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Displayed prices are for multiple nights. Check the site for price per night. I see hostels starting at 200b/day and hotels from 500b/day on agoda.

yselmike

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Posts posted by yselmike

  1. 6 hours ago, TheFiend said:

    I stopped at the i-Rovers once for 4 nights and wasn't very impressed by the rooms.

    It's just for a week and I will use that time to scope out a few better places.I don't expect much from a guest house on LK Metro so I don't think I will be shocked.

  2. Just now, yselmike said:

    Ha should be 19 December.

     

    I tried for Metro apartments but they are booked out.I have booked the first week in the i- rovers,biggish room,good price pay in hotel.I wear earplugs so noise is not a big deal for me,light in the room is more of a problem.I will see how it's going on soi 15 before I check out the hideaway.I will probably try to get a room in the classroom,it seems to tick all my boxes and then book it for February if I decide to return.I usually finish my trip with 3 nights in Bangkok,not so many hotels are showing up on the booking.com map.The old Nana hotel is only showing standard smoking rooms,to be avoided at all costs.

    19 November, I am officially old.

    • Haha 3
  3. 6 hours ago, jacko said:

    Perhaps a typo? Staying 12 months....usually makes tickets more expensive. 

    Ha should be 19 December.

     

    6 hours ago, Shooter said:

    Full disclosure - the owner of Classroom is an old and dear friend. 

    Since I sold my condo I have stayed at Classroom whenever i visit.  I find it the perfect mix of Pattaya hotels with a well maintained clean serviced room, larger than normal space, nice hot shower, and some have balconies.  I didn't notice sun on the balconies but honestly I don't use them anyway.  So no clue about that.  The curtains are blackout and no worries if you want to sleep in.

    It is reasonably quiet unless someone is making noise in the hallway. I've only been since the onset of Covid and customers were fewer I never heard much at all.  I rarely heard anything from outside except occasionally the soi dogs seeing off the street people.  Or the thunderstorms.  No hiding the noise they can make.  it is guest friendly and your choice of bringing them in through 3 entrances.  1 is private and no desk stop and not thru the bar.  1 is the hotel desk and you can wave someone over to get ID if this is a sketchy new friend.  And the other is the bar if you want to stop, have a drink and maybe a bite to eat or show off your catch du jour.  Well it was last I was there.  He is constantly updating the place so who knows? 

    Has a microwave, minifridge (half height not the really tiny ones and enough for me once I empty the stuff they put in it).  Utensils and plates etc.  At least the jacuzzi rooms do.  I am assuming all of them do.

    I believe he has finally been able to hire enough cooks to offer breakfast before noon.  Breakfast is decent.  Next door is some of the best Indian food in Pattaya IMO.  The bar food is that - bar food.  Good enough if you are hungry and out drinking. 

    Getting to Soi LK Metro is a snap.  Either grab a moto taxi and they'll zoom up Soi 15 (if it's done).  I usually walk and that takes about 7 minutes.  Or the new taxi service and 100 baht gets you there in style.

    My understanding is he is trying to hire more "staff" for the bar to increase bar business and the music nights when he has live music.  Staff is code for girls.  LOL

    He has enough money to walk away from the business but again, like anyone he likes to win at anything he turns his hand to so he works hard to make it a profitable go.  Point is he doesn't need to rip anyone off so he is honest and expects it from the staff.  I believe they are still running some golf trips out of there too.  Not up to date on that. 

    Lastly - great wifi.  He is a techie and loves good internet. 

    My room is booked for mid January thru mid March already.  I get one with a jacuzzi mostly because it is bigger.  BTW I haven't been in the other rooms so if there is a specific question shoot it to me in a PM or you could send it to Classroom and I expect you will get an answer from him.

     

     

     

    I tried for Metro apartments but they are booked out.I have booked the first week in the i- rovers,biggish room,good price pay in hotel.I wear earplugs so noise is not a big deal for me,light in the room is more of a problem.I will see how it's going on soi 15 before I check out the hideaway.I will probably try to get a room in the classroom,it seems to tick all my boxes and then book it for February if I decide to return.I usually finish my trip with 3 nights in Bangkok,not so many hotels are showing up on the booking.com map.The old Nana hotel is only showing standard smoking rooms,to be avoided at all costs.

    • Like 1
  4. 2 hours ago, jacko said:

    How is The Residence Garden these days......?

    It has been around a long time, but I always liked having a separate bedroom and  living room. The fridge was medium size and I always removed their stuff and filled it as I liked. 

    Don't forget soi 15, Buakhao is currently an absolute mess due to drainage pipe fitting...and is scheduled to go all the way to the Buakhao junction, and may well still be going on in November. 

    Beginning to look like the old school way of booking something for a few days and then looking around.I did forget about the mess on soi 15,thanks for the heads up.

  5. 3 hours ago, yorta2 said:

    Have you tried Metro Apartments in LK? A bit noisy, being in the middle of disco-land, but a really nice place and mine-host Dennis McConville, a lovely bloke, with lovely staff. Oh, and yes, you will have to climb stairs. Let him know what you want and he'll be honest in what you can expect.

    I will check it out,cheers.

  6. I am thinking of flying in for 24-28 days,last two weeks in November to first two weeks December.Missing the peak season.I can get a direct flight with EVA for just over €830,that seems the price now days,luggage included and seat choice when I book.If I enjoy it and don't blow all my cash I will do another trip in February.

    I will probably stay in the Hideaway GH but in case that's booked out does anybody know similar places.Large light room doesn't have to be fancy,but not tatty fixtures.big fridge those little ones are a waste of time, balcony that doesn't get the sun all day,I can still handle stairs.tv and airco are standard and clean towels every day.A microwave would be nice.When I looked the end of 2019 the classroom on pattayland 1 had goodlooking rooms but it's not near LK metro.

    Cheers

  7. 1 hour ago, Pine Tree said:

    well yes. but either way, its an insufferably boring game to watch, whomever is playing. 

    It's overload this summer,Le tour,women's Euros,F1, world athletics championship, Commonwealth games, premier league starts the coming weekend,the cricket hundred on Wednesday,and European athletic soon.and test cricket with India,new Zealand,one dayers, Netherland west indies,new Zealand starts Friday.............

  8. 57 minutes ago, Pine Tree said:

    If that were to work, Thailand would be World Champions. Some of those Amazons would scare the hell out of me. 

    When the German Amazon's went up to collect their runners up medals,all of a sudden the Amazon element was missing.They just looked like a bunch of athletic girls the world over,some tall,some short some in-between.Nothing to get twisted about.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 1
  9. 5 hours ago, Rawhide2 said:

    I thought fares would be be coming down on that November month long trip as more airlines come back online. The Fuel issue despite what many claim is not the sole reason and Avgas is hedged typically a year in advance

    Fares have stayed high to say the least with transit times obscene because of lack of seats/flights

    Eva is coming out cheapest virtually every time astonishing for a non stop trip when traditionally they were always more expensive

    I checked for around 15dec to 15 January,but the prices were were starting at around €1500,I only want to fly direct.Add on the peak season prices for accomodation and stuff in general.But you know it's tempting.My €30k in my savings account was for a rainy day and possibly dental implants but it seems I don't have enough bone left for them,so I might as well blow some of it!

    • Like 2
  10. Just now, yselmike said:

    It's become universal,supply chain issues and skilled labour shortages.Here in the Netherlands they have passed a law that all dwellings must have smoke alarms.My landlords have just put up a notice that they have supply chain issues and labour shortages ( in this case it's not skilled labour so don't react please),they can't give a date when we will get the detectors.

    PS by July 1st was the day the law came into force,they were supposed to be fitted by then,ha ha.

  11. 5 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

    Current state of construction progress can be summed up in one word, stalled. It's been about a year since they completed the construction of the access road and this is what it looked like this morning. Can understand projects being worked on in phases, but in Thailand the time lag between phases often times is measured in year(s).

    P7140013.JPG

    P7140011.JPG

    It's become universal,supply chain issues and skilled labour shortages.Here in the Netherlands they have passed a law that all dwellings must have smoke alarms.My landlords have just put up a notice that they have supply chain issues and labour shortages ( in this case it's not skilled labour so don't react please),they can't give a date when we will get the detectors.

  12. 5 hours ago, Rawhide2 said:

    Have just run those original dates again and just the two "cheapest" fares have screenshotted using same agent Travel Trolley

    Gulf unless you're a glutton for punishment because of the inbound transit is useless and 2nd cheapest Cathay is a long routing especially coming home having done it twice one way in the 90's

    Eva was 3rd cheapest at £644

     

    Screenshot 2022-07-13 at 06-13-10 Travel Trolley Flight - Search Result.png

    Great price but 26:35 hours return! Factor in getting to the airport checking in etc and getting home from the airport,a possible 34 hour trip is a reason to pay extra for a direct flight.

  13. 3 hours ago, TheFiend said:

    Cheap? No, just different priorities for my spending money.

    If I was cheap I'd be paying the lowest fare possible to fly, but I don't. Since Qatar changed from 30Kg and free seat selection on economy, to a tiered economy fares structure with varying amounts of checked luggage, seat selection not-included/included and differing mileage accrual I'm paying the extra to get 30Kg checked baggage and seat selection. :P:P:P

    That seems to be S.O.P now days.I'm with you I pay to get luggage and seat selection.The other problem with Qatar is the flight time,30 hours was not the exception.

  14. 1 hour ago, jacko said:

    There is far more to the differences than sitting 30m further forward, and if one has the money, you are not throwing any bonking away whatsoever. 

    With the recent horror events that have been occurring in the UK at Manchester airport, there are examples of what happens when you travel cheap. I have had some miserable experiences in Economy with long haul...... and dislike the way you are treated, herded like sheep. long lines etc etc.

    The difference in price is excessive though in my mind..... Economy Class should be more expensive, and the burden of profit not be on Premium....

    But it is what it is..... 

    I was spoiled in my days when I worked, as the company flew me up front.....

    You wouldn't get me near an airport between  April and October and the Christmas new year madness.I always fly to Thailand usually with EVA from Amsterdam after 10 January.Flight leaves at 21:25 from a almost empty airport.Though there is a line to check in but it's civilized.I had to go to my dentist in Amsterdam today,everywhere was busy.

    The only sign that there was a pandemic were the odd discarded face mask.

     

  15. Prices are moving! Just checked on the KLM app,direct ams/bkk return €740 Jan 12-feb 7. 25kg bag no seat selection.Roughly the same deal with EVA.No refund so it's use it or lose it.I ain't ready to commit though it's tempting.

  16. Like Jacko if I have to have a stopover I will do it in the M E.I can handle a six hour flight in any seat so I don't need to pay extra for an aisle seat. I am checking the fares with Skyscanner for January next year,I fly from Amsterdam.They are at least €250 more than pre COVID,if I can't afford that I probably shouldn't travel.KLM have said they are going to raise their prices! they are starting a premium economy that looks like it's close to business class,with prices to match.What will stop me booking early is the worry of COVID hitting hard come autumn/winter.I am expecting to have to pay over a thousand euros for a economy seat next January with EVA or KLM,that's with hold luggage and choice of seat,they fly direct from amsterdam.My last pre COVID flight January 2019 I paid €600 with EVA.

  17. 18 minutes ago, Gus said:

    When I last went to BKK from the UK 2+ years ago I flew Emirates Business Class for around £2400 rtn. Looking for later this year the fare is around £1000 dearer, not for me thanks.

    So I had a look around and had a look at Finnair as they now have the A350 on the HEL-BKK route. The fares surprised me.

    HEL-BKK return is around £3,100 in Business plus you have topay for LHR-HEL, I thought this would be cheaper because of the high UK airport tax.

    So then I had a look at LHR-BKK via HEL and I can get the flight for around £2,000 although that would be using BA from London to Stockholm.

    I will be keeping an eye on fares with Eva and Thai etc but if I can get Finnair Business with A350 for around £2,000 that looks like the best way for me.

    The flights I saw all took between 24-30 hours.

  18. 1 hour ago, awesum4 said:

    I watched a video filmed on Walking St a couple of days ago.  There were cars and motorbikes parked along the street and cars driving down it regularly. Admittedly there were few people walking along so called Walking St.

    Video of Buakhau and Treetown taken about the same time showed lots more people.  I'm expecting we'll spend most of our time there after we arrive next week.

    I read on here or Thaiger that they are blocking the traffic on walking street again.

     

  19. On 11/3/2021 at 6:34 AM, Shooter said:

    I did point out the convenience of them.  And it isn't as if I tell anyone else how to live their life.  The question was asked and I am sharing my opinion which is they are very dangerous to ride in Pattaya.  I hope you would agree a minor accident on a motorbike is much more likely to get you injured than riding in the back of a baht bus despite being a passive form of travel? 

     

    My travel insurance does not allow riding motorcycles,not sure about a push bike.Its considered a dangerous sport!

    • Like 1
  20. On 10/27/2021 at 11:50 PM, jacko said:

    I had a flight booked in March 2020 with them... they cancelled my original flight, but moved my reservation to a different day, which (thank God) I never availed myself of. It was a non-refundable ticket, so I didn't expect to qualify anyhow. 

    You should be able to get any taxes back?

  21. 7 hours ago, Rawhide2 said:

    I've just rerun a set of dates for next year and what is glaringly obvious is airlines have taken the opportunity to remove inclusive luggage completely or heavily reduce existing allowances

    Not all I will add before someone says mine hasn't but big changes to many

    That's what I found,the other problem is finding exactly what it costs extra to add a bag,also what it costs extra to pick a seat.It seems that you only find out after you book and pay.That gulf air is a cracking deal as long as it's actually happening,the t&c will be eye watering though.

    • Upvote 1
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