rainsberger

Hi my Friends. Just booked my second visit to the Jasmine Mansion in June and only just got in, kevin seem to be very busy even now with low season apon us. Did not have many rooms left hope i have not left it to late, it's a cracking place to stay and i understand he has made many changes since my last visit in September. One bonus for me this time is that breakfast is included in the price hope i got that right Kevin, and i will also have to get used to the new pool table. Never the less i am looking forward to my next visit very much and cannot wait to get there, even though i was unfortunate to get a crack on the back of my head last time in pattaya. These things do happen when on holiday just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it happens every night in my home town. Soi Buakhow is a handy place to stay with plenty of shops and bars around the place. I have been coming to Pattaya since 1987 and have i not seen the place grow-up, i keep saying to myself that this will be my last time but i cannot hold myself back. I have many friends in pattaya and always keep in touch with them. See you in June Kevin and Jin. Dave

Hi Kevin. Good to write to you again, and totally agree with you regarding Songkran it does go on to long, i am not a spoil sport but did not enjoy the Songkran in 2005. I remember my very first Songkran in 1992 and my first night in Pattaya was a Friday night everything was going well until one minute past midnight and my first soaking of the weekend in all my flash gear. In those days the Songkran was only on Saturday and the main day was the Sunday then it was all finished and back to normal, times have certainly changed in Pattaya now and for me the Songkran has become a nightmare. I can remember you saying last year when i stayed at the Jasmine you did not like the Songkran and it was a nightmare for you, especially the throwing of water from the balconies. The Songkan can be good again for Pattaya if limited to just the weekend festival it used to be, and it was much much more enjoyable with everyone taking part. Dave.

Agree with what you say Fatboyfat although only £388 + £10 fee i was not looking forward to the 4hr-45mins stopover on way out it is a bit long. Was going to fly non-stop with Eva at £459.50, but from today Thai Airways have dropped there high price of £710 down to only £462.50 so will be booking with them Outwards TG911 and Incoming TG916.

Hi my Friends. Finnair have a special offer on Saturday and Sunday to Bangkok,the fare is £388+£10 fee. and is in April,May and June. I have been quoted this fare for Departure on 9th June from Heathrow and returning on 27th June. All taxes included. I have not flown with them before has anyone any info for me on this airline. There is a stopover of 4hrs-45mins on way out, and 1hr-15mins on way back. Many thanks.

Hi m8 Don,t know about xmas my friend but having a job to find flight for June, which is low season with not so many bargains around as past years. So far Qatar at £444 and Eva non stop at £469 that,s about it. Anyone know of anything cheaper from Heathrow or Gatwick, Would like 9th June to 26th June.

Have now gone off Etihad now they have changed there schedules, the afternoon flight is useless for a connection onwards to Bangkok unless you wish to wait hours and hours and hours. I always used the 11.00am service from Gatwick which arrived at Bangkok at 07.35am with only a 1hr stop-over which was great. The sevice from Manchester to Bangkok is now much better than the Heathrow service. And Etihad are getting much more expensive.

Hi Fatboyfat. Yes, agree there is the flight you have suggested arriving at Bangkok in the Evening. But i like to arrive in the morning normally around 07.30am and the 10.00am Etihad Service from Gatwick was ideal for me and my connection from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok. Considering flight EY011 arrives from Abu Dhabi at Heathrow at 07.40am i cannot understand why it leaves so late as to miss the connection flight from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok. We used to have a choice of the morning flight from Gatwick and evening flight from Heathrow both to Bangkok. Etihad announced it was to have two daily flights from Heathrow to compensate the loss of the Gatwick flight but now we only seem to have 1 connection to Bangkok instead of the 2 we had previous. And also my quote was from Etihad Airways website themselves and not from any agent.

Hi my Friends. Don't go much on Etihad's new Heathrow Departure at 13.05pm had quote from them with flight details. Depart Wednesday 2nd May at 13.05pm arriving in Abu Dhabi at 23.15pm and will miss the 21.55pm sevice from Abu Dhabi to Bangkok by 1hr 20min so will have to wait 22hrs and 40 min for the same service i missed finely arriving Bangkok at 07-10am on Friday Morning a whooping 36hr 5min duration flight. I cannot understand why fight EY012 does not depart at 11.00am or after to link in with the Abu Dhabi to Bangkok flight arriving 07.10am and not as now another day later. Will not be travellng with Etihad until they change this silly departure time. And the price for this Departure was £520 NO THANKS ETIHAD, if i want a holiday in Abi Dahbi i will let you know.

Hi my Friends.

Hi Not that good when you add £140 tax to the £370 there are cheaper fares then this around

Hi my Friends. Thanks for the replies guys it is sad for me they finish with Gatwick. Tom Not sure where these cheap Etihad flights are from April 16th, wanted to book from 3rd May to 24th May and was quoted £590 with Etihad. Yet flying non stop with Eva or Thai same dates is £470.

Hi Guys. Been looking at flights to Bangkok and was amazed there are no more flights from Gatwick with Etihad is this true, not heard or seen anything about them stopping there flights from Gatwick anyone no why they have stopped. Do know they are much more expensive these days and the cheap days almost gone but i have used them last 4 times and no problems and only short stop overs. It is so sad if they have finished out of Gatwick.

Just had quote from airline-network with Qatar from LGW. departing on 16th March and returning on 5th April at £235 + £125 tax Total for flight £360 think that great price.

Hi Kevin how did you manage to keep calm, but underneath i bet you were flaming at him. And under your breath a quite **** off as a going away present. Keep up the good work Kevin i do read your reports and know what you have to put up with.

BJ Holiday Lodge were i stayed October last year have excellant shower room and there is no bath tub in the way.No reason why you can't get 4 or 5 girls in it if you so wish.

Hello Kevin my good friend, did not know you had it that easy makes me think i would like to try some of that and see if i like it (joke joke). Great stuff Kevin will be looking forward to next report, do know you and Jin work very hard at the Jasmine and i can understand why it is becoming very popular. Keep up the good work Kevin but please try and get some well earned sleep. Dave.

Used Mr Toom on 22nd September to Pattaya very nice guy, my mates girlfriend went to wrong terminal so had to wait for her to come to terminal 2 but was no trouble was worried about getting all the luggage in the boot but all ok only just though 1200baht. Rebooked by email in Pattaya for return to new airport on 7th October and although the driver could not find the Jasmine Mansion in Soi Baukaow we spotted him still trying to find the address he seemed to be looking on one side of the road only. Anyway we got away at 16.30pm which was 30 minutes late but arrived at the new airport at 18.00pm. wow only 90 minutes from pattaya what a difference, the driver was another good guy. The price was still the same at 1200baht, We will use Mr Toom again in near future.

Hi my Friends. Have come home today after staying at this very good clean hotel in the heart of Soi Baukaow from September 22nd until October 7th. I know there is a thread with regards to Jasmine Hotel further down but i thought i would say a few things about the Jasmine Mansion. Kevin and Jin have an excellant place here and made me and my mate most welcome and were always on hand to help with any problems that arose, which unfortunately did arise during our stay but not to do with the hotel, you do not get this at other hotels. Our rooms where very good and clean with maid service every day, the full of beans cafe was excellant the food well cooked and alway hot. I did like the special afternoon menu which cost just 70BT and was an excellant meal. The security at the Jasmine is first class with a door entree system and inroom electronic safe which if you want you can change codes as often has you want. There is everything around the hotel that you need from 7/11 shop to bars, chemist, and much more which makes the Jasmine an excellant location. And finally a big thank you again to Kevin and Jin for making my 25th visit to Pattaya one of the best, see you again in the near furture. Dave and my mate Kevin.

Hi Guys. Certainly keeping my fingers cross due to fly on Thursday and been looking forward for months, have rang Etihad and they tell me all flights are operating as normal to Bangkok. Could have done landing at the new airport to avoid Bangkok, will be tense times ahead Wish me luck guys.

Very good deal the only problem for me flying from Gatwick is there are no return flights available on the calender in October or November

Hi. Made booking for welcome inn on Soi 2 for Xmas 2003 but chose the Apex instead, the welcome inn has been around for many years and is a GF paradise. Have not stayed there but think they have about 20 or so rooms some small, some big. You need to see the place in the afternoons when it is swarming with girls appears to be meeting place before they go to work. It also has a cocktail lounge which is very busy during the afternoons and evenings and the girls make you feel right at home to say the least. If i had stayed at the welcome inn i would have been able to have told you much more.

Hi my Friend. Stayed here many years ago when it was the Royal Garden Plaza Hotel, then was excellant hotel and i had room on 8th floor overlooking the bay. It is a very good location and with the shopping mall next door. But when i was there the hotel was not girl friendly and charged 600 baht per night for GF to stay the night. Have not stayed here since changed to Marriot Spa Hotel so i do not know what there policy is on the GF status.

Hi my friends Me and my mate stayed at the Apex last year during the songkran and were not very impressed, i have stayed there many times but i am afraid as pattaya mad says it as become a shit hole and badly in need of a renovation. The plus sign is the price and GF and has nothing else for me there, i have stopped staying there although it is a great location. It is sad to see the place run down like it is, reminds me of the Beach View hotel soi 2 to which i stayed 10 times and also became a shit hole,although it has now had a complete renovation and is open but i understand it is not cheap. Back to the Apex and as been said its everyones choice you want to stay Apex you stay Apex that's it for 500bt. The new front extension which opened in 2000 with carpet floor is particularly bad, the carpets badly stained and smelly and with cigarette burns and holes. The less said about the air conditioning the better i think, your better switching it off if you want to get a little sleep. I have had some very good times at the Apex and it has been value for money but until it has a complete renovation i will not stay there . I do not see the point of traveling some 7000 miles to stay in a shit hole when there are some very good hotel close by.

They are excellent airline will be flying with them on Setember 21th from Gatwick 11.00 flight ,my mate is using the 09.40 flight out of Manchester and we both meet up in Abu Dhabi for 21.55 flight to Bangkok. Only booked my flights on Monday but for £380 could not resist to click the buy button. This will be 3 times out of last 4 visits to Bangkok i have used Etihad.