Family Holiday Langkawi or Thailand

Have just returned from seven bliss filled nights in Ko Samui with my partner. We want to take our 3 children away with us next trip. Ko Samui was great though with the children I think the expenses would be to great. Is Langkawi a better option for a family holiday? We arent interested in partying but dont want to stay in a secluded resort either. Also the Thai people were fantastic always friendly and cheerful. Can you expect the same smiles from Langkawi?

Thanks

Family Holiday Langkawi or Thailand

Langkawi is a great spot for family and would prefer it against Samui. Also it may be less costly! People are also very friendly here.

In fact we are very much like Samui or phuket with fabulous nature (just awarded the UNESCO GeoPark award) but we do not have the gogo bar!

Langkawi is safe and peaceful with great nature, a very good plus fo rfamily and children!

Hope it help

Francois

Family Holiday Langkawi or Thailand

I have spent family holidays on both islands. Both were great.

Both have great beaches and hotels - very good value by Western standards. The beaches in Langkawi are quieter - no hawkers trying to sell you something. Th e beach settings in Langkawi were better - highly recommend Burau Bay.

Langkawi is generally quieter. The main drag is Pantai Cenang and is a much smaller scale version of Chaweng Beach in Samui, A few toursit shops and small restaurants but no bars or clubs. We stayed at Choeng Mon Beach in Samui and what I liked were the local cheap restaurants on the beach itself. In Langkawi the beach sites were occupied by hotels and the cheap restaurants were on the road behind.

Obviously your main extra expense will be to find family sized accommodation. How old are your kids? I had problems on both islands finding family accommodation but if you specify your requirements I am sure others will iffer advice

The people in Langkawi were very friendly but shy. Thais are generally smilier but in the touriist resorts they are also constantly trying to sell you something. Maybe as a Pom I prefer a few genuine smiles than constant grins accompanied by ';Massage? T shirts?';!

For kids, particularly small kids, both islands really only offer the beach and pool. The sightseeing opportunities on both are similar - nothing to write home about, just an opportunity to mooch about for an hour before returning to the beach.

We visited both islands in April. In Koh Samui it was so hot the kids spent all the time by the pool. In langkawi it seemed to be a bit cooler - perhaps because we had a few showers so the kids got abouit a bit. I suspect this might not be a regular difference - the weather is a bit variable these days

Dear AlbertsCat,

No body is perfect, yes we have issues in Lankawi but I can tell you Samui, phuket are surely not better or cleaner and from far; I can tell you becaused I worked in Thailand for long too as well previously.

Criticising is the easiest thing to do but building fro a brighter future is more difficult.

Let%26#39;s look at teh positive side; we hotelier are working on trying to keep clean our island, we don%26#39;t talk we act hopefully more people will follow.

But right now let%26#39;s not drametised and let%26#39;s be optimistic, positive (I only beleive through positivity can we built a great future for all!) and educate people who ever they are.

Langkawi is having its problems, like every popular destinations and it is up to everyone to assist and guide in a positive manner for a better future.

The world was not made in one day!! :))

Havea great day

Francois

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like we will be planning a trip to Langkawi.

The rubbish I saw in Ko Samui was an eyesore though nothing as bad as when I travelled to Bali in 96. Ko Samui was a paradise and lets hope they keep it that way.

Our children are 12, 10 , 4 so we have good mix. Any ideas on a good family hotel?? We want somewhere quiet but dont want to travel a long way to eat locally or shop.

Thanks for all of your input, this is definently the best travel site on the web

@BuzzAus How many days are you planning for your holiday?

@ Alberts and Francois I am planning to go to Lada this week to ask them to put more containers and dustbins on the island especially Pantai Cenang area! Its nice to have a signbord Keep Langkawi Clean

but where to put your rubbish?

Hi Buzz Aus,

I believe you could look at Pelangi Beach Resort which is the only 4-5 star property in Pantai Cenang.

If it is over the budget , then try Berjaya Or Mutiara Burau Bay although both resort located in Pantai Kok require taxi to Pantai Cenang where most restaurants and cafes are.

Check the reveiws for these resorts and you may know what you like.