Thailand Honeymoon November/December Assistance
Mar 25th, 2012, 03:03 PM
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Thailand Honeymoon November/December Assistance
Hi Fodor Community Members,
My fiance and I contemplating a honeymoon trip to Thailand and would love your suggestions.
Timing
Our wedding is November 10 and we would like to travel right after the wedding but will wait until December if weather conditions are better.
Itinerary
We are in our early 30s and seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation with a small amount of culture visits. We live in Manhattan, therefore, don't care to spend a lot of time in a big city like Bangkok. Maybe 1.5 days max.
In terms of the remainder of the itinerary, we don't want to be on airplanes and long bus rides the entire trip....especially after a full day wasted on flying from NY. So, we're thinking 2 or max. of 3 destinations. I have been told Chiang Mai is great destination in the north for elephants, hiking, etc. In the south, I've heard phenomenal things about Koh Samui, Krapi, and Ko Phi Phi. Phuket reviews seem to be mixed - too commercialized, etc. Either way, it's our honeymoon, and we want a couple days of beaches, the cheap massages I keep hearing about, relaxation, good food, and 4-5 star resorts.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
My fiance and I contemplating a honeymoon trip to Thailand and would love your suggestions.
Timing
Our wedding is November 10 and we would like to travel right after the wedding but will wait until December if weather conditions are better.
Itinerary
We are in our early 30s and seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation with a small amount of culture visits. We live in Manhattan, therefore, don't care to spend a lot of time in a big city like Bangkok. Maybe 1.5 days max.
In terms of the remainder of the itinerary, we don't want to be on airplanes and long bus rides the entire trip....especially after a full day wasted on flying from NY. So, we're thinking 2 or max. of 3 destinations. I have been told Chiang Mai is great destination in the north for elephants, hiking, etc. In the south, I've heard phenomenal things about Koh Samui, Krapi, and Ko Phi Phi. Phuket reviews seem to be mixed - too commercialized, etc. Either way, it's our honeymoon, and we want a couple days of beaches, the cheap massages I keep hearing about, relaxation, good food, and 4-5 star resorts.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
Mar 25th, 2012, 07:39 PM
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Sorry accidently pressed the submit button. As I was saying, up in Chiang Mai the weather will start to be a nice mid 20's celcius in the evenings. Chiang Mai is now becoming a little commercialized there and the taxis can be a bit hit or miss, however nothing on the scale of Phuket. You will be able to enjoy everything from hiking to wine tasting in vinyards to looking at the local arts scene or adventure activities. When you book your flight from the US you can have it so that you transfer direct to Chiang Mai International Airport so that you don't have to spend any time in Bangkok. From Chiang Mai if you want to go to any beach you would be best to go by plane if you can. air asia, bangkok airways or Thai Airways all have a number of domestic flights across the country. If you want a really quite island without many western tourists then the Thais favour Koh koot at the moment. otherwise Koh Samui, Krabi, Koh Chang are all nice. Just spend a bit of time researching which side of the island you would like to be on. Generally don't stay on the same place as the ferry port as on all these islands that will be quite comercialised. I know you have heard some mixed reveiews about Phuket and yes please avoid that for a honeymoon. You can have a good or bad experience there but it is definitely a tourist trap. If you don't want an island but want a beach you can also try Hua Hin or Cha am. For a hotel in Chiang Mai I usually stay at the Rati Lanna Riverside and Spa. It's only 5 minutes from the airport and quite nice on the river. But you would need a taxi to get into the center of town.
I hope this was of some help for your decision.
Ric
I hope this was of some help for your decision.
Ric
Mar 25th, 2012, 08:01 PM
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A good time to be in Thailand, and perfect for your honeymoon, is the Loi Krathong festival. This year, 2012, it will be celebrated on November 28th. I suggest you plan to be in either Bangkok, staying in a hotel along the river, or up North in Chiang Mai or the other cities/town up there i.e. Mae Hong Son, Pai, Chiang Rai etc.
Phuket should have good weather around late November onward as well and for a romantic honeymoon I like to suggest a stay at the Amanpuri. As mentioned above, Phuket does have some seedy spots but it can be easily avoided.
Perhaps you can give some idea of your budget - high, moderate or low?
Ideally for me I would dot something like this.
Some of the best and romantic hotel in Thailand:
Bangkok - The Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula hotel (both on the river).
Chiang Mai - The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and the Four Seasons (both outside the busy section of Chiang Mai).
Phuket - The Amanpuri with a beautiful semi private beach.
These hotels are the best IMO and probably the most expensive as well.
Other fun thing to do for your honeymoon would be a self driving trip from Chaing Mai and do what epople call the "Mae Hong Son" loop (Chaing Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son drive).
Let us know your budget!
Phuket should have good weather around late November onward as well and for a romantic honeymoon I like to suggest a stay at the Amanpuri. As mentioned above, Phuket does have some seedy spots but it can be easily avoided.
Perhaps you can give some idea of your budget - high, moderate or low?
Ideally for me I would dot something like this.
Some of the best and romantic hotel in Thailand:
Bangkok - The Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula hotel (both on the river).
Chiang Mai - The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and the Four Seasons (both outside the busy section of Chiang Mai).
Phuket - The Amanpuri with a beautiful semi private beach.
These hotels are the best IMO and probably the most expensive as well.
Other fun thing to do for your honeymoon would be a self driving trip from Chaing Mai and do what epople call the "Mae Hong Son" loop (Chaing Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son drive).
Let us know your budget!
Mar 25th, 2012, 08:06 PM
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november is a perfect time to visit... i will be there again this year for the whole month..
bkk is a fab city, don't cut it short... 3-4 days min.
look at meridien and jw marriott at khao lak, both fab hotels right on the beach..
the sheraton and amari vogue at krabi are both fab--AV being small..
the hyatt at hua hin is a favorite of mine too. no flt req..
book the peninsula for your bkk stay...
i do not like chiang mai so i will not encourage you to go there..
get yourselves a good guidebook, like frommers or fodors..
bkk is a fab city, don't cut it short... 3-4 days min.
look at meridien and jw marriott at khao lak, both fab hotels right on the beach..
the sheraton and amari vogue at krabi are both fab--AV being small..
the hyatt at hua hin is a favorite of mine too. no flt req..
book the peninsula for your bkk stay...
i do not like chiang mai so i will not encourage you to go there..
get yourselves a good guidebook, like frommers or fodors..
Mar 25th, 2012, 08:37 PM
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Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
I visited Thailand for 3 weeks in November a few years back. A wonderful time to head there! The few times I have visited we have ventured to Bangkok, Chang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, Ko Phangnan and thats just a few of the places...such an amazing place to head too!
I certainly wouldnt spend only 1.5 days in Bangkok. Its such an amazing place. One trip Id recommend is visting the floating markets and taking the option to come back on a river cruise. Such a nice way to see the city and the outskirts! Also you have the many temples including the one made from 24c gold which is quite impressive!
From Bangok you can also visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and also Hellfire Pass which has some great history. If you are interested in a hotel floating on the river, I have done that also which was fun!
Krabi was a great location to relax, spend days on the beach and also do anything adventerous. From here you can access Phi Phi Island and the many other places. It still has plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars but doesnt seem to be as touristy as Phuket!
Chiang Mai was an interesting place to visit specially if you want to do an elephant trek but you can find that in other places. If you had the time, we did an over night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai which was a great way to see things and also something a little different from flying!
You can pick up some cheap flights all over Thailand. I probably wouldnt be flying with One to Go if they are still in operation. Havent got the best safety record!
Good luck on your planning. A wonderful place to go!
I visited Thailand for 3 weeks in November a few years back. A wonderful time to head there! The few times I have visited we have ventured to Bangkok, Chang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, Ko Phangnan and thats just a few of the places...such an amazing place to head too!
I certainly wouldnt spend only 1.5 days in Bangkok. Its such an amazing place. One trip Id recommend is visting the floating markets and taking the option to come back on a river cruise. Such a nice way to see the city and the outskirts! Also you have the many temples including the one made from 24c gold which is quite impressive!
From Bangok you can also visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and also Hellfire Pass which has some great history. If you are interested in a hotel floating on the river, I have done that also which was fun!
Krabi was a great location to relax, spend days on the beach and also do anything adventerous. From here you can access Phi Phi Island and the many other places. It still has plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars but doesnt seem to be as touristy as Phuket!
Chiang Mai was an interesting place to visit specially if you want to do an elephant trek but you can find that in other places. If you had the time, we did an over night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai which was a great way to see things and also something a little different from flying!
You can pick up some cheap flights all over Thailand. I probably wouldnt be flying with One to Go if they are still in operation. Havent got the best safety record!
Good luck on your planning. A wonderful place to go!
