Accommodation for family of 5
Aug 5th, 2006, 03:23 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Accommodation for family of 5
Hi. Next year we are hoping to take a short trip (1 week) to Thailand next summer (Aug 2007). Our kids will be 11, 8 and 6 by then and we will alredy have spent 2 weeks in Sri Lanka. We are hoping to spend 3 nights in Bangkok followed by 3-4 nights at a beach resort. It looks like the Ko Samui are will have the best weather at that time.
My questions are:
- what is the best way to get to Ko Samui bearing in mind that we will have 3 kids with us
- what type of accommodation is available that would be suitable for us in Bangkok and Ko Samui. I generally prefer apartment type accommodation as hotels can work out more expensive if you have to have 2 rooms. Would prefer 3 to 4 star quality. Is there any beach hut type accommodation in Ko Samui?
Many thanks.
My questions are:
- what is the best way to get to Ko Samui bearing in mind that we will have 3 kids with us
- what type of accommodation is available that would be suitable for us in Bangkok and Ko Samui. I generally prefer apartment type accommodation as hotels can work out more expensive if you have to have 2 rooms. Would prefer 3 to 4 star quality. Is there any beach hut type accommodation in Ko Samui?
Many thanks.
Aug 5th, 2006, 04:46 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you fly it's going to cost you 3 adults and 3 children fare returns, that could be quite a heavy amount.
There are other options. You can fly to Surat Thani on the mainland with One-2-Go ( budget airline ) and then bus/ferry.
Another way is rather long, a bus/Jet catamaran combination with Lomprayah.
These would take a great deal longer than the 1hr 10 / 1hr 30 flight with Bangkok Airways.
August is abusy month on Samui and prices are higher, but there are quite a few places that have specific family accommodation and family suites that work out good value, I will try and dig some of them out and get back to you, but I would have a think about the equivilent of 3.5 full air fares for 3 to 4 days!
if you have done Sri lanka and also Bangkok then perhaps one of the coastal beach areas south or south east of Bangkok would be ok for a few days. Jomtien area beyond Pattaya or Hua Hin are literaly a cab journey in a few hours from Bangkok.
The Samui fare could costs anything like USD 180x3.5 = about USD 630 retrun, compare that with even doing it in comfort a private van or limo for about USD 150 retrun to one of the mainland beaches, saving 480 is something to think about !
In both Jomtien area and Hua hin area there are serviced apartment / apartotel sort of accommodations, in Hua Hin also vacation bungalows daily/weekly, the hotel rates at Jomtien are 'low' and even if you went for a suite you are looking at perhaps USD 75 a night for all of you. You won't find the beach bungalow sorts of places but having said that Sunset Village south of Jomtien is very nice.
Another big 'plus' for Jomtien is the amount of things for the kids, the Underwaterworld, Ripley's Belive-it-or-not, Mini Siam, Nong Nook Park, lots of family things to do. Hua hin is quieter.
Sunset Village is about USD 40-50 a night for a bungalow, quiet enough location but not far from the activities/restaurants/shopping etc.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/pat...llage/details/
If you want modern then the 'world's largest resort hotel(?)' The "Ambassador City" is also in Jomtien, USD 150 would get you a 2 bedroom suite, it is 'huge' and high rise though.
If you try Hua hin then plenty of large resorts like Hyatt, Marriott etc or smaller boutique places or vacation apartments etc.
Koh Samui would be great but if you are doing any tropical beach time on Sri Lanka and you only have 3/4 days then something nearer Bangkok might suit.
There are other options. You can fly to Surat Thani on the mainland with One-2-Go ( budget airline ) and then bus/ferry.
Another way is rather long, a bus/Jet catamaran combination with Lomprayah.
These would take a great deal longer than the 1hr 10 / 1hr 30 flight with Bangkok Airways.
August is abusy month on Samui and prices are higher, but there are quite a few places that have specific family accommodation and family suites that work out good value, I will try and dig some of them out and get back to you, but I would have a think about the equivilent of 3.5 full air fares for 3 to 4 days!
if you have done Sri lanka and also Bangkok then perhaps one of the coastal beach areas south or south east of Bangkok would be ok for a few days. Jomtien area beyond Pattaya or Hua Hin are literaly a cab journey in a few hours from Bangkok.
The Samui fare could costs anything like USD 180x3.5 = about USD 630 retrun, compare that with even doing it in comfort a private van or limo for about USD 150 retrun to one of the mainland beaches, saving 480 is something to think about !
In both Jomtien area and Hua hin area there are serviced apartment / apartotel sort of accommodations, in Hua Hin also vacation bungalows daily/weekly, the hotel rates at Jomtien are 'low' and even if you went for a suite you are looking at perhaps USD 75 a night for all of you. You won't find the beach bungalow sorts of places but having said that Sunset Village south of Jomtien is very nice.
Another big 'plus' for Jomtien is the amount of things for the kids, the Underwaterworld, Ripley's Belive-it-or-not, Mini Siam, Nong Nook Park, lots of family things to do. Hua hin is quieter.
Sunset Village is about USD 40-50 a night for a bungalow, quiet enough location but not far from the activities/restaurants/shopping etc.
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/pat...llage/details/
If you want modern then the 'world's largest resort hotel(?)' The "Ambassador City" is also in Jomtien, USD 150 would get you a 2 bedroom suite, it is 'huge' and high rise though.
If you try Hua hin then plenty of large resorts like Hyatt, Marriott etc or smaller boutique places or vacation apartments etc.
Koh Samui would be great but if you are doing any tropical beach time on Sri Lanka and you only have 3/4 days then something nearer Bangkok might suit.
Aug 5th, 2006, 10:01 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really agree with James on this one, you'd be better off to go somewhere closer and easier to get to. I recommend the Hua Hin area. The Hyatt is wonderful, but of course, you'd need either two rorms or a two bedroom suite.
In Bangkok there are lots of serviced apartments available. getting a two bedroom unit will not be a problem.
In Bangkok there are lots of serviced apartments available. getting a two bedroom unit will not be a problem.
Aug 5th, 2006, 03:22 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JamesA and Kathie, thanks for your comments.
We were only thinking of Ko Samui as we thought the weather would be better in August there. I would really like a lovely beach (white sand etc)! Although we will have been in Sri Lanka before the trip to Thailand, the sea/beaches on the west coast are not really suitable for swimming at that time of year, and I'm too nervous to consider the east coast resorts which have the best beaches (I am a regular vistor to Sri Lanka and have family there).
My father has just told me he has a friend who owns an apartment in Pattaya which we may be able to use. Would Pattaya be suitable for families with young children, and would it be rainy in August?
Many thanks for any info.
We were only thinking of Ko Samui as we thought the weather would be better in August there. I would really like a lovely beach (white sand etc)! Although we will have been in Sri Lanka before the trip to Thailand, the sea/beaches on the west coast are not really suitable for swimming at that time of year, and I'm too nervous to consider the east coast resorts which have the best beaches (I am a regular vistor to Sri Lanka and have family there).
My father has just told me he has a friend who owns an apartment in Pattaya which we may be able to use. Would Pattaya be suitable for families with young children, and would it be rainy in August?
Many thanks for any info.
Aug 5th, 2006, 04:13 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The weather in Hua Hin and Pattaya would be fine in August. James can say more about Pattaya, It is, of course famous (or infamous) for its sleazy nightlife, but that isn't all there is in Pattaya.
Aug 5th, 2006, 11:49 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where is the apartment? I can tell you where it is in relation to other places. Jomtien is over the hill from Pattaya past the Royal Cliff / Sheraton etc, south from center of Jomtien there are apartments and hotels. You never need go in to central Pattaya if you don't want to as Jomtien has a lot anyway.
I have to admit the beaches in Hua Hin are better though but then again not up to the glorious island sands, but you need to balance that with the cost of getting to samui. There are those cheaper ways but you would spend the whole day getting there and another day getting back, just note the cost of the samui air fare. The Anantasila in Hua hin is right on the beach, the beach is long and wide, but it's not 'glorious white sands', but a cab ride from Bangkok and cheap rates does 'help'.
http://www.anantasila.com/htms/albumb.htm
They have also 1 and 2 bedroom apartments also which is good for a family. It's at takiab bay which is the beach 'around the corner' from the main beach. The Hyatt is beachfront but rooms are about USD 115 a night August so you would need 2 rooms.
A 2 bedroom family suite ( this year prices ) about USD 155 at the veranda Lodge, it's a boutique beach place as opposed to a resort.
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...lodge/details/
You can get a realistic idea of the main Hua Hin beach from the photos.
But, if your heart is set on Samui let us know if that air fare is going to be a diciding factor, if the fare is not a problem we can put in our suggestions for samui.
I have to admit the beaches in Hua Hin are better though but then again not up to the glorious island sands, but you need to balance that with the cost of getting to samui. There are those cheaper ways but you would spend the whole day getting there and another day getting back, just note the cost of the samui air fare. The Anantasila in Hua hin is right on the beach, the beach is long and wide, but it's not 'glorious white sands', but a cab ride from Bangkok and cheap rates does 'help'.
http://www.anantasila.com/htms/albumb.htm
They have also 1 and 2 bedroom apartments also which is good for a family. It's at takiab bay which is the beach 'around the corner' from the main beach. The Hyatt is beachfront but rooms are about USD 115 a night August so you would need 2 rooms.
A 2 bedroom family suite ( this year prices ) about USD 155 at the veranda Lodge, it's a boutique beach place as opposed to a resort.
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...lodge/details/
You can get a realistic idea of the main Hua Hin beach from the photos.
But, if your heart is set on Samui let us know if that air fare is going to be a diciding factor, if the fare is not a problem we can put in our suggestions for samui.
Aug 5th, 2006, 11:56 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to let you know that by that time the 'new' bangkok Airport will be open and as it's east it makes the journey time Airport to Jomtien around 1 hour only ! To Hua Hin about 2 hrs 30 by expressway to both.
Trending Topics
Aug 6th, 2006, 10:26 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I searched for flight prices from Bangkok to Koh Samui and it would cost around £500 for all of us with Thai Airways in August! So I think yes it will not be worth it for such a short trip.
I will investigate where my father's friend's apartment is in Pattaya, to see if that would be suitable.
Thanks to everyone for all your help and information. No doubt I will be looking for more advice nearer the time. Meanwhile we have a 3 week trip to Canada first (leaving Sat 12th Aug)!
I will investigate where my father's friend's apartment is in Pattaya, to see if that would be suitable.
Thanks to everyone for all your help and information. No doubt I will be looking for more advice nearer the time. Meanwhile we have a 3 week trip to Canada first (leaving Sat 12th Aug)!
