Emil

I can't remember the name, but on Beach Rd next to the Pink Lady Restaurant between Soi7 and Central Pattaya Rd there is a seafood restaurant where you can catch your dinner. You will have some lovely Thai ladies assist you and if your lucky you can take one of them back to your room. ;D Emil

Pat, I was out of town for a few days and when I returned and saw the Cathay email I was hoping to see the 45K deal. :'( No such luck, but when they do, I'll book my next 2 trips. ;D Emil

California is now 13 hours behind Pattaya, 14 hours during daylight saving time. Another way to find the time in Pattaya, is to look at the top of this page. One thing about the maps you usually see, Beach Rd and 2nd Rd look like they are parallel, but Beach Rd follows the curve of the bay. The length of Soi 4 is about 3 times the length of Pattayaland 2. Emil

Many of the airlines arrive around midnight and the hotels are use to guests arriving between 2 and 3 in the morning, just make sure that you tell them. For what your willing to pay, you could get a nice suite at the Sunshine Vista apartments on Soi 3, just a few minutes from the Big C. Emil

Sunshine is next to the Eastiny Place hotel. One thing to remember about the Sunshine is that it has an old wing and a new wing. Emil

They are currently building another hotel right next to the Dynasty and another board member said it was noisy. I will be arriving in Pattaya next week for 30 days. Send me a PM in 3 or 4 weeks to remind me and I'll let you know if the noise could be a problem. Emil

Arriving on United Airlines on November 11th around 11:30 PM. By the time I clear immigration, get my checked baggage and clear customs it will be after midnight. Anyone want to share limo/taxi to Pattaya? Emil

Pete, Will the Big C and Royal Garden be open. ??? Emil

As long as you don't care where the hotel is located, if it has a pool, the price you pay, or whether it's a 1 star or 5 star hotel you can find a place. Also if your going to depart in early December you shouldn't have any problems if your flexible. Emil

This is probably not the answer you want to hear, but I never consider food or location a part of the equation. There are hundreds of places to eat and as long as your hotel is close to a baht bus route your only a few minutes and 10 baht lighter to the majority of restaurants, beer bars and go-gos in the area. I look for a hotel that meets my standards at the best possible price, and what I might consider a nice hotel you might consider it a dump. Emil

Try Koenig Mansion or White Rose Mansion, both on Soi Yensabai. Emil

Archie, I've never stayed there, noticed it as I was walking past it one day. It looked nice and new and I picked up one of their business cards in case I need it in the future if I can't get a room where I normally stay. Don't know if they are guest friendly, but usually the hotels in Pattaya that are less than 1000 are guest friendly at least for 1 TG. To be sure ask them using their email. Emil

Archie, I just noticed that you stated you were going to be in Pattaya in Dec. My estimate of 600 should be raised. Anyway if you haven't already found their website here it is: www.geocities.com/opeydeplace Emil

If you don't mind another 150 meters from the Areca and want a rate around 600 a night, check out Opey De Place. Emil

I would suggest that you get one of the hotels on Soi 8 for a week. That would give you plenty of time to look around for what you need for the long term. If your trying to save money you'll have more luck as you get away from the beach, but make sure you stay close to the baht bus routes. Emil

One other thing that you don't have working for you is your short stay. Most hotels will give you a better rate if your staying for a longer period of time. Emil

I would imagine that Vox hit the "o" key instead of the "a" key and meant Chanthaburi. I remember reading somewhere that the Issan region is the northeast and includes something like 19 provinces. Emil

Sammy, I did the review and as of the last time I stayed their they didn't have email. The telephone and fax numbers from their card are as follows: Tel : 038 411544, 414641 Fax: 038 414640 Emil

Gavo, For reviews go to the top of the page and open "Hotels', then open "Hotel Reviews", then "Pattaya Hotels" and you should finds some reviews of the Areca done by other boardmembers. Your requirement for in room safe eliminates many fine places. Emil

The Sunshine Vista Apartments on Soi 3 near 2nd Rd is around 1 year old and fits your requirement except for the in room safe. 2 more hotels are near completion on Soi 4, when is your next trip. Emil

I remember reading a similiar topic a few days ago. Pete named a few places where they made them. Emil

I noticed 2 different travel agencies in my Sunday paper that showed airfares of $590 + taxes/fees. In the past those prices were out of SFO and either on EVA or JAL. Emil

The planes could can do it, but the problem is filling all the seats of the 747. They can fill the seats now because many of the passengers are departing at Hong Kong or Narita to either visit there or are intransit to another country. When the new airport is completed and it becomes a hub for other airlines hopefully we will have the non stops. Emil

Vox, I've flown Cathay Pacific and it takes a little less than 15 hours from SFO to Hong Kong, so I would guess that if the plane flew direct to Bangkok it could make it in about 17 hours. On the return from Hong Kong to SFO it's only about 12 hours when you have the jet stream pushing you. The trip isn't to bad if you can get some sleep and you have the personal movie screens to help pass the time. Emil

I make it a point to have between 5-10K when I head to the airport. In my case I plan to return in 2 months, if it were going to be over 6 months maybe a different story. Emil