5 Days ... How To Make The Most

[MrGone]

Hello members of the board. I just found this site about 2 days and spent a considerable amount of time reading. I dont wish to make a long post so let me get down to business.

My girlfriend and I are both US citizens who will be in Hong Kong for a 15 day stay in August. We want to take a quick city break and spend about 5 days getting some R&R in a resort town. By far, it seems Thailand is the only choice we can come up with and one that has lots of info for digging. My questions are and all helpful answers are appreciated:

1. Can you shed some light of best value airlines to travel from HK to Phuket? In both safety and comfort?

2. Is Phuket (Patong) the best place for a mix of both beach and some nightlife activities (food/drinks/music)?

3. What are some hotel recommendations for fist time visitors along the beach? (safety and activity wise)

4. How to best travel from airport to hotel?

5. What are some nightlife recommendations for a couple visiting the fist time?

6. Should we have any concerns about police-backed scams? (I read abt the British tourists on the other thread)

I tried searching for answers to some of these questions but really found no specific answers. If it helps, we live in NY and are used to crowds and the hustle and bustle.

Thanks in advance

[cdnvic]

What kind of nightlife are you looking for?

Pattaya is a human circus, Hua Hin is a nice, somewhat more peaceful getaway with good beaches, Bangkok is crowded, loud, and a whole lot of fun, as well as a shopping mecca. All depends what you're looking for.

[Sporting Dog]

Phuket beaches are better than the others....with a girlfriend I'd stay at Kata or Karon beach rather than Patong, much nicer beaches. I'm going to Kata in Sept - probably stay at the Kata Beach Resort which is ON the beach...could be a problem if there's a tsunami but we'll risk it. It will be fairly quiet but you can always go to Patong. If you feel up to it, hire a car - it won't be any more expensive than the tuks-tuks (which are ripoffs). Also means you can have alook atthe island a bit. Driving is not that difficult in LOS.

Taxi/ mini-bus from the airport - no cheap way, they're all crooks and set the prices so there's no room for bargaining. Just exit and they'll find you!!.

Don't worry about the scams - just smile and don't do anything that you would'nt do in your home town (like steal the beer mats, buy drugs on the street etc, etc)

[teddy_bare]

Phuket beaches are better than the others....with a girlfriend I'd stay at Kata or Karon beach rather than Patong, much nicer beaches. I'm going to Kata in Sept - probably stay at the Kata Beach Resort which is ON the beach...could be a problem if there's a tsunami but we'll risk it. It will be fairly quiet but you can always go to Patong. If you feel up to it, hire a car - it won't be any more expensive than the tuks-tuks (which are ripoffs). Also means you can have alook atthe island a bit. Driving is not that difficult in LOS.

Taxi/ mini-bus from the airport - no cheap way, they're all crooks and set the prices so there's no room for bargaining. Just exit and they'll find you!!.

Don't worry about the scams - just smile and don't do anything that you would'nt do in your home town (like steal the beer mats, buy drugs on the street etc, etc)

Phuket is on the West coast. The mosoons at the moment and until November will be forming off to the West. This means you will be getting rough seas on the West Coast of Phuket. This means Nai Harn, Bang Tao, Kamala, Patong, Karon and Kata beachs will be exposed and fairly wild. Added that Septmeber and October are the wettest will mean some mudslides occuring behind Karon and Kata.

Still lots of fun. get a car from David Car hire. he is right across the road from the exit of the Airport and gives a good service IMO

[Sporting Dog]

^ yes, you're right but the weather is still warm - I've been there a few times around then and its been OK - rain, then sunshine.

I was rapt that there were some waves for a bit of body surfing....jeez I even hired a surfboard a couple of times. Whenever I've been to Hua Hin the beaches have been very ordinary - shallow and muddy and jellyfish.

[losworld]

I'd consider Koh Samui or Ko Phangan as the weather is better this time of year. Samui should have the nightlife you are looking for and Phangan will provide a nice secluded beach if you get away from the mainstays.

If it were me with a gal at this time of year I think I would lean toward Samui but Phuket is another good choice. If you are into tranquil waters for swimming, etc. Samui is your best bet. Both have adequate nightlife.

Have fun.

[maichai40]

Hello members of the board. I just found this site about 2 days and spent a considerable amount of time reading. I dont wish to make a long post so let me get down to business.

My girlfriend and I are both US citizens who will be in Hong Kong for a 15 day stay in August. We want to take a quick city break and spend about 5 days getting some R&R in a resort town. By far, it seems Thailand is the only choice we can come up with and one that has lots of info for digging. My questions are and all helpful answers are appreciated:

1. Can you shed some light of best value airlines to travel from HK to Phuket? In both safety and comfort?

2. Is Phuket (Patong) the best place for a mix of both beach and some nightlife activities (food/drinks/music)?

3. What are some hotel recommendations for fist time visitors along the beach? (safety and activity wise)

4. How to best travel from airport to hotel?

5. What are some nightlife recommendations for a couple visiting the fist time?

6. Should we have any concerns about police-backed scams? (I read abt the British tourists on the other thread)

I tried searching for answers to some of these questions but really found no specific answers. If it helps, we live in NY and are used to crowds and the hustle and bustle.

Thanks in advance

1. Air Asia

2. Yes, you are right

3. plenty of rooms at very cheap price now, even near Bangla Road, the main spot place

4. meter taxi, 450 baht

5. bar and discos are all ok, do never follow anyone escorting you in some place, specially go-go bar.

6. don't make anything stupid and follow the laws, you''ll have no problems at all.

If you have only few days you are doing the right choice. Have a good holiday!!

[cdnvic]

Phuket:

Over priced, dirty, and a day's travel each way. Make the most of your trip by staying close to Bangkok and enjoying a taste of the country. Don't spend your short time here waiting for planes or buses.

[MissJungle]

1. Can you shed some light of best value airlines to travel from HK to Phuket? In both safety and comfort?

2. Is Phuket (Patong) the best place for a mix of both beach and some nightlife activities (food/drinks/music)?

3. What are some hotel recommendations for fist time visitors along the beach? (safety and activity wise)

4. How to best travel from airport to hotel?

5. What are some nightlife recommendations for a couple visiting the fist time?

6. Should we have any concerns about police-backed scams? (I read abt the British tourists on the other thread)

Thanks in advance

1. Air Asia, I confirm.

2. Good choice. Koh Samui is to consider too, regarding to weather.

3. Choice is large. Phuket is a big island with very different beaches (some without night life at all!) - Any way and any where, security is not a problem.

4. Ask for a pick up service to the hotel you book.

5. I don't know enough night life there to help you on that one! But for sure, Patong is the beach offering the richest night life.

6. I don't understand the question!

Have a good time!

[Spee]

Phuket:

Over priced, dirty, and a day's travel each way. Make the most of your trip by staying close to Bangkok and enjoying a taste of the country. Don't spend your short time here waiting for planes or buses.

Those are my sentiments as well. With only a few days, less is more. Staying in Bkk there is much to see and do. For R&R, it is easy to hire a car& driver or take the train to Ayutthaya where there are some nice laid back guest houses. Going to the islands would be nice, but you would spend 40% of your time in transit from one point to another.

[MrGone]

Phuket:

Over priced, dirty, and a day's travel each way. Make the most of your trip by staying close to Bangkok and enjoying a taste of the country. Don't spend your short time here waiting for planes or buses.

Those are my sentiments as well. With only a few days, less is more. Staying in Bkk there is much to see and do. For R&R, it is easy to hire a car& driver or take the train to Ayutthaya where there are some nice laid back guest houses. Going to the islands would be nice, but you would spend 40% of your time in transit from one point to another.

Ladies and gents, just want to thank you for all your valuable input. Based on the info I got here, I kept searching online and doing some additional readings to find that I would end up spending a good portion of my 5 days in waiting and in transport. I think we will now try to stay close to BKK and find some local resorts for some R&R. Once again, thanks for the input. Will keep reading the forum and continue to learn.

[cdnvic]

Hope you have fun

[Kan Win]

Make the most of your trip by staying close to Bangkok and enjoying a taste of the country.

Have a look at this thread.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Kanchanaburi...ri-t278783.html post #5

2 odd hours West of Bangkok lots to do during the day, night life a very little bit. 1 disco and a few small bars, live music, food is good and wholesome. Weather O.K., but we are still in our rainy season, so its pot luck rain or shine.

Visit Kanchanaburi Cheaper than Phuket or Samui btw. Or as 'cdnvic' mentioned Hua Hin - Cha Am for the seaside just south of Bangkok.

Your truly,

Win in Kan

[torrenova]

Personally, as it is your first time in Thailand, I'd just stay in Bangkok, given that you are concerned about spending too much time travelling. The only other alternative is to forgo Bangkok and head straight to the beach. I don't think you have sufficient time to do both.

If you are insistant on going to a beach, then you could go to the tourist traps of Samui or Phuket or, depending on the weather, any number of destinations. I'd say to fly from Bangkok and not travel too far when you get off the plane. What you get in terms of luxury and privacy and the like largely depends upon your budget. There are some places I'd go to with a decent budget but not with a small budget, if you know what I mean.

[Birdman]

Phuket:

Over priced, dirty, and a day's travel each way. Make the most of your trip by staying close to Bangkok and enjoying a taste of the country. Don't spend your short time here waiting for planes or buses.

Those are my sentiments as well. With only a few days, less is more. Staying in Bkk there is much to see and do. For R&R, it is easy to hire a car& driver or take the train to Ayutthaya where there are some nice laid back guest houses. Going to the islands would be nice, but you would spend 40% of your time in transit from one point to another.

Ladies and gents, just want to thank you for all your valuable input. Based on the info I got here, I kept searching online and doing some additional readings to find that I would end up spending a good portion of my 5 days in waiting and in transport. I think we will now try to stay close to BKK and find some local resorts for some R&R. Once again, thanks for the input. Will keep reading the forum and continue to learn.

What waiting? There are daily direct flights from HKG to USM for instance. And from Samui airport you can go by shuttle bus in 15 minutes to Chaweng.