Your thoughts on this Thailand vacation please
 

I've only just started the research but I wanted some guidance. My husband is looking for a lovely beach type resort for r and r. He doesn't want too much packing and unpacking and he would like to go mid March. But we can go anytime.

I'm thinking of the the specials that the Four Seasons offers during March and thought about this trip:

Three nights Four Seasons Bangkok doing a few 1/2 day tours.
3-4 (?) nights Four Seasons tented camp in the Golden Triangle.
6-7 nights Four Seasons Koh Samui beach resort.

We're from Florida but since we can go anytime should we wait and go another time?

What are the logistics of getting from Bangkok to the elephant camp then to their resort in Koh Samui then back to Bangkok I suppose to fly home?

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Does it have to be the Four Seasons? (are you using points?) If not then you may want to choose one of the river hotels in Bangkok. (Penninsula, Anatara, Shangrila).

Ok, the Peninsula was my first thought and no there really wasn't any special attached to that hotel that the Peninsula didn't offer. The Four Seasons is outside of Bangkok somewhat is that correct?

No the Four Seasons is in town and its a very nice lux hotel so don't get me wrong. But there are a number of us here on Fodors that bekieve you will enjoy being on the river. The Penninsula is very nice and they have their hotel boats which take you to the sky train which will get you into the center of Bangkok for shopping and other venues that you may want to see. Bangkok traffic is pretty bad so you want access to the sky train. Also being on the river gives you access to the river taxis which are ways to get to some of the temples and the Grand Palace. The river hotels get you away from the hustle and bustle of downtown but you have easy access to all that downtown offers. The boat ride is very pleasant. The Anatara is also a nice resort located down river from the Penn. and has the added benefit that its boats stop at the sky train but also at Asiatique which is a nice evening venue of shops and restaurants. Asiatique also is the home of the Calypso cabaret- a classy ladyboy show that you might want to check out (evenings- do the cocktail show and skip the dinner show)

Ok, now I'm getting somewhere, thank you BillT very much. Do you know what the travel time to the tented camp would be in the golden triangle? I'm assuming I would have to come back to the Bangkok airport then head south to Koh Samui?

Any other suggestions similar to the Four Seasons that I should look into?

Thank you.

I wouldn't go in March, but that is why the Four Season has the specials. In March northern Thailand can be very unpleasant, as you are likely to get lots of smoke and particulates in the air from burning fields.

You will fly from location to location. The closest airport to the tented camp is Chiang Rai. To be honest with you, I wouldn't stay at the tented camp. The price is simply silly. I'd opt for the Anantara at the Golden Triangle. While they are much more expensive than when we stayed, the price is much less than the Four Seasons. They have a small division of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center on the grounds.

If it were me (and it isn't), I'd go in November or January (avoid the Xmas-NY holidays). I'd stay along the river in Bangkok - the Pen or the Oriental, near Chiang Rai at the Anantara and I'd choose a lovely resort on the Andaman Sea side rather than Koh Samui.

I question march also.. april is the most hot and humid month of the year and march is close by..

I too love the river hotels: peninsula for pure lux and comfort... anantara riverside for a more moderate price and the best pool (which is important) in bkk.. Hilton is so so imo... Shangri-La is huge but very lux also and right next door to the sky train.... The Siam Hotel is new and very lux..

in town my preferences are the plaza anthanee (a starwood hotel), the Conrad, the 4 seasons, the hyatt, the st regis, the kepenski and many more..

I am a taxi user unlike many on this board... they are cheap and have great a/c...

the tented camp I too feel is overrated... I like the anantara golden triangle too...

you will fly north to chiang rai on thai air or one of the discounters -- air asia, nok air...

to samui you fly on Bangkok air or thai--limited service..

all of these flts are 1 hour and about $100 r.t. you would need to return to bkk to go to samui I believe.. bkk air might offer something however..

Agree with the others that March is not ideal for Northern Thailand. Perhaps Bangkok + Phuket or Koh Samui instead.

Another luxury hotel chain in Thailand is the Anantara, as rhkkmk has mentioned and the same owners as the Four Seasons in Thailand. The Anantara has more locations than the Four Seasons in Thailand and perhaps they will have a promotion as well.

Oh my, a wealth of info and more to research. I just now presented this to my husband who at first said "Thailand?!?!" But ended with "looks great." We can't do March however so that month is out. November or January?

The Four a Seasons offered two free nights at their other resorts when booking three at the tented camp. But that will probably change with the dates however.

Thank you so much for this help.

OK now give us more particulars. How many days total from the day you leave until the day you return home? Where are you coming from? Is this your first trip to Asia? Are you flying on ff miles or paid airfare? For Bangkok - do you both like the same things when it comes to sightseeing (temples, markets, shopping, etc)? Do you have a hotel budget in mind?
Are you comfortable touring on your own or do you want a tour/driver?

nov or jan?? really no difference, both perfect imo.. I prefer nov---usually slightly cooler.

scrap 4 seasons...

Why scarp 4 S Bob! They one in BKK is very nice......

Sorry for the typos why SCRAP the 4s.....THE one in BKK is very nice....

The reason for scrapping the 4 Seasons is that both Bob, Kathie, and I feel that staying on the river is the better experience. Nothing wrong with the 4 Seasons but being on the river is special.

I'm not a "river" person anymore. Been there, done that. But, I agree that if the OP is heading to Bangkok for the first time, then the river is a good option.

Ok, I thought he meant scrap 4s for all the trip. Agree first time visit staying by the river in Bkk is magical. I just stayed by the river for my 10th trip to Bkk, it's been a while as we now normally stay in town but it was lovely to be back there.