{"id":7944,"date":"2021-11-24T21:38:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T14:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.littlewanderingwren.com\/staging\/8794\/?p=7944"},"modified":"2022-03-20T21:31:30","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T14:31:30","slug":"travel-hacks-for-unforgettable-thailand-staycations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.littlewanderingwren.com\/staging\/8794\/2021\/11\/24\/travel-hacks-for-unforgettable-thailand-staycations\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Hacks for unforgettable Thailand Staycations."},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to know my very best travel hacks for enjoying the best Thailand hotels at the best prices?<\/p>\n

We’ve loved getting to know Thailand by staycationing our way through the pandemic, enjoying a wide range of hotels across the Kingdom. I work hard to uncover the best promotions to ensure we enjoy the very best on offer at the best prices possible.<\/p>\n

Here are my tips for unforgettable Thailand Staycations.<\/p>\n

1. BUY OR STAY FOR FREE USING POINTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Join the hotel loyalty programs to enjoy add value inclusions such as early or late check-in and upgrades. If you are not trying to stay in as many different Thailand hotels, find a brand that you love and build up loyalty credits. We have found that Thailand hotels are looking after their brand loyal guests well, so always start with this for the best deals and upgrades.<\/p>\n

You’d think with the number of hotel rooms we purchase that we’d have enough loyalty points for free rooms? Nope, not us!<\/p>\n

Although we did have a lovely stay at the Four Points by Sheraton, Patong<\/strong> on our Marriott Bonvoy points that had taken almost a lifetime to amass! There is something ultra exciting about free hotel stays!<\/p>\n

\"Four

Four Points by Sheraton, Patong, Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n

2. LOOK FOR SPECIAL PROMOTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

As travel returns so are the enticing deals, I know it’s a pain to have your inbox full, but get on everyone’s e-mail lists to make sure you don’t miss out. I’ve been amazed at how many different promotional rates there are. From 11.11 sales to Black Friday the hotels are coming up with every excuse possible to offer you a promotional rate to entice you back… Find your offer that suits your circumstances, The senior’s rate discounts start at 55 years old in some resorts just sayin’ We’re not proud!<\/p>\n

Take for instance the Centara Golden ticket pass See around the Kingdom in 80 days.\u00a0<\/a> A real bargain, giving us 30 nights of hotel stays for 10,000 THB. I wish more hotels would offer such a deal!<\/p>\n

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3. STAY LONGER, STAY CHEAPER – MAKE IT A WORKCATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the biggest trends in travel they say is for people to stay longer and travel deeper. There are some great deals around for long stays. Have you thought of making your holiday into a workcation?<\/p>\n

See Yes you can – A working from the beach revolution!\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The

The Boathouse Phuket<\/p><\/div>\n

4. WORK WITH BRANDS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Disclaimer!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I accept the occasional media invitation as Little Wandering Wren. <\/strong>You can see my reviews at Kata Rocks<\/a> and The Naka Island Resort <\/a>and my Youtube for Twin Palms<\/a> or Twin Palms MontAzure.<\/a><\/p>\n

Occasionally I will be invited for a hosted stay for a feature for a magazine. Check out my stays with Anantara Bo Phut<\/a> or Avani + Samui Resort<\/a> for Expat Life in Thailand<\/a>. Sometimes my hosted stays will be part of a wider media promotion, such as with TAT – Tourism Authority of Thailand media tour.<\/p>\n

THE POWER OF THE INFLUENCER!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Certainly, I do believe in the power of the Nano – Influencer! If you are interested in this approach connect with hotels via social media outlining exactly how you can add value to their marketing promotions.<\/p>\n

I believe the best hotels know that every guest having great experiences can be the best social media advertisements they have. Whilst in a hotel, if you have a lovely room, a brilliant experience then do share it with the world. Thailand deserves to be talked about, people’s livelihoods and income which have suffered for months and they deserve to come back.<\/p>\n

My Tip:<\/strong> Even without a media invite for those with social media platforms a room upgrade can be forthcoming once hotels know about you. Make friends with the Front Office Manager who has the authority to offer upgrades!<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Surin, Phuket<\/p>\n

5. LOOK FOR VALUE ADDS RATHER THAN FREEBIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am proud of the fact that over 93% of my hotel stays are funded by myself! Thailand without tourists has been hit hard economically. I prefer not to ask for fully hosted stays.<\/p>\n

How do we do it? I prefer to book one of the basic rooms and have found that with Thailand reopening, and low tourism rates, upgrades are freely offered. Do not expect this, but equally well ask if it is possible! Ask for beachfront, rooms with baths, etc which tend to be the upgraded rooms. If you are celebrating anything – birthdays, anniversaries, let the hotel know.<\/p>\n

Let’s just say, the higher the value of the room booked the better the welcome fruit on arrival!<\/p>\n

6. THE BEST HOTEL FOR YOUR NEEDS<\/b><\/p>\n

Do your research\u00a0but don’t get out your old guidebook from donkey’s years back. Check out recent Trip Advisor, Google, and hotel booking site reviews. Do a YouTube search<\/a> to see where people are staying at the moment.<\/p>\n

\"LeLe Meridien, Phuket<\/p>\n

CHECK OUT PRICES VIA THE BOOKING SITES (but book direct)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start with the Bangkok and Singapore-based Agoda<\/strong> (agoda.com) to find the lowest prices here in Thailand and check Trip Advisor<\/strong> or Google reviews<\/strong> to find the best rated. Remember reviews from before March 2020 are irrelevant, too much has changed.<\/p>\n

CHECK OUT GUEST SATISFACTION RATINGS TOO<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out the hotel’s social media<\/strong> and see what content has recently been posted. Interact and ask the questions that are important to you, check that everything you need is currently open. If you are a foodie it could be disappointing to arrive to find the restaurants all shut. Spa’s are coming back, activities programs may not be fully staffed, etc.<\/p>\n

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7. BOOK DIRECT WITH THE HOTEL<\/strong><\/p>\n

I always find if any problems arise it is best to be dealing with the hotel rather than a third party booking site. Be aware asking hotels to price match with online booking sites in Thailand rarely works! It’s infuriating but I guess most reservations do not have the authority to price match.<\/span><\/p>\n

I prefer contact directly with the hotel for when changes need to be made, you’ll have an easier time dealing with the hotel \u2014 and getting rebooked \u2014 than you would if you had booked through a travel search engine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"KatathaniKatathani Beach Resort Phuket Kata Noi<\/p>\n

CHECK HOTELS FLEXIBLE POLICIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who knew we’d have to make so many changes to our bookings? There are still risks associated with travel. Having a hotel booked that you can trust with date changes and honouring previous bookings without price hikes is important! Read the small print.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

8. GETTING THE BEST DEALS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Find the best deals advertised via the hotel’s Facebook <\/strong>pages\u00a0or Line<\/strong> account (the local messaging App used in Thailand)<\/p>\n

Hotels have responded to changing consumer habits to book at the last minute as a consequence there is a myriad of ever-changing deals which are released, these offers are often fleeting they rarely make it onto their websites.<\/p>\n

LOCK IN CURRENT VALUE DEALS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The prices in Thailand are only going up! Where you can lock in pay now stay later deals.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Centara Villas Samui<\/p><\/div>\n

SPEAK TO A HUMAN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Generally, I find the hotel’s front desks or social media responders are more helpful than the reservations team (who have sales targets to reach) at seeking out the best deals for me. Just saying!<\/p>\n

Addressing the reservations team as Khun (add in their name) will show respect and indicate you are aware of Thailand’s culture.<\/p>\n

Be polite & keep communication simple, remember not everyone in sales is fluent in your language.<\/p>\n

Once in a hotel – if anything is not quite right, do let the hotel staff know. With hotel occupancy rates still on the low side<\/p>\n

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Rasananda Koh Phangan<\/p><\/div>\n

9. USE A VPN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Screen capture any good deals, in case they disappear off-screen to discuss with the hotels and remember those pesky cookies that inflate hotel prices, using a VPN works!<\/p>\n

OTHER SUGGESTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n