I am having such a problem deciding, I could really use the assistance from fellow FTers. We plan to go for eight days this January, and want to do the following: dive, relax, and explore the area and do a little sightseeing.

I'm not a super hard core diver but my new husband is. I know that the Similans are a cannot miss destination. I know Khao Lak is closer for day trips over there, but it also seems there is more to see on Phuket otherwise.

Hotels I'm considering if that helps are Le Meridien and Sarojin in Khao Lak and the JW Marriott and Le Meridien Yacht Club in Phuket.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much.

Just got back form Khao Lak Le Meridien on Thursday.
What kind room are you planning on booking into?
It was made crystal clear that Plat's get upgraded to suites and that's it. I had a Lagoon Villa booked and could have paid up to Beach Villa but chose not to do so.

Make sure to read the Khao Lak thread on the SPG board!

My villa was great. Had dinner at the Sarojin. I never price the Sarojin but frankly I'm not sure I could have beat the $120++ I paid at the LM for my villa.

It's also an easy 1.25 hour cab up and down between Phuket-Khao Lak. You could do both if you wanted.

Regards,

Scho

I stayed at the Sarojin this past August. Loved every minute of it. I had a pool residence. Thats def the way to go in my opinion. I would guess the Sarojin is maybe twice as much as the LeMeridien. The service was great. I am looking forward to a return trip in the future!

Thanks so much for your responses!

Do either of you dive? I know proximity to dive sites is a critical element of this decision.

The Sarojin is about twice as much as the Le Meridien Khao Lak, but since it's a honeymoon I'm not really concerned about cost.

Thanks again.

The Le Meridien and the Sarojin are both located on Pak Weeb Beach. The Le Meridien stretch IMHO is nicer; there is one beach restaurant about 200 metres from Le Neridien and three within same distance from the Sarojin. The two resorts are about 1000 metres apart ( abeautiful after meal stroll).
The Sarojin has its own boat which takes you on trips to the Similans, but like everything else at the Sarojin is much more expnsive. There is a Dive Shop and AsianTrails Tour Shop at Le Meridien where you can book dive trips more cheaply but there are many dive shops in Khao Lak Town where you can book more cheaply.
See links at http://www.mykhaolak.de/dive-center/khao-lak-dive-center.html In German but the pictures speak for themselves and those with their own websites have English versions.
The Sarojin is a smaller more intimate resort and if yyou look at the TripAdvisor Forum you will find several threads about Honeymoons on the Thailand, Phang Nga Forum. Though much bigger the Le Meridien has a greater selection of room types and plenty of space to be on your own, if you understand me.;)

I am heading to the LM Khao Lak in May and really looking forward to the area. I Might be there too late for snorkeling (start of monsoon season), but I have also been on a day trip to Khao Sok, which is a national park in the mountains with some great hikes, boating on a lake, and other nature based activities. If you have enough time and looking for some land based activities -- I suggest going up there.

We just got back from a trip over thanksgiving where we stayed at the JW and LM Yacht club, which you are also thinking about. There are tons of posts on the JW and some about LM, but if you have other questions -- let me know. The Yacht club location would be great for day trips to Phi Phi for diving.