Thailand?

[zolaaa]

I’m in the mood to plan a holiday. Never travelled east before and Thailand takes my fancy...twin centre with Bangkok for a few nights combined with luxury beach resort. Just me and DH in jan/feb. Can anyone recommend which island would be best? Very much for a relaxing holiday so nice beach/scenery and food.

Check the weather carefully for each destination as what can be nice on one side of Thailand can be wet on the other.

Andaman coast has beautiful weather then. Phuket etc. Personally i love Phuket. Despite being rather built on now it has stunning beaches and the sea is perfect for swimming at that time of year. I think you could find the kind of thing you're after there.

Thank you! I was worried Phuket was a bit ‘young’ for us. Just reading up though and Phuket and Koh Samui are recommended for first timers. I do like my home comforts rather than roughing it!!

Samui does not have good weather then. Phuket is definitely not just for young 'uns. So much choice for accommodation. Go for it!

Possibly looking at March, is it best to stay the andaman sea side then?

March is still lovely. In fact I am going there in March! . It is the end of the best season weather wise ( by that I mean usually no rain and sea still swimmable as it is treacherous out of season) but still great.

I don’t suppose you can recommend any hotels? After 4/5* with lovely beach/pool but near enough to local restaurants to explore for dinner etc rather than being tied to the hotel restaurant.

Phi Phi is exactly what you are looking for!
We stayed at the Outrigger resort for honeymoon and it was perfect. Lovely pool and beaches, and a little village behind the resort with lots of little restaurants selling authentic Thai food:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/HotelReview-g303908-d454876-Reviews-PhiiPhiIslanddVillageBeachhResort-KoPhiiPhiDonnKrabiProvince.html

Railay Bay is lovely near Krabi. It’s not an island but 3 back to back beaches however you can only get there by boat as it’s surrounded by cliffs. Ko Lanta is worth checking out as is Ko Phi Phi. Beautiful scenery, relaxing, easy to access from Phuket. All on the Andaman side. V jealous, I love Thailand!

Argh there’s just so much choice!!

Yes there really IS so much choice. Other people's ideas also good. Lanta is much quieter than Phuket and arguably harder to get to. I have been to all places mentioned and yet still my heart belongs to Phuket! Just don't stay in Patong. There are so many lovely hotels in Phuket. For what you're after The Banyan Tree might work. Look at reviews. A personal fave of mine is Twinpalms. In the same area I liked The Surin too. That has basically a private beach shared with the Amanpuri as only accessible by boat if not a hotel guest.

I once saw David Dickenson at the Amanpuri. Topping up that tan. .

Look on Away Holidays and Best at Travel....and haggle.