Agent09

Always book ahead in Bangkok... but then I stay in one or two regular haunts every time and don't really want to vary it. Usually for Pattaya in 'high' season, Book ahead especially pre Christmas and New Year but have often turned up in Pattaya in low season, April and May and just stashed my bags with a friend or a bar and then just gone out and done a walk round a few hotels in SoiMetro/Buakhoa area and haggled for a price. Or I just book one night somewhere and then look around if I do not like it enough.

Following up on my 'intention' post above, and after my stay, I can't fault China garden in the main and recently stayed there on a split stay for 20 days in standard room and also jacuzzi room at the end of my stay for a night or two. Rooms, service, price all well recommended, location excellent, booking process fine and easy enough. Ideally located for LK Metro but without the noise. Just be aware for your taxi that the 'China Garden' frontage and restaurant no longer exists although there is a large A1 free standing sign and neon advert for the 'China Garden' rooms. Look for the 'Steak & Co' frontage instead. Down stairs is the steak restaurant offering what may be one of the best steak meals in Pattaya, ate there several times with mates, alone and with girls. Side entrance is key fob operated 24/7 and there is someone available at side window day and night. They now require you to check your keys in when leaving the hotel and collect on return. ID cards were checked on all my girls but often took two or three ladies back and no questions or joiner fees. Entirely girl friendly and apart from the entrance which could use a refurb the rooms themselves are very smart. You'd pay up to 3 times the price for not far off the same level room in Areca Lodge so it's excellent value. No lift so if you have heavy bags be aware. Only a few jacuzzi rooms at premium costs but well worth it for the fun you can have with girls. Ladies like the rooms a lot. I can see why this place is so well liked and will be booking again for my next Pattaya trips. Very good value indeed and an excellent accomodation, well managed and admirable.

I have now sent reservations for December 2014 to Jan 2015 for China Garden and hopefully they have the space available for part of my stay but I have to find an alternative for 10 days of it over the New Year period. I am looking forward to reviewing China Garden later this year. Thanks to the posters who have reviewed this place. Looks good.

Err.. I am just considering booking Metro Apartments for a month stay there...(I-Rovers is full for the duration).. anyone have recent experience of staying there as regards noise level...other than that I hear good things about it... I've been offered superior room at the back for some of my stay and standard room at the side for the rest.. with a long stay I'm concerned about noise but don't recall it being bad when I was in then (Irish) Rovers last time but that was like 2010... any recent knowledge on this specific to this guest house site?

Congratulations and VERY good luck for the future, a great achievement and one I wish I had the opportunity to celebrate with you.. but stuck in LOL... Wish you well and hppe to be back there soon as...

MANY congratz to you, Ricky, and your team of ladies for the great job you have done in making Babydolls one of the most fun places to go. It will feature in my next TR for sure after my recent May 09 trip. As you party or stagger home into the dawn I am sat in my kitchen in the UK with another day of grinding work from 0530 hrs wake up tomorrow before my two day weekend respite of free time. You Lucky People - what lives you lead!! Good fortune to you.

In balance for the much maligned Siam Sawasdee, I have in fact stayed there over several years at times when in serious budget mood, and yes of the chain it's the best one of the offerings so the others must be.. well... not sure... Yes it's cheap (ish) tho the walk in and net rates dont make it seem so esp in high season.. but I've bargained those down to about 600bt a night on most occasions for a stay. I have stayed there a good few times now, 05, 06, and 08 at various times, not always for my entire stay, Dec and May. It is what it is, a simple old chain hotel but I have to say in all defence I've never had a problem there apart from the year that damned music stage was behind the hotel on that wastegroundby the markets and the noise was awful then for one week. I have often read some truly yucko reviews really hating this old hotel and bearing in mind I otherwise stay at Areca Lodge which is 1200-1800 range, I do know Siam Sawasdee is basic but I've never had any of these awful events. The rooms are flimsy, battered but cleaned daily, the design is old fashioned but white, bathrooms simple but work, and other than some noise, and the cranky slow lifts, its been a no-nonsense cheapo stay which allowed me to spend more money on fun. I don't eat there except the buffet breakfast which is basic but boring after too many days, take it , leave it, days vary. I have never experienced poor service, nor reception problems, payment issues, or anything else to be honest and the staff have always been busy but friendly and helpful. Maybe its me. The Tour Desk in the reception has organised me some cheap day trips and taxis and it's exactly in the right place. It even has a decent enough pool which gets sun from 6am. Call me naiive but maybe I am not so fussy on my stays, as I don't expect it to be the same as Areca or a quality rooming house like Metro Apartments or others. It's what it is, an old era but functional busily occupied budget hotel like a thai travelodge gone to seed. Very superceded by many new offerings I am sure but I have a fondness for it and can't complain. I have often sat at the cocktail car on the front and it feels fine to me. It's a lilac shade tower with an old fashioned interior, like a faded old Miami hotel. I may even be there again this May but fancy a look around or trying one or two of the guesthouses and moving about a bit. I noticed The Cap's did this last year and they seemed to enjoy the changes. Actually the worst thing about staying there is the (in my own personal opinion) awful bar right opposite, a den of over loud out of tune bands and distorted music which if you stay on the front facing rooms goes on till 2am, and is the only place I have regularly seen and heard screaming drunken fights (always the english..) that spill out onto the street.

I will be making very honourable mentions of the Pattaya Beergarden in my next TR reports as I am in LOS now, and have been in the bar every day at different times since my arrival in early May. In short so far I am enormously impressed with every aspect of this ambitious project and highly recommend it. Have had the good fortune to meet Pattaya Pete and chat with him and he deserves every success and comes over as a really impressive and welcoming guy with a keen sense of business and people management. The bar itself is monumental in scale (you could fit the Bangkok bar in several times over) and has to be the best location one could imagine for a bar of this type.. the view alone is priceless...Food great, prices impressively low and as Pete reports the 'magic' is beginning to happen just as imagined. Will become the 'de rigeur ' meeting place I predict..and have already met several BMs in there this trip.

Good stuff.... I often wonder as one does about other writers and artists about how you arrive at your content, and whether you wander around Pattaya photographing stuff that later proves useful for a particular gag, or do you work out the line and then go source an image.. ah such is the fascinating behind the scenes stuff that writers think about...ha ha great comedy observations as ever, you see something literally on every corner and then twist it round to a comic viewpoint - that's skill indeed!

No experience yet as such but I am booked from dec 15th for a stay there and the Admin and booking etc to date has been first class polite and efficient with the best business english I have yet seen from a Thai hotel. The website shows an excellent resort and the location opposite Soi 6 is superb and easy for Big C and that entire vibrant area between Soi 5-2 now. I will be posting reviews after my stay but it seems good and rates excellent I am paying 1400 a night for a deluxe room with kitchenette and balcony and such... let you know how it is

Brilliant location for evening ambience to take smarter girls and outside buffet and bars and sea view romantic and very tropical night location, smart staff, smart prices and an upmarket venue for night drinks with amazing harbour views.. I would not stay there as this is a 'posh' hotel with old fashioned moral views about girls in rooms entirely to my mind out of place in that location and this century and is not for a Monger mentality. Nice place to take girls for cocktails and a very smart but pricey buffet etc... dinner date land here... but then they all live there and what we western men think is a 'romantic' location is usually wasted on most of them I have found as they are so conditioned to thinking of your wallet that sort of entertainment just doesnt seem to register. It looks inside a business rich family hotel and is entirely another world to all the places we take our nightly distractions... love the outside though and have taken a few smarter brighter girls to eat and drink there.. then down the road to La Notte Italian bar again in that lovely quiet and totally different end of Walking Street... what a contrast to the S Pattaya end of it all !

that looks VERY good for that rate.. I am booked now for my next trip but will check that out with a visit this time, great price for that level.. beats the hell out of the Sawasdee chain rooms etc that looks VERY good for that rate.. I am booked now for my next trip but will check that out with a visit this time, great price for that level.. beats the hell out of the Sawasdee chain rooms etc wish I'd seen that a week ago

Again thanks to all suggestions so many hotels ... so little holiday... ! my decision in the end for my 28 day December 07 trip from Dec 1 to 29 is: Bangkok Grand Business Inn - deluxe room 7 nights @1600 Baht Soi 11 convenient, in street with smart bars and attractions and near between Nana and Asoke, opposite Lolita's Soi 8 and half way between all attractions, redecorated some in 07 and a place I have stayed before, GF, desk ID check and phone call if lady leaves, great location and easy to find. Pattaya ( 2 hotes for variety and location and test new one) Areca Lodge - deluxe room double, 6 nights 8-15th Dec @1350 Baht Soi Diana Smart mediteranean looking white hotel with palms and 2 pools, micro gym, great bustling location near to Soi Buakhow, Papagayo night bar, pool hall, markets and 2 mins to 2nd Road, GF,, ID check, have stayed prior and calm nice atmosphere and near to great bars, nearer the Walking Street end of things and Mikes/Royal Garden etc very near. Also opposite Lolita's in LK Metro ( ha all my hotels !!) Pinewood Residences - deluxe 60sqm room, 14 nights @1400 Baht, Pattaya 2nd Road No lolita's but opposite Soi 6 !! behind the Bangkok Bank, and close to BIg C, and vibrant interesting soi 2-5 bars and clubs... a different test for a new stay with well appointed rooms set around a nice looking pool and extremely efficient admin so far on booking. This based on recomendations from the site here: 60 sq/m with Kitchenette equipped with micro-wave, family size refrigerator, hot water boiler, hotplates with standard utensils. I fancy being up at that end for a change from all my usual South Pattaya Road haunts allowing me to explore the other end a bit more and shopping for food to cook from BigC is just great as I loved it in May when I rented an apartment for a month. and well... opposite Soi 6... heaven !! That's the choice then, locked and loaded and booked and 3 days to Wheels up on Nov 30 !! see you there if ur there !

Ah thanks all. Now I think anyways as they emailed me back saying they are full and can only do part of my stay I've decided to spend higher levels and stay a better time this time and try other places anyways and save the Sawasdee for me next off season trip when its quiet. At choc a block it can be noisy and whats more they only have the standard rear rooms anyways not my usual front facing pool street view.. but thanks for the info those who posted. I'lle be sure to be up around there a lot anyways for the Buakhow nightlife and markets.

Just for update those who know Areca Lodge or if you are looking at it here is the latest tiered seasonal price info for high season I got today by email The price is from 08/12 - 15/12 @1,350Baht 16/12 - 23/12 @1,690Baht 24/12 - 29/12 @1,990Baht equates to rate of Bht 1726 a night for the 21 day stay above **if you are two free of charge but if three charge 300Baht per person ( extra person joiner IS being applied over 1 guest - I specifically asked about this having heard rumours) hope useful to anyone.

Pinewood looks really nice and very reasonable now compared to say Areca Lodge season prices... Being usually accompanied by at least 2 guests I spotted this little clause: Rates are for Tenancy (as indicated) sharing existing bedding and subject to additional Tenancy charge (Bht 300) for each additional person(s) thereafter. and with Pattaya Bay it's seemingly Bht 500? Anyone had any experience taking MORE than ONE girl back to EITHER and being charged an extra 'joiner fee' ? I presume this would onlu be if they are overnight anyways not just 'friends in room?' Pattaya Bay also says: A 500.00 baht per night refundable security deposit is required upon check-in. So this is per day of your stay you have to stump up in advance?? anyone done this and what results did you get, was it ok getting it back or is this only for one night?

hi all.. 7 days to wheels up literally this time next week Rodney ...in the air I hope on route to BKK will be later in Pattaya on Dec 8... and booking hotels online now.. I often stay at the cheap but fine Siam Sawasdee near corner soi Honey Inn on Soi Buakhow.. thats the tall lilac purple place with the pool... cheap and cheerful but last year Dec 06 there was a horrifically NOISY huge bandstand erected out the back on the spare land there and the issan band noise drove me so mad in week 1, I soon exited to quieter and twice the price Areca Lodge...where I can still go now | emailed the booking desk and they just said 'room on back u may get some noisy' ha so not much help I am seeking to economise a lot this tme and 750 baht versus 1650 baht is some difference...either that or I need a better reccomendation for a fun budget hotel between those prices. anyone local care to tell me or pop their heads round that way if ur passing at night if this monstrosity is active again.. as they tell me the front superior rooms are all gone and only the cheaper rear rooms available.. if that noisy event is there again I am probably not going to go there.. thanks if anyone can shed light?

Areca is wonderfuily situated as our estate agent friends might say and has that tropical hotel meets beverly hlls smaller scale frontal look which outclasses all locally bar the versace overkill of LK Metropole. It's clean spacious, a tad conserbative, nice pools, good rooms, smart ladies and posh-ish and staying there you feel a way cut above the Sawasdee and local room options in the 800-1000 a night levels , but you are paying for that with a room rate in the 1700s in December. I have stayed here several times and loved it an used the mini gym, never ate breakfast but enjoyed the hotel and it makes a good impression on BG. Location location location and Areca has it all, soi Buakhow, vibrant area, LK Metro, 1 mins walk from Lolitas BJ bar, next door to huge pool hall, Papagayo night club which gives Secrets a run for its money, arcades, Oasis a Go Go and Champagne, and a wonderful area... so fast to 2nd Road... worth it if you are not on ultra tight budget I agree with the poster who said if you want these items go for it... otherwise cheap room or budget Sawsdee hotel. I tend to vary on trips according to mood and how many island hops im gonna be doing. I may be there some time this december or near as this area buzzes for me... and Lolita's opens at 11am so ideal for wake up BJ or even second wake up BJ if your last night gem has left PS: in 2006 I was taking combos of 2 and 3 girls back there and no one ever asked for joiners but that may have changed recently.. NOV 2007 update here is the latest ARECA Lodge tiered seasonal price info for high season I got today by email The price is from 08/12 - 15/12 @1,350Baht 16/12 - 23/12 @1,690Baht 24/12 - 29/12 @1,990Baht equates to rate of Bht 1726 a night for the 21 day stay above **if you are two free of charge but if three charge 300Baht per person ( extra person joiner IS being applied over 1 guest - I specifically asked about this having heard rumours)

ah so thats what it is/was saw this being built this May 07 when I was up near Areca Lodge where I've stayed and LK metropole. I was in apartment in May but went there for the great locality, Papagayo club, Lolita BJ bar, Oasis a Go GO, Areca Lodge and Soi Buakhow.... looks good... maybe try this Dec this year or next low season Apr/May...

Thanks all many interesting suggestions. Hotel choices vary like preferences for BG but it's always good to hear about choices, regular haunts and gems. I am booked now for flight , outward NOv 30 arr BKK Dec 1 and return home (sob!!) on Dec 30... but it is my second month trip inside 2007 and third since same time last year included so can't complain... many a man would envy that while I am drooling at the luck and skill of the long term stayers or residents.. all suggestions helpful as with hotels like girls it's good to keep variety uppermost.. I'm making my arrival choices now but even in Dec one can do the occasional flit about and I do plan to eyeball some of your chosen venues while I am there to engage for future trips... thanks again for replies

Thanks both for suggestions Obviously I have already stayed at Grand Business Inn BK As for Pattaya Sunshine Vista and Sabai lodge 2 are both way way over my quoted budget so although nice are not suitable for an actual use. Same for Dynasty Grand which looks really nice Anyone got any other recommendations...? thanks

Hello Planning next trip from Dec 2 arrival afternoon to depart Dec 30 midnight + anticipate being in BK from afternoon Dec 02 and checkout Dec 8th morning then Pattaya My Previous recent hotel combinations: 2005 Dec BK Soi 11 Grand Business Inn 1600 bt night, 2005 good near to Lolita's Soi 8, equal distance between Asoke Soi Cowboy and Nana areas.... and then: Pattaya: Siam Sawasdee Soi Buakhow 750-850 Bt night good location short walk thru Soi Honey Inn to 2nd Road, easy Baht bus to walking street and up 2nd road to soi 6... great local area, pool 2006: Dec Pattaya: Areca Lodge ( also went Ko Larn Jo Samet Ko Samui) Soi Diana, 1700 BT night smarter, 2 pools, great location ... near 2nd road, easy baht bus to Pattaya Tai... 2007 May: BKK Grottino residence Soi 19, small private hotel with quality restaurant very near to Soi Cowboy Asoke, but Nana possible walk easy 10 mins, 1900 bt night, nice rooms, great food, small, hidden away.. then Pattaya Centercondotel rental Condo via friend ( opposite Soi Day Night) one month ok so advise me on Dec 2007. BK - near Nana end of Sukhumvit for NEP and going other way down that main road, stay 6 nights, want quality hotel, under 2000 bt night, no meals, GF totally, aircon essential noise free as much as possible, and no bugs...pool not essential but gym is welcome... Pattaya - fancy this time being out near Soi 2 area... nearer to Soi 6/ 4/ 5. explore this end near to Big C and get me into different pattern from WS and Pattaya Tai area.... pool nice, gym good, aircon essential, GF totally, preferably up to 1500 night, 22 nights...or suitable condo private rental in that area..? any suggestions for an interesting 2007 combi along these lines - prices flexible within reason ?? thanks

Thanks all for taking the time to provide answers and I am grateful for your interest. I will be consulting the Consul yes but your answers are appreciated.

Non Immigrant O visa was obtained in days easily using standard postal application last year starting 05 Oct 06 and stamped 'must be utilised before 05 Oct 07' Have already been to LOS using it in Dec 06, and May 07. Next trip is planned for Dec 07 so I had anticipated applying for another one in Oct again, ready for Dec departure Questions - please assist if you can kindly, thanks - It's possible that I will need to go to LOS a lot sooner maybe even this month. Problem is I do not at this stage yet know if this unexpected trip is going to be needed or not as it's all going to be dependent on someone possibly willing to start talking in situ about offering me a job there but I now only have until Oct left on current visa. IF I want to get a new visa now because I want to stay for a longer time, stay the 90 days, do border runs and therefore end up using most of the next 12 months in LOS on a non ' O' even If I didnt get the work, I presume I just apply for another one now, which will arrive, say in August...and that gives me one year till Aug 08 approx, made up of 90 day max stays. This is my understanding. Question - Am I right in thinking that I must USE this new renewed O visa within 3 months of getting it? ( o that means before November..? if so and the early trip doesnt happen and I didn't go to LOS now but reverted back to a December holiday departure would this new visa be of no use and I'd need get another one? I do not know of this 'must be used within 3 months' is something factual or rumoured it doesnt say that on my current one after all. The other option is I go say in August on my current VISA which 'expires' 05 Oct. Question - Can I leave LOS by land on a border run prior to 05 October, re enter and gain another 90 day stay on the O VISA past its 'expiry date' and then go back to UK to get another in say Jan 08? Ok I gather that the only real problem is if I 'renew' now and the 3 month use rule applies and I then can't go till December I am out by an extra GBP100 for a second visa to cover a December use. Anyone assist? thanks.

so far on any trip to LOS and Pattaya mostly I never drive... no bike, no car, and delight in being 'ordinary' and taking the Baht bus like anyone else and the Mo-Cy 'risk ur life' experience for that wind in the hair warm night feel, but of course living there must be different. I want and intend/hope/dream to live there but despair of the farcical and extreme equation of importing a car you like to LOS and don't want to barge around in a 4WD tank like an english housefrau going down the supermarket.. I did the incredibly convoluted equations on the thai consul website of trying to work out how MUCH it would cost to import one of my cars to Thailand.. and just collapsed in horror... it's like ' double the number you first thought of, add this x multiplier, add this, multiply by this,, add this and finally multiply the lot by this and BIngo! instant mega many times the value of your car. I tried the game with my Mini Cooper S Works Convertible and the end result.. would have bought me a fabulous condo... 3mil + Baht to import a MINI?? gah! ... I didn't even dare try the exercise with my Morgan but how I'd love to drive that down Beach Road in the sun... a dream... I saw two Mini Coopers in Bangkok and one yellow one in Pattaya and some western sports cars.. how the hell anyone gets them there or what sort of sums they waste on tax I do not know... I totally detest the dirty inefficient and overpriced crowded public transport in the UK but....All in all I think I will stick to the Baht bus and be anon for a few years maybe if I am lucky enough to ever get to stay longtime in LOS...it's way more simple and civlised than UK's awful rip off bus/train network.... but then a magnificent custom harley trike with petite thai twins on the back seats would be nice also.... ( a standard .. but lovely ..single type Harley was about 1.2mil baht in the shop at Duck Square Pattay on my last visit...!! ) ah don't you just love this amazing place with all its wonderful money sinks? 10 baht anyone?