Need Some Travel Tips And Help

[chaimdan]

Hi,

Now that I sorted out my passport issues, I have my itinerary ready. Arriving June 16 leaving July 4th...

I am traveling with spouse and two kids 1 and 4. Last time I was in Thailand three years ago with one year old only (and spouse) we jumped to 8 hotels in a 14 day period, we wanted to see it all (chiang mai, samui, Ko Tao, phuket, pai etc...) This time we are looking to take things a little easier.

I am looking for a nice child friendly resort on the quieter side in or around phuket. people suggested Le Meridien in Khao Lak (I'm also a SPG member which can get me an upgrade..) what is your opinion of that area? I know it's rainy season but I figured if I'm there a week I should get a few nice days in right?!

Last time I was in the JW Marriott in Phuket, but it was swarming with people, didn't care for it too much.

Then I am looking for some other peaceful places to spend time, I am debating between going back to Chiang Mai, or perhaps to Chiang Rai to the Meridien there which seems very peaceful and nice.. Any comments on those options? (perhaps both?!)

Lastly if weather is bad everywhere, then I would consider going to Samui as well for a few days to atleast get a little sun...

Here are a few general questions I had:

1. Do ticket prices on Air Asia and other go up a lot if booked last minute?! (I would like to be more flexible this time and decide once there when I want to leave)...

2. Is Samui more of a problem with tickets as only Bangkok air flies there?

3. This time of year, would I be safe booking hotels also towards the trip or during?

4. If I wanted to do some nice snorkeling is that only available around Samui this time of year? if so any recommendations for a resort around $100 a day something kid friendly and nice?

5. Any other ideas of what to do with this aged kids...

6. Is Bangkok worth visiting with kids of these ages

Sorry for all the questions, I hope someone has a few minutes to help.

Thanks a lot!!

[Stjohnm]

If you have an SPG card and can Afford it the Sheraton Grande Laguna is nice, its a bit dearer than $100 a day but if you were to cash in some points for a free night or two you may be able to get the average cost down to something close to that.

1 Never fly with a budget airline last minutes its where they make up their losses on those tickets they sell 5 years in advance

2 With the cancellations due to the Red demos Hotel Rooms shouldn't be a problem, just stay away from the Hot Spots at the Pan Fa Bridge & Chit Lom (Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel) Hopefully the demos will be over by then but who knows how long Takky wants to bankroll this thing.

3 As far as the Snorkelling is concerned Ko Dtow is a good place as are most of the Southern Islands, yes it will be the rainy season but that normally consists of 1 or 2 30-40 minute Thunder Storms and the rest of the day its fine.

4 There are lots of things you can do with the little ones, if the demos are over then there's Ocean World @ Paragon my Daughters & their cousins loved it when we took them, the younger ones were the age your older one is now. As they go to school upcountry we only had a long weekend with them in the city but I'm sure if you check out the TAT website it'll suggest a few things. http://thai.tourismthailand.org/

[Spee]

See my earlier post on Ban Phe. I enjoyed it much more than Phuket. It is very laid back, with huge beaches and Koh Samet just a short boat ride away. There is also the Rayong Aquarium and the rain forest cable rides nearby, all things that families and kids can enjoy. The area is just entering into low season and I'm sure you could negotiate a great deal where ever you would want to stay.

[chaimdan]

Thanks for the offers but I am meeting some ppl so it's either Samui or Khao Lak..

Any ideas if Samui has any similar properties to the nice resorts on Phuket and Khao Lak which are kid friendly at reasonable rates?! (JW marriott, Le Meridien etc...) multiple pools??

Alternatively, any chance of finding something similar to Ko Tao on Samui (quiet, picturesque, private cabins etc... view of the water..)

[smokie36]

Thanks for the offers but I am meeting some ppl so it's either Samui or Khao Lak..

Any ideas if Samui has any similar properties to the nice resorts on Phuket and Khao Lak which are kid friendly at reasonable rates?! (JW marriott, Le Meridien etc...) multiple pools??

Alternatively, any chance of finding something similar to Ko Tao on Samui (quiet, picturesque, private cabins etc... view of the water..)

http://www.maenamresort.com/

This place has a large family accomodation and a great beach for swimming with the kids. Easy to get to Koh Tao from here for some diving too.

Very friendly place for kids.

[sunnyhor]

1. Do ticket prices on Air Asia and other go up a lot if booked last minute?! (I would like to be more flexible this time and decide once there when I want to leave)... If you decide on last minute, skip those budget Airlines because it will most likely cost you more.

2. Is Samui more of a problem with tickets as only Bangkok air flies there? Yes, only Bangkok Air to Samui, been there several times but the place is very "TOURISTED", no point going there any more.

3. This time of year, would I be safe booking hotels also towards the trip or during? Low season, easy to book hotel any time at lower rate.

4. If I wanted to do some nice snorkeling is that only available around Samui this time of year? if so any recommendations for a resort around $100 a day something kid friendly and nice? No comment.

5. Any other ideas of what to do with this aged kids... Frankly, kids with the age traveling to island isn't much to do. You ought to look after them most of the time, pools in resort will be more suitable .

6. Is Bangkok worth visiting with kids of these ages......Bangkok is mainly for shopping, just imagine, walking with 2 toddler, will it be convenient for you? I say NOT worth.

My opinion thou. Hope this help!

[brianmarinus]

Hi!

I am living in Chiang Rai,and the Meridian resort is a very nice place and very respectet-but also expensive,I think.

Then again,I think whit your two kids, I wood sugguest Chiang Rai,which is very laid back-and alot to see and do, for a family.

Then there is Wiang Come resort,it is also very nice, and in the midle of town-but if you will,you can try google and then type-hotels in Chiang Rai,Thailand,and then you can see it for your self.

Brian

[chaimdan]

Thanks a lot everyone!! we pretty much have our itinerary worked out...

We start in Chiang Mai at the away suansawan maerim for three days (seems like a nice quiet place out of town, just to relax..), then we'll switch to Meridien in town for 3 more days... While in chiang mai we plan on doing the following (if you have any more suggestions please let me know):

Zoo, Tiger kingdom, some shows (maybe monkey and elephant else) Sunday market, maybe visit some village...

Then we move on to Meridien in Khao Lak for a week... no idea what we'll do there, but I'm sure we'll figure it out once there.

Then we fly to Samui and continue to Ko Tao for 4 nights, as we would like some nice clear water, and pictures etc... so we figured that would be the best bet... having major problems finding accommodations that suit our needs... (we would like decent villa/bungalow either on the beach or with beautiful sea view, that's private and fairly modern.. but so far nothing for less than $200...)

That's about it... any other suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help