Honeymoon vacation in Koh Samui and Krabi

Hi,
My fiance and myself are looking to spend our honeymoon in Thailand
this december. We have narrowed it down to Krabi, Koh Samui and Phi
Phi. Phuket seems to commercialized. We aren't really looking for
dive joints but more of a adventure filled (scuba etc) and comfortable
vacation. Would you recommend it for a honeymoon adventure.
How would you recommend these places in terms of safety, adventure?
Are there any gotchas that we should be aware of? (cash vs. Credit,
overpriced tour operators etc)?
What are some of the better hotels on these islands? ( in terms of
service, amenities)
There's a ton of information on all the websites and I've narrowed it
down to a few hotels.
The Tubkak
Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, Suratthani, Thailand
Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng Beach Thailand
Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Lamai Beach, Suratthani, Thailand

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Joy

"John G." wrote:
>
> Hi,
> My fiance and myself are looking to spend our honeymoon in Thailand
> this december. We have narrowed it down to Krabi, Koh Samui and Phi
> Phi. Phuket seems to commercialized. We aren't really looking for
> dive joints but more of a adventure filled (scuba etc) and comfortable
> vacation. Would you recommend it for a honeymoon adventure.
> How would you recommend these places in terms of safety, adventure?
> Are there any gotchas that we should be aware of? (cash vs. Credit,
> overpriced tour operators etc)?
> What are some of the better hotels on these islands? ( in terms of
> service, amenities)
> There's a ton of information on all the websites and I've narrowed it
> down to a few hotels.
> The Tubkak
> Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, Suratthani, Thailand
> Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng Beach Thailand
> Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Lamai Beach, Suratthani, Thailand
>
> Any info would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Joy

If you want to do more than dive and lie on a beach, then stick to the
mainland. The islands have limited opportunities for adventure. Krabi (Ao
Nang) would make a good base. The diving is not spectacular but okay. The
surrounding countryside is stunning and there is opportunity for paddling
tours of the mangroves, and hiking in nearby Khao Phanom Bencha National
Park etc. There is also a small reserve not too far from Krabi town (I
can't remember the name offhand) which was set up as one of the last
remaining patches of lowland forest in Thailand, which harbours the rare
Gurbey's Pitta. There are some beautiful pools in the forest with
startlingly turquoise blue water that you can swim in.

Other than that, someone mentioned Khao Lak as another option to consider.
I haven't stayed there but it would give you access to short trips to the
Surins/Similans for diving (much better than the offshore diving), a good
beach and there are some stunning National Parks very close by for
exploration.
Anita

In December, stick to the Andaman Sea side of Thailand. The NE monsoon
will have kicked in and this is the dry, sheltered side.

As for hotels, it depends on what you want. If you want luxury, there
is the Datai in Krabi. In Phuket, which, outside Patong, is not all as
bad as you appear to believe, any of the hotels on Bang Tao or, our
favourite, the Chedi. The very best is probably the Amanpuri, which
shares a beach with the Chedi. For variation, it is well worth hiring
a car for a day or so to explore. There is plenty to see.

Phuket also has some very good restaurants, apart from the hotel
eateries, if you like your food and want to get away from hotel bland.
Naka Flavors, (Swiss/Thai run, European/fusion food) on a private
residential development just outside Patong served up one of the best
meals I have ever had, anywhere.

If you want something a little less sleek, think about Ko Lanta. There
is one 5 star hotel, the Pimalai Bay in the South of the island but
there are plenty of more laid back ones strung all the way down the West
coast. Most of the "life" is centred around the village of Saladan in
the North. I have never stayed in any of the hotels but I have visited
the Royal Lanta, about 1/3 of the way South from Saladan, a few times
and I like the atmosphere. Ko Lanta is also worth a jeep or motorbike
hire and a tour around.

You might also consider the resorts on the coast between Phuket and the
Myanmar border. I've never been but I get glowing reports from those
who have and, if you are into scuba diving, it is within range of the
Surin and Similan islands, reputed to be two of the best dive sites in
the world.

Personally, I don't like crowds at any time and I would avoid Phi Phi
Don. There are a few isolated resorts on the western side (onshore winds
in December) or the village of Ton Sai. Ton Sai and everything else is
crammed onto a tiny strip of sand between two lumps of rock and, while
it is fun to visit for half a day and it has all the facilities, it is
VERY crowded and VERY noisy.



message <1536c016.0307091317.11f142eb@com >, John G.
<jghanekam> writes
>Hi,
>My fiance and myself are looking to spend our honeymoon in Thailand
>this december. We have narrowed it down to Krabi, Koh Samui and Phi
>Phi. Phuket seems to commercialized. We aren't really looking for
>dive joints but more of a adventure filled (scuba etc) and comfortable
>vacation. Would you recommend it for a honeymoon adventure.
>How would you recommend these places in terms of safety, adventure?
>Are there any gotchas that we should be aware of? (cash vs. Credit,
>overpriced tour operators etc)?
>What are some of the better hotels on these islands? ( in terms of
>service, amenities)
>There's a ton of information on all the websites and I've narrowed it
>down to a few hotels.
>The Tubkak
>Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, Suratthani, Thailand
>Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng Beach Thailand
>Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Lamai Beach, Suratthani, Thailand
>
>Any info would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Joy

--
Philip Allum

In message <Xns93B4B7CB1A2EFanonrandomsequenceof@206.127.4.25 >, Mister
Max <RemoveDoubles@bbuuten.net> writes
snip
>
>The Datai is in Langkawi, Malaysia. A great luxury place.
>In Railay, there's the luxury Rayavadee Premier Resort, which is even
>more expensive. We stayed twice at the Sand Sea. It's only good, but
>maybe the best reasonable-priced place.
>
Sorry! You are right. I was thinking of the Dusit Rayavadee.
--
Philip Allum