Emil

I believe the new wing is complete, however when I was last by there about two weeks ago, another hotel was under construction next to it on Soi 1. The structure on this hotel looked finished and they were working of the interior of the hotel. Emil

Sargo, I stayed at the Inn House last August and took one of their rate sheets. The rates then for April-September were: 3,500/10,500 4,500/11,900 5,500/15,000 7,000/17,500 The cleaning was everyday with bed linen changed twice a week and the utilities charges only applied to the monthly rate. It appears they have raised their prices. Emil

I've never been there but from looking at a map it appears less than 1/4 the distance from Pattaya to the Bangkok airport. There are numerous taxi outlets that advertise anywhere from 750 to 800 baht to take you from your hotel in Pattaya to the Bangkok airport. I would check with these guys to see what they charge. Emil

Pete, I've recently noticed that when I first come to the Pattaya Pages Forums after logging on, the different boards indicate new but when I go to the topic to read it there are no new replies only ones that I've read the day or days before. Also after I've read a topic that does have a new reply and is indicated with the little blue box with a check inside it will disappear after I've read the topic but when I come back latter the blue box reappears but no new post has been made. When I just came to this board to post this topic all the topics where marked with the little blue box as I don't read these topics as a rule. I went to another board before I posted this for a few minutes and when I returned to post I noticed that all the topics that had the blue box a few minutes before had now disappeared. It's a small problem, but right now I can't tell whether I've read the latest post until I actually open the topic. Emil

Kev, 750 seems high for a 3 week stay for that time of the year unless your getting a very nice room. I don't care for the free buffet incentives unless I know for sure that its something that I would enjoy and would still be available if I sleep in. Emil

Andy, Best to do a review in the hotel review section, that ways others will benefit from it in the future. I hope your not paying those published rates on their website, they were still paying for advertisements of TV last week for the studio at 15K for a month. Emil

Andy, I stopped by there December to check the place out for future use and asked the lady at the front desk if there would be a problem if I brought back TG's, she told me no. Emil

carcareers, The Dianna Estates that I'm aware of is located off of Soi Buakaow, just north of Soi Honey and not 3rd Rd. Emil

Bob, Regarding the girls at the front desk, if your talking Mike's Orchid I wouldn't know because I've never been inside. The girls at the front desk of Mike's Beach are average in the looks but very friendly and joke around with me. Probably because I've stayed there 4 times this past year and know me. I don't know if I did anything special to get that rate except that as I've said before the length of stay and that I'm there 4 times a year. The first time I stayed was Sep 03 and I just walked up and asked them how much for a room and when they gave me a quote (forgot what it was now) I them asked how much if I stay for 3 weeks. Do this around noon time when it isn't busy and the manager is around to give a price break for a longer stay. During the first stay in which I was very happy with the place I always talked and joked around with the front desk, especially the manager. My 2nd stay was for a month during Nov-Dec and I sent them an email asking if they would give me the same rate or better since I was staying for a month and the manager replied with the same rate. The next 2 times I walked up, as I like to spend the beginning of my trip down by Walking St to butterfly before I move up to Mike's to be with Thai girlfriend, and asked if they had a room available for 600 again and they said yes. If you do decide to stay there ask for an upper room facing north, if you get one facing south you could be looking at that large hotel that has been sitting there unfinished. Again as I mentioned before the furnishings are very basic, but the room is very large and I've never had a problem with critters or a bad smell. Emil

Kev, Haven't stayed there, but have been by there many times. There are many budget hotels in this general area of Soi Dianna, Soi Honey and Soi Buakaow. Within this area, the hotels run between 300-500 a night depending on the length of stay. If you do decide to stay there, only commit for a day or two so you can check out the competition. At that time of the year and for your length of stay you should be able to find something at a reasonable rate. What has Dianna quoted you and how much are you willing to spend. Emil

Yes, along with the Sunshine. I was at the Flipper House about a month ago in the new wing and it was stay 7 and pay for 5. Cost me 4414 baht. Emil

Hub, Yes they do have suites, I believe 4 on the 9th floor and 2 on the 8th. I've never been inside so I don't know what they look like, but they appear to be large. I stay in the standard and it is about 15' x 30'. On the 8th when you get off the elevator there are 8 standard room on the right and 2 suites on the left so I would assume that those suites are 4 times larger. The furnishings of my room is nothing fancy, as an indication the telephones in my room 3 times were the old fashion rotary type. The addition at Mikes Orchid is progressing well. I left there 4 days ago and they have the basement, 1st, and 2nd floors foundation up. I'll be back again mid August thru mid Sept and will give you an update on the progress for your Nov trip. BobSJ, I've stayed at Mike's Beach on my last 4 trips and I've always paid 600 a night and that included mid Nov thru mid Dec. I always stay at least 2 weeks so maybe they are giving me a break on the rate, also they always give me an upper floor facing north so I have a nice view of the bay. Emil

I've only stayed at the Eastiny Place and Flipper House (new wing) of the three and prefer the Eastiny of the two. However my hotel of choice is Mike's Beach Resort on Soi 4. Emil

The Sawasdee's are running specials right now where you pay for 2 nights and the 3rd is free. I think to get that 165 price you need to rent a place for the month. You will have to pay extra for utilities and house cleaning. Emil

I walked by today and the new wing that is being constructed runs from the back of the property towards Soi 13. The exterior work I would estimate as being about 90% done. You should be safe since you are arriving late July but may want to ask someone else closer to your arrival date. If its too noisey just leave unless they are giving you a price break on an extended stay. Emil

Roly, Read the 2nd paragraph where he says he will be back next week. However for a person that has lived in the area for awhile I am surprised that he didn't do any prior research himself. Emil

I walked by there a few days ago and it looked like they were adding on to the Ma Maison. I didn't pay that much attention, but it looked like most of the exterior construction was near complete. If I get by there again before I leave, I'll report back. As monkeyman pointed out, this time of the year you shouldn't be paying for anything in advance. Emil

BigD, One other item someone might want to know about UA, is once your at the premier status they put you in economy plus which provides you with 5" additional inches of leg room. Emil

Plenty of rooms available during July. The 2 Flippers are running their summer specials along with the Sunshine Hotel. These hotels are in the Soi 7/8 area and would only be a few minutes by baht bus from Pattayalands and Walking St. If your staying at least 2 weeks, with the promotions the cost will be around 650 baht/night, about 100 baht more because your staying less. Emil

Brian, If you can modify your requirement about within walking distance of Walking St to baht bus ride, then in June check out Sabai Lodge (Soi 2), Sunshine Vista, (Soi 3) and Bella Villa Prima (Soi 4). Although only 3 go-gos in the immediate area, plenty of beer bars, soapies and Soi 6 activities nearby. Emil

Speaking of safety, I wonder how many of us ckeck to see what the tread on the tires look like. With the low prices we are charged, I'm sure that the Thais are pushing it when it comes to preventive maintenance. Getting a blowout on the expressway could ruin a vacation. Emil

I always give the guy between 100 and 200 baht. Emil

I used them yesterday and no trouble, in Pattaya 1 1/2 hours after immigration. One thing I do is email them a reminder just before I leave home.

Dan, I know Cathay Pacific flies into BKK but have no idea of the cost because its part of my SFO to BKK flight. I believe the bus service only operates between 6 AM and midnight. From the BKK airport take a metered cab to the Mo Chit bus terminal (around 100 baht), then get the air conditioned express bus to Pattaya (around 95 baht), from the Pattaya bus terminal jump on a baht bus to your hotel (around 60 baht). Emil

Swiss Grottino Residence !!! What happened to the old whoremonger Soi 7 who was happy with a place like the Nana or some other hotel with mirrors on the ceiling. Now he's looking for a more respectable hotel that provides daycare. Emil