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Wow guys, I really appreciate these current comments. I leave for Pattaya in 2 days. The past 3 years I have only stayed at Sandy Springs and thought I would try a change in scenery. Made reservations for 1 week each in Bella Villa Prima, Nova Park & Whitehouse Condohotel. This simplifies things tremendously. I will cancel my reservation with Nova Park right after posting this. This is a great feature of this forum. Thanks again. Jon

Just read this today from UA: Sample Sale Fares *Sample fares below on United and TedSM are each way based on required roundtrip purchase. Travel to/from Asia is permitted Monday through Thursday on each transpacific flight segment, and travel to/from Australia is permitted Sunday through Tuesday on each transpacific flight segment. Outbound travel to all destinations is permitted between 4/1/06 and 5/18/06. A six-day minimum stay is required and a 30-day maximum stay is permitted. Additional sale fares (not advertised) are available for outbound travel 5/19/06 through 6/22/06. All fares require purchase at least seven days in advance of travel. Tickets must be purchased no later than 4/11/06. See the fare facts for more information. Atlanta - Osaka or Tokyo $ 310 ** Portland, OR - Bangkok $ 425 ** Boston - Singapore $ 425 ** Portland, OR - Tokyo $ 275 ** Chicago - Beijing $ 365 S.F. - Ho Chi Minh City $ 365 Chicago - Hong Kong $ 425 S.F. - Hong Kong $ 340 Chicago - Osaka or Tokyo $ 310 S.F. - Melbourne or Sydney $ 474 Denver - Bangkok $ 375 S.F. - Seoul $ 310 Denver - Taipei $ 332 S.F. - Shanghai $ 360 L.A. - Melbourne or Sydney $ 474 S.F. - Tokyo $ 275 L.A. - Nagoya or Tokyo $ 275 Seattle - Hong Kong $ 340 L.A. - Singapore $ 355 Seattle - Tokyo $ 275 New York - Hong Kong $ 385 ** Wash., D.C. - Bangkok $ 420 New York - Osaka or Tokyo $ 330 ** Wash., D.C. - Hong Kong $ 425 Phoenix - Beijing $ 305 ** Wash., D.C. - Osaka or Tokyo $ 310 When searching on united.com, look for the gold star identifying Spectacular Spring sale to Asia and Australia sale. Additional sale fares (not advertised) are valid for outbound travel May 19 - June 22, 2006. Click here for details.

I have stayed at Sandy some 9 times now over the past 3 years. I agree with most of what you say except that stating the pool is good is an over statement. It is also very small. The best pools that I have eperienced is at the old Nova Lodge at Beach Road and Central Road and at the Marriott. Unfortunatley Nova Lodge is an antique and Mariott is over priced for such small rooms.

My shortest time between trips took place last year. Spent 1 1/2 weeks in Pattaya over Thanksgiving and then returned 3 weeks later for another 3 week adventure. I liked that a lot. Returning to the States following Thanksgiving didn't hurt nearly as bad since I already had booked the Christmas/New Years trip.

April 4 is still a month off. No need to sweat it at this point. If nothing else, check out the hotel review section. I have stayed at Sandy Springs several times and like it. Unfortunately for a hotel that is only something like 3 or 4 years old, it is showing age premmaturely. No in room safe, but there front desk does a good job with keeping your valuables secure and available for you. I have read some good reports about Whitehouse Condotel. Seems that it is right across the soi 13 from Sandy Springs. Had I not got the suite at bella, I was going to give it a go. Lastly, Nova Park is just across 2nd road from soi 6. I am also trying it for the 1st time this May. Good luck. Jon

United is advertising a sale for Thailand at http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50469,00.html Note: the fares are for each way. Jon Explore Exotic Thailand sale Special limited time promotional airfares to Bangkok, gateway to Thailand - "The Land of Smiles" Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a sprawling exotic city dotted with bustling night markets, exotic cuisine and stunning Buddhist temples adorned in gold. Widely known as "The Land of Smiles," Thailand offers impeccable hospitality whether you venture south to the beaches of the Andaman Sea or head north to the quaint, mountainous surroundings of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. United's daily widebody Boeing 747 service via Tokyo Narita brings you to Bangkok, where you can choose stop a few days before taking one of Star Alliance partner Thai Airways' flights to dozens of cities around the country. Book now for special savings! Purchase by March 9, 2006 A 14-day advance purchase is required Depart off-peak Monday through Thursday between April 1 and May 4, 2006 A six-day minimum stay is required See fare facts for full rules and information Fare finder More options From To Round trip One way Multi city Departure date Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MorningAfternoonEvening12 am1 am2 am3 am4 am5 am6 am7 am8 am9 am10 am11 am12 pm1 pm2 pm3 pm4 pm5 pm6 pm7 pm8 pm9 pm10 pm11 pm Return Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MorningAfternoonEvening12 am1 am2 am3 am4 am5 am6 am7 am8 am9 am10 am11 am12 pm1 pm2 pm3 pm4 pm5 pm6 pm7 pm8 pm9 pm10 pm11 pm Search by Schedule Price Passengers 123456789 When searching, look for the purple arrow online identifying the Explore Exotic Thailand sale. *Sample each way fares based on required roundtrip purchase: Fares are valid for travel originating in the U.S. only. Atlanta - Bangkok $410** Boston - Bangkok $410 Chicago - Bangkok $415 Dallas/Fort Worth - Bangkok $415** Denver - Bangkok $415 Detroit - Bangkok $410** Houston - Bangkok $415** Los Angeles - Bangkok $395 Miami - Bangkok $410 Minneapolis/St. Paul - Bangkok $410 New York City - Bangkok $390 Orlando - Bangkok $410 Philadelphia - Bangkok $410 Portland, OR - Bangkok $415** San Francisco - Bangkok $395 Seattle - Bangkok $415** Tampa - Bangkok $410 Washington, D.C. - Bangkok $410

I had the same experience. During the past 3 weeks I tried 3 times to make a reservation. Then finally the reply came back saying that they had no junior suites but did have a standard room for the dates I wanted. I replied that I was not interested in a standard room and they immediately replied that all of the sudden the suite was available. My advise - hang in there for a few days if you have the time. They will eventually respond. Jon

I also stayed at the Hilton. Very nice and great location but expensive. Personally I found the Marriott to be better value for the $.

In my opinion it is not so much the length of walk that is a bother, it is the relatively poor conditions for walking. No sidewalks and a fair amount of traffic off and on. I have made the walk a few times during the day and still felt a constant need to be more aware of my surroundings than usual. Might be a bit unsafe during darkness, especially if a little high. Lastly, for those TGs that are already put off by a short walk, I think they would more than likely outright refuse this particular walk.

Many BGs in Pattaya seem to be up for the GFE. . not all but relatively easy to find if that is your desire. GFE much more rare in Bangkok . . far more of a business attitude and more than likely interested in short time only. BG price in Pattaya is 1/3 to 1/2 less expensive than in Bangkok. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I find Pattaya and Bangkok to be quite equal. Over all - Pattaya is the best deal IMO.

My memory was off. Sandy charges 120 baht per day.

I have rented a DVD player at Sandy Spring for 200 baht/day. When I first did this, they brought up brand new one still in the box, set it up, tested it, etc. The following day I advised them that I was finished and they sent a guy to pick it up. I found it to be quite a customer friendly experience.

Just returned from my first stay at Nana. Had a suite in what looked to be a newer section. I found it to be outstanding in all respects - room, service, courtesy and a fair value for 2100 baht / night.

2,700 baht / night It was presumably a refurbished unit which did show signs of upgrade in most areas other than the bath area.

Just cut short my first stay at the Pattaya Centre Hotel on Soi 12. Great view from the 17th floor Panorama Suite, but that was not enough to compensate for: No water frequently. When there was water, no hot water frequently. Extremely poor elevator service for a hotel with so many rooms. TV reception was shit. First and last visit here.

I stayed at President Park early this year. Pretty impressive digs. The bed is a work of art and the place is top of the line. The one thing I did not like, being a smoker, is that there was no outdoor balcony. I was there with my regular, so don't know what their guest policy is. Jon

I agree. I flew Thai 1st class out of LAX. UA business class is much better. I was very disappointed in Thai international flights. Ironically, I find Thai domestic flights to be excellent value for the $.

I stayed at Sandy Springs last November. Had a suite at 2500/night. Found it to be excellent due to the newness of the facility, size of room (suite is actually 2 rooms converted to one large living room and one large bedroom), two full baths, two new flat screen TVs, and king bed. Heard no street/bar noise. The only down side for me was the dinky 3rd floor pool and no in-room safe. Security box at the lobby appeared to be available 24/7, so the lack of in-room safe was not a problem. Will definitely stay again, but trying RG for the first time the last half of March.