Reasonable hotel in Bangkok - Kao San?

pin

It's easy to get to from the airport

Remember the new airport is now operational and all flights are going to and from there.

JonSalat

"we get into Bangkok 11am on 17th Dec so won't be able to travel south on the day"

You can advance book your train tickets 15 days prior to using them by email. See http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm for details. Most if not all southern bound trains leave between 17:30 to 20:00. so you'll have plenty of time to get to the train station. Mind you a night to recover from the flight is nice.

EagerLearner

Thanks guys - will look at Siam II for Bangkok and also the train options - though, we're going to have to get a bus from airport so hopefully the hotel is easy to get to by bus?

I guess maybe on the 17th we should head to Samui straight-away for a week, before it gets pricey then?

Where would you say is the nicest place for Christmas & new year?

JonSalat

pin wrote:

Remember the new airport is now operational and all flights are going to and from there.

You're right sorry

JonSalat

EagerLearner wrote:

Where would you say is the nicest place for Christmas & new year?

It really depends whether you want a quiet place or want to party. Chaweng and Lamai for parties. Virtually anywhere else for quiet. But then you have to travel.

pin

JonSalat wrote:

It really depends whether you want a quiet place or want to party. Chaweng and Lamai for parties. Virtually anywhere else for quiet. But then you have to travel.

Last new years stayed in Lamai, but went to Chaweng for partying.

Things were really really quiet in Lamai an Chaweng until about 11pm and then things really kicked off. Spent most of the new years bit on the beach out in Chaweng. Was lots of fun.

EagerLearner

We want to party and will prob end up on Chaweng from at least 24 Dec to 1st Jan... had a look at sawadee.com - so many places to choose from from 550 to 2,000 B - confusing!

Ideal budget is under 1,000 as long as it's not minging ;op

We're happy to walk 10-15 mins to our resort - any ideas?

pin

EagerLearner wrote:

We want to party and will prob end up on Chaweng from at least 24 Dec to 1st Jan... had a look at sawadee.com - so many places to choose from from 550 to 2,000 B - confusing!

Ideal budget is under 1,000 as long as it's not minging ;op

We're happy to walk 10-15 mins to our resort - any ideas?

In all fairness I preferred staying in Lamai. Quieter, beach was nicer, but when we wanted to party, would just take a quick share taxi ride (about 10 mins) to chewang.

Also accomodation choice and cost was better out in Lamai.

JonSalat

pin wrote:

In all fairness I preferred staying in Lamai. Quieter, beach was nicer, but when we wanted to party, would just take a quick share taxi ride (about 10 mins) to chewang.

Also accomodation choice and cost was better out in Lamai.

I agree with that.

However one bungalow setup on Chaweng, O.P. Bungalows, I have stayed at, years ago, but still worthwhile. I looked at http://www.travelfish.org/accommodation_profile/thailand/southern_thailand/surat_thani/chaweng_beach/7/1410/2?ord=1, to see it's current pricing, and it seems to be within your budget. It's at the north end of chaweng, and is in a type of lagoon, so not much good for swimming. However you only have to walk a few metres south to get into better swimming water. I cant find a website for them, but if you use the international callchecker (0.5-1ppm) they have listed their telephone numbers. The owners are two chinese men and very pleasant. There restaurant is right on the beach, and we used to often go there just to eat, when we lived on the island. You can walk into central chaweng within 10-15 minutes.

Failing that Lamai, as pin suggests, is cheaper. There are several reasonably priced bungalows (for instance centrally, Lamai Inn 99, or not centrally, Noi Bungalows),and you're always able to get a songtow (2 bench seater taxis) to Chaweng (do bargain the prices though, and travel in groups ). In Lamai there are plenty of places to eat, but a profusion of girlie bars. The Bauhaus is a great disco, and has foam parties etc. every week. The Rising Sun is a well known expat british pub, run by an eccentric scouser, worth a visit. Try to find carlisle alan. he used to have a bar called 'the red fox', but might be running a pub known as Mawney arms. always good for a laugh. He can tell you where to go on an HHH (Hash House Harrier) run, which is a great way to see the interior of the island. don't worry if you don't want to run though. It suits all shapes, sizes and abilities.

EagerLearner

Have put through quite a few more enquiries on Sawadee.com - the first I sent was fully booked, so I will keep trying.

I think we will try for Chaweng first - it's where Mr EL proposed 3 years ago, so it's sentimental...

Drat - should have done this 2 months ago!