Asia - Nice resort max 2-3 hours from Bangkok???

Greetings out there....

Plannning a short break after new year... say 3rd Jan - 7th Jan.... Have a ticket to Bangkok and would love to go for a beach resort style place, like eg Hua Hin. Hotel budget is in the medium range and should not be more than 3 hours drive from Bangkok..... Anyone with a good idea or experience???

Depending on your budget ... lots of places in Hua Hin .. from CHiva Som ( $$$$$) to Baan Chatalay (next door = condos , nice !!) to the Hyatt or even Marriott

Koh Samed(Samet) depending on who is spelling, is about 3hrs from Bangkok and a short speedboat ride from the pier at Ban Phe. It is an island in the National Parks with a full range of accomodations in all price ranges.
A great family getaway with clean, calm water for swimming and lots of restaurants.

Well budget is really only about 100 - 120 US$....

Greetings out there....

Plannning a short break after new year... say 3rd Jan - 7th Jan.... Have a ticket to Bangkok and would love to go for a beach resort style place, like eg Hua Hin. Hotel budget is in the medium range and should not be more than 3 hours drive from Bangkok..... Anyone with a good idea or experience???

We like the Hyatt but it is booked solid at this time of year. The Sofitel is quite nice...peaceful and an easy walk to small local restaurants. It is about $127/night that week. You can try the Hilton next door or the Marriott for cheaper rates. They don't have the charm but it is a room on the beach.
:)
Enjoy!
RBS

@:-) Condos for rent in Jomtien/Pattaya Beach http://www.viewtalaycondos.com just a 2 hour bus from Bangkok's Ekamai bus station. :)

Sorry I didn't notice how short your stay is. Anyway, my View Talay condos are booked during your dates. Anyway, definitely go to Koh Chang, Koh Samed, or Pattaya for your stay! But beware it will be the ultra high season time, so accommodation will be tight everywhere.

Pattaya is really close and where the Bangkok locals go for quick beach stops

We just tried the new Sheraton Pattaya out for a few nights. It has rates from around US$90 per night (for basic rooms in the main bulilding) to around $190 for rooms in the smaller "pavilion" buildings (which are more like large bungalows). It doesnt have any real beach but it has several nice pools. It is very clean and new, decent service and surpisingly ok food for a hotel/resort. It's an easy 2 hour drive on modern roads, the hotel can set up transport or you can just do this yourself at the desks when you exit customs.

We just tried the new Sheraton Pattaya out for a few nights. It has rates from around US$90 per night (for basic rooms in the main bulilding) to around $190 for rooms in the smaller "pavilion" buildings (which are more like large bungalows). It doesnt have any real beach but it has several nice pools. It is very clean and new, decent service and surpisingly ok food for a hotel/resort. It's an easy 2 hour drive on modern roads, the hotel can set up transport or you can just do this yourself at the desks when you exit customs.

The new Shereton Pattaya is very very very nice. While there is not a real beach in the front, you can still swim in the ocean. It is away from all noise of Pattaya's central craziness.

I don't like telling people this as it is appearing more and more on web sites and TV programs - and the fewer who know the better as far as I am concerned. There are several ferries from Ban Phe (small port about 15 miles E of Rayong) to Ko Samet. If you want class go to Ao Prao (coconut beach) on the top left side (NW). It will be from $70 low season to $150 high season. This includes the ferry from a special dock which is a few hundred years W of the other ferries. Then there are ferries to the east side of the island - places there run from virtually nothing to $70 or so. The island is small. It is about 2 miles off the coast. It does not have many facilities, but who wants facilities? Food and weather are great. Drink bottled water. The ferries would be grounded by the US coast guard - but you can swim right? Do a google search on places to go - don't expect to be able to book really quickly so book as far ahead as possible - the hotels (shacks) are organized through offices in Bangkok and Pattaya. Don't think of Pattaya by the way - it is a cesspit. Hua Hin is overrated. To get to Ban Phe get a Bangkok taxi to take you - a regular one not a fancy one. About 2000 Bt ($50) should do it - buy the guy a nice lunch en route and he'll be very happy. Alternatively you could go to Ko Chang (Elephant Island) further down the coast towards Cambodia. It'll take longer to get there though.

Don't think of Pattaya by the way - it is a cesspit.

The point about the Sheraton Pattaya is that it is totallhy self contained, so you dont even know you are in Pattaya unless you chose to venture out.

We are looking for possible places a couple hours from bangkok in july or august? Anywhere we can to beach it and not be totally rained out.

Matt