Originally Posted by dakhorn

I've got one of those problems you feel bad complaining about.

I'm looking for suggestions as to where to spend a company paid vacation of 4-5 days between work stays in Bangkok and Singapore. This means somewhere in the region I can fly to within 1-4 hours flight that'll provide some good downtime (preferably on a beach), cheap beer, and relaxation. I'm not short of choices and I'd love the forum's help in narrowing things down. Since work is paying for the downtime, I'd like to keep things around per diem rates for the region ($200-$300 per night) and I'd like to stay at a Marriott property as I'm currently Ambassador and should take advantage of the free points/status perks.

Things to keep in mind:

• This stay will be in September, rainy season in places like Phuket and Langkawi.
• Mega resorts are frowned upon, I'll have somebody with me and privacy would be ideal.
• I like being able to walk out on the economy to eat and drink but certainly do understand this and the privacy/solitude I mentioned before are hard to come by together.

Thrown around ideas in Koh Samui, Bali, Langkawi, and Phuket but nothing has quite fit and that might just be the case. Any suggestions?