rob1599

I agree I ate there every day while there and was very pleased with the food. I looked in the kitchen and it was kept very clean , a very big plus in my book. Some guys eat the 99 baht breakfast buffet at The Apex and think they are getting a good value when in fact they are paying good money to eat pure crap and tons of it. I have a friend that eats there every day and he asked me to stop over and join him, when I tried to eat the slop they called bacon and eggs I almost threw up. Its like a paraphrase on the joke Woody Allen used in Annie Hall "Such bad food and the portions are so big".

I stayed there in June for 4 days and I thought the rooms were nice (spend the extra 100 baht for the big rooms with balcony) but the best thing was how spotless the maids keep this place. My only complaint was the towels had an unpleasant smell to them. Very nice friendly atmosphere. No bargirls but lovely waitresses.

I understand Shagwell Mansions has wireless now. Has anybody used it in the rooms there or is it only in the lobby and bar area?

Everyone should absolutely stay at Skytop and avoid going to the new clean and very inexpensive places on Soi Buchao and Soi LK Metro. Last year I had those places almost to myself and now they are booked solid so please go to Skytop.

The original Bella Villa is on 3rd Road in North Pattaya behind the H2O nightclub. I am hesitant to report on this place because it is a hidden gem of mine that I use when I am with one girl for a few days and just want to hang out. At 700 baht it is the best bargain in Pattaya. Big very modern rooms with very nice beds and great bathrooms. Small super clean pool in a nice garden setting that was always empty except for me and my girl. Many longterm guests here and not many farangs which is probably why pool is not used. Also a nice exercise faciility next to the pool. You get one free buffet breakfast which is not very good but my girls always ate it, geared more towards Asian breakfast. They have free wireless but you will have to experiment where to place your laptop in the room as the signals are not real strong. Drawback is location as you will need to take a private taxi to get back there at night. No real baht bus route goes by the place although you can walk to Lotus in ten minutes. Next to H2O nightclub is an all you can eat BBQ for 100 baht that many Thai families love. The staff at this place is fabulous, super friendly and helpful. I'm kicking myself for saying this but I have to be honest and say if you don't mind paying a little extra baht to get around town this place gets my highest recommendation. http://www.bellavillapattaya.com

I also had a money problem with the Thai Archer back around last March and I will never stay there again with so many good choices in that area with much more honest Thai ownership than the western prick that owns that place. Buyer beware.

Arriving on Tiger Airways from Singapore at 7:10 PM. Anyone going to Pattaya around that time that would like to share a taxi let me know.

This place is very affordable only problem is about 10 minute walk to Nana Plaza or Sukhumvit if you don't like walking. I on the other hand find the stroll up Soi 4 very nice. http://www.altahouseapartment.com/index.html The electric and water charges are a little high though. Expect a studio to cost about 15,000 including a lot of aircon use. Nicer place near my favorite area (Soi 22) but a little more expensive is: http://www.housebythepond.com/

I have been to the all you can eat bbq restaurant next door to this place and I must say if you don't have a motorbike you better not stay there as it is far away from the normal baht bus routes. The only route that comes close is the bus station route that goes by Tesco and that route stops normal runs in the evening. This place is also surrounded by Thai nightclubs like H2O that usually never see a farang enter.

Been reading about this place for a while now so I was on a baht bus going to Big C and out of curiosity I stopped in to check it out. No where near as nice as the place I am staying on Soi Bukow and more expensive also. High speed internet on Soi Bukow priced at 30 baht per hour. So if you are looking for the best priced options in Pattaya go to Soi Bukow where there they are adding new hotels every month.

Very well put Johnny.

I come to Pattaya for vacation and sex with lovely Thai ladies of course but at least I have been divorced twice LOL. I just find it hypocritical for the obese guys here to rant about fat western women when they are as grossly overweight themselves.

I find this thread amazing because from what I have seen in Pattaya and especially in the FLB photos the average member here is at least 25 pounds overweight! Now I am no Brad Pitt but I do enjoy working out and especially swimming so I feel I am in great physical shape for a middle aged guy. So I find it rather hypocritical for all these gigantic gut beer guzzlers to rant on about western women. My guess is that 50% of the guys I see in Pattaya haven't been able to get laid without paying for it their entire lives.

I would have to second Sabai Lodge or Sabai Inn on Soi 2 for you. They have excellent water pressure and sometimes the water can be too hot. They have just completed a new pool area making 3 very nice pools at one place. Its a 3 minute walk to the beach and a 2 minute walk to the Big C mall. And of course a 1 minute walk to the soapies if you want to give that experience a try.

The owner, while German, is an extremely friendly guy and makes everyone feel very welcome. The hotel is a five minute walk from second road but it does have a nice beer bar with some attractive girls on site. I will miss staying there because I think the rooms are the best you will find for 600 a night in Pattaya.