rodbee

Thanks to another post which has now gotten my honeymoon travel down to Bangkok/Siem Reap/???. We have another six to seven nights which will be in the second week of September and would like this part to be a beautiful beach stay - looking for a nice pool, gorgeous beach, nice swimming, snorkelling and massages etc. Mid range to luxury accommodation (as its our honeymoon we liked the idea of a bungalow rather than a huge resort if possible). For this time of year does anyone have any suggested places or accommodation? Thanks a lot for the advice so far as the trip is now 'nearly' there!

rhkkmk

again i think you have to be very concerned about the rains....you need to pick carefully...

if you like koh chang, then the one place is suggest is the new amari emerald cove resort...it is the best on chang....smaller place and just up the beach is the bungalow place we stayed at this spring called barali beach resort....only 34 bungalows...check on their building schedule as they are redoing the pool (should now be finished) and a few lux cottages near the parking lot which would not affect your stay....they have 3 really nice beach front bungalows...we had #108 which was back a bit but very nice and overlooked a large lawn with the pool in the background...

an alternative might be tha anantara hotel north of chiang rai....just stay there and venture out once or twice...

rodbee

Koh Chang and Koh Samui would appear to have less rainfall than our initial choice (Krabi) ... as I understand it you can expect some downpours but some sunshine as well??? I had read on Koh Chang that the beach is quite rocky ... would Koh Samet be a better option???

MHRS

rhkkmk---I've just written to James A on another posting re: Koh Chang. Could you tell me more about it? I've been considering Ko Samet, but latest in guide books doessn't seem to love it.

Are there decent accomodations in Chang for about $1000B? What were the beaches like? snorkeling? availability of restaurants by foot or is it necessary to pick up transportation.? Which beach did you like the best? I've been following your comments on a number of postings and would like your opinion.-----if it makes a difference---I'm an active senior traveling alone coming off a group tour. thanks.

rhkkmk

koh chang is just coming into its own...there are a couple of top places like the amari emerald cove but only a couple....we paid about 3500 at barali beach...there were lots of other places which were much simpler...so i am sure that 1000B is possible...basically all of the accomodations are on the eastern side of the island...there are some significant hills in between small settlements...there really is only one place i would call a town...we did not see one restaurant that we would have considered eating in, but we are very careful about where we eat...you would need a motor bike to get around or walk our use the truck/bus system which is very limited....we also were there in june which makes a difference---low season...

why don't you start a new post asking this question and i am sure jamesA will give you good info...he helped me...also do some internet searches for koh chang and you will find a couple of sites...the only way i would go there again is to fly...quick and cheap....the trip from airport to island is not cheap however....i think we paid 500B each for the ride...it involves a ferry ride...and it takes about 1.5 hours....
sorry i could not be more specific, but i do not know the cheaper places, but there are plenty....
btw...this is a malaria zone....

JamesA

Koh Samet is a great deal quieter than even Koh Chang but it can get reasonablt busy at weekends with people visiting from Bangkok, usually the younger crowd. There is budget accommodation but Koh Chang would be better if you want to snorkel.

We need to know time of year as some times of year certain places are better for snorkeling, other times other places.

Koh Chang as Bob says is beginning to develop but is still relatively quiet.


This tells you more about Samet:

http://rayong.sawadee.com/#Samet%20Island

This tells you more about Koh Chang:

http://kohchang.sawadee.com/attractions.htm

There is cheap accommodation but prices are higher than they used to be, for B 1,000 you will always find somewhere to stay but if you want a/c and book ahead you will probably need to up that budget somewhat.

Do tell us about time of year

MHRS

thanks all
James A--traveling in high season a week before the holidays. Guess I'll have to up it quite a bit. For only 4 days, I'm thinking maybe Ko Samet, smaller, restaurants along the beach, and less expensive than Chang, might have to be the one. Travel won't be THAT different if transport to Chang is 1 1/2 hours ( ish) from Trat added to flight from BKK.

I checked your suggested websites. Hotel listings are beautiful, but way over my budget. Now, if i found a travel partner, I wouldn't need to take group tours which cost double. Then I could splurge on a beach resort.

Ko Ngai came up as a destination. You seem to get more for the money down there, but it's too far for a few days and isn't a Bangkok Air destination--so no Discovery pass.

I'll hit the guide books again to check Ko Chang. Too bad Samed Villa / Ko Samet is in state of renovation or I'd be settled now. Many thanks.

Biertje

I have been Koh Samet Rayong many time.. Almost every weekend so far..

It is not far from Bangkok. Only 3-4 hr to get there. The last boat to get to the island is around 6 pm everyday. otherwise u can get Speed Boat 24hr service..

I always stay at Vong Duean Beach. It is a middle beach of island.. You can walk to visit another beach in the north and south easy..It is a nice walk actully..

The beach is cool...many beach activities if u would like to.. Jet Ski, Banana Boat, Valley Ball even snorkel and scuba dive the small island over there also good..

The night life over there was cool as well. Bar on the beach that u can drink and chill out on the beach.. even u would like to dance.. beach is a big dance floor actually

My favorite bar is Bay Watch Bar. I think it is a coolest bar in this beach...Good music, great cocktails..

check thier website and sign in the guestbook. if u r lucky u will get a free cocktail (I got it.. hehehe) www.baywatchbar.tk