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Hi all
I am taking my special one to what I hope will be a very romantic vacation for Christmas this year.
We're flying to Bangkok, that much is set and done. But then...
My wife and I are looking for something not too quiet, but not busy either (like Phuket). A nice beach resort, clear water?
We will also spend a couple of days in Bangkok, central hotel?
Any recommendations?
I had the same romantic trip 3 years ago, we stayed at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, it was excellent!! It is not a central Hotel but they have a complimentary boat shuttle which is very convenient (every 10 minutes until 00.00) across the river to a skytrain station, so the city center is 20 minutes distance (10 minutes the boat and 10 minutes with the skytrain).
The rest of my trip was at Koh Samui but i cannot reccoment the hotel I stayed there as it was not anything special (also i don't remember its name )
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/bkkth-bangkok-marriott-resort-and-spa/
I'm quite interested in this; my experience of resorts is that they are overpriced and underwhelming - thought the Aman was excellent though.
http://www.amanresorts.com/amanpuri/home.aspx
It will be stratospherically priced over Christmas, though. I haven't yet stayed here, but it's certainly on the list:
http://reserve.ritzcarlton.com/phulay_bay/home.aspx
Thanks so much for the feedback guys. I am aware that my wallet will have to bleed for a stay at a resort in Thailand during Christmas... I will have to see where it ends up.
thfc1972, I have difficulties finding what/where Hui Hin is, could you provide some more information?
VK: It doesn't have to be a resort, if you know a hotel or two that you want to recommend, feel free :-).
P.Sepsas; I stayed at this Marriot two years ago and was actually a bit disappointed. I had a junior suite, it was expensive and the interiors worn. I also was not very satisfied with the service level. Perhaps I was unfortunate, after all this was just after the riots.
RoadKing,
You have my email address so I can come with a few pointers on the side.
In any case, for R&R I would travel to the Andeman Sea side of Thailand. Hua Hin and Koh Samui can't compare to the crystal-clear waters off the West coast.
Islands like Koh Mook offer tranquillity, good quality resorts for a decent price. i took my mother to:
http://www.komooksivalai.com/index.htm for her 60th and we had the time of our lives
For more "upbeat" you can go to Koh Phi Phil (Little Sweden) or Koh Lanta from Krabi.
We did stay at the Amari on Koh Samui which was excellent, but I don't care so much for the overall Koh Samui experience.
In Bangkok I use the Hilton which was one of the best Hilton hotels I have enjoyed. Exec Lounge excellent as well as rooms.
If you really want to be adventures and splash some cash, I would go to the Four Season Tented Camp in Chang Rai. This is on top of my "wish list".
http://www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle/
Senator;
thanks for good ideas. I have been to Koh Samui myself and was as you mention, disappointed of the waters. I figure it will be the west coast. Going to check this tonight and chances are, I will send you an email.
I experienced Four Seasons in Singapore once, which was a fantastic stay.
Hi RoadKing -
Good choice.
My favourite places are Jamahjiri Spa Resort on Koh Tao
also Phi Phi Don Village on Phi Phi Island - though haven't been here since the Tsunami so not sure how well it recovered.
Thanks for the input CallMeIshmael, I would anticipate they should have recovered by now, will check it out.
I visited Phi Phi island last year - it seems to have recovered completely from the tsunami, though is fairly ramshackle. Water is lovely.
Re Bangkok, I love the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit - well-placed on Sukhumvit Rd, skyrail stop right outside, really lovely (and large) rooms.
I am going to Phuket with my wife and would like to get some advice whether it's worth of visit to Fantasea show. Also wondering which one is better between James Bond or Koh Phi Phi island. Anyone ever stayed at Novotel Panwa?
My choice for beach hotel is Sri Panwa in Phuket.
For BKK hotel, I recommend hotel along BTS sky train such as Siam Kempinski, Centara grand @ Central world, Hyatt Erwan, Four Seasons, etc
Hi hendry5
Fantasea is really not my cup of tea. A fully "packaged" almost circus-type show. It's all very cliched & tired. A no-no indeed from me! Phi Phi is a lovely day out - beautiful scenery/beach some shopping/casual dining. Excellent. Never made it to "James Bond Island" despite many visits to Phuket. but understand it is quite lovely. Cannot comment on Novotel Panwa as I prefer the Northwest of the Island. Great spot. Hope this helps.
hi roadking,
try sheraton grande laguna in phuket -- lots of swimming pool in resort and the thai restauwant chao lay is actually pretty good; also if you have time, try anantara in hua hin, nice small htl.
hope this helps.
sheraton is nice bit tired, the villas area is very nice but it shuts soon to be refrubed and rebranded as Anatara (banyan tree group) great spa there too - do love the sheraton as a nice place to stay and reasonable...
In Bangkok Centara Grand very good, cant beat the oriental for riverside luxury , hilton though great value, if you want to stay on sukhumvit then Sheraton Grand or Millenium, if savingg pennies the recent opened four points is excellent value and brand new.
We regularily stay at Le Meridien in Khao Lak. The setting is beautiful and close enough to Khao Lak town to venture in by taxi for a change of scenery. Beach villas are great!
Day trips to the Surin and Similan Islands are also availible.
If price isn't an issue take a look at the Sarojin in Khao Lak.
Plaza Athnee Meridien, Top of Wireless Road (opp. British Embassy) is excellent especially if you have access to their Executive Lounge.
For Chill out privacy, The Six Senses Spa / Evason at Pranburi 15 mins south of Hua Hin, in one of their private pool villas ...wonderful!
If you want to be in Hua Hin, The Sofitel (old Railway Hotel) is stylish, convenient for the town, has its own beach and own private pool villas.
Hua Hin is understated compared to noisy brash resorts such as Pattaya and Phuket. 2 hour limo road from centre of Bangkok. Plenty of Golf Courses
Sarojin is fantastic, English owned, and a day trip by boat to Phuket is worth doing. in Bangkok, the Millennium Grande in Asoke is only 200 meters from the Sukhumvit, the subway and overhead train systems. if you can spare a couple if days away from town and beach go to Chiang Mai to Four Season or Mandarin Oriental for spas and elephant walks. The Sofitel (really 5-Star) in Khon Kaen is one hour away from bangkok by plane. the area is real rural Thailand totally untouched by tourists and has great craft villages to visit. i live in Thailand and still am amazed about what is new and untouched away from the beaches and islands. let em know if you need any specific addresses. donkey
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