Having loved Chiang Mai last visit, we are visiting South - West Thailand this time - we are in our 50's so don't seek all night parties, but prefer a chilled out village with either access to a pool or beach for sun and dipping. Any suggestions please Folks?
Once we have a location sorted, we are considering just booking one night then exploring for something special, unless someone can strongly recommend a suitable hotel/bungalow.......it is for my wife and I and my Sister, so something like a cottage or 2 hotel rooms will be the go.
Many thanks in advance!
PETE
Reply to this Not the Phuket area but here is another area to research.
Hua Hin.
Not as expensive as Phuket. You can get there by train like Chiang Mai.
Have fun. Reply to this Ko Phangan is maybe what you're looking for. Its cosy set up with a couple of delightful beaches on the east coast at Thong Nai Pan with fairly tasty places to stay, infinity pools, great food & smart service.
Have a dig around
http://www.thongnaipan-magazine.com/ & see if any of those tickle your fancy.
Reply to this Koh Phangan, in my almost "0ld fart" opinion, might be more okay if this couple were teenagers looking for a place to get stoned at and contemplate the moon or navels with other kids. Their choice.
There is chilling out at 50+ years old and chilling out at 17-21 years old! Who knows, maybe they are into "Magic Mushrooms" and LSD.
There are some areas away from the kids and drugs that are okay but there are some hoops to jump through just to get there with the boat rides.
Pete.
If you go to Phuket take a look at Phuket Town too.
Good luck.
Reply to this Hi Pete and Jude
May I suggest if you do go to Phuket island you check out Nai Yang - my partner is 52, im 44, we stumbled upon this cool little village thats ultra laid back by accident - aka me getting to the airport on the wrong day for a flight out. Airport staff suggested there was a nice little village with good value hotel around the corner about 200bht taxi fare away and we were expecting the worse being under the flight path etc - had such a lovely time we went back on our return to thailand for some chill out time. Theres no nightclubs, perhaps one area at the front of the Nai Yang Beach club resort that is an open area type quiet bar, a great little restaurant called the octopus's garden and the most wonderful quiet beach - its definitely not a nightclub bargirl type area so theres very few touts and shop keepers are very friendly. Alongside the Nai Yang Beach Club theres the Indigo Pearl which is very european trendy in decor and more expensive and there is another hotel a short walk up the beach. There are some lovely little huts on the beach - we actually had room at the Nai Yang Club resort but for the fun of it spent a night in one of the huts for 300bht.
Theres a little tour office on the beach directly across from the Nai Yang Club resort and Indigo pearl Hotels who do tours all over Phuket and to Phi Phi and Krabi plus a kite surfing school and a dive shop so theres a fair bit to do while your just lazing around.
I also like Kata but found Nai Yang to be one of those little hidden gem places where if you're there at the right time of the year you can have the whole ocean to yourself........yes.....skinnydipping oldies in the morning is just fine at nai yang cos theres no one to see you 😉 - the only problem we had with Nai Yang as a chill out spot was sometimes having to wake up the grumpy boy in the Mr Kobe Bar to make us pancakes and watermelon shakes in the mornings. Lifes pretty laid back in nai yang. Best months for skinny dipping geriatrics appears to be may and october.
Reply to this Hey Thanks heaps Cindy, really cool of you to share! Pete
Reply to this Nps Pete - ive published a little blog with a few pics so you can see if this is the sort of area your after...and if you're under 45 you would hate it so dont go there 😉
Reply to this I am 61 and lived in Thailand for 18 years. Last year I took my son to Railay Beach on the Indian Ocean (southwest side). I would strongly recommend it for anyone with the over 50 crowd who wants creature comforts (air condidtioned bungalows, swimming pool and nearby white sand beaches) with awesome scenery, no crowds and a tame party scene. I wrote about my trip on my travelblog (see Insane Itinerary). To get there, fly from Bangkok to Krabi on Air Asia (~$50 round trip), and catch the bus from the airport to Ao Nang (100 baht), and a long tail boat to Railay (150 baht)...fast and simple.
Reply to this Since you liked Chiang Mai, I can offer a couple suggestions that I think you'd really like.
1) Check out Pai. Most people thing of Pai as a backpacker destination and that's absolutely true. But there are some stunning, quiet boutique hotels that really are a step ahead when it comes to relaxation, peace, and excellent food. <snip> is my recommendation but Pai Island Resort is also nice.
2) Mae Sai. A bit north of Chiang Mai, but there are some great <snip> and retreats if you're into yoga and meditation.
[Edited: 2016 Sep 16 10:55 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL's allowed]
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