yogiballs

EVA fly two types of plane to LHR, the Boeing 747 tent to be old whilst the Boeing 777 are newer and have seat back screens. Unless they have changed their policy type of plane for each day is a lottery; I once pre-booked an exit seat online on a 777 then when I got to the Gate at LHR I find it to be a 747; I complained on the plane and got to move. Due to being one of their most popular routes Thai tend to fly there old 747s to LHR. Thai have though stated that they intend to operate there new Airbus A380 from BKK to LHR when they receive delivery but this isn’t till 2012 (no good for January, Villa). Unless it is the EVA’s 777s there is very little difference between the two airlines (I’ve flown multiple times with both). I’d go with Thai for the Star Alliance miles but the EVA flight lands 10 minutes earlier

I had it done at the Dentist on Soi 3 (sorry can’t remember the name, but it was about half way down on the right side towards the beach from second road). Quite a cute lady dentist too. Think it cost me about 6000THB, like others have said I was initially very happy but the results didn’t last long couple of months really. You could maybe start with a thorough cleaning to see how good that makes your teeth look, before I had the laser whitening the dentist spent best part of 30 minutes properly cleaning my teeth, here in the UK a few month back I asked for a clean, all done in approx 40 seconds.

Jogsuk - In your title you mention Sabai Lodge but in the post you mention Sabai Inn, they are two different hotels - albeit own by the same people I believe and only across the road from eachother. I have stayed at the Sabai Lodge numerous times. Last time I stayed I secured a discount of over 20% by calling up a few weeks in advance of my trip and speaking to the manager directly over the phone. I should caution though that this was for three week stay. I'm sure you will be able to walk up and get a discount but from my phone conversations I got the impression the front desk staff were only permitted to offer a 100THB discount per night from the rack rate (I could be wrong though - times are hard). I would also say that the longer you stay the more they will be willing to discount. All the best Yogi

Not sure I've got the experience required in your budget bracket, I've stayed in the Ruen Thai Cottages at Sabai Lodge at about 2500THB per night but whilst very nice I'm not sure they have wow factor you're looking for. From spending to much time reading these boards you could try the following: Marriott LK Metropole (or other LK Group hotels) One I like the look of is Discovery Beach on Beach Road but it is not girl friendly if this is important.

Thanks greatly for the replies guys. The construction noise is a slight concern - I've run into this problem once before in Patts and unfortunately the general construction worker does share the slightly nocturnal lifestyle I exercise in LOS. Emil - do you think the noise will affect the Poolside rooms at JP Court or indeed will it be audible at the Opey de Place? Thanks again

I usually stay at the Sabai Lodge on Soi 2 whilst in Patts, however with the credit crunch and disastrous exchange rate I’m looking to cut a few costs on my forthcoming holiday that hopefully will not have a detrimental effect on my enjoyment of Fun City. The list price at Sabai Lodge for my preferred Ruen Thai rooms is THB1450 in March and I will be staying 19 nights therefore a total cost will be GBP 540, I’m hoping to half this cost. Following a fair bit of searching here and elsewhere I have narrowed it down to two possible candidates: JP Court Hotel Opey de Place Both of these hotels are located close to each other on Soi Lengkee (off Soi Buakhao) Has anyone either stayed at or inspected both of these hotels who could offer a view to which is better? Another I was heavily considering is the Sunview Place on Soi Buakhao but the pool and location look inferior to the two listed above Many Thanks Yogi

Although I have not stayed at the Sabai Resort I have stayed at the Sabai Lodge and the Pattaya Bay Resort. My preference would be for the Sabai hotels because whilst the rooms at PBR are more modern and everything is adequate the pools at the Sabai Lodge win it for me. The pools (particularly the Ruen Thai pool) at the Sabai Lodge manage to convey the illusion that you are not in the middle of a large urban area, unfortunately the rooftop pool at the PBR cannot give the same feelings as you look down on buildings everywhere and the size of the pool is a little small. The rooms and bathrooms at the PBR are more modern than all the Sabai ones I’ve seen, but that said they Sabai rooms are larger. I really have no complaints about my stay at the PBR but simply the Sabai Lodge manages to make you think you are in the tropics on a beach holiday rather than a city break. Hope this helps

Stayed at the Sabai Lodge plenty of times, it is generally pretty good although they have multiple room types in different areas of the hotel close to different pools, hence some of the rooms can be a little dungeon-like. I'd recommend going for the Ruen Thai rooms there are two types you can select the one that suits your budget best.