Thailand forum

Hi somtam2000

I don't really have a budget. From expensive to middle I guess. I know that makes it broad. We would like something picturesque and not that much in terms of ferang with their girls.

Your recommendations are much appreciated!! A friend also mentioned this island Nai Pan Noi, do you know it?

We are going to spend 3 nights in Bangkok and then fly down to Ko Samui. Do you think 18 days is too long for Ko Samui, Ko Tao & Ko Pha Ngan? We were thinking of trying to take in Malaysia (well part of it, maybe a week down there).

Many thanks

I'm looking at nice midrange places around that time in the area -
Samui - Thongkian on a real nice underdeveloped beach between Chaweng and Lamai gets great user reviews - http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/samui/thongtakian/
More upmarket place on same beach - google Samui Yacht Club (misnomer, no boats).
On Phangan a similar beach (bit more busy) and place - Cookies on Hat Salat
http://www.cookies-phangan.com/
http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/kohphangan/cookies/
Always reckoned if I could afford it I'd stay at Panviman at Thong Nai Pan. Day rate is way high, but multiday packages seem better. Note website also includes Panviman on big Ko Chang. Don't really want to be there mid-year - usually VERY wet.

No worries -- the above is only a small sample -- Samui in particular has hundreds of places to choose from.

Check out tripadvisor.com. I always use that resource (in addition to travelfish) when looking for something splurge-worthy. I haven't actually stayed there, but Blue Ocean Garden Hideaway on the west coast looks awesome and I just about stayed there in January but we determined that it just wasn't in the budget this time. (It's on the B&B list for Koh Phangan on Trip Advisor.)
Congrats!

ceci - normally I'd say have a look at Ko Nangyuan resort off Ko Tao - but it's more midrange than luxurious and that area has a reputation for throwing up some shockingly wet Octobers every now and then.

Elsewhere is also wet season, but usually non-southern Gulf wet seasons are not too bad with enough sunshine for a good holiday. I figure what you want is a luxury place on a secluded east coast beach (prevailing winds are off-the-shore leading to smooth conditions) with good snorkelling.
Okay, check TRAVELFISH and others for the laid back east coast of Phi Phi. Phi Phi Island Resort on Loh Bakeo is very flash and there are some pretty nice places up at Laem Tong. Long Beach on the south coast is not as sheltered but does have good snorkelling - Phi Phi The Beach Resort is the flashest there.
Ko Ngai's main eastern beach has 4 or 5 upper midrange to high end joints. Real nice island.
Nearby Ko Kradan has a similar beach, less developed, probably better snorkelling and there is a new super flash joint - can't remember the name.

Thanks for the feedback +brinner+ - nice you had a good visit and for us it's great to get some answers to the thought we often get when typing out an anwer - "I wonder where this person will end up going?"