Hub

So you won't be going back, I guess? Excellent!! The best reason so far on this thread to head back to a great place. Hub

AC: If it was just me about the owner, I would think it was a one-off and forget it. However, based on this thread and other people I have discussed this with, it is ongoing problem experience by many. Sincerely glad you didnt experience it. It's been cited numerous times - the rooms are worn. The screaming kids in the morning also. Breakfast is cheap. I agree. To each his own, but for 850-1200 baht/night I have found much better accomodations. Places I would give a look at include the flippers on soi7/8, the eastinny place soi 8, bella prima villa on soi 4, seaside soi 3. Hub

Mick's a lucky guy; Tan was one of the more likable girls I've met in Pattaya. All the best to both of them. Hub

Win: Thanks for the review. Not my style but may stop in for a brew next time meeting the fellas on soi 6. Hub

I'm not giving up and bought another 25 shares today. I still think the stock will roll up to 100 when the economy comes back and the dreamliner finally gets built.

Which includes posting positive reviews on this board under the false guise of a guest, I believe. And he has the balls to call Tom a snake. Hub

I don't know, it seems that a lot of the girls like to keep the card pinned to their shirt or in the breats pocket, even after being asked to put it on the wheel for reference. had it happen to me several times where I almost wanted to grab it (in a friendly manner) when their hands were full or driving the cart and not try to explain it. Glad I didn't now.

Denny: With all due respect, the owner of a hotel SHOULD make needed repairs and have newish matresses in his rooms. He doesn't get any medals for that. It's like the Chris Rock sketch "I raise my baby". Well, you are supposed to, FFS. I don't think things like: Lack of proper separation between bathroom and living area; Poor room lighting; High noise levels at night; Suspect fire safety; Poor location requiring frightening crossing Second Road; Lack of phones; mismatched furniture; Mis-sized curtains literally falling off the hooks; Unsafe wiring; Bars on the windows; Poor security; no room service; ridiculous and heavy handed "Legl" contracts; to name a few, are hardly "nit picking". I have no desire to see your buddy go out of business. What I do desire is that fellow BMs here do recognize that no matter how many times you say it, IT IS NOT A GOOD VALUE FOR THE MONEY. I don't think the skytop will go out of business. It doesn't look like he invests very much capital in the place. He will still get his people via them not knowing better and reading counterfiet posts by magpie/Pete himself on the internet recommending the place. I just hope it isn't any unsuspecting BMs.

Single bed, mismatched furniture, mismatched bedding and curtains, mis-sized curtains literally falling off the hooks, what look like cheap towels, dodgy wiring job by the ceiling, plug and utility strip in clear view by the tv, small bed with what looks like too small a comforter stole off a kid's bed, no phone, bars on the windows - its like one of those video game puzzles where you have to circle all the out of whack items before time expires

Is that what you call "Top Shelf" liquors? Because the TGs cleary aren't getting those without getting on that chair there. Magpie may want to actually have some liquor in the bottles (many look empty) and maybe move the cleaning agent at the end; just a suggestion....

BidD: That's a reasonable response, with the exception that with some other hotels, you don't have to deal with crossing Second Road, or at least as bad as it is sometimes there by Skytop. For example, the seaside guesthouse tom recommended - now those sois (2, 3, 4, etc) with some trees/partial sea views/etc. actually do feel they are just off the beach versus where the places on the wrong side of second road, and at comparable prices I feel they offer a better value without even considering other amenities. I am a light sleeper and don't have as many big drinking nights, so many mornings wake up early and do emails when on vacation. It's nice to be at a hotel with a deck (like JohnnyK's example) or outside area near the water to go on-line. It's nice to feel you are actually at the beach, even if when at the pool like the flipper/etc. I don't think the location of Skytop and lack of pool offers any of that.

BigD: For those unfamiliar with that part of Pattaya, "one block from the beach" may be a little misleading, as those streets connecting Beach Road and Second Road are longer than normal for a US city block (more of a long rectangle than a block). Not to mention you have to battle across Second Road, with all it's trucks and buses belching exxhaust. That part of Pattaya doesn't have a very "beachy" feel IMO, more of a city feel.

A picture says a 1,000 words Tom.

Bigmick: Because I thought you were the one that suggested eating at the PBG to your friends as you are a board member; maybe I misinterpreted your post. I didn't mean it as a knock on you at all. Hub

Emil: I have to respectfully disagree. I think the 90 minutes in each situation is totally different. Firstly, as a good place when you arrive they will tell you so and it is your decision. When sat at a table and ordered, the expectation is that the food will be coming out in a reasonable time (60-90 minutes is not reasonable in any situation, IMO). What if someone is really hungry or hypoglycemic (sp?). If I walk into the PIC Kitchen or Mata hari and they say 45 minutes (which has happened), i'll talk to the group I'm with and come to a decision, and sometimes order an appetizer while having a few drinks. To be sat at a table and wait 90 minutes for a burger is Totally different and unacceptable, IMO. I think one of the telling items is even that someone had to tell Pete this was going on (people waitinf for 90 minutes for cold food) without any staff raising the red flag. Sounds like they need a food expediter. (and yes, I have worked in several restaurants). Although the picture of Gordon Ramsay chasing Pete around for a week calling him a donkey is pretty amusing Pete: In all due respect, I would have got on the internet immediately when your plans changed and announced it, with maybe the warning about the 7-8:30 period also. The BMs above have a legitmate gripe when they say they came specifically knowing the pre fixe would help alleviate any waits. The bottles of wine are a nice gestures, but does little to salvage a ruined night, especially it being xmas, and bigMick probably had major egg on his face. I do hope it does work out for you and the problems can be fixed.

No offense, but that makes no sense to me. If you have a Farang menu, you should be able to handle it properly. If someone from Italy comes to the USA and orders spagetti, should they expect to wait 90 minutes and have it come out cold?

Then don't repeatedly recommend hostels that are are notoriously weak in that area.

So after pretty much universally negative reviews, do you still think it's a personality issue? I could be Mother Teresa, but that wouldn't change the stained carpets, paper thin walls and doors, kids screaming in the pool every morning, arsehole golfers ( I am a golfer BTW), and surly owner. One positive - cheap breakfast. But it is a dice roll the staff gets it right.

priceline is kind of beat right now for Bangkok hotels. You used to able to get the Shang, JW Marriott, and Westin for around $70 - but those days are gone. Try this one: http://www.latestays.com/ Hub

Dear Sir: Is your staff still demanding upfront payment for the entire stay? As a follow up, if one pays upfront and is disatisified with the accomodations, will you continue to keep the payment for the nights not stayed? Thank You

The place is crap and the owner stephen is a prima donna arsehole

Ditto from me on the ease getting the award business class seats. Compare that to Northworst, where I called every day for a few months with completely flexible dates and could never use my miles to get a biz class seat. Cathay is the vest airline I have ever flown. Other than a direct flight, you can't beat the non-stop to HK from US for a shower and change before a quick jump to bangkok.

I second Zeus' one reco- Definitely CALL FOR FF BOOKING - you will never find anything good on the website and on the phone they will automatically check partner airlines. You may have to pay a small booking fee, but well worth it. I pay either 60K or 70K RT economy depending if I fly AA or CX, but I find the business class ticket at 110K well worth it (just compare the prices, a $1,100 ticket vs a $11,000 ticket). good luck