers if going somewhere like Maya Bay or Phang Nga Bay. Should we/can be book ahead? Or is it best done upon arrival in Thailand? Anybody do any excursions with kids?
If NO to Phuket, then where? Khao Lak? Railay? Koh Lanta? Some place smaller like Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi? A friend suggested Koh Mak and Koh Kood (and didn't like Koh Lanta or Phi Phi), so I have to look those up.
I thought if going with bigger resort that Anantara Si Kao looked great, but it's south of Krabi. Suppose we could go from there to Phuket before flying out.
Help!! Please?
Thank you for any suggestions on any part of this! I probably should have broken it up into multiple threads, eh?
--Ashley
Background: We were there for our honeymoon 10 years ago (travelogue here: http://hitherandthither.net/thailand-may-2007/ ) and went to BKK, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui—so this trip is to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Our kids are good travelers, as they do get lots of practice—e.g. We spent a month in Bali with our son when he was one and take 2-3 family trips a year. We live in a small town in California, but also used to live in Manhattan.
Itinerary:
We fly into Bangkok (arriving on a Saturday morning) and fly out of Phuket two weeks later to head back to California. I was thinking 3 (maybe 4) locations max for the trip.
We left out the north on this trip because multiple ppl had mentioned that March is burning season around Chiang Mai and it would be smoky. We're fine with that.
So I'm thinking 4-5 days in Bangkok to start, with the rest of the time spent in the south. Everyone will love being at the beach.
Questions:
Bangkok--we stayed at the Riverside Marriott (now the Anantara) on our honeymoon and many have suggested the Anantara Riverside as great for families, too. Good idea? I like the nostalgia factor and think the kids would enjoy the pool. Or should we try someplace new/someplace more central?
Bangkok--Should we try to include a side trip to Ayutthaya?
Elephants--We'd like to take the kids to a humane Elephant camp. After some research, it looks like the best reputable options for our plan are Elephant Hills in the Khao Sok National Park (there's a 2 day/1 night itinerary that includes a canoe trip and a jungle walk as well as meeting the herd--it's best for ages 4 and up, but younger are welcome, so we think we'd be okay. Anyone been? They'll do transfers.); or Elephant Haven Single Day - Sai Yok Kanchanaburi (2 hr west of Bangkok and run by the same people who started Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai). I liked the idea of getting to see Khao Sok, but it seems to complicate travel too much, the single day in central Thailand could make a triangle route with Ayutthaya before a domestic flight south.
South--If we go with the Khao Sok elephant stay, we could fly into multiple areas. They'll even do transfers from Ko Samui. So it's wide open. BUT we fly out of Phuket, so I'm thinking Andaman sea for the entire stay. (I think weather should be good on both coasts still, correct?)
Which islands/home base?
And here's where I'm most lost: Part of me says pick the destinations and follow with hotels, but a large part of me says pick based on the hotel with the good destination. The right hotel is a bit more crucial with the kids in tow because we're hoping it checks off a lot of boxes--(1)Expectation of families. Doesn't have to be specifically geared for families (water slides etc.), but don't want to feel like we have to tip toe bc we're the only ones with kids. (2) Nice view from room. We'll be putting them to bed and naps sometimes, so we want a nice view to enjoy from the room. (3) 2 bedroom or at least some divider for kids sleeping. (4) On-site restaurant/bar. [Bonus: Would love a private beach or at least a quiet one. / kids care or club a plus, other facilities like spa also a plus, as would be the option to help with daytrips. We are divers, but are probably only snorkeling on this trip. Sigh.] We really liked Tongsai Bay on Ko Samui for our honeymoon, in case it helps. Nice that it felt boutique-y but with the amenities of a bigger resort. Comfort without pretension.
Ideal price range is under $400/night (which feels crazy to me to say, as I'm hoping under $200/night!). But we could splurge more for a couple of nights if something seems like a must-do.
SO: should we base ourselves in Phuket for the entire end of trip and do daytrips? Or should we just finish there? Or do we need to go to Phuket at all--okay to drive from hotel on day of flight out? We have a VERY late flight--around midnight. If yes to Phuket, best spot to stay?
Any recs for resorts with private beaches? Heard best to seek out ones such as those on Mai Khao (JW Marriott) or Kata Noi--anyone have opinions there?
Suggestions for boats for daytrips around the Andaman sea? Want to avoid clubby ferries and such. Would be willing to spend a bit more to get something small or even private and perhaps beat some daytrippers if going somewhere like Maya Bay or Phang Nga Bay. Should we/can be book ahead? Or is it best done upon arrival in Thailand? Anybody do any excursions with kids?
If NO to Phuket, then where? Khao Lak? Railay? Koh Lanta? Some place smaller like Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi? A friend suggested Koh Mak and Koh Kood (and didn't like Koh Lanta or Phi Phi), so I have to look those up.
I thought if going with bigger resort that Anantara Si Kao looked great, but it's south of Krabi. Suppose we could go from there to Phuket before flying out.
Help!! Please?
Thank you for any suggestions on any part of this! I probably should have broken it up into multiple threads, eh?
--Ashley
Dec 29th, 2016 | 11:48 PM
#5
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,773
Likes: 0
Just answered you question re elephants on your other threads. I second bobs comments re Anantara Riverside. We took my in laws there at his suggestion and they (and we) loved it.
Khao Lak has some decent beach and is less developed and therefore more laid back than Phuket - although you hotel choice will make a huge difference in your experience. There are plenty to choose from at all levels. I suggest checking our booking.com to filter down to some you like and are in your preferred price range.
From there another activity the kid would love is John Grey Sea Canoe trip around the karsts of Phnag Nha Bay ( James Bond island etc..) easily arranged form KL or Phuket and would be the best option for your boat trip request.
For a good guide to the Thai islands here is a link to a good warts and all guide https://www.travelfish.org/islands
Khao Lak has some decent beach and is less developed and therefore more laid back than Phuket - although you hotel choice will make a huge difference in your experience. There are plenty to choose from at all levels. I suggest checking our booking.com to filter down to some you like and are in your preferred price range.
From there another activity the kid would love is John Grey Sea Canoe trip around the karsts of Phnag Nha Bay ( James Bond island etc..) easily arranged form KL or Phuket and would be the best option for your boat trip request.
For a good guide to the Thai islands here is a link to a good warts and all guide https://www.travelfish.org/islands
Jan 2nd, 2017 | 09:57 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 227
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Thank you again! I'll look into the John Grey company. And the travelfish guide is terrific! Have you found booking.com to be better than other search aggregates for pricing?
And we're officially settled on Anantara riverside now. Thank you!
Happy New Year!
And we're officially settled on Anantara riverside now. Thank you!
Happy New Year!
Jan 20th, 2017 | 09:03 AM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Final plan:
4 nights in Bangkok at Anantara Riverside
Fly south and get transfer to Khao Sok from the Elephant sanctuary
Two nights at their tented camp
Transfer to ferry and ferry to Ko Yao Noi Island Resort (4 nights)
Two nights at the Phuket JW Marriott
My next step is to look at a day trip or two from the Koh Yao island. I'll take a look at John Grey as you mentioned and see if any options would be suitable for our kids.
4 nights in Bangkok at Anantara Riverside
Fly south and get transfer to Khao Sok from the Elephant sanctuary
Two nights at their tented camp
Transfer to ferry and ferry to Ko Yao Noi Island Resort (4 nights)
Two nights at the Phuket JW Marriott
My next step is to look at a day trip or two from the Koh Yao island. I'll take a look at John Grey as you mentioned and see if any options would be suitable for our kids.
