Thailand - 4 nights in Thailand - where to go?

Traveling as a couple and neither of us have been to Thailand (exept via connections) and will have 4 nights to spend there. We were initially thinking 1-2 nights in Bangkok and then 2 nights in either Koh Samui or Phuket but we'll be going to Hawaii in the summer so debating whether to spend the whole time in Bangkok. The wife probably won't care either way since all the hotels/resorts have top notch spas.

Suggestions?

Look at Hua Hin , 2.5 hours southwest of Bangkok.

Thought of Hua Hin but figured 2.5 hours driving - might as well hop on a 1hr flight to Koh Samui or Phuket, factoring in extra time at the airport it would be a wash.

Thought of Hua Hin but figured 2.5 hours driving - might as well hop on a 1hr flight to Koh Samui or Phuket, factoring in extra time at the airport it would be a wash.

I understand what you're saying, but if there are any flight delays or cancellations you're going to have some big problems. There was a just a thread the other day where a guy was unable to book a flight out of Samui (I can't find it at the moment).

I've never actually stayed at Ko Samui (just had a connecting flight there), but have stayed at Hua Hin. It was nice.

Agreed - flights are always harder to control than driving. We may do 2 nights in Bangkok and 2 in Hua Hin or just all 4 in Bangkok.

Have you thought about going North? In one hour flight timeyou can be in Chiang Mai. Lots of culture there and multiple flights.

I'm just back from a Thailand trip - we started out with 5 nights in Bangkok which when booked, I was afraid would be too much.
It was perfect.
I would suggest you go ahead and stay the 4 nights in BKK - do some tours of the area including day trips and the time will fly by.
Check out Tours With Tong
Many here on FT have used her as well as myself last week.

You could easily have 4 very busy days and nights in Bangkok and never even go near a temple.

Bangkok! Stay by the river...... relax & enjoy.
Go further on a future trip with more time.

+1

Stay in BKK.

Be sure to ride the river ferries. Don't buy the 150 baht ticket which is a rip. Pay on each boat as you go. Lots of fun, cooling too.

Leaning towards BKK, especially with the Peninsula Deluxe Suite having a second night complimentary promo in Q1. I can also get the FS deluxe 1 Bedroom suite at the same rate ($425/night)

Only thing is the wife asked 'going to Thailand, everyone talks about the beaches...when will we go there again?' oh boy

Also we're going to Paris afterwards from BKK on TG

Only thing is the wife asked 'going to Thailand, everyone talks about the beaches...when will we go there again?' oh boy


My wife was saying the same thing before we left, our itin had us 12 days into our trip before we made it to Koh Samui. Everything else was so great that she didn't miss the water.

Leaning towards BKK, especially with the Peninsula Deluxe Suite having a second night complimentary promo in Q1. I can also get the FS deluxe 1 Bedroom suite at the same rate ($425/night).

The second night complimentary at the Pen requires a minimum rate of THB 20,000++, or roughly USD $760 all in, not that much more than the FS rate you quoted. IMO, both are greatly overpriced for Bangkok. Is a suite important to you? I think that you'll find that the Pen, while a lovely hotel, is poorly located. FS is in a much better, more central, location. Also check out the new St. Regis, if that level of luxury is what you're after. The tourism business is slow in Thailand right now. Don't book online. Decide what you want, then call the hotel directly (not the central reservation number) and see if they will give you a better rate.

The second night complimentary at the Pen requires a minimum rate of THB 20,000++, or roughly USD $760 all in, not that much more than the FS rate you quoted. IMO, both are greatly overpriced for Bangkok. Is a suite important to you? I think that you'll find that the Pen, while a lovely hotel, is poorly located. FS is in a much better, more central, location. Also check out the new St. Regis, if that level of luxury is what you're after. The tourism business is slow in Thailand right now. Don't book online. Decide what you want, then call the hotel directly (not the central reservation number) and see if they will give you a better rate.

I tried calling the FS but they kept telling me to call their central reservations line or book online. Maybe I should call back and ask for a hotel sales manager during their daytime.

A suite isn't a must but definitely prefer more space if we're only talking $100-200/night more. Usually the tipping point is $300+ between a regular sized room and suite.

>Only thing is the wife asked 'going to Thailand, everyone talks about the beaches...when will we go there again?' oh boy

Thais beaches ain't great, lots to do in BKK for 4 days.
Visit the Grand Place, wat Po, wat Arun, wat Saket, war Tramit, Ma Boon Kron (aircon) and chatutak weekend market (open and very hot) idem Pratunam, ride the river taxi, visit Ko Kret island, hire a cab for half a day to visit Muang Boran (Old City, a miniature Thailand 30kms out of town or the nearby crocodile farm, a day excursion to Ayuthaya (old capital, many temples) etc.

What's it like in Ayuthaya now that the floods have subsided? It looked like it got hit pretty bad. Also, any mid-range hotel recommendations for Bangkok? I'll be there in March.

What's it like in Ayuthaya now that the floods have subsided? It looked like it got hit pretty bad. Also, any mid-range hotel recommendations for Bangkok? I'll be there in March.

I was there a couple weeks ago - you can see the flood line on signs and such as well ... some dead bushes but the grass is green.
It was kind of amazing how quick everything has returned to normal.

>Thais beaches ain't great, lots to do in BKK for 4 days.

I disagree, but I live 1500 miles away from any ocean. To me it is amazing just to see an ocean. It's so freaking big! I've never been to the Caribbean but I thought the beaches in Thailand were just as good (if not better) than the beaches on the French Riviera. I've never been *on* Pattaya beach (don't want to risk skin infection), but it's only a beach in the technical sense of the word beach. Otherwise, I think the beaches in Thailand are fantastic, but for only 4 nights in Thailand.....probably best just to stay around BKK.

With just 4 days there you can't go wrong in BKK.