Bangkok / Sala Samui?

Hi, my wife and I are thinking of going to Koh Samui next year around April. We%26#39;ve been to see a travel agent today and they%26#39;ve priced up two nights in Bangkok at Landmark and ten nights at Sala Samui.

This will be our first time to Thailand and we%26#39;re looking for something of luxury? Have the travel agent recommended excellent Hotels? What鈥檚 it like their? Is it best to book direct or via the Travel Agent? Are there any recommendations on rooms?

As I understand the hotels in Thailand are room only or with breakfast. How much would we need for good food and or excursions for this duration?

Also, my wife is a very nervous flyer - what鈥檚 the flight like from Bangkok to Koh Samui, I believe its called Bangkok Airways?

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated...thank you!!

Bangkok / Sala Samui?

Hello, Sala Samui is luxury and I am sure you will love it there - go for a villa with pool, they do have their own website so google it and have a look to re-assure you. The Landmark is an OK 4 star hotel but just up the road is a hotel called the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (read tripadvisors reviews) and this hotel is luxury and excellently located. Whenever I%26#39;ve stayed in Bangkok I%26#39;ve always had breakfast included in my room rate but we%26#39;ve always booked things ourselves and not through travel agents. Sala Samui is about 拢180 a night and the Sheraton Grande anything from 拢100 upwards. Direct flights to Thailand generally around 拢550 so if you add all those up for the two weeks and compare to what you%26#39;ve been quoted travel agent wise... You can get some pretty good deals with travel agents and they normally include transfers, we usually do things ourselves to be that bit more flexible. Flying to Samui with Bangkok Airways is great, good service and a lovely little airport to land at on Samui. Have a great time!

Bangkok / Sala Samui?

Hi Monkey

My boyfriend and I are going to Salasamui this weekend for two weeks, if you like I can let you know what it was like when we get back...Ive heard its the best on the island, and based on reviews here it seems so...weve booked to stay at the Majestic grande in Bangkok for the weekend after Samui stay, but I%26#39;m not sure what its like...I hear the Shangrila is brilliant for its location right on the river with its own amazing boat restaurant!

Will report back around xmas...

Thank you both above鈥?/p>

Manwell who do you recommend flying to Bangkok with, I was thinking of EVA Air?

Danifagan who are you flying with? Also, it will be great to hear from you when you back!

Manwell I was in Shrewsbury on Saturday night at a very good Italian Restaurant called Osteria Da Paolo, nr Hole in the Wall 鈥?highly recommended!!

Dear themonkey

I%26#39;m THAI. My name is AU. i suggest the hotel as follow:

KOH SAMUI%26#39;s HOTEL

1. AMARI PALM REEF RESORT

2. ANANTARA RESORT %26amp; SPA KOH SAMUI

3. CENTRAL SAMUI BEACH RESORT

BANGKOK%26#39;s HOTEL:

1. BANGKOK MARRIOTT RESORT %26amp; SPA (Riverside)

2. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BANGKOK

3. GRAND HYATT ERAWAN BANGKOK

4. INTERCONTINENTAL BANGKOK

5. ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON HOTEL %26amp; TOWER (Riverside)

6. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL (Riverside)

7. SUKHOTHAI BANGKOK HOTEL

All of this hotel is a 4-5 stars hotel. I think book via Travel agent will be cheaper than book by yourselves. Because Travel Agent has a special rate from the hotel.

Yes, flight Bangkok to Koh Samui have only Bangkok Airways, is good airway don%26#39;t worry.

If you have any question or want more information, Please tell me by via pkanit@hotmail.com or via tripadvisor.

Au

Dear Themonkey

We are going to koh Samui and Bangkok in June next year and I have researched the hotels thoroughly and have more or less settled on the Cenral Samui Beach Resort which is getting refurbished as we speak so will be nice and new. The hotel gets fantastic reviews and is on the very best part of Chaweng beach. On the way back we are going to stay at the Bangkok Marriott Resort and spa which friends have assured me is pure indulgence and very reasonable as it is a bit further out. A junior suite here only costs 拢27 a night extra.

We went to Bangkok and Phuket last year in June. We stayed in the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and it was spectacular and very central for visiting all the sights. I really felt like a VIP when staying here and the rooms are stunning. They also have a tropical oasis pool area which is something else.. Check out the reviews. Make sure you do your deal with breakfast included as it can work out quite expensive if you don`t. Generally prices in Thailand are dirt cheap and food and drink are very cheap outside of the hotels. I used an agent called Travelmood.com and they beat everyone else on price and provided an excellent service (they are doing a good deal on the Sala and they can combine this with any hotel you like in Bangkok.

We used EVA air last year and upgraded to the premium economy (elite class for 拢170 each bigger seats, separate cabin very comfortable and efficient service. Again travelmmod offer this at incredible value, all the others wanted between 拢260 and 拢320 to upgrade. This year we are going to use Qatar out of Gatwick as we prefer that airport and its easier for us to get to from N.I. Hope this bit of info helps if you need any more info just ask.

Hi themonkey, glad you enjoyed Paolos, it is my favourite restaurant in Shrewsbury and was only there 2 weeks ago.

I%26#39;ve flown with SAS (not direct) who were very good, Pakistan Airways (DO NOT RECOMMEND!) and Eva Air, unfortunately because we booked our flights last minute ish we missed out on the premium economy as it was all booked up but EVA were OK otherwise, on time, TV%26#39;s in backs of seats, bit stingy on the alcohol but keep pestering and they%26#39;ll bring it you!

Going back to money for good food and excursions, food in Bangkok and Samui is extremely cheap, especially if you eat along the beach, we did dine at the Sala Samui restaurant and it was so romantic, but not the cheapest. Excursions depending on what you do can vary, we did the elephants and waterfall etc on Samui and it cost about 800 baht each, about 拢12. We did Kanchanaburi and the bridge over the river kwai ourselves, getting a bus and that cost about 拢2! If you stay in Bangkok be sure to visit Cabbages and Condoms (restaurant near Landmark and Sheraton Grande), yes its a bit touristy but the food and setting is fantastic and unbelievably cheap and its all for a good cause (preventing HIV and Aid awareness). Also visit Sum Luam and Patpong night markets for shopping and drinking.

Have a great time in Thailand, its my favourite place in the whole world and I%26#39;m hoping to go again next year.