maipenrai

I've stayed in the QV several times now, latest being in April just before Songkhran, and think it is really good value. Vic's a great host, rooms are spotless, and I like the new rooms with the full bathrooms. My only complaint is the water pressure is so weak that the new shower would hardly even work in one of them, and the wooden bed in one room, I think #14 if memory serves me correctly, squeaked so bad whilst romping that I thought we'd wake up the rest of the guests in the hotel - had to turn ourselves around sideways on the bed to quieten it a little....

Hi Johnboy - was this room 21 one of the newer ones that was just renovated with an actual shower stall? When I was there in November Vic gave me a tour of the construction area and the newer room design looked really nice - I don't care much for the combined shower/toilet area you find in so many Pattaya hotels. I am booked for one of these superior rooms for the first two weeks of April and am looking forward to seeing the changes.

I have stayed at the LN several times over the past few years and have enjoyed it every time. It is not an "out and out dump" as the complaining member states.....in my opinion it is great value for the money, the staff are wonderful, and the owner is a good bloke too. For instance, I forgot the cord for my electric shaver there, and when I returned a few weeks later the housekeeping lady had put it aside and saved it for me. I'd stay there anytime. As for the Residence Garden, I am sure it is a lovely place, but it is TWICE THE PRICE!! The LN and its sister hotel (although they now have different owners) the Queen Vic are both good value for the money - compare these rooms to what you get for what you pay in your home countries....

I have stayed at the Queen Vic and their sister hotel the Lord Nelson several times now, and have no complaints at all. Yes, it is a bit of a hike to the 4th floor but it only hurts when you arrive with your bags. Vic and Jane are great hosts, and so is John at the LN. I seldom eat there so really can't comment on the food, but the LN pub is a good place to hoist a few with some of the local expats. The rooms are clean and well kept, and in my opinion very good value for the price of 700b. Vic is currently in the process of renovating some of the rooms, and I am looking forward to trying them next visit. He also has taken over the bar next door and is converting it to more rooms too.

I booked my next trip in November using the EVA website - very easy, good price and exactly the same flights as my last trip. You can't book seats until 90 days before your flight, though, so I will return to the site to try that when the time is right.

It can be fun to "shop" in the Made in Thailand beerbar complex next door, too...

If you come back to the hotel after the pub closes, the security man will take your girl's ID card...happened to me every time. If the pub is still open, I just go in the back door nearest the inside staircase, and never a problem.

I just flew Evergreen Deluxe return from Vancouver- BKK, and it was great. A good value, and very comfortable up there in the nose of the 747. I'm gonna have a hard time going back to economy after this experience.

I flew on a 777-300ER from BKK to Taipei last week in Elite Class and found the seats quite comfortable; the plane was obviously next-to-new and I really enjoyed the interactive entertainment system. Then it was back to Evergreen Deluxe in the 747 for the trans-Pacific flight, and it was great...after all the years I have spent in steerage, this was a real treat. I hope to book this flight again next trip, it's a good value.

I stayed at the QV twice during the trip I just returned from - both visits very enjoyable; they gave me the same deluxe room both times, #21 on the top floor, Soi 6 side - great view of the Soi, excellent room - 750b a night and well worth it. They have AC and fan, and you can leave the fan on while out of the room. The rooms are squeaky clean and well finished, and the owner Vic a pleasure to deal with and very helpful. The room safes were just in the process of being installed as I left, so I can't really comment on them, but I imagine they are the same size as the room safes you see elsewhere. It's a bit of a hike to the top floor while baggage-laden or inebriated, but otherwise a great place if you don't need a swimming pool. I like these smaller hotels - I can't comment on the restaurant because I seldom ate there - although I had the Sunday carvery and it was fine - and visited the Lord Nelson, their sister hotel down the street, every day for beer in its pub. There's a good crew of expats hanging out here usually who are fun to toss a few back with. I'll probably be staying here again if I visit for less than a month. I also stayed at the QV in Chiang Mai for six nights during Songkran, after departing Pattaya; top marks here as well, lovely little hotel at the same rate. Very friendly and helpful manager, Ian, who will pick you up and drop you off at the hotel, and only about a 10 minute walk from Thapae Gate - I'd stay here again any time.

Hahaha, this is too funny - and all too true in too many cases. There is an entire generation of little monsters out there being raised by super-permissive single moms, or even new-agey couples that just don't understand that kids need a little discipline and guidance to grow up and become responsible and considerate adults.

My recommendation would be the Bella Vista, which is situated on the small soi that connects Soi 7 with Soi 8. It is owned by the Eastiny group and is only a couple of years old, and is clean and fairly quiet for that area, with reasonable rates. Oops, forgot about the pool part...they don't have one....

Actually, my apologies - the flight date was April 17, not 16....sorry, a mistake on my part....really can't imagine why they would cancel a trans-Pacific flight like this with no explanation......but still, no complaints from me...

Well, spring is a long time coming in this part of the world - the leaves don't come out on the trees until mid to late May, and the bears will still be in bed when I get home.....but the snow and cold will be gone, and that's what matters most to me. I eagerly await the day when I can truly live up to my handle here....

I just received notice from my travel agent that the EVA flight I had booked for April 16, Taipei-Vancouver, was cancelled. No reason was given, and I was able to re-book for the same flight (#68) on the 19th. Shucks, I'll have to spend two more days in Thailand....

There's an interesting fellow that drops into the Lord Nelson in the afternoons from time to time, who comes from there....I think his name is Robert but I am not sure...his tale of how he ended up living in Pattaya is a classic, just hilarious...

I agree with Montydog here...I've stayed at the Thapae Place for a couple of years running, and it's good value.

Hi Cyber - was that a walk-in price, or did you reserve in advance? They are quoting 1500b for a single room on that internet link. Sounds like an okay place, though...worth checking out, I'm looking for something a little different this time, a little closer to SC than Nana...

I have to agree with Roland's assessment here - I stayed at the Grace for the first time last March, as I was with a friend who has been staying there for years, and he got us rooms on the 8th floor (elevator to 7th, walk up from there) above reception - he told me the same thing, they save them for farangs. It was quiet, the room was nice enough with a view, and in 5 days I never even saw or heard any other guests on that floor other than us. The rate we paid was 950 a night - good value in that area. Downsides? It is a big and busy hotel with lots of turnover, so the front desk can be pandemonium at check-out time. The Arabic guests totally ignored us, although I saw one put on a fine performance with a front desk clerk one day...screaming and hollering at her and making a total ass of himself. Also the taxi touts in the parking lot can be a pain in the ass - they even harrass you on the way into the hotel - like I need a cab when I am going to my room. I never did go down to the coffee shop or disco, although I have in previous years when not staying there. It used to be quite interesting around 4:00am or so before they started this early closing time crap. And yes, always a few tarts hanging around...my buddy likes them a little on the chubby side(like the Arabs ) and finds plenty to pick from there. As he puts it himself, depending on your interests you could spend a whole week having fun and doing lots of things without even leaving the hotel... I would stay there again if I could get a room on that floor.

Okay, if you really plan on getting out on the highways, maybe you should get a "motorcycle", but from what I have seen the streets of Pattaya are full of idiots who make a big show of roaring around on sporting bikes that are far too big and powerful for the purpose of merely getting around - I am no stranger to high performance two-wheelers myself, but I have absolutely no inclination to rent any motorbike or motorcycle here - I just watched some Eurotourist and his home gf get the 30 second familiarization routine outside of the beer bar I was in, and off they were in a major burst of RPM on another bike far too large for sightseeing or getting around...another statistic waiting to happen? No thanks.

I think a major part of the fun of being here is meeting people from other countries - I am staying in a an English-pub type place and tend to meet a lot of Brits and Aussies; I have a little difficulty understanding their accents at times, but they have the same problem with me so we're even .... a great bunch of guys, though. The present group I am hanging out with has three Canadians including me, two Americans, and an Irishman - but we knew or corresponded with each other before arriving. I never seem to have any problem meeting new people here, though.

Yes, the Majestic rooms are a little small, but I agree that the in-room safe is a good feature. I stayed at the Majestic during my last trip, but on this current trip I can't get into the damn place!! It's always booked up. Instead, I am staying at another little hotel I like, the Parkway just a couple of doors down. It is similar in concept and in the same basic price range as the Majestic, and the staff there are very friendly and helpful. Taxi drop-off continues to be a small hassle - if I am coming from the airport I get dropped off at the 7-11/petrol stn. on the corner, and if coming from Pattaya I get dropped off either at the Landmark or at the small lane between the Landmark and the Parkway.

Forget the bus - I did that on my first trip to Pattaya and it was excruciatingly uncomfortable. BigD, I have an existing thread looking for a taxi share on the 19th - surprised you didn't see it, or maybe you weren't interested. You're doing the same thing I am - staying in BKK an extra night to catch the BTF round table - look forward to meeting you there. I am working on another deal recommended by other friends of mine - female driver they swear by - we'll see how it works out; will keep you informed, but I won't have any more details until the 17th. Chok dee.

Further to what Emil states, I like to stay in a different area each time I go there- I like the variety, and also like to explore new areas. This time I will be staying on Soi 6 - should be interesting! I hope to explore the north end of Pattaya a little further.

Hi Niall - a little off-topic here, but I have a fascinating book about the Krays called "The Profession of Violence (the rise and fall of the Kray twins)....I also saw the movie entitled "The Krays"...again, fascinating - although the author of the book wasn't too impressed by the movie. I love those old black-and-white photos of this pair - jeez, I sure wouldn't want to cross them....