Honeymooning Thailand and other Thailand Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

This hotel is one of the nicest resprts in the world (not to mention one of the most expensive - 450 - 700 US$ p/night). I've never been here, but I've heard about it (I coulden't afford it even if I stay a minute lol). Just go to their website: www.amanpuri.com

Location

Situated above Pansea Beach on the west coast of Phuket Island, Amanpuri is a 20 minute, 17 Km scenic drive from Phuket International airport.

Guest Rooms

Forty private pavilions and thirty Thai villa homes are interspersed throughout a coconut plantation.

The resort's pavilions are 115 square metres each, including the private outdoor terrace. Pavilion rates are determined according to view and location. Pavilions 103 and 105 enjoy the best views of the Andaman Sea. Two Deluxe Ocean Pavilions come with sea views,while five Superior Ocean Pavilions have partial sea views. The 27 Superior Garden Pavilions are interspersed among the coconut palms, while the remaining four pavilions are located close to the resort's central buildings.All pavilions feature an outdoor sala (sundeck and dining terrace),a king size bed, separate bath and shower, refrigerator with fully stocked mini-bar, electronic safe, stereo CD cassette system, IDD service and air-conditioning.

Unique Qualities: Recreation

Sailing, windsurfing, hobiecats, snorkelling and view boards are available on our beach, weather and tides permitting. Fully equipped gym on the beachfront, 6 floodlit tennis courts with fulltime playing partners, a fresh water (chlorine-free) 30 metre pool lined in black tile.

Massage/Treatments

Full time hairdresser, with facilities for hair, beauty and skin care treatments and traditional Thai massage.Health & beauty: Amanpuri specialised in health and beauty treatments including traditional Thai massage, Thai herbal skin-cleansing treatments, hair & nail services, aromatherapy massage. Sauna is also available.

Cruising excursions

Amancruises, our fully owned and operated motor yachtdivision, specialises in both scheduled and private charters to the beautiful islands and bays close to the resort.

Golf

There are 5 international standard golf courses within 30 minutes of the resort and we can arrange tee-off timesand rental of all equipment.

Library

The library has over 1,000 books encompassing novels, reference, travel and information on Southeast Asia. Each pavilion is equipped with a CD stereo cassette system, and music selections are offered in the library.

Services & Facilities

Other services: Same day laundry/dry cleaning,complimentary newspapers, taxi, car and jeep rental, foreign exchange,airline reservation/confirmation, fax, telex, medical services, complimentary limousine airport transfer and personal tour guides. Complimentary privatecar transfers to and from Phuket airport are offered to guests.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Website: http://www.amanpuri.com/

This hotel is sometimes referred to as the best hotel in the world. I've never stayed there (I've only snuck into the pool once lol).

Location
Picturesque location on the banks of the Chao Phraya
River, near the centre of Bangkok


Guest Rooms
358 rooms and 35 suites


Restaurants & Bars
Sala Rim Naam (traditional Thai)
Le Normandie (French)
The China House (Chinese)
Lord Jim's (seafood)
Ciao (Italian)
The Verandah
Authors' Lounge
The Bamboo Bar
Ciao (Italian)
The Verandah


Meeting Facilities
Conference and banqueting facilities for up to 500 guests


Health & Fitness
Two swimming pools, fully-equipped sports centre, tennis
and squash courts
The Oriental Spa: Thai Health and Beauty Centre


Features
Thai Cooking School and Cultural Centre
Cigar Divan
Over 1,000 employees
Child care centre
Shuttle boat to Taksin Bridge Skytrain Station

Unique Qualities: Just paste this wed address in to go directly to the site: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotelsite/frameset.asp?pWebCatId=6000013&pLevel=1&pHotelId=6&pHotelSite=1&pResvFlag=0&pUserSessionId=777828863

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (2) 659 9000
Address: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Other Contact: orbkk-reservations@mohg.com

OK... You've come to Thailand backpacking. You're on a strict budget. You arrive real late at night and are very tired. So you don't feel like going into Bangkok city and you just want a bed for a good price. Well don't stay at the airport hotel, too expensive. Here's where to go...


The We Train Hostel is an increadibly cheap hostel located right near the BKK airport. The rooms are dorm style (men and women seperated). The hostel is five floors and there are many more Thai people than westerners here (but there are still westerners). The hostel is also a shelter for battered women, interesting. Everyone is nice and helpful here. They have a small internet area and restaurant. Breakfast is really cheap too and you can get a western or Thai breakfast. There are a lot of Thai fruit here too!!

If I recall correctly a bed was under 200 Baht (I think it was more like 165 Baht!!) and breakfast was really cheap too.
Unique Qualities: see above

but there are always some consiquences when you only have to pay 165 Baht for a bed.

The beds are rock hard (like in many cheap inns in Thailand - the plastic bed w/ sheets

Its hot!

And its loud - frogs and crickets are really loud and there is a school nearby so you hear the national anthem and moprning anouncements in the morning.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (662) 929-2222, 929-2301-10
Address: 501/1 Mu 3, Dechatungka Road, Sikan, Don Muang
Directions: Don Muang, near the Airport, Bangkok
Full Address: 501/1 Mu 3
Dechatungka Road, Sikan, Don Muang
Bangkok 10210

From New Joe:

Our newest guesthouse, built in 1995, with 60 rooms of good standard. From here, we do most of the administration, and our service desk can help you in all cases of need. Our accommodation ranges from single rooms to triple rooms, either with fan or air-condition. All our rooms have privet bathroom, and a balcony where you can catch the waking up of Banglampoo.

Ouer busines-center, is well visited, and a service to our guests who need to keep in touch with the outside world, or to work on our computers. We have the latest hardware and software, and can offer e-mail, fax, over-sea calls, printing etc.

Unique Qualities: SERVICES:

Single, double, triple rooms fan or A/C with bathroom & balcony

Laundry service

Luggage storage

Safety deposit boxes

24 Hours staff on duty

Business service center : internet, Fax, oversea calls, flight confirmation. etc.

Traveling information

Tours & transportation

Minibus to airport
Unique Qualities: PRICES:

Double or single room with fan, bathroom 350 Baht
Double or single room with fan, hot water 450 Baht

Double or single room with A/C, bathroom 450 Baht
Double or single room with A/C, hot water 550 Baht
Triple room, fan, bathroom 450 Baht

triple room with fan and bathroom 450 BHT
each additional person occupying the room 100 BHT

triple room with A/C and bathroom 550 BHT
each additional person occupying the room 100 BHT

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (+ 66) 2 - 281 29 48
Address: 81 Trokmayom, Chakrapongse rd. 10200, BKK
Directions: KHAO SAN ROAD (KSR)
Website: www.newjoe.de

The New Merry V Guest House is located a three minute walk from Khao San Road. Which is nice because it isn't loud at night. There is a good restaurant/cafe in the hotel open 24 hours. Many backpackers stay at New Merry V. This hotel is nicer and more quite than the guest houses on KSR. It is also very safe, and is completely locked up from 24:00 to 4:00 (unless you need to go to the airport or something). You can have an interesting view of the city from the roof. The rates are really good too! You can get all types of rooms, from shared bathroom fan rooms to hot water air con rooms. Prices range from 200-650 Baht per ROOM (not per person).


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (6602) 2803315 or 6290462
Address: 33 Chana SongKram Lane, Banglumpoo, BKK 10200
Directions: 18-20 Phra Athit, Bangkok 10200 Opp. Phra Athit Pier

This 99-room hotel in the city center of Chiang Mai, is perfect for the backpacker. There are good cheap rooms 600 Baht and under. Rooms come in three carigories - fan, air, and new air and the difference between them ia only around 250 Baht. The hotel has a travel center and internet center, great for arranging transportation and trips. There is also a pool to cool down in. The hotel is located by the city center, walking distance from many banks restaurants, bazaars, wats, etc...

Unique Qualities: Pool, Restaurant (Chinese and Thai), Safty Box, Car rental, Travel Agency, Inetrnet Center.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0-5327-8684
Address: 15 Moon Muang Rd., Soi 2, Muang, Chiang Mai
Directions: Within the City Center, Chiang Mai
Website: www.thaiwaysmagazine.com

OK, this is not for everyone, but all of you on VT should know about this type of free accommodation in Thailand.

Yes, you can sleep for free at watsin Thailand. Note that this doesn't work in cities, because for the most part city wats are for tourists to visit/see or just locals. However, in more rural Thailand anyone can sleep at a wat for free (lets keep this tip quiet)!

If you are staying in some of the many beautiful villages around Chiang mai Province you can sleep for free at any local Wat. Just ask very politely and you may even be able to have some meditation lessons or speak with some monks. This is a great way to experience Buddhism and the real Thailand.

Also don't just appear like a backpacker, look respectful and act respectful. One sleeps at a wat because they want the experience, rather than just some free accommodation.

Many wats do however accept any donations. By no means is a donation expected, but it is a nice offering.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Address: Any local and more rural wat
Directions: The On Luay Wat is very nice and friendly

To truely experience first hand Thai culture and life I reccomend a homestay with a Thai family. This will be an unforgetable experience. Eating and interacting with local Thai people in a town removed from tourism and the city. You can enjoy playing football and cards with little brothers or sisters and talking about life with parents and older siblings. If you are interested in a homestay you can contact several Thai travel agencies, I reccomend contacting Dtaw at 3rd Eye Travel, at: www.3rdeyetravel.com .


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter

Plaloma Cliff, right near the beach.

OK.. This place is OK. The bungalows are on the coast but not on the beach. It is a three-minute walk from the beach actually. Why is this? Well, because of tides. There are no hotels right on the beach in Koh Chang because the tides make the beaches "disappear" at night. However, there are hotels closer to the beach, but therefore more expensive.

The rooms are OK. Very basic, but there are bathrooms.

The restaurant is OK too. This place is recommended for backpackers, but it is not a great spot if all you want to do is relax and have some luxury.

Unique Qualities: They are currently building some beach front bungalows.

From the hotel:
PLALOMA CLIFF RESORT is situated at the southernmost and of Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)on the west coast of Koh-Chang. Set in a lush tropical garden that stretches out to the white sandy beach and expanding over a cliff, Plaloma Beach Resort offers a cosy atmosphere and a romantic ocean view.

Plaloma Beach Resort is built to suit the tastes of individuals and families. Most of the resort is
constructed from nature's material which are skillfully blended with the environment of flowers, palms and
plenty of local plants as well as a mini zoo.

The restaurant serves exquisitely fine Thai and European cuisine all-day long while the beachfront bar kiosk is an oasis to quench your thirst after a fun-filled beach play.

Our friendly staff is ready to provide you their personal services and ensure you will enjoy a great holiday

Rates depend on season.

Room Types High Season Low Season
1 Nov - 15 May'03 16 May' -30 Oct'03
Standard Dbl (Fan Bungalow) 900 650
Twin Bed (Fan Bungalow) 1,000 750
Double Bed (Air-con Building) 1,500 1,000
Twin Bed (Air-con Building) 1,700 1,200
Air-con Bungalow (new)** 1,600 1,300
VIP. Deluxe Seaview Double (Room number 666) 2,500 1,900
American Breakfast 100 100
Extra Bed 250 250

Leave a Comment

Theme: Inn
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: P.O.Box 14 Trat, Thailand 23000
Directions: Had Sai Khao (White Sand Beach)on the west coast of Koh-Chang.
Website: www.koh-chang.com/plalomacliffresort

This guesthouse/resort is the best cheap accommodation in Mae Hong Son. It is only a seven or so minute walk from the city center, located at the top of a small hill. It is owned and run by the Sunflower Cafe. They have great thai fruit and freshly baked bread. The rooms are cheap and good. All rooms are clean teak bungalows next to eachother on the hill.

Room rates: (Includes breakfast also)
Fan: 200-700 Baht
A/C: 800-1000 Baht

each room has a cable TV and hot water wall shower and sitting (as opposed to squatting) toilet.

Unique Qualities: Great Views, quiet at night, the best and cheapest in Mae Hong Son.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: ( 053 ) 613007, ( 01 ) 916-3262
Address: 14/1 Panglonikom Soi4 T. Chongkum A. Muang 58000
Website: www.maehongsontravel.com/bkresort/
Other Contact: e-mail: ban_kaew@yahoo.com