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metal
Newbie
Joined: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 7
Status: Offline
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  Posted:
Mar 07, 2008 - 09:04 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Hotel Room for Families |
Our family is interested in going to Thailand. When making reservations at a Marriott in Phuket they told us a maximum of 3 in a room despite the room having two queen beds. Is this common for Asian resort hotels? |
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Flyingsnow
Barker
Joined: Nov 09, 2006
Posts: 141
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 07, 2008 - 09:55 AM |
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Yes, try the Holiday Inn in Phuket. They have family rooms. |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6357
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 07, 2008 - 11:21 AM |
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^^ BTW....the Marriott on Phucket is at the north end of the island by the bridge...about a 30 minute drive to the tourist areas and other beaches.
If you like secluded...it's a good choice. Nice compound.
Try looking here for other alternatives.
www.hotelsthailand.com
(Mrs P1ATL10 is Thai...we have a house in southern Thailand...this is the site we use to book hotels when we travel in Thailand)
And quite honestly, koh Phucket, Pattaya, Koh Samui are not what i would choose . They are overbuilt, overpriced, and do not IMHO reflect the best of Thailand.
But....easy to get to and very well organized as they are the major tourist attractions.
If you are going to burn hotel points ....or would prefer a Western Chain....I would recommend either the Hyatt, Marriot, or Hilton in Hua Hin. All are family friendly and have great swimming/beach facilities. Hua Hin used to be a little fishing village....can still get great food there, and it has a lot less of the "Tourist Activities that men are looking for" (wink,wink) that are so prevalent in the more developed tourist areas.
And I will now apologize for this long thread....and I am going to make it longer by cutting and pasting an a doc I send to my friends when they ask for places and things to do in Thailand...
A useful page to answer many questions:
http://www.hotelthailand.com/thailandtravelguide/index.html
Good Site to look at Hotels and Book them online if you wish. I use them all the time. For all places, go to this site and you can find information and hotels for anywhere in Thailand.
http://www.hotelthailand.com/
Travel to Bangkok
· Three airlines.... China Eastern, Air India, and Thai Air. Air India is the Cheapest. I think they code share with Thai Air on the 0815am flight some days. Flight # AI6663. Have your travel agent check. It is a good deal. Air India price, but you fly on a Thai Airline flight
· Once you get to the airport....go to the 2nd floor and take a Taxi from the official stand. When you leave the baggage claim area there will be many people offering you a car to town...these cost from 600-900 baht. A taxi from the official taxi stand should run about 300-400 baht to downtown Bangkok including tolls.
Bangkok
Things to see...
· The Palace. Home of the king. Incredible place.... about 30 buildings inside. No Shorts or bare shoulders allowed. If you show up wearing them, they will rent you pants ands a long sleeve shirt to wear over your clothes.
· The Relining Buddha. Huge gold covered statue of a Buddha laying town. Interesting Temple to walk around.
· Chao Praya river tour. The main river through Bangkok. Many water taxi’s (boats) available for a tour of Bangkok from the river.
Shopping Centers in Bangkok
· Mah Boon Krong Center. Can take the MRT here. Across the street is a whole area of shops.
Ma Boon Krong (MBK) is a HUGE shopping mall in downtown Bangkok. It is hard to even explain how big the complex is. I believe it is about7-10 floors all together. They have everything you could imagine. Clothes, jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, electronics, and the list goes on and on. You can even bargain at alot of the vendors. Inside MBK there are alot of different places to eat. They have alot of different kinds of food. Italian, Pizza, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai.
· Chatachuck Weekend Market.
HUGE market open only on the weekends, Saturday and Sunday...can buy ANYTHING here.... food, clothing, artwork.... Maybe 4 times the size of the old Shenyang market. Extremely hot!!! Outdoors market...but worth the visit if you like to really shop.
Directions: Simply take the Skytrain to the end terminal called Morchit which is exactly where the market is located.
Nightlife/Night Markets.
Two main areas:
· Patpong
Night market in the center of the street. Go-Go bars all around the area. Maybe worth seeing once. Probably the most famous “nightlife” area in Bangkok for the Tourists.
· Sukhumvit Road. From Soi 3- Soi 23.... one long street of night market, bars, and shops. (Soi means Lu...or street)
You can take the overhead train here. Get off at “Nana” Station. Or tell the taxi driver “Nana Plaza”. Nana plaza is another bar area with go-go bars...right across the street from the Nana Hotel on Soi 3 and Sukhumvit.
Great place to walk around night or day and go shopping.
Travel Around Bangkok.
· Tuk Tuk.
These are the little three wheeled open air taxi’s.
No meter...you must negotiate a price. Whatever they say...divide by at least 4.
· Taxis
Meter Taxi. All the taxi’s us the meter. If they will not.... do not get in! About 34 baht (8 Yuan) to start the meter.
· BTS (Overhead Train called the Sky Train) Easy way to get around downtown.....20 baht gets you about anywhere!
Bangkok Hotels
Hotels
High end, all in the center area of town
- Hyatt Era wan
- Conrad Hotel
- JW Marriot Nana
Middle
- Novotel Siam Square
Budget…. but still nice
Ambassador Hotel - Sukhumvit Road Soi 6
http://www.hotelthailand.com/bangkok/ambassador/index.html?currid=2
My sister and brother stayed here when they visited. A little older, but right in the middle of the shopping area on Sukhumvit.
Very budget
RUAMCHIT TRAVEL LODGE - Sukhumvit Road Soi 10
11/1 Soi 10, Sukhumvit Road
Tel: (02) 2526403, 2510284
Fax: (66 2) 2551372
We used to stay here....VERY plain rooms, but clean, quiet and cheap. Maybe USD$30/night
Grand Inn - Sukhumvit Road Soi 3
http://www.hotelthailand.com/bangkok/grandinn/index.html
Small rooms, near Nana Plaza.....very cheap.
Resorts near Bangkok.
Koh Chang (Koh is Thai for “Island”)
http://www.hotelthailand.com/kohchang/index.html
Thailand’s second largest island and about 8kms off the coast of Trat Province on the Eastern coast of Thailand. Koh Chang is part of the Koh Chang National Park comprising of an archipelago of 52 islands What special about Koh Chang is the white sand coves and lush tropical forest. There are few residents on Oh Chang and there are virtually no good roads and the only form of transport is by shared songtail (converted pick-up). Koh Chang is a divers’ paradise. Koh Chang can be reached by bus either from Bangkok or Pattaya. First travel to Trat and from there take a tuk tuk to the ferry pier at Laem Ngop, where the Trat TAT office is located.
Koh Samet (By Rayong) – Highly recommended by some friends of mine.
Rayong is a much quieter neighbor of Pattaya – ideal for tranquility seekers. The province attracts a great number of holidaymakers who repeatedly visiting Rayong for its calm beach, scenic waterfalls, juicy seafood and fresh tropical fruits of which Durian and Mangosteen are most famous.
Ko Samet has developed a loyal group of visitors who return to it year after year to enjoy the superb beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Less than seven kms off the coast of Rayong Province in the eastern Gulf of Thailand, it combines the allure of a tropical paradise with reasonable proximity to Bangkok. Ko Samet has been known as a safe anchorage for sailors since at least the 13th century and in the 19th century its sheer beauty was the inspiration for the literary masterpiece of Thailand’s most famous romantic poet, Sunthorn Phu. In the 1970’s it was ‘discovered’ by Thai teenagers and young couples seeking a weekend retreat from life in Bangkok. In spite of its protected status as part of the Khao Laem Ya - Samet National Marine Park the island has developed into a resort destination much loved by both Thais and foreigners. Episodic attempts by the authorities to evict the developers have not yet dislodged them, and bungalow accommodations are available all over the island. More than a dozen coves and beaches provide visitors a range of choices from campsites on secluded, deserted beaches to bungalows with all the modern conveniences in more settled and gregarious communities. A recently constructed reservoir has improved the availability of fresh water, which was an enduring problem on the hot and dry island where the rainy season is limited to the May to July period. Ko Samet gets significantly less rainfall than Rayong Province, even though it is only a few km offshore. Round the clock electricity is now available in most resorts on the island. There are regular ferries to Ko Samet from three different piers in the fishing village of Ban Phe, about 20 km east of Rayong City. The trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on which part of the island it goes to. Long-tail boats can be hired to make the trip in about half the time, but are much more expensive. There is a 20 baht entry fee to the National Park. The beaches on the northeast of the island are beautiful and better developed. As you move south down the east coast the coves and bays become less congested, though no less beautiful. The beaches on the southeast coast are the least developed and least visited. The west coast is rocky but does have one very secluded beach with bungalow resorts and a nice view of the sunset. Ko Samet and the minuscule islands nearby are surrounded by coral formations in shallow water which make for enjoyable snorkeling. Scuba divers may not find them very interesting. Other water sports, including sailing, parasailing, skiing, and fishing can be arranged at a number of resorts.
http://www.hotelthailand.com/rayong/rayong.html
Hua Hin
If you like the idea of strolling along the narrow streets of a friendly coastal village, sampling delicious seafood in restaurants overlooking brightly lit fishing boats on the Gulf of Thailand, then Hua Hin could very well be what you are looking for. Just under 3 hours car ride from Bangkok; Hua Hin, the oldest resort town in Thailand, has always been a perfect weekend retreat for its visitors.
Hua Hin Beach lies approximately 185 km-a three-hour drive-southwest of Bangkok. It is recognized as Thailand's most traditional beach resort. In 1926, King Rama VII built Klai Kangwon, his summer palace, at the resort, starting a fashion among high society to retreat to Hua Hin during the summer months to escape the heat of Bangkok. Klai Kangwon Palace is still used by the present Royal Family at certain times of the year.
Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination, with full facilities for the tourist. Unlike Pattaya on the other side of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin provides a quieter, more relaxed environment, with a typically Thai ambience. Hua Hin is ideal for families or for those who wish to simply escape the bustle and heat of Bangkok. Many activities are available for the tourist, from just swimming or watching the sunrise through to fishing, golfing, water sports and horse riding.
From Bangkok, Hua Hin is accessible by car, bus and train. To get there by car, the usual route is along Phetkasem Road (Highway No 4) via Nakhon Pathom or Thonburi-Pak Tor Road (Highway No 4) via Phetchaburi. Buses to Hua Hin leave from the Southern Bus Terminal. For timetables, call +66 2 434-5557-8 for air-conditioned services, or 435-1199, 435-1200 for non air-conditioned buses. Trains also leave Hua Lampong Station for Hua Hin. Check schedules at +66 2 223-7010, 223-7020.
On public holidays, the State Railway of Thailand offers a one-day tour to Hua Hin. Trains depart from Bangkok at 6.30 am, and the fare is 100 baht per person. Tourists need to pay additional fees for tours around Hua Hin.
http://www.hotelthailand.com/huahin/citybeach/index.html
Airline Flight from Bangkok
Koh Samui
A little more expensive.....Better than Phucket, not as crazy.
Koh Samui is every traveler’s paradise - a sight of millions of coconut trees, many unspoiled beaches, popular diving spots and a fabulous nightlife. In recent years, Koh Samui has become increasingly cosmopolitan and attracted a vast number of world class resorts, exclusive high-end residences, bars and restaurants to be built around the island. Chaweng Beach is renowned for its beauty and is one of the most desirable locations to stay. Everyone is guaranteed to have a smashing time in Koh Samui!
Chaweng Beach Hotels.
Chaweng resort.
Stayed here before...right on the beach
http://www.hotelthailand.com/samui/chawengresort/index.html
Malibu Resort
Never stayed here, but have walked by it a lot....did not look too bad.
http://www.hotelthailand.com/samui/malibu/index.html |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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alaal
Seeker
Joined: Feb 27, 2007
Posts: 69
Location: Bund
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 11, 2008 - 04:05 PM |
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Wow - that was a ton of great ifnormation.
If we where to go with a couple of families llokng to rent a Villa to share and hire driver and cook etc. is this something easy to do? |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6357
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Mar 11, 2008 - 04:38 PM |
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^ I keep a running word document on Thailand on the computer. As I live there a lot of friends ask for advise
Villa...Many property agents in Phucket and Samui manage rental homes for expats and others. I do not know of any...you get do a google and come up with it I am sure..
Property rental samui..
I would also suggest you e-mail the folks at www.hotelthailand.com. Would not be suprised if they could help you. Been using them for years and never had a problem |
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Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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