jimmac

They say they have internet connection but they don't in the rooms. They have the typical Pattaya bullshit that you have to go through their operator to make an outgoing call.....I've never figured out how you set up a modem or hook to an ISP doing that. I didn't ask about anything in the lobby and I didn't see anything there. The safe is at the front desk and it won't hold a laptop. I had my laptop with me and left it in the room inside my carry on bag and there was no problem. The 8th floor is great. I had a suite overlooking Pattaya Bay. Great balcony. I would think any floor

I had a guest three nights. Once they just took her ID. The other two times she had to fill out a form and sign. I didn't read the form and neither, I think, did the TG. Maybe it was one of those referred to in other threads that say they can't use the pool. I don't think it would be a problem. I didn't try but the pool is on Floor 3, not by reception, and I don't think anyone would stop you and a TG from using it. I did see Thai ladies in the pool from my balcony during my stay. The pool was never very busy.

There's construction on the Second Rd side of the Sandy Spring but there's a condo between the hotel and the construction. I was on the Beach Road side and there was no noise problem. The weather was so perfect I turned off the air and slept with the balcony door open for 3 nights. The only occasional noise was from nearby entertainment palaces and there was nothing that caused me any lost sleep.

I'm spending my last night in the Sandy Spring tonight and can highly recommend it. Bazzap's pictures on this thread are great and a real representation of what you get. I have a suite one floor up on the 8th and it does have one bathroom with a walk-in shower. The bathroom is big and all marble. Everything in the room is new and clean. There's a huge balcony with furniture overlooking Pattaya Bay and overlooking the pool which is clean and cleaned every day. The whole place is very clean. I presume a room would be the same as the bedroom in Bazzap's photos and the rooms are a reas

Its the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel. Don't stay in it. Too many tour groups and not girl friendly and not value for money. Just look at it, don't stay.

Thanks for the great photos. I sent you a PM with some questions. I'm looking forward to trying out this hotel.

Thanks. Have sent you an IM.

Anyone arriving at BKK at this time? I will be arriving on TG921 from Frankfurt at this time and am willing to share a limo to Pattaya.

Randolpho 2, Its funny how some newbies ask questions on this board and nobody or almost nobody answers your question and the threatd gets hijacked into bullshit. To answer your original question, try King Seafood and the Lobster Pot, both within a feyards of each other on walking Street, both good, both slightly upscale, both outdoor patios overlooking Pattaya Bay. Fresh lobster and the bigger shrimp are expensive but everything else is reasonable. The cold rock lobster cocktail at the Lobster Pot is great and very reasonable. There are several other seafood places on Walking St

If you use the AOL access for Rayong when you're in Pattaya, you'll get a good connection. Rayong is long distance from Pattaya but it should be cheap long distance so ite depends on what the hotel is charging you. I used it once when the hotel was charging a minimal amount and it was easy and OK to access from my room.

The Mark-Land fits your criteria except for in room safe. The safe at the front desk is fine. The quality of the hotel for the price is good and guests are no problem. Don't go near the Royal Cruise, the one shaped like the ship. Full of bus tour groups and not guest friendly.

Can you get one of those jacuzzi rooms short time?

You can book the MarkLand at http://ash-hotel.com/markland.htm. I've stayed there twice. Its a pretty good place. Guest friendly.

Thanks for the great review. It brought back nice memories. I stayed in the Conrad for two nights last month and it was fabulous...one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in. It would cost at least three times the price in most other countries. If the price stays good, I'll be back next time I'm in Bangkok.

I've stayed in both and they are both fine. They are both clean, both have good beds and both are very guest friendly. The Beach View is older and more in need of renovation although it is clean. The prices reflect the age. The MarkLand's bathroom is better than the Beach View. The Beach View has a great beauty shop for a shave, manicure, etc and they offer an in room massage. The lady will come to your room in either hotel. I paid the extra and got the suites in both places and had great big rooms. I had a better beach and Pattaya Bay view at the Beach View but a better, usable b

Sounds like you do work for Amex!

Are you employed by American Express? Only they would benefit from your advice. Most smart business people in South Florida are familiar with the Canadian dollar because it supports a significant part of their economy. So is every money exchange kiosk I've ever visited in Pattaya because the Canadian exchange rate to Baht is in the top half dozen currencies they list. My advice remains. If a Canadian wants to waste money, change it first to U.S.$ and then to Baht and pay two commissions. Better to carry a modest amount of Canadian cash and get baht from an ATM machine. There are lots

Here's some advice from a Canadian. Don't change your money to U.S$ first. That's just a waste as you pay for exchange twice. Unless you are getting T/C's free and they are easily acquired don't waste the time. Just bring some cash and you'll have no problem changing it and use your card in an ATM machine. Canadian banks won't charge you a fee for using the ATM and they will give you the best exchange rate and there are lots of ATM's in Pattaya. Have fun.

I was just back in Pattaya at the beginning of this month and stayed at the Mark-Land. I had a suite and thought it was very good. No problem with TG's. Last year I also enjoyed the Beach View but it was older and more run down than the Mark-Land but still very clean. Also, no problem with TG's. So both are fine with the Mark-Land a bit better quality for a bit more money. The beauty shop at the Beach View is better than the one in the Mark-Land. I compared both this trip and ended up going for a shave 3 times at the Beach View as well as a manicure, pedicure and facial. I also trie

There's a very good internet cafe on the second level of the Big C mall. It has decent speed service on the machines, is reasonably priced, air conditioned and they serve expresso.

I would double check the seating layout on Finnair. I have flown them on another holiday route and found that on a DC10 or MD11 they jammed in 10 across, charter flight style, seating with no leg room. Those planes are designed for 9 across seating in economy. I would never get on one of those again. If the seat layout is OK, Finnair service is OK.

I noticed on the FLB calendar that April 6 is Chakri Day and all the bars are closed. Since I plan to be in Pattaya on April 6 and I'm only visiting for a few days of fun, I'm concerned it may cut into my fun time. What is Chakri Day? Are shops and restaurants closed as well as bars? Can you get a drink in a restaurant? Are the massage parlours open? Most important, what do the girls do on Charkri Day? I'd appreciate feedback from those of you with more knowledge of Thailand than I.

I've eaten there many times. It has a great outdoor restaurant. There seem to be some regulars....French speaking visitors, some with TGs. Last time I had lunch there were two European girls sunning themselves by the pool and dipping in the pool from from time to time. Great eye candy. The place looks clean and looks like its well maintained although its not new and not a four start facility. I keep going back for a quiet outdoor, shaded lunch where I can read the paper and take in the atmosphere. I've though of staying there myself. Let me know how the accomodation is.

I just found this place on the Asia Travel site. Its on Soi 3 and has good looking room and studio pics and is reasonably priced. It seems to be new and has soft opening rates. Has anyone tried it or been in it? Any comments? Is it GF friendly?

The Beach View Hotel does offer in-room massage. I regret I didn't try it out when I stayed there in April. The beauty shop offers a great shave, manicure and pedicure. I was offered the massage but turned it down because I had just had one somewhere else. I was back in the beauty shop in July but staying in a different hotel and while I weas offered the massage they didn't seem to want to go to another hotel. There are a couple of attractive staff in the beauty shop. If you go, try the massage and let me know how it is and whether extra service is offered and how much. I think the serv