EXTRA NIGHT ADDED - 9N (WAS 8)
I have changed arrival flight from Jetstar to Singapore Airlines and as a result we now 9 nights in Thailand and not 8 as per message below.
We're doing a short SE Asia trip late Jan / early Feb next year and only going to have 8 nights total in Thailand - flying in from Hanoi, Vietnam. Easiest flights from Hanoi is to Bangkok. We will be flying out from Bangkok to home (already booked on 8pm flight) and want to spend the last half of the trip on a high end beach resort / beach hotel. There are heaps of flights from Phuket to Bangkok that same day.
So options are 4N Bangkok, 4N Phuket // 3N Bangkok, 5N Phuket // 3N Bangkok, car hire drive to Phuket over 2N, 3N Phuket.
For those who have been recently how would you do it?
We're basically into all the things you see on 'must do' lists - primary temples, national parks, caves, war things (hellfire pass), history, need at least one elephant sactuary. But it's kind of annoying how all the good things are like 2-3 hours drive away (each way). Are there are any areas where a lot is kind of bunched together so you can do a lot on a full day tour?
For the resort, I thought Phuket because for such a small trip it would be best to not do an island so we can explore Thailand better. Is that probably the right decision?
I know the busiest Phuket area is Patong but the resorts from what I can see are kind of average - We can spend around $600/N on accomodation, more if its amazing. Are there any nicer parts of Phuket which still has good walking distance shopping, restaurants, cheap massages? We have no interest in clubs or partying.
DRIVING
We probably won't do it anymore but the driving was to see more of the country as the drive from Bangkok to Phuket is meant to be pretty scenic and has some good tourist stops along the way. We've driven around Japan so it doesn't really scare us at all.
We are frequent visitors to Thailand, visited around 20 times in the past 10 years.
By the sounds of it, you would really hate Patong Beach and I would agree. Great when we were 19 years old, but now in our early 40s, our preferences have changed dramatically. Cheap sleazy brash and all the not-so-good things Thailand is known for.
Skip Phuket and go straight to Chiang Mai - you will find much more cultural things there and relatively closer, plus plenty of excellent resorts like the Four Seasons Chiang Mai. For something a little bit more exotic, go to Chiang Rai and there's a sensational Four Seasons Tented Camp. It will be way above your price point but worth every cent.
In Bangkok, you will be spoilt for choice and I always suggest choosing a property near the things you plan/hope to do because it is a big city. First-time visitors, I'd probably suggest something on the river as it gives you access to various modes of transport, attractions adjacent to the river, plus there are great properties such as The Siam or Capella Bangkok.
All the best.