Phang Nga or Phuket or Koh Samui

We (group of 4 young adults) will be traveling to Thailand for the first time in Feb.

We have a choice to stay at Le M茅ridien Khao Lak Beach %26amp; Spa Resort in Phang Nga or Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket or Le Royal M茅ridien Baan Taling Ngam in Koh Samui.

Like I mentioned before none of us have been to Thailand before so we are looking for recommendations to help us decide on which place to go.

Any advice would be greately appreciated!

Phang Nga or Phuket or Koh Samui

It depends what you are looking for. Khao lak (we are booked for April) is %26#39;off the beaten track%26#39; and has a national park nearby, great divng, and is more what Thailand used to be. Phuket and Koh Samui definately have more of what the younger crowd enjoy, which is a pretty active night life. Have been to both and it is a case of 6 of one and half doz of the other. Both are beautiful and have plenty going on. We have chosen Khao lak this time for the beauty and the natural setting. If it is night life you are after then Khao lak may not be for you (but we have yet to experience it). Which ever you choose, believe me you are going to have a great time. The Thai people are fantastic, the cuisine fantastic (and cheap) and the country will grab you by the heart..

Sheraton Laguna is about 30 mins by car from the action for the young crowd...am not sure about Baan Taling. Samui is a smaller island so may be a little more accessible.

Enjoy.

Phang Nga or Phuket or Koh Samui

Four young adults.You need to be in town where all the action not in the resorts you mentioned unless you are travelling with your partners .(Patong or Chaweng Beach ).Having been to both Samui %26amp; Phuket I would say Phuket as it has more to do than Samui. Unless you intend going to the all night Full Moon Party on Koh Pha-ngan a hours boat trip from Koh Samui.Do you realise there is a flight connecting both and goes on to Bangkok and Singapore which are both worth a few days visit .For Phuket look at Holiday Inn,Patong Merlin or Merlin Beach Resort.

For Samui look at Central Samui Beach Resort,Chaba Chaba or Imperial Samui.

Regards

KIWIKEITH

If you choose Le Meridien on Koh Samui, you may be disappointed with the position of this resort - I have heard it is a very beautiful resort inside and have driven past it a few times, but its location is very remote, nowhere near shops or other hotels and you would require transport to go anywhere. I believe the beach below this resort is quite rocky and not suitable for swimming.Koh Samui was a big disappointment - very chaotic, lots of building goin on. The cost of the extra airfare to get there from Bangkok might help you decide to fly directly to Phuket and go with the Sheraton Grande .

Thanks everyone for your response! Looks like Phuket might be the way to go.

I agree with KiwiKeith in relation to Phuket. Patong is the place to be for ';4 young adults';. Other beaches north and south are quiet, relaxing and lovely if that is your scene.

In my opinion Phuket and Koh Samui pretty much offer the same thing alright beaches, nightlife, night markets and some good restaurants as well as boat trips out to the islands where the marine parks are found. I think it will depend on the time of year. As Phuket and Koh Samui are on either sides of the Southern part of the mainland of Thailand. For example I would travel to Phuket side of the island over Koh Samui in December time however mid year around June I would travel to Koh Samui over Phuket side of the island.

On Phuket side of the island I would certainlty consider spending time on Phi Phi island or Phang Nga as the marine parks are sensational experience not to be missed.

On Koh Samui side I would venture out to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao to see the marine parks on this side of the island.

If you want a bit of busy beach areas with nightlife and some relaxtion with natural beauty I would consider splitting my time up.

If Phuket side is your choice spend 4 nights in Phuket say and 3 nights in Phang Nga for example. That way you experience both parts of Thailand.

came back from sumui 2 days ago and had a wicked time(3 men under 30).like mentioned airfare to sumui was very exspensive and shopping in general is atleast twice that of bangkok.

so if your watchig your pound/dollars phuket may be the way to go