Thailand - Beach and Hotel Recommendation

Was hoping to get some advice about beach and hotel/resort recommendations.

My soon to be (hopefully) fiance and I plan on visiting in August 2012. We are planning on a few days in Bangkok, a few days in Chiang Mai, and want to spend a few days at one of the beaches.

We were looking for something less crowded. Our plan is primarily relaxing at the beach, but would love to spend one day kayaking around some karsks formations (ie: Maya Bay, etc.....I made a work trip to Palau last year and after seeing some of my pics, she hasn't forgiven me for going without her :p ). Not really looking for drinking or partying (although I imagine many drinks will be consumed beach/pool side and we would love to try out restaurants if they are close by).

From reading the forum, it looks like Phucket would be a bit on the crowded side, so I was thinking Krabi would be the way to go. Am I wrong in this, seeing as we are going in August/off season? Would Phucket be ok? Is Krabi now kinda crowded too?

And whichever beach people recommend, what hotels would folks recommend? I would be leaning on the Luxury side, and would love to get a beachfront room/bungalo (although not really to look at spend $350-400+/night, so that is probably out).

This will be our first trip there, and we are super excited.

Thanks in advance!

The Oceanfront Pool Villa at Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1847) is the perfect place for you ...

Ko Samui perhaps.
http://getaways.groupon.co.uk/d-4890133-Koh-Samui?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_115&a=2463

Thanks for the recs.

Worded my initial post poorly...was hoping for a beachfront room that DIDN'T cost $350-400+.

That being said, with the hotels being cheap in Bnagkok and Chiang Mai, I'll probably splurge at the beach, if the girlfriend lets me :p .

She really wants to see the "floating island thingees", which was why I am leaning toward Krabi/Koh Lanta. Does the beaches around Kom Samui have those too?

I was looking at the Layana Resort and Spa. Anyone been at that one? If so, what do people think about the Beach Suite vs the Ocean Deluxe Suite? Seems like one is one the water (Beach Suite) but the other has two stories and a nice view (Ocean Deluxe).

Noise level or room quality very different between the two? Are either worth the $370/night cost vs the $210/night for the Garden Pavilion

Thanks!

If you go to Phuket or Krabi, I would suggest taking the ferry over to Ko Phi Phi for a few nights. No vehicles on the island - everything is by water taxi (long boats) and the trips to Maya beach and other snorkeling places are beautiful, clear, and cheap - a 3/4 day was less than $10 a person. If you dive I saw lots of reef sharks in only about 15 ft of water (not by the beaches). I'm not sure about places to stay because I stayed in a hostel for only about $9 USD a night. I would LOVE to go back sometime.