Surfgirl!!!! I have questions for you!

[neatfreak]

We''re in the midst of deciding where to go for our honeymoon, and I remember you saying that you go to Thailand all the time. We''d be flying out of LAX (or San Diego, but I assume LAX is cheaper), and I remember you are from around there too....

Anyway, it''s the top contender right now, but obviously the guidebooks leave something to be desired with the info they contain. So I thought you might have some first hand experiences to share.


SO, what I wanted to ask was:

1. Do you know what a "good" price is for flights there from LAX? Like a price we should jump on if we see it?
2. Any moderately priced hotels that you love in Chang Mai, Bangkok, or Phuket?
3. Are there OTHER places you''d rather go than the above mentioned places? Are we missing anything not to be missed?
4. Got any general recommendations or gripes?

Thanks!!!!

 

[surfgirl]

Oh, GO to Thailand, If it's your first trip to Asia its a great way to start! I have a million suggestions but first give me some idea of your budget in terms of how much per night you'd want to spend on hotels.

ETA: the better prices are going to be on Thai Airways...if you can afford a business class seat, I'd go that way, it's a long flight but they have almost bed seats now from LAX and it's non stop to BKK which is fantastic

ETA2: Definitely go to Bangkok and Chiang Mai but not sure about Phuket, let me think about that one. I'd probably go to another place before I'd go to Phuket as P is too party atmosphere. I'll get the name of the seaside place I'd go to.

ETA3: NO GRIPES!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/10/2007 9:36:51 PM
Author: surfgirl
Oh, GO to Thailand, If it's your first trip to Asia its a great way to start! I have a million suggestions but first give me some idea of your budget in terms of how much per night you'd want to spend on hotels.


ETA: the better prices are going to be on Thai Airways...if you can afford a business class seat, I'd go that way, it's a long flight but they have almost bed seats now from LAX and it's non stop to BKK which is fantastic!

We don't know how much we really have to spend, but honestly, I think it'll top out at about $5k for hotel/airfare. Maybe more, but I'd like to try and stay around there. So somewhere in the $150-200 range per night probably although if you have some budget suggestions as well, they would be welcome. I guess part of the issue is that I don't know what $200 night will get us there! We unfortunately probably only have about 2 weeks max as well. We'd be going in January.

We don't need anything fancy, just something comfortable, safe, and in a good location.

We have both been to Asia before, he has been to Japan and I have been to China, but Thailand has been at the top of my list for years!

Perfect info about Phuket, we are certainly not partiers but have heard the beaches are incredible. All the guidebooks seem to just equate Thai beaches with Phuket.

 

[surfgirl]

For that money, you can get a really nice hotel...you get alot more in Thailand than other countries. And January is a perfect time to go. Not that you'll notice the difference but its a touch cooler in Jan/Feb. I know an amazing spa in BKK that you have to go to if you go. Check out the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Shangri-La and see if they have any special rates for that time period. Also, see what a travel agent can get you as they sometimes have access to group discounts that you wont be able to access directly. There's another place I sometimes stay called The Centre Point - it's executive apts but you can book for just one day if you want to. The studios come with kitchens and I've stayed at the one on Silom, because it's close to the river. But you might want to consider the Sukhumvit properties or the Lang Suan one. They're very inexpensive and definately within your budget. Check their website and email them:

http://centrepoint.com/Locations/Silom_a.aspx

I haven't stayed here but the Menim Riverside was recommended by a friend who worked at the Royal Orchid as being very nice but less expensive.

http://www.menamriverside-hotel.com/website/accommodation.asp

Royal Orchid Sheraton
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=172

Bangkok Holiday INn
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/bnkth?_requestid=421111
believe it or not, it's Thai luxury version of a holiday inn so it's quite nice and very affordable. Not on river but within walking distance.

Let me think about CM...Would you consider a few days in CM and then flying to Mae Hong Son? It's on the Burma border and really lovely and out of the way. Look it up online and see what you think. Also the other seaside areas I'd look into are Hua Hin and Krabi. Much nicer than Phuket.

 

[neatfreak]

Those hotel recommendations are perfect. Thank you. The Menam even says that for honeymooners they automatically upgrade you to the next room, which means we could get a Royal Thai Suite for $130 night. NICE!

As for destinations, we would really consider anything. We''re just going by guidebooks, and they tend to only recommend the basic places. Recommend away!!!!

Mae Hong Son looks great, thanks for that recommendation, we probably wouldn''t have found it on our own. Any hotel recommendations there?

Also, do you have ballpark estimates for good flight prices? Unfortunately, I think we''re stuck flying coach unless we can convince them to upgrade us for the honeymoon.

 

[surfgirl]

These are pricey but WELL worth the cost!

Chiang Mai:

http://www.tamarindvillage.com/index.htm

Krabi:

http://www.rayavadee.com/main.html

Sheraton (I saw rooms for $120):

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1438

Hua Hin (seaside):

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1590

Mae Hong Son (a short plane ride over the rain forest from CM):
http://www.fernresort.info/index.php
We didn't stay at Fern but they have a fantastic restaurant!

http://www.bellevillaresort.com/index.php

 

[neatfreak]

THANK YOU! You have been more helpful than you could know.

Next time I''m in your area I''ll have to take you out to lunch to say thank you!

 

[Independent Gal]

When I was in Bangkok, I got an unbelievable rate ($110???) for the Westin Grand Sukhumvit (sp?) which was just gorgeous and luxe-y. Not the super-coolest location, but close to rapid transit.

Check out Singapore Airlines' 'Executive Economy' flights from LAX. Not sure if they fly direct to Bangkok. I took it to Singapore. But it's only a few hundred more and SO much more comfortable than regular Economy class. And for such a long flight for your honeymoon, probably worth it! I think I paid $1800 for that at Christmas time.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/12/2007 4:01:05 PM
Author: Independent Gal
When I was in Bangkok, I got an unbelievable rate ($110???) for the Westin Grand Sukhumvit (sp?) which was just gorgeous and luxe-y. Not the super-coolest location, but close to rapid transit.


Check out Singapore Airlines'' ''Executive Economy'' flights from LAX. Not sure if they fly direct to Bangkok. I took it to Singapore. But it''s only a few hundred more and SO much more comfortable than regular Economy class. And for such a long flight for your honeymoon, probably worth it! I think I paid $1800 for that at Christmas time.

Thanks for the great tip about the Executive Economy flights! They are looking to be only about $1200 right now for the dates we want. A regular economy is about $950, so that''s a great deal! It''s not non-stop though...so I don''t know if it''s worth it just to have the extra room...

I''ll also check out that hotel! Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

Surf and Indy: WHERE on earth are you getting these prices on the starwood/westin hotels??? Everything I am seeing is like 9,000 baht a night, nowhere near $120...am I missing something?

 

[surfgirl]

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-573955-sheraton_krabi_beach_resort-i;_ylt=AptA4KoBZCqlBz5CNXcZSwQJ8b8F

I forgot about Singapore Airlines! I usually fly business class for work so I'm not up on what econ.fares are but...Singapore Airlines is the BEST airline ever! I love them and their economy is fantastic...

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/12/2007 5:54:39 PM
Author: surfgirl
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-573955-sheraton_krabi_beach_resort-i;_ylt=AptA4KoBZCqlBz5CNXcZSwQJ8b8F

Darn, must be just for the low season. Every time I search for my dates I get $250 night. Might work anyway for just a few nights. Thanks!

 

[surfgirl]

I believe JAN is considered low season isn''t it?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/12/2007 8:28:44 PM
Author: surfgirl
I believe JAN is considered low season isn''t it?

It seems to be at least somewhat peak as all the hotels have it listed as one of the peak times. Not as peak as x-mas week, but still within peak time.

Who knows...I just can''t seem to find those rates for the days we want. No worries!

 

[cara]

Jan is high season for most of Thailand, as it is the cooler and drier season. And refuge for the N. Europeans fleeing their oppressively cold and dark homelands.

But some of the east coast beaches in the south are on the opposite monsoon season as most of thailand, and for them it might not be as dry or as high season. But to take advantage, you would need to go to the beach in monsoon season. Its a pickle.