Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Songkhla Hotels - Taking Pride In Its Hospitality

Songkhla is the provincial capital of Songkhla Province located in south Thailand bordering the state of Kedah in Malaysia. This city is placed between the Gulf of Thailand and the Songkhla Lake at a distance of about 950 km south of Bangkok. The province boasts of many natural attractions like beaches, waterfalls, parks and so on. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, this city is popularly known as 'the great city on two seas'. This city can be reached easily via government buses that run on regular basis to/from Bangkok. These air-conditioned buses runs daily and covers a distance of about 984 km in 12 and half hours. Direct buses are also available from Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Hatyai. There are also many minivans that offer access to this city. Songhkla has emerged as a favorite tourist hot spot for its awesome beaches and natural wonders. This place receive many tourists who stay here for a few days before heading for places like Hat Yai. There are a number of good Hotels in Songkhla for the guests to spend their vacations at this destination.

Various attractions to see here include Samila beach and its famous golden mermaid statue, Tang Kuan Hill, City Pillar Shrine, Pathammarong Museum, and Songkhla National Museum, and Songkhla Zoo amongst others. For the shoppers the most popular thing to buy here is a mini replica of the golden mermaid statue. For food and beverage, you can visit places like markets in front of Songkhla post office, Phatthalung road, Suan Thaokae market, Wachira market and so on.

Songkhla receives a fair number of tourists all throughout the year. To accommodate these guests there are a host of hotels and resorts offering luxury accommodations as well as budget stays. The Hotels in Songkhla are of an extensive variety and offer comfortable stay for all budgets and preferences. The city it is the proud home of various hotels, resorts and guest houses which ensures the guests with a comfortable stay. Rajamangala Pavilion Beach Resort and Pavilion Hotel are two popular hotels in Songkhla. To book a hotel in Songkhla, you can take the help of online Internet reservation facility. You can directly visit the official website of the hotel or use any other reliable website for booking.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Top Five Hotels in Koh Samui

Samui, an island lying in the Gulf of Thailand truly deserves the epithet 'the Paradise on Earth'. An island famous for its beaches and natural beauty, Samui occupies a prominent position among the world tourist destinations. Here are the top five hotels Koh Samui to make the vacation even more enjoyable.

1. Amari Palm Reef Resort, Chaweng (5-star)

Located on one of the most beautiful and popular of Samui beaches, Amari Palm Reef Resort is a favorite among hotels Koh Samui. The Thai-style buildings of the resort are set amidst tropical gardens and swaying coconut palms. Crystalline waters, availability of varied water sports and vibrant nightlife makes the resort the ideal base for travelers of all hues.

2. Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Bophut beach (5-star)

Picturesque beaches, breathtaking sea views, spacious rooms, Thai décor, private balcony and signature Anantara spa facilities are the highlights of this luxury resort located in Fisherman's Cove. Anantara Resort is the last word in luxury and comfort.

3. Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Chaweng (5-star)

Located barely 15-minutes drive from Samui Airport, this resort is an established name in the Samui hospitality scene. The Cafe restaurant, Poolside Bar, Beachfront Barbecue Terrace, Pub and Lobby Lounge all are aimed at giving maximum satisfaction to guests.

4. Poppies Samui Resort, Chaweng (5-star)

Poppies Resort is located far away from the regular tourist area of Chaweng beach to give more peace and tranquility to its guests. Swimming pool with natural rock formations, Jacuzzi and open-air beachfront restaurant are its attractions.

5. Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Lamai (5-star)

Away from the hustling tourist areas, Renaissance Resort is located close to Lamai fishing village. The calm sea and quiet surroundings are perfect for a peaceful beach holiday. In case guests feel like spending a lively night, Chaweng is just 15 minutes away.

Hotels Koh Samui are designed to be perfect partners to unforgettable beach vacation experiences.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Thailand Hotel & Travel Deals

Thailand is located in the southeastern part of Asia and is one of the most attractive holiday destinations of the world. This country is preferred by many tourists seeking a tropical getaway because there is a mix of splendid nature, stunning beaches, rich culture, interesting historical remains, majestic Buddhist temples and extremely warm people.

Thailand is also renowned for the great accommodations offered by luxurious resorts and 5 star hotels. Almost each hotel of Thailand has very good amenities and a high level of services. Most well developed hotels can be found in the capital city Bangkok and in the main beach resorts such as Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket and many other.

There is no hotel in this renowned beach resorts that not offer great travel deals to Thailand. Most holiday packages offered include comfortable accommodations and breakfast or half-board. On the travel market can be also found all inclusive vacation packages to Thailand which are holiday deals that include, beside accommodation in a luxury hotel, all meals, cocktails, snacks, luxury spa services and a number of vacation activities such as tours to Buddhist temples, dinners at restaurants with specific Thai food and water activities such as diving, snorkel tours, sailing and much more.

Bangkok, the capital city of the country, is also a main travel destination. There go many people to spend vacations or with business and both categories of travelers find accommodation in a good selection of luxurious hotels. A 5 star hotel from Bangkok offers really luxurious amenities and services. Hotels and resorts from Bangkok are considered among the best from southeast Asia. A another category of people travel to Bangkok for shopping. This is because in the capital city of Thailand can be found a lot of hot deals - extremely high quality brand products on incredible low prices!

Even if Thailand is renowned for its 4 and 5 star hotels there can be found also many cheap hotels. A cheap hotel has more affordable room rates and provides also decent accommodations and good services. This type of hotels offer also hot travel deals and can be found everywhere, starting from Bangkok and ending in world-class beach resorts such as Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Koh Samui, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Where to Stay in Pattaya Thailand

Pattaya Thailand is located on the southern coast of Thailand. Just a few hours away from Bangkok by taxi and it is as easily accessible by taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport. The taxi drivers will charge you a flat fee of 1500THB to 2000THB which is roughly $45US to $60US. If you can speak a little bit of Thai than you will have a good chance of bargaining the price down. Taxis can be found at the airport or just flag one down in Bangkok.

There are many reasons why someone would vacation in Pattaya though most stay there as a weekend side trip from the main tourist city of Bangkok . But the main reason why hordes of visitors come to Pattaya is to witness and partake in the raucous nightlife that presents itself like a buffet to ravenous survivors on a deserted island. And there are other reasons to visit Pattaya such as for the close proximity to Pattaya's beaches. Though Pattaya officials are trying to clean up the pollution on their beaches I highly suggest that you take a tour to the outer islands like Ko Lan. Ko Lan is a 45 minute boat ride away and the island is a paradise for swimmers as Pattaya's main beaches might not have ideal conditions suited for snorkeling and scuba diving. But it will certainly do just fine for a bit of splashing around and water sports.

The most popular question asked is when is the best time to visit Pattaya. October to February is ideal because the heat and humidity is bearable. But this also means that you will be paying more for accommodations as those months  fall within the high season. So book ahead to get the rooms you want. During the low season you will experience heat and humidity that will certainly make your holiday uncomfortable. Rain will happen in Thailand regardless of the season, but the showers do not last too long. 

You will know when you have arrived in the city of Pattaya when you see streets lined with go-go bars, snooker clubs, bars, pubs and clubs. You will certainly know you're there when women pull you this way and that way towards the establishments they work in.  It is a sight that you can't miss especially when the neon lights illuminate the sky and the scantily clad women light up the streets. This is certainly no place for kids but it is not an uncommon sight to see Thai children with their parents walking hand in hand gawking at all the tourist. However you will see often western families wandering around the red light districts with parents covering their children's eyes.

The great thing about Pattaya's assortment of accommodation is that you can be decently far away from all the nightlife scenes or you can be exactly right in the middle of all the action. And what ever budget you can afford, there is no doubt you will find an accommodation that is suited to your pocket book and life style. The general rule of thumb is the more secluded the accommodation is the more expensive the rates will be. There are two main stretch of beaches in Pattaya.  Pattaya Bay which is the largest and most crowded and Jomtien Beach which offers a little bit of seclusion. So keep this in mind when you choose a hotel in Pattaya whether or not you want to deal with the noise or over crowding.

Now, if you are going to Pattaya only to enjoy and experience the nightlife, then you should stay anywhere near or adjacent to Walking Street. You cannot miss this street because this is the major tourist attraction hub. This seedy street is filled with plenty of  outdoor bars, indoor bars, beer bars with Muay Thai matches, disco clubs and a smattering of massage parlors catering to men. Whatever your intentions are of visiting Pattaya you will surely find it on Walking Street. One word of warning though, Walking street can be too noisy and if you don't mind being harassed by Thai transsexuals called lady-boys or drunken tourist then you might want to book your accommodations just a little bit away from there as it can get quite rowdy.

Are you into water sports but don't want to pay big bucks to stay in all inclusive resorts? Kayaks and Jet Skis can be rented on the beach for a very decent price. You can even get an affordable body massage on the beach just a few feet away from the rolling waves. The great thing about vacationing in Pattaya and Thailand overall is that a small budget can go a long way. Beer and food can be had at a very cheap price thanks to the favorable exchange rates. 

Pattaya started out as a little fishing village and today it is ending up as a major tourist destination with big name hotels that are standing should to shoulder with mom and pop operations. Rumors of corporate big wigs are trying to move in to spruce up the value of Pattaya. But they will never succeed. Pattaya will always remain one of the best places to party and its unique essence and charm can never be changed. 

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Affordable Thailand Hotels - Krabi

The laidback atmosphere, uncrowded beaches and natural beauty of Krabi, Thailand is attracting tourists to this tropical paradise. However, the steep tariffs of Thailand hotels Krabi are a deterrent to average travelers. Here are some Krabi hotels that are affordable without compromising on luxury and comfort.

1. Heritage Hotels, Ao Nang: Located in a quiet corner of Aonang beach, this hotel has 78 comfortable rooms to let out. Its proximity to the airport is another advantage for guests.

2. Ao Nang Beach Resort, Ao Nang: This two-star resort is set amidst the tropical greenery and white sand beaches of Krabi. The majestic mountains form its backdrop to complete the postcard image.

3. Ao Nang Sunset Hotel, Ao Nang: This resort is the perfect choice for budget-conscious families. Its pleasant ambiance, convenient location, proximity to shopping centers and restaurants are much appreciated by its guests.

4. Sand Sea Resort, Railay: The famous Railay beach of Krabi is considered a haunt of affluent travelers. This resort is an exception. Located close to the west Railay beach, this is an offer not to be missed.

5. Sunrise Tropical Resort, Railay: Another affordable accommodation on the famous Railay beach. The resort's inaccessibility adds to its charm. It can be reached only by a long-tail boat ride from nearby beaches.

6. Tipa Resort, Ao Nang: Tipa Resort's claim to fame is its setting amidst the tropical greenery near the beautiful beach. The resort rooms offer spectacular views of the land and the sea.

7. Krabi Resort, Ao Nang: The resort set beneath swaying palms on the most famous beaches of Krabi affords direct beach access. Ample attention is given by the resort management to make their guest feel at home during their stay here.

Majority of Thailand hotels Krabi are located on its two famous beaches - Aonang and Railay. While Railay is considered mostly upscale, Aonang has a fair mixture of all types of accommodation.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Travel Thailand: 5 Top Destinations

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok - Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation's capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket - Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai - The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai's tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center. With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century. Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The 2nd Orchid Fair also in January, and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.

Pattaya - Located 150 km. north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars, and a wide array of sport activities. Visit Pattaya when you travel Thailand is a must. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remains with reach. In fact, prices of foods, accommodation, and transportations are very affordable.

Krabi - In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and not so expensive hotel that cater tourists of different classes.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Travel Cheap to Thailand

Thailand is for many people one of the favorite destinations. And the reasons are pretty much obvious. Even if tourism has really grown during the recent years, Thailand still offers some pretty much unspoiled territories, precious beaches and an amazing cultural shock that you will probably prefer to miss your plane back home rather than coming back to your everyday's life. But to travel cheap to Thailand you really need to find out the right places or you will be abused as most tourists are.

Travel deals when it comes to flying there are many, as competence for Thailand is very high and in this case travel agencies are strongly fighting one with each other. This, in the end, lets us find some very good deals. The idea of the article is in a general way to encourage you to always look for this special offers in order to travel cheap to Thailand and to anywhere in the world, to never limit yourself to what you see on your first searches, but furthermore, and being aware that this is a limited time offer, I wanted to share with you for free one of my findings early this morning.

This offer is specially good for all Europeans, as departures are from London, and as I never get tired to say, you can reach London for 20 Euros the round trip with everything included with Ryanair. From there, with flights included and 14 nights in hotels in Thailand, you will get it for the price of 585 UK Pounds (813 Euros) I could kill myself for promoting offers like this for free, as I have no relationship with any travel agency at all, but certainly I am convinced that everybody should have the goal to help people, so here we are.

The way you can book in this case is not online, but online you will find a web-page that offers you the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand and a number in the UK that you can call to get more information. I haven't tried, but I imagine that you will be able to make the booking by telephone.

Together the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand, this guys have other interesting things specially related with traveling to Asia, but also many other offers to other regions, as flights to Auckland for 934 Euros, which is by far the best offer I have ever seen in the market from Europe to New Zealand. Also you can find 21 days campervan plus the flights to Auckland for just 1152 Euros. Again, is the best offer I have ever seen to get to the region. All this offers are generally valid until the 15th of June 2008, but if you wait for the beginning of January, the new offers for the summer and the first September discounted vacations will begin to appear.

They are also offering many possibilities to discover Africa, including some Safari packages, for relatively low prices. Africa is not my area of expertise, so I won't promise they have the cheapest option, but the numbers look pretty good compared to what I have seen up till now.

In any case, just feel free to take a look at their page and you will find out which offer adapts best to your needs if you are planning to travel Asia, Africa or the South Pacific from Europe.