Thailand

[copahc]

Great! I will likely be in Bangkok in November but only for about a week to 8 days. If you have any tips on how to spend them, please let me know. I don't want to spend the whole time in Bangkok, but I also don't want to make the trip too rigorous. I'm thinking about Hau Hin. Did you like it there? Is the beach great? Is there any nightlife, activities, shopping. I've never been to Thailand so I know pretty much nothing at this point.

Coincidentally, the trip is to Bali and I'm doing a stopover in Bangkok, and one night in Singapore. Put it on hold last night with miles and waiting for some SPG points to transfer over to miles so I can book it. Fingers crossed it doesn't take too long.

Thanks

[kyshel]

We're headed to BKK in a few wks, then off to Bali.
Bangkok--recommend Royal Orchid Sheraton, 1600 SPG+$30 for riverview room. But hotel rates are so low--there are some great boutique hotels, too. Depends on your budget, arrival time (we get in at midnite) and how long you're staying in the city. I have great driver in Thailand.
Hua Hin is just fun and quirky. Been twice. Sheraton there is out too far from town for me, but fabulous property. I'd go with one of the LL deals. We arrived at BKK and had driver take us at 1am (after clearing all the red tape) right to HH. We prepaid that night--got there in 3 hrs. You can take the express train from BKK at 7am and get there in about 3+.
themaninseat61.com
Beach at HH is not the best--south of town has great beaches. The night market in HH is the place to eat--or the main road in town,by the beach.
We don't really shop, so I can't help there--tourist stuff all over for sure. Great cheap massages,
elephant treks (do your homework for that) and the HH vineyards.
Nature trips outside of town--waterfalls, national park and the summer palace. Can't recall the name, but there is a huge hilltop temple complex about an hour away--good stop one the way back to BKK.
We're flying to Bali after 2 days in BKK to shake off the jetlag. Then Hotel Tugu at Canggu and Royal Pita Maha (SO FAB!!) at Ubud. We've been to Amed but once was enough--it's very Bali and not too touristy.
Hope that helps--feel free to ask more or PM.

[copahc]

Thanks so much for the tips. I will definitely keep the Sheraton Royal Orchid in mind. I think I was mostly looking for a nice beach in Thailand because i keep reading the beaches in Bali aren't very good except for surfing? I will definitely go to ubud. Have fun on your trip!!!

[kyshel]

You will likely need to overnight. Do not miss seeing the major sights in Bangkok--Grand Palace and some of the temples are astonishing! The river is also amazing. The closest beaches are either Pattaya or Cha Am (above Hua HIn) My family went to Khao Lak (see Sarojin LL pkg) and loved the beaches!. All the great beaches are far south--Ko Samui, Phuket etc--short flight.

Bali is volcanic, so the beaches are dark /coarse sand--but around the lower peninsula is Benoa (Nusa Dua is a gated hotel complex/area) and those beaches are particularly nice--white sand, good swimming. There is a lovely Novotel Benoa (gardenside and beachside rooms). Within walking distance to local restaurants. If we didn't buy Tugu, we'd be going there. Avoid Kuta, Legian and Seminyak--$$, crowded and touristy--it's what Bali is becoming...but there's still plenty of real Bali left!

[copahc]

We are actually now looking at doing a one week surf camp in Bali There are a few of those. The one that looked most interesting so far is in Canggu. Then I think we will do 3 nights in Ubud and 3 nights somewhere else. Maybe Nusa Dua. Thanks for the tip! I can imagine it must be pretty touristy there as well though with all the hotels? I think after the surf camp we might be ready for something touristy though. Please post about your trip when you get back. I'd love to here about the Pita Maha. We have been looking at the Hanging Gardens package.

[kyshel]

We'll be at Canggu (pronounced CHang gu) so I can fill you in o the area. This is our second stay at RPM and hope it will be equal, if not MORE fabulous than last time (hard to imagine!!)

[mitchy]

Hi,

thanks for sharing your thoughts. I want to go to Thailand next year and it is good to hear some opinions. thx

[kyshel]

copahc--I just googled surfing news in Canggu and there are oodles of links--blogs etc from locals and frequent surfers there.
PS Also to schumaster:
Found these spas, in case you run out of credits at Tugu--Golddust is the one that seems highest quality. I'm thinking mani/pedi or i hr Lavender or bergamot hour massage for $16 sound inviting! Casa Day Spa looks good, too. Now I have to find more about Echo Alley and restaurants around Echo Beach. Beach House is one, so I'm on the trail for food options...
Found this one, also--right next to Tugu is "OM", an organic foods restaurant (but it has a place for kids--not sure if that's plus or minus?)

[schumaster]

copahc--I just googled surfing news in Canggu and there are oodles of links--blogs etc from locals and frequent surfers there.
PS Also to schumaster:
Found these spas, in case you run out of credits at Tugu--Golddust is the one that seems highest quality. I'm thinking mani/pedi and Lavender or bergamot hour massage for $16 sounds inviting! Casa Day Spa looks good, too. Now I have to find more about Echo Alley and restaurants around Echo Beach. Beach House is one, so I'm on the trail for food options...

I shall have a look soon! Thanks for the tips

[jimmyadam]

Thailand is the heaven of tourist and visitors and I think these are the best destination in Thailand. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. I like the most is Koh Phangan because it is the most beautiful and romantic place in Thailand.