mister_handy

Will second the recommendations for both Majestic Grande and Majestic suites. Cannot beat the location for either one for getting to Nana. Majestic Grande is on the back end of Soi 2 and near the alley/parking lot that runs by the Rajah hotel and Annie's Massage. Pretty much as easy of a walk to Nana as Majestic suites. I personally liked being nearer Sukhumvit for getting to the Skytrain, but it is not a bad walk even then and you can usually cut through the Ploenchit Center mall to get a bit of aircon. Room fittings was much nicer than Majestic Suites although the same hard thai-style bed. Internet worked pretty well.

Lek as of when I stayed there in 2004 (or 2005? can't remember now) claimed they had no non-smoking rooms at all at the hotel. Room stank of smoke from aircon which got worse over the two days I was there rather than better, by far the worst room in that respect that I have had in Pattaya. Others here have said since then that they have some non-smoking rooms. Dynasty Inn has been my usual staying place but was told on my most recent attempt to book that they could not guarantee non-smoking room (they have in the past, but was always for low season not February tail end of high season) and I would have to see what they had when I got there.

Leaving mid-day sometime, coming back (to Sukumvit, not the airport) on the 23rd.

Other than the non-smoking policy what would you say are the reasons to avoid it?

Obliged, guys! No finaly decision - will look into a couple of the others mentioned though I'm leaning towards Inn House - small pool is fine and sounds like Areca will possibly be worse if I do bring back 2 :) (Will have to find that members bar thread) Has anyone stayed at both who can compare the beds?

So, I've read a lot of discussions here... trying to decide between the two assuming they both have rooms available. Also open to any other ideas for non-smoking places, but given all the smoking at the bars I really need a bit of clean air to retreat to. Would rather go with an all-non-smoking place since most places that have some smoking and some non-smoking like the Dynasty (my usual) can't guarantee the non-smoking room in advance... not to mention places like the Lek or LK Metropole with no permanently non-smoking rooms Inn House : slightly cheaper at 1100 for the Deluxe room, convenient on Soi 13, no pool, no joiner fee for one guest, but if I bring two, small joiner fee. Areca : still cheap at 1350 for the Deluxe room, bit of a longer walk which isn't great but not too bad either (did one night at the LK Metropole across the street last trip), pool. Are they cool with multiple joiners? Not that it's especially likely, but one never knows :) Any other options? Anyone's opinion on the tradeoffs?

I usually pick up extras of my medicines when in Thailand - many name-brand are cheaper though not lots, and generics are unbelievably cheap.

Funny that the new airport is that much nearer, and yet much more expensive for a cab :) ... should've said where in Bangkok I was coming from in my first post.

Short trip down, I know - will probably take the bus but if anyone wants to take a cab instead I'd be up to paying half.

Dynasty Inn Pattaya is pretty good, harder than I'd like but not enough to have me sleep badly. And they're quite clean, conveniently located, and the non-smoking rooms really are non-smoking. Pattaya Centre has reasonably soft beds; perhaps a little softer than the dynasty inn although otherwise I think the former is a better hotel. If you want soft beds, AVOID the Residence Garden. Lovely place, but I just could not sleep there on those beds. In Bangkok, the Westin has by far the best beds I've hit outside the US (the Thai version of the Heavenly bed was not as good as the ones here in the states but still very very good)... might in fact be too soft for some. The JW Marriott is pretty good, and the Majestic Suites tolerable. When I stayed at the Sheraton Grande (2003 sometime) the bed was just tolerable, so it may have improved since.

How long do having the glasses made take?

Do you smoke cigs?If not don't go to the Lek, all of their rooms allow smoking.

I'll be in Bangkok on the 9th and heading to Pattaya on the 10th... will take the bus if nobody wants to share a cab, but glad to share a cab if anyone wants.

Pinewood on 2nd Road near Soi 6 has internet (wired, not wireless) in room; two friends were staying there as of my last trip this Spring. I believe rates are 1400-ish a night.

This coming Jan I will be taking Tiger Air for Singapore - Phuket and then Air Asia Phuket to Bangkok. I'll report back on both when I get back.

Going to be with the farang lady that trip... no fooling around on the side unless I can do it verrrry discreetly :) One of these days though, definitely need to check out Batam from reports here.

I usually bring a minimal amount of cash, plus two ATM cards and a credit card... the last for emergencies if neither ATM card is OK here. For minimal amount of cash, that means enough once changed for hotel deposit, trip to Pattaya, and other first night expenses etc... typically about $250 or so... I'll usually change most of that at the airport in the automated machines and save a little bit ($20-30) for cash at the non-Thai airports on my way back home.

Well, the taxes account for a lot more and the cheapest seats are limited... but it's still very not bad: about US $30 including the taxes, from Singapore to Bangkok... which is about the same as a taxi ride Bangkok Airport to Pattaya (and using hotel arranged cars I seem to always end up paying 1500 baht)

Thanks... looks like they and Tiger are selling... need to get the hotel plans firmed up and then buy the tickets before the cheap seats are gone.

Double in the new wing was 1200B/night when I stayed there this past Spring. No non-smoking rooms though, uncomfortable bed, crappy aircon, and the room stank of smoke. Major attitude from the night staff with regards lady guests. Wouldn't go back. Dynasty was more comfortable (still rather firm bed, but OK), better aircon, and non-smoking rooms available. Also 1200/night.

What Sailfast said. Bangkok is great and you would be doing yourself a disservice to miss it on your first trip to LOS. But Pattaya is a MUCH easier and relaxing place to stay, get accustomed to being in LOS, and yes, much easier (and cheaper) to get used to the P4P scene. 5 and 2 sounds about right... hopefully you don't get jetlagged as badly as I do, but if you do remember that your first day will probably take it very easy. Pattaya is much better for that... lounge at the pool or go down to the beach at Jomtien.

No guest fee is not necessarily a plus with the wife along... Also, peak season rates are ridiculous over there - $108 (10% discount) if that carries all the way through the holidays as their page seems to indicate isn't too bad. And $60 the rest of the year for a resort-ish property sounds about right for Phuket. Never been to any of the beaches on Phuket, so I'm not dead set on any one of them... Probably a little cheaper than I need to go, fortunately :) Probably no such deals during the holiday period, but heck, definitely worth a shot! And far away from the nightlife is not a problem, the wife is not a partier... and *lol* I'd like her to keep thinking I'm not one either. Thanks a lot guys! Rex

Can anyone recommend a good resort (or near-the-beach hotel) in Phuket that isn't too expensive for peak season (early Jan, possibly including NYE)... up to around US$100/4000B a night? I'm going to be with my falang SO for this one, so "guest friendliness" is not an issue and in fact being a little away from the nightlife is a plus.

I finally looked at the schedules and saw that they were up to 10/29... I'll keep a close eye. Thanks again!