Koh Samui or someplace else - Advise needed

Gemma33

2006-07-02 19:43:58

Hi everyone

We are considering booking a holiday to the Far East for next year. Everywhere looks fabulous and we cant decide, so please help!!!
I have always fancied Koh Samui it looks stunning. We are both in our 40s, like going for a nice meal, maybe the odd drink some evening and lazing by the beach during the day. Is this the place for us?
Quite fancy a beach holiday with maybe a few days in one of the bigger, busy places (ie Bangkok etc).
Ive heard its relatively cheap in Thailand as well. Can you give me an idea about prices for a meal or a drink, just the usual stuff that folk like doing.
Also, is it a summer location? we were considering august (2007) but not sure if it will be very hot.
sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any replies.

shirleyV

2006-07-02 21:35:26

I adore Ko Samui Gemma and will be going there shortly for our 4th visit.
I have though noticed big changes in the last few years - the main resort area Chaweng has become very commercialised and has expanded on a huge scale, we now prefer the north of the island for a more thai experience - although many love Chaweng for the busy nightlife and shopping.
Weather wise I have been 3 times in August and only had a couple of days rain so 'our summer' is a good time to visit Samui.
Hope this helps Gemma33 - I am a regular to the Goa forum like you, love from shirleyV

Fiona

2006-07-02 21:45:46

here's another Goa forum regular here :wink:

I have been to KS 3 times during July/August. We also prefer to stay outside of Chaweng. Have a look at Bophut- we found it ideal. Fantastic restaurants and some nice bars at Fishermans Village- less than 10 mins walk from our hotel. Also very cheap and quick to get into Chaweng when you fancy being with the masses!( have to say there are also great restaurants in Chaweng.)
RE the weather- you will get some rain but we found this mainly happened early evening just as we were getting ready to go out. We also had some spectacular thunderstorms when we were sitting at restaurants in the evening.

Fiona

2006-07-02 21:57:30

this is where I have twice stayed. There are of course more expensive alternatives.
I find the online Samui guide very useful too.
Have a look at photos of the beaches in KS
Finally here is the KS photo album. So far the photos are all mine( come on everyone!) and the beach is Bophut.

Fiona

2006-07-02 22:18:01

By the way- Bangkok is an absolute MUST! Have a look through this forum for loads of info on it.

Gemma33

2006-07-03 20:35:23

Thank you ladies for all the value information

I am going to have a look thru it all.
No doubt I will be pestering you again :lol:

with lots more questions etc :wink:

But thanks again, greatly appreciated.

Fiona

2006-07-03 22:43:07

just keep asking away Gemma!

Gemma33

2006-07-04 17:56:40

My partner priced a holiday today with Thomas Cook signature and it was about £1500 per person. Only going to Ko Samui for Summer 2007, 14 nights. I thought that was a little bit steep?

Fiona

2006-07-04 18:16:41

where are you planning on staying!! Tongsai or Anantara? Own suite with bathtub on the terrace and pool villa? Butler?
Seriously- get a few more quotes! Even better- go DIY. Its easy to do. Trust me , I've done! And you have to have at least 3 days in Bangkok.

Gemma33

2006-07-04 18:38:35

Thanks Fiona

I thought it was too pricey. We will shop around for a bit yet. keep you posted. thanks (once again) for your help

Fiona

2006-07-04 19:08:58

try looking at Expedia as well. Best to price up flights only and also flights and hotels. Next - search around and see if you can get your chosen hotel cheaper. I actually found with both KS and BK it was cheaper to book directly with the hotel( this is not always the case).
Flights to KS from BKK are with Bangkok Airways.
I'm sure with others will jump in with hints as well.

shirleyV

2006-07-04 21:34:48

Gemma33 - I am off to KS soon and I found for this year's holiday Thomson Worldwide had the best prices, but in previous years have found Tradewinds the cheapest, like Fiona says try different companies as there can be a huge difference.
Also , definately try Bangkok it is my favourite city in the world.

Sunbear

2006-07-04 22:26:38

Its worth mentioning that many websites won't have the flight prices for that far ahead yet (Aug 2007). As your going scheduled don't forget you can go for any duration you like, not just the 7 or 14 days the charters inflict on you.

Are you only considering it for a summer holiday...as Thailand is a great winter sun destination

Fiona

2006-07-04 23:01:18

Of course you are right re flight prices Sunbear. I think they come out 11 months before??

Gemma33

2006-07-05 19:43:20

We are still checking everything out but thanks for all the help its great. Sunbear hiya but we ususally go to Goa in winter, so we try to fit things in round about that :lol:

My partner has a special birthday next August (better not say what age, cos he reads these posts a lot : :yikes

) so we wanted to go someplace nice and different.
Many of the Goa regulars talk about Thailand and other far east countries and thats why we wanted to try it out for ourselves.
I have a Kuoni and Thomsons brochures to have a look thru, plus I still need to look into lots of the info that you gave us Fiona.
Thanks again everyone

Gemma33

2006-07-05 19:46:24

Thanks Shirley

I would love to see Bangkok as well, Phuket also looks nice? Lucky you going away in the next couple of weeks. We dont go away again til Sept. Are you going to Goa again this winter Shirley?

Fiona

2006-07-05 20:22:25

Phuket is not a great summer destination Gemma. Best bets are Koh Samui and Hua Hin.

shirleyV

2006-07-05 20:55:17

Hi Gemma - I would definately second what Fiona says, Ko Samui or Hua Hin are the best for good weather in the summer, have also visited Phuket and Krabi - but would definately leave those for winter hols.

Yes I am off to Goa this winter- don't think I could miss Goa in the winter now, we love it there, sorry to go off topic.

Gemma33

2006-07-06 21:39:31

We are contacting some hotels directly for prices and then when the prices are available we will find out about the flights. probably Ko Samui and a few days in Bangkok.
Have a great holiday Shirley and you too of course Fiona

Sunbear

2006-07-06 22:05:30

My favourite beach on Koh Samui is Cheong Mon....it has some fun beach restaurants ...hotels like the Imperial Boat House and Sala Samui...its quieter then Chaweng but near enough to partake of the night life if you so wish.

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