ASTC

My fiance and I will be travelling to Thailand/Cambodia at the end July 2006 for 3 weeks. I have been reading that the weather in Thailand can be rainy so we have started to look at resorts around Ko Samui/Ko Pha-Ngan. We are both in our mid 20s and love to relax on the beach, but would also like to get out and explore the culture. We are not too much into night life. We wouldn't mind seeing a full moon party, but we also do not want to stay at a hotel where that's all we can hear at night. We want to be pampered and take advantage of some spa services. We are willing to pay max. $300 US a night.
Right now we were thinking about staying in Bangkok for 2 days, Angkor Wat for 4 days and 14 days in the South.
I have a few questions:
1.) Which would you rather stay at Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan?
2.) Do you have any favorite hotels in Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan?

Thanks for your help

harzer

I like your concept for your three weeks in Thailand and Cambodia.

I might suggest you squeeze in a few days up in the north of Thailand at the expense of some time in the south. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai make good bases for day trips out to see elephants at work and at play, and to experience life on the Mekong.

As to which island to go, I have to say I find them all pretty much the same, with not a great deal of alternative activities to just hanging about at the beach or hiring a motorbike and exploring the interior.

On Samui you will find hotel prices of $150 - $200 for those at the top of the range.

I don't have recent info on Phangan but in general the range of accommodation is much more limited, being mainly bungalow-style, and there is less of cultural interest.

Harzer

MichaelBKK

Actually, I think it would be fair to say that there are NO 'hotels' per se on Pha-Ngan, although I have heard there are plans afoot to build them.

You might want to consider Koh Chang in the east, where the weather might be most agreeable at that time of year.

Agree that you should spend time in the north, especially if you want to see some culture. You won't get any at the beach. Also, 2 days is not nearly enough time in Bangkok. Four days in Angkor is questionable. I had to rush to see it in 5 days.

rhkkmk

if koh chang interests you look at the amari emerald cove...i have only eaten there and it is about the best on the island...easy flight to trat from bangkok and also from samui...

you will not see much culture in any of the islands...they are primarily for tourist beach activities...

you should have more time in bkk...stay a few days at a nice riverside hotel like the peninsula...i should think 5 days might be perfect...

glorialf

If you want to explore the culture of thailand two weeks at the beach isat least one week too long. They are just beaches -- no culture. You need at least 5 days in bangkok and I would suggest that you spend 3-5 days in northern thailand. 4 days in angkor wat is fine.

Kathie

I agree with Gloria. You need a minimum of 5 days in Bangkok. It's a fabulous, exciting city with wonderfully luxurious hotels at great prices. You can see the major temples at Angkor in your 4 days. Whiel I spent a week there and loved every minute, that's not for everyone. I'd recommend time in norther Thailand in the Golden Triangle area. The Anantara there is a wonderful hotel and spa. A week at the beach is plenty.

ASTC

Sorry, it seems that I need to clarify what I said earlier. I meant that we want to balance sun and culture. My fiance wants a sun vacation and I would like a culture vacation.
Does anyone have any reccomendations for hotels in Siem Reap? Did you take pills for malaria? Does it rain a lot in Siem Reap in late July early August?

rhkkmk

you will malaria pills in SR....and you may need them in parts of thailand, like koh chang and far up north at certain times...consult a travel doctor...

there are lots of new hotels in SR...lots has been written about them here...do a search...

my favorite hotel should i return would be the sofitel or maybe the pansea...

rhkkmk

ttt to for HI

waynehazle

I stayed at the Sofitel in Siem Reap & while there I did think it would be a GREAT place for a honeymoon.

You can see a few pics at www.waynehazle.com/seasia/ look on the Day 6 page.

Yep, gotta take those malaria pills