Rex7777

I wonder if it's really true that both hotels have the same rate? I thought the Residence Garden was about 1200 or 1300 Baht. When I stayed at the Sabai Lodge last November, I just walked in and got a deluxe room for 850 baht, I think it was. Anyway, I'd stay at the Sabai Lodge again, if I could get a good price. It's fairly quiet, clean, and in a good location, right down the street from the massage places. Rex

I assume you actually have some good reason to go the the PI? Otherwise, I can't imagine anyone wanting to go there instead of Thailand. It's a pit. In any event, I think I'd stay in Bangkok at first if you're only going to be there for three days. There's a lot to do there. At the end of your trip, I'd go to Pattaya for 5 or 6 days or whatever. That's long enough to get into the groove of things. It's too bad you're stuck going to the Phillipines. Rex

I've got the FF miles and some money, but between now and December can only take time off in two week increments. Somehow, the thought of going halfway around the world for only 14 days just doesn't sit right. Those long flights really knock me out, So I'd essentially be going for only 10 good days. Worth it? ??? Rex

Yea, I assume anyone living in Thailand long term would eventually get the hang of things so as to not spend too much money unnecessarily. But even as a tourist, it amazes me how cheap things can be. It's a nice change from the prices we pay here in the states. If, for example, I were to go down the block to the local Thai restaurant for an order of Pad Thai, I'd pay about $9. In Bangkok, I'd probably pay about 50 Baht, maybe less. And I hate to think what the charge would be for a L/T session from a stunner at on of the local go go bars. Rex

I wonder if it's even possible to fly SFO to Bangkok non-stop? I know they can go from Tokyo to the east coast, because a girl I know from Japan used to come that way once in a while to visit me. She said the flight was 14 hours. But Bangkok is at least another 6 hours, isn't it? Rex

Hey Dave, Congratulations. Have fun! I've thought about doing the same thing, but I'm about two years away from quitting work. How's the transportation from View Talay 2? Do Baht buses come by? ;D Rex

I'm not sure I'm "addicted," but it's good to know I can always go to Thailand and spend a few years with no problem. I think I'll do just that in a few years, while I'm still young enough - I'm now 52... It's sort of neat being someplace where no matter how much you spend you can never spend enough to run out of money (or at least it seems that way). I found it really really hard to spend much more than 6,000 baht a day, sometimes a lot less. Rex

I'm not sure why they do it that way, but last time I flew Thai air out of Los Angeles I bought my ticket through a travel agency and the ticket itself said $1500 or so, but I actually paid about $800. Rex

In case anyone is interested, the JW Marriott is (as of last November, anyway), one of the five star hotels available on the Priceline.com Hong Kong site. I got three nights for $400 HK, and then added a fourth night two weeks late for $440 HK. The prices didn't include the breakfast buffet, which is 700 Baht. Rex

I stayed in Phuket for a month one time and only ran across one or two Americans during my entire stay. One week there were loads of people from Sweeden, the next week there seemed to be a bunch of Germans, and another week there were Japanese everywhere. Maybe it's just too far away to be a big American hangout. Rex 8)

There's a real nice hotel down that way, but I forget the name. It's probably very expensive. I stayed at the Windy Inn once. It's also down that way, but it's only so so and kind of overpriced. Good view in some of the rooms, though. Rex

From what I saw during my three weeks there, you should have no trouble with female guests using the pool. Rex

Last November I used the Priceline Hong Kong site to bid on a 5 star room in Bangkok. I got the JW Marriott at a great rate, 400 HK dollars, I think it was. I've never tried a plane flight, though. Rex

I flew NWA last time from the east coast, USA. I've also flown Thai Air from Los Angeles. I liked Thai Air better, but I'll probably use NWA again so long as they keep having good deals. Just the other day they sent me an email offering a R/T ticket for $458, I believe, from DC. I had to pass, though. Rex [smiley=crying.gif] [smiley=crying.gif]

For nearby entertainment ideas, you won't have to look very far. Just walk out to the street and turn left. Almost to the corner of 2nd road is the Classroom 2000 go go bar. There are some nice girls in there. Across the street from that place there are so many girls in the beer bars at night it's almost scary. Of course, three or four massage places are within a short walk. Rex ;D

If you poke around here in this same section, you'll see another thread about hotels. The Sabai Lodge is discussed there. I stayed at the place in November for about three weeks and was satisfied. It was clean, quiet, and the staff was good. No problems whatsoever. The safe depost boxes are at the reception desk, and there's room service until midnight. The rates for the laundry aren't bad either. I think I paid about 850 or 950 a night, but no more than that. All in all, I'd stay there again if I were looking for a place in that price range. Rex

I've never tried China Air but the one time I flew Thai Air from LAX to Bangkok, I was impressed. I was in economy class, but it didn't seem all that bad. Plus, the service was good and you could pretty much eat and drink nonstop, if that's what you wanted to do. There was a one hour layover in Japan, and the flight arrived in Bangkok around midnight. Rex

On the second level of the shopping center on Beach road (Royal Garden?) there is an Internet cafe. It's a good placve to get out of the heat. In addition to computers, they have iced tea, coffee, etc. Rex

I did see one place that looked sort of interesting. It's on Soi 3, I think, on the north side closer to Beach Road than to 2nd Road. It's a new pink high-rise building that looks like it might be condos of some sort. There wasn't a sign out front, but I did see a front desk, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps they have monthly rentals. Rex 8)

For what it's worth, I took a couple of pics of my room at the Sabai Lodge. I'll try to upload them with a link. http://www.freelancerbar.com/pics/zzmem/Re...abai_Lodge2.jpg http://www.freelancerbar.com/pics/zzmem/Re...Sabai_Lodge.jpg http://www.freelancerbar.com/pics/zzmem/Re...abai_Lodge3.jpg Rex

How about Sabai Lodge? The regular rooms don't have microwaves, but, as one poster said, just go buy a cheap one. Anyway, the place is halfway down Soi 2, is quiet, and the price is right. I'd stay there again. As for the thermostats? As I remember, there's a control box next to the bed. You can control both the temperature and the speed of the fan, if I remember correctly (but maybe I don't) Rex

Just the other day I heard about big hotel discounts in Bangkok. I wish I could get away from work for a month or so. Rex

I once flew on Thai air from Los Angeles to Bangkok and back. Even in economy class, the service was great. It pretty much seemed like non-stop food and wine. Rex

I think there's a web page called Biddingfortravel.com where people discuss their Priceline experiences. Maube someone on that noard would have a better idea. Your price sounds like a good deal, though. Rex

One morning in November when I was staying on Walking Street I got up early to go to breakfast. It was 6AM or so, but there still seemed to be a few guys out playing pool and drinking beer at some of the beer bars. Another night, I was out till at least 4AM at one of the beer bars. I suppose I could have stayed even longer, so long as I was buying beer. Rex