Wanchai Pete

Sadly shut yesterday on my last day - Saturday. Jim did warn me they pick a random day a week to shut

May the trend continue. Good news

Yes, I'm also a fan. Lived in New York for a few years and the Sizzler restaurants there were really poorly run and eventually closed down. The Pattaya Sizzlers in both RG and Central Mall are much better

But that's my point. If a newbie finds the scene to be the best place they've ever witnessed why should they care when someone says it was way better years ago. In this case It's a person's own opinion that counts, not someone else's As for the truth, and invariably the truth is that a place was much better years ago, is actually irrelevant in this case

My view is that there is always someone who will say that Asia was better in the old days and is a pale shadow of its past. I first visited in 1996 and heard exactly the same stories. But i had a great time so kind of ignored it. The main question for a newbie is - do you like the place that you've just discovered? if so, then it means absolutely nothing if someone else considered it better years ago, whether that is true or not. if you like a place in the present day enjoy it. But beware, because in 10+ years time you may well find yourself lamenting about how things have changed

if we're thinking of the best ever Sherlock it has to be Basil Rathbone

Gotta say that I much prefer Elementary, the US alternative but with Brit Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock and the gorgeous Lucy Liu as Watson

This is exactly the scenario i'm now trying to avoid as my old hotel required a (frustrating) taxi ride back

And you can always learn something, i.e. a hotel having a guest policy is not necessarily an indication of class

Well certainly a lot of possibilities there Cheers Jacko

Thanks, some good suggestions there

First ever night in Thailand I stayed at a nice hotel on Silom Road 1,800 per night (Narai Hotel I think) back in the 90's, before the days of Internet advice etc. I asked someone in our Bangkok office to make the arrangement for me, i was there on holiday not business. It was also my first (and thankfully last) experience of the guest fee and I moved out after a couple of nights. From there I found my favoured hotel and have never stayed anywhere else for holiday in BKK. Guess I'm still wary after all these years. But last visit the computer room was mosquito infested and the stay was

Thanks Evil, was looking around the 1,000 baht range. Anything much higher I would imagine would not be guest friendly. My favoured hotel was rather disappointing on my last visit, hence keen to find a replacement. i know Patpong isn't everyone's idea of a good time, but it has a certain nostalgic feel for me. Been there many times and also aware of the other places to go too

Advance apologies that this is off-topic (i.e. Bangkok) or if this is in the wrong section (please feel free to move to different section). Could I get some recommendations for a guest-friendly place to stay in Bangkok near Patpong - reasonable walking distance? I've decided not to stay at the place I usually stay at as it involves a tuk-tuk ride and I'm fed up trying to negotiate a half-decent price late at night. I'll be in BKK for a few nights before returning to Pattaya early next year. Thanks for any advice

Pattaya last for all the same reasons as above. But have you considered that you may get to Cambodia and then think it's nowhere near as good as Thailand? I'm all for trying new countries, but what about Cambodia first and give yourself a get out clause, where after 2 days you either decide to stay another 4/5 days or just head straight off to Thailand?