Hi all, I'm planning a trip to Thailand for the holidays from Dec. 18th to Jan. 7th. My wife is panicing that all the hotels will be booked and that we should book hotels in each of the cities (samui, phi phi, krabi, bangkok) I like to wing it and just find (look around) a bungalow or cheap hotel without booking. What do you recommend? Are bungalows booked that time of the year? Will it be difficult to find a hotel/bungalow? Is tourism down, so not to worry? Thanks

This year, who knows? But you should considering booking ahead as that's a very busy time period. I think you will be able to find places available, but if you book ahead I think you'll find better values for the same money or even less money.

Having said that, I did a spur of the moment late Dec./early Jan. trip during a regular year. I had to try many places to get rooms, but I did get rooms. I did have to be flexible about when I changed cities though. Regular hotels, not bungalows so no idea on those. Bangkok wasn't as bad as the resort areas, but still had to stay in inconvenient areas.

I would recommend you book.

It is always very busy at that time, it is the peak of the high season. If you don't book, then you could end up traipsing around with luggage for several hours in each location. Not an pleasant way to spend a holiday. Some resorts are already 100% booked over that period, I know this because I looked for accommodation for some friends recently.

Edited September 11, 200916 yr by 12DrinkMore

Yep agreed with others, book ahead. Even tho tourism is down a bit, it is still busiest time of the year. You need to remember that also locals travel a lot.

Sure you can always just drop in and get room, there is always some free on resorts. But to have a good room with good price, book advance. At least for your main stay place, then you can got and make one/two night trips to where ever and book it locally....

Book ahead - busiest time of year!

Go through the hotel web sites, such as Asia Rooms etc. etc., but check out the recent comments from people that have stayed at these hotels. Most sites have a section on hotel reports. By booking you usually get better prices than rack [walk-in] rates.

By booking you usually get better prices than rack [walk-in] rates.

I have never understood this.

As an example I walked up to the reception of a hotel in BKK and asked the room price, they quoted me some 1400 Baht, which was more than I wanted to pay. By chance I looked around the foyer and there was a travel agent in the corner offering accommodation as well as tickets. I asked her to find me a hotel in BKK nearby, guess what? She could offer me a room in the same hotel for 990 Baht. Unbelievable.

How does this work? Presumably she has taken off her commission of 20-30% and so the hotel receives maybe 800 Baht max.

Surely if a customer comes in late afternoon the hotel should be offering massive discounts for the night?

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know of some small bunglaow style bamboo hut places that take reservations? Around 500-1000 baht a night.

At that price I would forget abot Phi Phi and look at Ko Jum. Same with Samui better to look on Ko Pha Ngan. Cheaper and more relaxed on both counts.

Hi all, I'm planning a trip to Thailand for the holidays from Dec. 18th to Jan. 7th. My wife is panicing that all the hotels will be booked and that we should book hotels in each of the cities (samui, phi phi, krabi, bangkok) I like to wing it and just find (look around) a bungalow or cheap hotel without booking. What do you recommend? Are bungalows booked that time of the year? Will it be difficult to find a hotel/bungalow? Is tourism down, so not to worry? Thanks

Suggest you book NOW, then you will have no problem for sure. Last year there were empty hotels everywhere as a result of the financial collapse, the Thai political situation, etc. This years looks to be a bit busier, but nothing like in the past.