Is It Safe To Go Without Reservation Around The Holidays?

[ihtiandr]

I posted this message originally on Huahinafterdark message board, so far the repplies were that it might be too risky. But what about other places, like Koh Chang or Samui? I am planing to go for 2 months: from Mid November til mid January. Possibly will extent to February. I guess it'll be no problem for November and part of December, however a bit nervous that Christmas and New Year are fully booked and I'd end up either in something super expensive or in a dump, that no one wants. Please advise. I am on a budget and therefore looking for something modest, in the area of 300-400 Bahts per day and don't need anything fancy however a minimum of civilisation is required: air conditioner, TV, toilet and shower in the room. I don't want to rent any mode of transportation so everything within walking distance is highly desirable: beach, shops, restaurants, Internet cafes. If it is away from noise - even better, I am looking for a quite place. I am pretty open minded about what this accommodation is: hotel, motel, condo, guest house or a private room as long as it fits my description and criteria.

I'd appreciate any suggestions/recommendations that you might have.

Thanks in a advance!

[sbk]

If you rent long-term and pay in advance I would think you'd be alright, I'd look for a house instead of a bungalow as you'd have a better chance to keep it over the holidays.

You are coming early enough that you can look around and find what suits. However, I would recommend staying in one place for the holiday season instead of trying to find something new as you would have difficulty finding anything.

[londonthai]

I did travel around new year with no problems - just turn in the morning, before or when guests check out.

They might not to check you straight into the room but you can leave your luggage and pay for your whole stay.

[ding]

We wanted to stay at the Grand China Princess in China Town and were not allowed. Xmas eve thru new years is good to reserve ahead.

If you're solo, no problem looking around and taking a chance.

Samui was booked up before I left, at least all the places I tried to book online ahead.

[think_too_mut]

I went to Koh Chang 4 days after the tsunami hit Phuket. Many tourists were rerouted to there. Still, no trouble finding rooms on the spot without any reservation.

Xmas and NYE mean little if anything to Thais, they don't even get holidays (other than Dec 31 and Jan 1) so "high season" is created by farangs who never came in such numbers to clog all the capacity, especially in less visited places. Thais may come from the hinterland for a day trip to the shore but rarely consume any accommodation.

Koh Chang - I would go any time without a reservation, however, I have a car and a fallback.

[londonthai]

yes, online booking might be completely a different matter - that's what farangs do when going on holidays and for what they pay the price.

what ihtriandr is after is a reasonably priced 300 - 400 baht/night accommodation which is probably never advertised on the net (because there is too little profit margin for the guesthouse owners to afford it and too little profit for the booking agent).

the great majority of thai guesthouses and homestays don't have even a reservation systems - they would need a PDQ (credit card processing facility) and would have to pay taxes on all the transactions through it.

turning up early in the morning and paying a deposit or the whole charge for the room is sufficient