Holidays in Koh Samui Thailand Hotels- Getting Value For Money


Considering taking a holiday in Koh Samui? Wondering whether you'll be able to get value for money? Or will a stay in paradise break the bank? Well you'll be pleased to hear that in fact there are always fantastic deals available, many at significant reductions, you just need to know where to look to secure that bargain holiday in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui is known for having some of the best luxury hotels available at low and affordable prices. If you're considering spending your vacation in Koh Samui why not consider some of the island's popular destinations; such as the Anantara Bophut Resort and Spa situated in Fisherman's Cove, with its personalized spa menus and infinity pool; or the Carpe Diem Hotel with its excellent location right in the heart of Fisherman's Village; or maybe try the brand new Arisara Place Hotel on the hillside with its 30 serviced apartments. Thanks to the good exchange rates against many of the major currencies, including the US Dollar, Euro & GBP, visitors to the island should find that they get even greater value for money.

The abundance of fantastic deals available in many of the Koh Samui boutique hotels means that everyone should be able to achieve excellent value for money when booking their holiday; whether you choose one of the luxury hotels such as the Bophut Resort & Spa, or one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, or whether you opt for one of the fantastic huts of the Como Resort along the beach at Buddha Bay, there is a great deal waiting for everyone.

Tour operators, travel agents, hotels and airlines are always offering some great discounted deals, you just have to look for them, and if you look in the right places you can achieve luxury at some of their best and lowest prices. Early booking discounts are often available around eleven months in advance of your holiday or when the new season's rates are announced. These early booking discounts are often made more enticing by offering reduced or 'no' deposit schemes.

At the other end of the spectrum are the last minute deals, where booking late can often secure you a bumper deal; however these can often be a little hit and miss - you may be able to secure yourself a cheap hotel but the cost of flights often increase closer to the date of departure so keep this in mind, or in order to qualify for the late booking discount you may need to accept 'allocation on arrival', in these cases you don't actually find out which hotel you will be staying in until you arrive at your destination, which may not suit everyone. Other deals which are often available are bonus offers such as seven nights for the price of five; or you may find that some hotels and tour operators are offering free room upgrades, for instance you would pay the listed price of a deluxe room, but receive an upgrade to one of the much coveted sea view rooms.

Another consideration is when to take your holiday. Do you need to take your holidays to Koh Samui during the peak periods such as Christmas and Easter, or during one of the main school holidays between July and August? If you don't, then booking out of season is another great way of achieving great value for money as tour operators, airlines and hotels often offer some great incentives to book your holiday during their quieter periods. Or if you want to make the most of your money, why not time your visit to Koh Samui to coincide with one of the festivals which are held on the island, such as the eagerly awaited and widely celebrated festival of 'Loy Kratong' or the full moon night, which is normally celebrated in November - the festival is a spectacular sight with thousands of people gathering on the islands beaches in the moonlight, with many of the locals taking to the water in small Kratongs or boats that are lit by candlelight, a very romantic and spectacular sight from the beach.

There are many untapped bargains and deals available for the discerning holidaymaker on this breathtaking paradise island, holidays in Koh Samui offering fantastic value for money are there for the taking, so what are you waiting for?

By Jessica Portman

What Are Thailand's Main Tourist Attractions and Activities?




Bangkok

Most people spend a few days in the Thai capital, but many find the pollution, traffic congestion and chaotic street life extremely wearing. There's plenty to take you off the street, however, including the glittering Grand Palace compound and its beautiful gigantic Reclining Buddha; the comprehensively stocked National Museum; the massive Chatuchak weekend market; with over eight thousand different nightlife that suns the full range from cutting-edge clubs to depressing strip joints.

Beaches

Beach resorts in Thailand are among the world's best. You'll find the most developed and expensive resorts, and some of the finest sands, on the islands of Ko Samui and Phuket, while backpakers tend to head for the more budget oriented Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Ko Lanta and Ko Mook. Krabi's Railay beaches are nothing short of stunning, Ko Samet makes and easy and economical break from Bangkok and Ko Chang is handy for travelers heading in and out of Cambodia.

Trekking

Unlike the organized treks in the Himalayas, Thailand's "hill-tribe treks" focus on the ethnic-minority villages that you walk to, rather than on the walking itself or the scenery. The hill tribes live way out in the sticks, but their villages are connected by tracks, so the hiking is not difficult. Most treks last two to four days and feature nights in the villages, as well as an elephant ride and river rafting. The main trekking centres are the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but routes out of both are hugely over subscribed, so it's better to start from Mae Hing Sin, Pai, Kanchanaburi or Umphang instead, where trails are quieter and more rewarding.

The ruined former capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya

Dating from the thirteen century, Sukhothai is a beautiful example og thoughtful city planning enlivened by lakes and elegant statues of the Buddha. The 300-year-old temples and palaces of Ayutthaya display a refined mix of Hindu and Buddhist sculpture and are fun to explore by bicycle. Both sets of ruins are now conserved as historical parks. There are plenty of sobering World War II sights in the town, as well as reasonable range of trekking, rafting and cycle options that make the most or the fine river scenery, plus some appealing rafthouse accommodation too.

Thailand Travel Alerts Intensify

CANADIANS and New Zealanders have been advised to avoid all travel to Thailand and New Zealanders who are in Thailand are now being advised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider leaving.

The upgraded advisories add to a welter of travel alerts that threaten the future of tourism in Thailand and imperil investment and jobs throughout the country.

Resort managements contacted by Phuketwan today said that cancellations are also coming at a greater rate. The low season from May to November now shapes as a time when hundreds of jobs in Phuket's tourism industry are likely to have to be sacrificed.

The travel alerts fail to differentiate between destinations within Thailand, so the safe and secure holiday destination of Phuket will suffer unjustly as a result of the unruly red protests hundreds of kilometres away in Bangkok.

Continue Reading Alert

Koh Samui Thailand Hotel Review


A Review of Saboey, one of the most luxurious yet affordable Koh Samui Thailand hotels.

Courtesy of tripadvisor.com

“Beautiful resort; friendly staff” - Bristol

I stayed for 10 days in the resort with some friends. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by broad smiles and delicious cocktails. Passing through the front door from the main road was like passing into a different world: lush greenery, tall palm trees, outdoor jacuzzi and gorgeous infinity pool.

We stayed in a beach villa which was clean and spacious with a big en suite bathroom. The room was equipped with everything you need: air con, TV, DVD player, phone, safe, fridge etc.

The best thing about this hotel was the tranquility and the friendliness of the staff who were so kind and helpful at any time of the day or night. Now I'm back in the UK I'm missing it so much and would jump at the chance to go back!
Highly recommended!


"Great family location!” - London

We had 2 Garden Villas, which were both spacious and well furnished. The children had their own Villa, which whilst close enough for us to be happy, was on it's own for them to enjoy their own space.

The resort was perfect, right on the beach, with a beautiful swimming pool, and nice landscaped gardens. We spent lots of time relaxing by the pool, and also stepping onto the beach, and into the sea, when we wanted a change.

We would definitely recommend this resort. Great location, great food, and conveniently located to get around, if you need to.

Recommended Samui Hotels in Thailand


Koh Samui, being a popular tourist destination in Thailand, has hundreds of hotels and resorts in varying budget and affording a wide range of facilities. It is common for first-time tourists to Samui to feel overwhelmed by the choice in the accommodation scene. Here is a list of recommended Koh Samui Thailand hotels to help you find your dream pad.

1. Saboey : a beautiful, secluded resort in the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand, designed to maximise serenity, space and privacy. It is nestled amidst lush tropical gardens Saboey Resort and Villas and landscaped around a stunning double-infinity freshwater pool and cascading Jacuzzi, which both allow a stunning seamless view onto the sea.

2. Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng beach: This five-star resort lying on the north end of Chaweng beach is the last word in luxury and comfort. The Thai-style resort buildings lying concealed beneath the swaying palm trees of the resort afford complete privacy and tranquility.

3. Anantara Resort & Spa Koh Samui, Bophut beach: Lying off the beaten track on Bophut beach, Anantara Resort is located on the Fisherman's Cove. The calm and quiet beach lures travelers to this luxury resort. Thai architecture of the resort adds local flavor to the atmosphere. The Spa located on the premises is sought-after by international clients. Many come to the resort to enjoy the signature Anantara spa treatments.

4. Atlantis Resort & Spa, Choeng Mon Beach: Snuggling between the picturesque beach and the green landscape, Atlantis Resort retains a village-like serene atmosphere. Here guests get to relish the ancient Thai traditions together with modern amenities.

5. Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort, Chaweng beach: Set in a secluded part of the famous Chaweng beach, guests of Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort get to enjoy privacy and lively atmosphere as and when they desire. The beachfront resort is the epitome of luxury and comfort.

6. Baan Talay Villa, Hua Tanon Beach: Away from the tourist circuit, Baan Talay Villa is located on the isolated Natien beach on southern parts of Samui Island. The resort gives its guests ample opportunities to wallow in nature.

Billionaire Playgrounds 2010


Where the world's super-rich go for fun.

Stressful times typically call for big vacations, but the tough economic climate has forced some families to find enjoyment closer to home this year. The same isn't true for the world's billionaires. Although some have seen their net worth shrink, many continue to visit their personal getaways to escape from their high-profile lives.

The location of these luxury destinations is a matter of personal taste.

Some, like Oprah Winfrey, enjoy the Caribbean heat. Despite owning a 60-acre Maui getaway and a 42-acre estate in Montecito, Calif., Oprah occasionally yearns for the serenity created by the crystal-clear Caribbean water and the region's perfect palm trees. To calm this urge she visits her coastline playground on Antigua, where Eric Clapton and Giorgio Armani are among her famous neighbors.

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Do You Know the 5 Most Popular Wedding Rings?


Wedding band is the most important part of the occasion. It symbolizes love, care and commitment.

The most popular choices in wedding rings are:

1. Tungsten rings: This is a new brand. It is also the best. It is tried and tested on wedding rings for its cheap price and longevity. People prefer tungsten band because of its durability. Traditional jewelry is expensive and also hard to maintain. Wedding/engagement rings made of tungsten carbide is extremely strong and it can withstand any blow of time. Besides it hardly looses its shine sheen and polish. Look of tungsten bands is as close as the expensive rings like gold and platinum. You can even opt for different styles in tungsten rings like.

• Single stripe tungsten bands
• Two grooves bands
• Plain and polished bands
• Single groove tungsten bands

2. Diamonique Rings: It is a brand name in itself. It is widely considered to be the best. Diamonique jewelry is considered for gemstone. Besides quality, you get style and beautifully crafted stunning quality stones that have exquisite settings. Few of the most popular demands are as follows.

Continue Reading Do You Know the 5 Most Popular Wedding Rings?

Traveling to Thailand For Medical Tourism


In the United States and Europe, specialized medical procedures tend to be very expensive. For this reason, medical tourism has become an increasingly popular trend in the western world. Medical tourism refers to the practice of traveling abroad in search of cheaper and usually better specialized medical treatments. In Asia, Thailand is one of the premier destinations for medical tourism. The medical tourism industry is starting to become one of the fastest growing sectors of Thailand's economy. A single hospital in Bangkok, for example, received over 150,000 foreigners seeking specialized medical treatment in 2005. Medical tourism brought into the Thai economy an estimated 36.4 billion baht in 2006 alone.

People going to Thailand for medical tourism can find a wide range of medical procedures available at a drastically lower price than they would find in any western hospital. Everything from plastic surgery to heart transplants can be had for a mere fraction of what it would cost in the United States or Europe. A coronary bypass surgery, for example, goes for at least $100,000 in the United States. In Thailand, the same exact procedure costs only a mere $12,000. But it is not only high-risk medical surgeries that people go for. Spa therapy and physical therapy facilities are also popular medical tourism attraction, especially in large cities like Bangkok and Thai resort towns. Thai hospitals and clinics have a reputation for providing excellent patient care at a much higher level than what people are used to in western hospitals.

But it's not only to westerners that Thai hospitals cater to. They also attract a vast number of wealthy Asian foreigners. One hospital in Bangkok has an entire section of the hospital dedicated solely to the care of Japanese patients. Interpreters at Phyathai Hospitals Group speak over 22 languages (this is in addition to the English, which is spoken by all working staff).

Most physicians in Thailand are highly skilled and accredited. Many attended U.S. and European medical schools for their certificates. Doctors and medical staff at the Bumrungard International Hospital in Thailand, for example, were for the most part educated in the United States or Europe. The U.S. Consular information sheet recently ranked Thailand as having one of the best health care systems in Asia.

Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand


Have you ever wondered what make weddings significant and momentous?

Meaningful weddings start with choosing an astonishing and stunning wedding destination. When it comes to wedding destinations, people daydream of far off places like Thailand. Weddings in Thailand are becoming more and more popular and this offers something a bit unusual for those who want to escape the stress and pressure involved in many conventional weddings. Weddings in Thailand make the exchange of "I dos" a truly unforgettable moment. After all, isn't that the happy ending couples have been waiting for all along?

Weddings in Thailand- When?

A particularly popular time to get wedded in Thailand is during Valentine's Day on a tropical island beach. The whisk of the warm afternoon sand between your toes; the natural harmony of the sea as it gently cuddles the shore; standing hand-in-hand, with the one you love, committing to one another completely. Sound like a passionate dream? As you will discover on Koh Samui weddings, wedding dreams do come true.

Continue Reading Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand

The Top Destinations of The Year


As we continue to reel from the effects of the recession and dig deep as our travel budgets have moved from minted to skinted, we ask ourselves some difficult questions.

  • Should we shorten our holiday?
  • Should we become more cost savvy and consider an all inclusive option?
  • Should we even consider staying in the UK with the horrific thought of cowering against the relentless rain?
  • Or are there ways to cheat the bad Euro while cashing in on a totally different travel experience?

Most of us are willing to travel further to escape the eurozone, so we have compiled our Top 10 Destinations by researching destinations outside the eurozone that offer a totally different travel experience, in some of the most amazing corners of our planet.

Read on The Top Destinations of The Year

Koh Samui Thailand Hotels Reservation

There are various ways of making a Koh Samui Thailand Hotels Reservation. If this is your first trip to Koh Samui, you will mostly purchase your entire holiday as a "package," which is commonly chosen by most people, but usually they end up ruing it after some time. This is because many Travel Agents or Holiday Sellers do not bother checking out the Hotels and Resorts where they intend to put you up. Along with that, the prices will be exorbitant than what you will see after you reach there.

So how do you go about making Ko Samui Hotel Reservation a pleasant experience? For that, use the following 2 tips:

1. If you have time when you reach quite early in the day the most ideal way to choose the place to reside for the period of your vacation is to look around the island to find out what is on hand. There are numerous hotels, resorts and bungalows in Koh Samui and they differ in cost and quality. Once you know what you want and the location, you can enjoy a memorable trip.

2. Another way is to carry out some background check and then use internet to make your Koh Samui Hotel Reservation. It is commonly practiced throughout the world. You can reserve flights, airlines, transport and trips on the net instantly. It will save you money and there is no need to worry about anything, except reaching Samui to chill out for a memorable trip. Koh Samui is a heaven on earth and the best place to spend your holidays.\

Credits: Jack Dan


Wedding Favor Ideas For Beach Weddings


A beach wedding is one of the most breathtaking wedding ideas to go about. With a natural, tropical backdrop, this kind of wedding should be completed with, of course, wedding favors that have summery touches. Wedding favors are becoming very significant to every wedding, and should be chosen accordingly. If you are planning a beach wedding, it is recommended to have the best beach-oriented party souvenirs to thank your guests.

Now that beach wedding themes are very popular among young couples, one big advantage for you is the immeasurable favor selections you can choose from. It will be less stressful to find beach wedding favors nowadays because of so many specialty stores that are beating each other by offering various kinds of products, in different shapes, styles and themes. Basically, most of them are trying to come up with the best wedding party souvenirs that every nuptial needs.


Read on Wedding Favor Ideas For Beach Weddings

Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand

A particularly popular time to get married in Thailand is on Valentine's Day on a tropical island beach. The stir of the warm afternoon sand between your toes; the natural harmony of the sea as it gently cuddles the shore; standing hand-in-hand, with the one you love, committing to one another completely. Sound like a passionate dream? As you will discover on Koh Samui weddings, dreams can come true.

As posted on Articleoutpost : Weddings in Koh Samui Thailand

Christine Saboey is a food and travel enthusiast for over 14 years. She began her travel adventures at the age of 14 with a round the world trip across ten countries. Recently she joined and spearheaded events related to Weddings in Thailand.