Japan, China and Thailand
Discussion
There seems to be quite a few here that have been to Asia so I thought I would ask for advise. I am going to Tokyo then Beijing and on to Bangkok in November over 2 weeks.
Only going to be in Thailand for 4 nights and have already book a hotel in Bangkok for the duration. However, we now think that spending all our Thai time in Bangkok may be a little exhausting after being in Beijing and Tokyo. So, we were thinking about keeping the hotel and leaving the majority of our luggage there and flying down to some of the famous islands and beaches such as Phi Phi. Can anyone recommend a place to stay? Budget is probably up to $350 a night.
Also, any advice about the other 2 places would be greatly appreciated.
Only going to be in Thailand for 4 nights and have already book a hotel in Bangkok for the duration. However, we now think that spending all our Thai time in Bangkok may be a little exhausting after being in Beijing and Tokyo. So, we were thinking about keeping the hotel and leaving the majority of our luggage there and flying down to some of the famous islands and beaches such as Phi Phi. Can anyone recommend a place to stay? Budget is probably up to $350 a night.
Also, any advice about the other 2 places would be greatly appreciated.
Edited by h0b0 on Wednesday 14th July 18:15
Haven't been to Tokyo or Beijing for years, so won't comment.
If you are going to get out of Bkk, bear in mind that unless you go by road to Koh Samet, you'll be flying. Transfer to the airport and then your flight, will chew up some valuable time.
However, if you are going anywhere, I would suggest Phi Phi or Koh Samui.
If Phi Phi, you'll have to fly into Phuket and then transfer by boat to Phi Phi. all up, this will take you most of a day; that's door to door from your Bkk hotel to Phi Phi hotel.
Places to consider are Zeavola and Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa, amoungst others.
If you opt for Koh Samui, you have a massive choice od accomodation and any suggestion will depend on what you require of your stay.
Staying on Samui will mean that your door to door journey from Bkk will be nearer 3.5 hours.
I can suggest a number of places on samui, if you tell me your requirements.
If you are going to get out of Bkk, bear in mind that unless you go by road to Koh Samet, you'll be flying. Transfer to the airport and then your flight, will chew up some valuable time.
However, if you are going anywhere, I would suggest Phi Phi or Koh Samui.
If Phi Phi, you'll have to fly into Phuket and then transfer by boat to Phi Phi. all up, this will take you most of a day; that's door to door from your Bkk hotel to Phi Phi hotel.
Places to consider are Zeavola and Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa, amoungst others.
If you opt for Koh Samui, you have a massive choice od accomodation and any suggestion will depend on what you require of your stay.
Staying on Samui will mean that your door to door journey from Bkk will be nearer 3.5 hours.
I can suggest a number of places on samui, if you tell me your requirements.
interesting. We had thought about Koh Samui but thought it may not be as visually stunning as Phi Phi. How would we get there from BKK? Is it a boat or another plane? By the time we get to this place we will have spent almost 2 weeks in busy cities running around trying to see everything so the plan for this portion is to relax. We don't need crazy nightlife, just a bar in the hotel would be enough. Food is very important so a decent restaurant would be great. I saw on the travel channel the other night that there are boat tours around the limestone islands, do they do this at Koh Samui as well?
I found this place at a reasonable price and it appears to fit the bill. http://www.karmasamui.com/ We normally stay at Four Seasons type places as the quality of hotel and service forms part of the enjoyment of the holiday. I think the Four Seasons is about $600/night which is too much.
Thank you for the help.
I found this place at a reasonable price and it appears to fit the bill. http://www.karmasamui.com/ We normally stay at Four Seasons type places as the quality of hotel and service forms part of the enjoyment of the holiday. I think the Four Seasons is about $600/night which is too much.
Thank you for the help.
Lime stone is not a feature of the land on the Samui side of the Thai peninsula. You'll only find this in the north of Phuket region, around Phi Phi and Krabi. Maybe Krabi would be a solution? check out the Rayavadee - it's a beauty.
You can fly into Krabi, Phuket or Samui, all direct from Bkk on either Bangkok Airways or Thai Domestic.
To get to Phi Phi, you'll need a transfer on Phuket and then a boat journey.
If you consider Samui, look at The Tongsai Bay (my favourite), Muang Kulaypan, Amari Palm Reef, Sala Samui and The Imperial Boathouse. Look here for the full selection of hotels on Samui http://www.sawadee.com/hotels/samui.html
If the budget will stretch, get a Grand Villa at the Tongsai Bay.
Don't hesitate to ask for any further info.
You can fly into Krabi, Phuket or Samui, all direct from Bkk on either Bangkok Airways or Thai Domestic.
To get to Phi Phi, you'll need a transfer on Phuket and then a boat journey.
If you consider Samui, look at The Tongsai Bay (my favourite), Muang Kulaypan, Amari Palm Reef, Sala Samui and The Imperial Boathouse. Look here for the full selection of hotels on Samui http://www.sawadee.com/hotels/samui.html
If the budget will stretch, get a Grand Villa at the Tongsai Bay.
Don't hesitate to ask for any further info.
If you are looking for somewhere nice to stay on Samui that is quiet I can highly recommend : http://www.thepassagesamui.com/
We stayed there for a week over Christmas last year, it was simply fantastic.
We stayed there for a week over Christmas last year, it was simply fantastic.
fly from bkk to krabi takes just over an hour, 1 1/2 hr boat transfer to phi phi, stay at Phi Phi Island Village... job done. Flights about £100 each return last time I did it. Boat is not a lot. Not sure how much the hotel is as last time I stayed was a few years back. Early morning flight and you'll be in Phi Phi by lunch.
gilla said:
fly from bkk to krabi takes just over an hour, 1 1/2 hr boat transfer to phi phi, stay at Phi Phi Island Village... job done. Flights about £100 each return last time I did it. Boat is not a lot. Not sure how much the hotel is as last time I stayed was a few years back. Early morning flight and you'll be in Phi Phi by lunch.
Yep, as mentioned earlier +1 for Island Village.Nobby Diesel said:
Lime stone is not a feature of the land on the Samui side of the Thai peninsula. You'll only find this in the north of Phuket region, around Phi Phi and Krabi. Maybe Krabi would be a solution? check out the Rayavadee - it's a beauty.
You can fly into Krabi, Phuket or Samui, all direct from Bkk on either Bangkok Airways or Thai Domestic.
To get to Phi Phi, you'll need a transfer on Phuket and then a boat journey.
If you consider Samui, look at The Tongsai Bay (my favourite), Muang Kulaypan, Amari Palm Reef, Sala Samui and The Imperial Boathouse. Look here for the full selection of hotels on Samui http://www.sawadee.com/hotels/samui.html
If the budget will stretch, get a Grand Villa at the Tongsai Bay.
Don't hesitate to ask for any further info.
Excellent advice there.You can fly into Krabi, Phuket or Samui, all direct from Bkk on either Bangkok Airways or Thai Domestic.
To get to Phi Phi, you'll need a transfer on Phuket and then a boat journey.
If you consider Samui, look at The Tongsai Bay (my favourite), Muang Kulaypan, Amari Palm Reef, Sala Samui and The Imperial Boathouse. Look here for the full selection of hotels on Samui http://www.sawadee.com/hotels/samui.html
If the budget will stretch, get a Grand Villa at the Tongsai Bay.
Don't hesitate to ask for any further info.
We've done Koh Samui (nice enough island, not as picturesque as West Coast, Chaweng is a rather busy and Westernised resort-town) and the Amari at the top-end of Chaweng was superb (5 years ago) - one of our favourite hotels.
We also did Krabi (Ao Nang) a couple of years ago. Surrounding area (islands just off shore etc.) was really picturesque, but Ao Nang less-so. Nice enough town though, and some nice (inexpensive) restaurants.
...so I'd suggest, if time is tight, either the Rayavadee, which is in a prettier area and has its own beach, or Phi Phi. And DO go on a proper (not long-tail) boat-trip from either - some decent snorkelling in the area.
Final point - if you've not done BKK before, at least take in the Royal Palace - it's truly beautiful. 1/2-day there would be plenty, 2 hours probably just enough.
h0b0 said:
Lots to think about here thank you. Do they do helicopter transfers from Phuket?
The only people I know of are http://www.skydance.aero/There used to be some other transfer companies based at the old Don Muang airport in Bkk, who could probably help. Pressumably, they are on the web somewhere.
You'll be talking big $$$'s though.
It can get a bit choppy in the early hours when your pissed!! Some nice old V8's on those longboats though;)Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff