coljung

Hi!

To be quick, we are spending a week in Thailand at the end of March, it will be the last leg of a 4 week vacation. Same as with our previous trip, we would like to end the trip spending 4-5n at some beach resort somewhere in the south of Thailand.

I have a cat-5 5n package, but wouldn't mind staying at a cat-6 either. And i will have Platinum status as well.

We are a family of 3, including a 3yo. Last time, we stayed at the Ritz in Bali, and what was nice about it, was that we had a room with Pool access, that was great because if we put the baby to sleep, we could simply swim at night. This hotel also had club lounge, which upon paying a daily fee, provided 4 services, that way we didnt end up eating at the Ritz branded restaurants and the overall food bill was pretty decent.

For this time, we would simply like to relax and not worry about much else, and if there is a nice beach in front, much better.

I'd love to go to Railey ( or Ao Nang ), as we went last year, but 4n/5n there is too much, plus there are no Marriott properties nearby.

Now, my choices are Phuket, Koh Samui, and Phu Quoc ( i know, not thailand ).

- Phuket is my least favorite destination, given how popular it is and the beach does not seem particularly nice. But flying there is rather cheap, and there are a couple of properties worth checking out.
- Koh Samui is the ideal place, but there are only 2 cat-5s and the rest are cat-7 i think. Not sure about either the Ritz or the W, there are very mixed reviews. Also the fact that flying there is not cheap at all. Around $1k ( CAD ) for 3 people. Although someone told me i could use Etihad with Bangkok Airways, so that would help a bit.
- Phu Quoc, i've read plenty of decent reviews, and we do enjoy the JW brand a lot. Main problem is getting there. flights have a similar cost to Koh Samui, and direct flights dont go everyday. If we were to fly via SGN, then i think we have to pay for a visa, which would increase costs even more. But, of all hotels, this is the one i like the most, and also the hardest to get to.


So, im looking for recommendations, i'm sure people here have been at most of the hotels in the area, and i would like to see different opinions.

I've read a few reviews here and there, but nothing helps me so far making a decision.

Thanks in advance!

Thunderroad

Can't really comment on these options I'm afraid. But if you're open to others, the Andaman in Langkawi, Malaysia is one my wife's and my favorite hotels of the many we've stayed in across SE Asia. It's a category 5. Located on an island just south of Thailand, so maybe flyable from Bangkok or Hong Kong??? Beautiful, placid beach on the edge of a tropical rain forest. Nice island to easily drive around for a day, if you're so inclined.

Of course, check the reviews here at FT and at Tripadvisor to get a sense of whether it might be your cup of tea.

northernstar84

Phu Quoc belongs to Vietnam not Thailand

johnaalex

Which beach are you looking at inPhuket? Mai Khao beach where the JW is located is a lovely beach.

rbAA

Second that as Mai Khao is my favorite with the JW and a Ren which is actually pretty nice. The beach is pristine, uncrowded and far from the crowds in the southern parts of Phuket.

That said, we're doing 3 nts at the Anatara (between the Ren and JW) in the villas with the private (smallish) pools. It's a timeshare promo deal that is offered at booths all over Bangkok at the better malls. $379 all in for the 3 nights in a villa including free breakfast. Of course, the restaurants are very pricy, but our favorite beach food truck, Rimhead, is right nextdoor the Anatara, and they'll move your table and chairs over by the beach, so you can enjoy the sunset while you're feasting on fresh fish and great Thai dishes. Decent beach massage tables right there also.

Langkwai mentioned in an earlier post is also great, and easy, inexpensive airfare from KUL.

soy

JW Khao Lak has a fantastic beach, Andaman is great also. Both have better beaches than Phu Quoc, though the Phu Quoc rooms are exceptional.
Have not been to Mai Khao

boonkoh

Renaissance is very nice, I was there in November. Great service, breakfast is amazing, pool is spectacular by the beach. Got upgraded from the standard room to the two bedroom private pool villa, right next to the pool and beach!

Also stayed at the Anantara Vacation Club (different to the Anantara Villas Mai Khao, not as great). If you can bargain a good rate direct, it's worth it. I paid £180/nt incl taxes for a 2 bedroom pool villa for 4 people. You have to listen to a 2 hour sales pitch for the timeshare though.

Between the Ren and the AVC, definitely the Ren is better. But likely more expensive too.

coljung

Yep, reason why i wrote that I would have to go through SGN ( Ho Chi Minh ) and pat for the visa, unless i take a direct flight, which is more expensive and doesnt fly everyday.

coljung

Any thoughts about the Vana Belle in Koh Samui?

I recently found out that i could use Etihad miles to fly Bangkok-UMS, and that would make it a lot cheaper to get there. Having said this, choices in Koh Samui are either the 2 cat-5, or the other cat-7s. Vana Belle looks gorgeous, and i believe is going up in price next week.

Anyone has stayed there ?

Thanks for all the other replies btw, JW in Phuket was my main option, but im unsure if they have rooms with Pool access.

ExpatSomchai

If you want to sit on the beach and chill. Avoid the sordid nightlife. Eat good seafood and meet friendly people I would say JW Khao Lak.

Kacee

Beautiful resort with stunning views, great service. All the rooms have plunge pools (but they are not suites, despite the name). Beach is okay, not fabulous. Main Chaweng beach has nicer sand than Chaweng Noi, but it's much more crowded. Depending on paid rates 60k/night is often not a very good deal here.

I like Samui much more than Phuket, though I have not stayed up at Mai Khao.

You have until March to book at 60k.

yosithezet

DCAview

My wife and I are looking to spend a few days on the beach in July as part of our first trip to Thailand. For the dates we're travelling, it looks like we could stay for roughly the same price at either the Vana Belle in a standard (jungle) pool suite or at the Renaissance Koh Samui in a beachfront pool villa. Both hotels seem to get good reviews here, but the Vana Belle is likely the nicer resort. I'm wondering if this group has any thoughts about whether it makes more sense to stay at a higher-category room at a somewhat less nice resort versus a standard room at a purportedly more luxurious property. I lean toward the Renaissance, because I like the idea of an oceanview from the room, but I wonder if we'd be missing something special if we skip the Vana Belle.

(The Le Meridian Koh Samui is quite a bit less expensive for a pool suite, but the reviews for that hotel on FT seem mixed at best. And, for what it's worth, we've only got Gold status, so not counting on any upgrades or other special treatment at either hotels.)

MrM2016

I can comment on the Renaissance: Stayed there last summer in an ocean view villa (upgraded from garden).

There are three ocean view villas which sit above the main swimming pool. The rest directly look out onto the sea. We had the former, which reduced our privacy significantly but also proved convenient for us to use the main pool when it was empty.

The villa itself was a good size. The shower/bath setup was odd as it is essentially just a deeper larger shower you can fill up. The plunge pool was a reasonable size for 2 people to be in at once.

Food variety and quality was of a high standard as was the buffet breakfast.

Not perfect, however:
1. For an area riddled with mosquitoes there were some bizarre areas of standing water behind the villas which looked horrific. They did though spray the resort and I do not recall seeing a mosquito.
2. We had a lizard fall off a ceiling beam. It was killed on impact with the floor, but then a large number of insects appeared apparently from no where to feast on the victim. The staff dealt with it, but it was offputting.
3. Staff were variable. Had to complain about one who flat refused to apply the platinum 20% discount.

Overall we came away satisfied with our stay. A key aspect from my perspective is that I felt it was tremendous value for money, the villa rate was around $400 per night for a last minute booking in peak season. I actually had a reservation beforehand at the Le Meridien but cancelled based on the deluge of bad reviews.

Whether it is better than the Vana Belle, I will let posters who stayed there chime in. That property was beyond our budget for that trip so cannot comment. Given the price difference I would expect it to be better.

SHLTP

Vana Belle is fabulous. Just fabulous.

I have not stayed at Renaissance but have at JW next door. Nice. You can't go wrong but VB is special, nicer beach and better location (tucked away and quiet but close to activity if wanted) while beach and location of.Ren not great.

Couple? Do VB. Kids? Do Ren