Initially, it might not seem so spectacular that Thai Royal Orchid Holidays (tel. 877/484-2811), the vacation packager of Thai Airways, (tel. 800/426-5204; www.thaiairways.com) is offering a special called "The Mystical Beauty of Thailand" starting from $1,258 for airfare and two nights' accommodations. But when you factor in that it includes nonstop, round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Thailand, the land of smiles, with two-nights at luxury hotels, and take a glance at current airfares, this becomes a much smarter deal. A cursory search reveals that departures in mid-November from Los Angeles to Bangkok fetch more than $800, and that's not even non-stop pricing; mid-January fares (with one stop) start around $900.
The special gives you the option to travel now through March 31, 2008, it's based on double occupancy, and puts you in a superior deluxe hotel such as the Conrad Bangkok Hotel, Banyan Tree Bangkok Hotel, or the Shangri-La Hotel for two nights. The price includes airport-hotel transfers, breakfast daily and a half-day Bangkok sightseeing tour. Taxes, service fees and tips are not included. Additional surcharges apply for travel December 1, 2007 through January 7 2008; you an also upgrade your airfare if desired, for an additional charge. The package code is ROHS1.
The three hotels included in the package are luxury properties. Conrad Bangkok Hotel is a centrally located near the embassies, commercial areas, and Lumphini Park and is about a half an hour from the airport. There is a spa, however, at Shangri-La in Bangkok (it ought to, considering the connotations of the hotel's name), and the hotel is located in the Silom district with views of the Chao Phraya, Thailand's main river. Banyan Tree Hotel is situated in the city's central business district, features Art Deco design and river views as well. You also have the option of two add-ons to extend the trip, such as three days/two nights in Chiang Mai, starting from $262 per person, or three days/two nights for an excursion to Phuket, starting from $336 per person.
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