sleepwalker

Been to the seafood restaurant on corner of 2nd Road and Soi Skaw Beach Hotel many times (but not for the last two years) - always been good but has gone a bit upmarket since 2005. Think its better value than Walking Street. Worth a go. Just my 5 baht worth ! Sleepwalker

sorry my arithmetic isn't at its best after a beer - should have said "Guess where the 50 baht goes" Sleep

Stayed at D apartment in February this year. There are 2 parts - the old building that has some rooms overlooking soi buakhow and a new wing that is basically behind the old building. The new building has I think 3 standards of rooms (see website) with the best rooms having a large balcony overlooking the soi running off buakhow - I had one of these. Both old and new parts share the small reception area where there is free internet and fridge/coffee. My room was of a good standard, large and cleaned daily with sheets changed every other day. Cleaning was good. Free coffee in reception and in my room - no café in the Hotel which is certainly not an issue in this area of town. Generally the staff were friendly and efficient. Pool small and on roof and looked clean although I did not use it. For peak season I was requested to provide a deposit which I had a friend who is a Pattaya resident pay. The alternative was a credit card payment which I always try to avoid. Location for me was excellent - short walk to New Plaza and easy 15 minute walk to Sois 7/8. 3 minute on baht bus to LK Metro/ Diana down Buakhow. Price in Peak season was approx. 1350 baht per night based on a 2 week stay. Not cheap but previously have stayed at Areca EverGreen and in my opinion D Apts is better value - similar or better standard rooms but without the Areca facilities at probably 400/500 baht less. Not sure if other members have come across a little money earner that the reception staff in some smaller hotels use - it works like this - you arrive at the hotel and the receptionist says you can have the room 100 baht less per night if you pay (in cash) for all you stay in the first day or two. So instead of say 1350 baht per night quoted on e mail you actually pay 1250 baht. The receptionist then records in "the book" that she has let the room for 2 weeks at 1200 baht per night. Guess where the 100 baht per day goes. This "business within a business" does not matter to us customers provided we are happy with the rate we pay for the room. Hope this is useful. Sleepwalker

sunview is 6 mins walk from junction of soi buakhow and soi diana - 5 mins by baht bus from south pattaya road. it is in my experience certainly not noisy if you book floor 4 or higher. it is a very good value for money and the open reception / seating/ cafe area is pleasant and relaxing. on thing is certain- it is much better value than sawadee on soi honey . sleep

totally agree with the mook - take a suit from home that is the style and fit you feel comfortable with - then select a fabric from the best range the tailor has - ask for exact copy - agree price - sometimes its best not to bargain too much - perhaps ask for an extra pair of trousers for say an additional baht 300 - do the deal - pay a deposit of say 30% then go back for two fittings. worked for me for 18 years. my most recent best taylor is "jans fashion" soi buakhow. true - they do not make garments on the premises it is done in a factory - however in my experience the taylor shop quality does vary depending on how experienced the owner is and their relationship with the factory. just my 2 pence worth sleep

yes had a few stays there in the 1990's - must say that the pool was the best in pattaya at that time - however even then standard rooms were showing their age and were overpriced - reason for staying was that thai air and eva gave two nights at reduced price at this hotel which was the only central one as far as i can remember - always the best thing about nova was its location and pool. look forward to a few reports. sleep

never found a girl in soi honey that did not know where the nearest or best short time room was. try asking her. as it happens there is a half decent small hotel 30 metres down towards 2nd road from honey hotel on opposite side that the girls use - cant remember name though. sleep

hi pen can recommend sunview as value for money. its on soi buakhow about 10 minutes walk (or 2 mins baht bus) south of soi diana inn. very clean with pool, cafe, in room safe, nice outdoor seating area, ifree lobby internet, nice efficient staff. baht bus passes hotel every 5 minutes i guess and takes you either south to south pattaya road or north to soi diana inn , lk metro, etc. for some it may be slightly out of the action as it is not surrounded by nightlife and is not directly served by the beach road/ second road baht bus circular route. for me that was a only minor problem as my nights always end in bars around metro/ diana/ lenkey. guess if i was a first time visitor it would be better to be more central - say soi 13. dont know about seaside guesthouse. sleep

some advice please. booked online in October directly with Eva LHR-BKK-LHR using credit card. since then my bank had to change my credit card due to some fraudulant transactions being made. the new credit card is of course a different number. as Eva require you to present your credit card at check in i now cannot check in as usual. would ask Eva london office however they have no e-mail address and so i am asking for advice from the board. thanks sleepwalker

hi andy have stayed at the natural beach more than 7 times although not in the past 5 years. the pros are : good location as you can get to the hotel easily either from bach road or 2nd road via baht bus. small pool but adequate for the number of rooms. easy walk to mike's mall with atm. beach is across the road. sois 7/8, pattyalands, soi post office all within 10 mins walk. 2nd road 5 mins walk. good security at night. the cons are: think there was construction at the back of the hotel last year - probably hotel extension - dont know current status. a friend reported the rooms were looking very tired 2 years ago - they were never luxurious. not sure of price but any more than 850 baht would be high in my opinion. no lift although i think its max 4 storeys. rooms looking over beach road have no balcony and are noisy. if you need walking street then although it is easy to get on a baht bus outside hotel, at night beach road traffic can be at walking pace and it can be a very stop/start journey. best rooms at back overlooking pool with balcony. unless you really need to be near beach my opinion would be to try soi diana inn / soi lenkee metro / soi buakhow for better value - 700 baht low seasin will get you better value than natural beach. sleepwalker

hi chodeka yes stayed there about 3 years back and passed by there last month. it is a generally budget priced hotel with budget hotel facilities -small jacuzzi type pool on roof (could take 5 people max), small coffee shop at ground floor with a few tables. it was clean and cheerful and yes has a homely feel. room average size with usual cable,remote control a/c and ceramic tiled floor. i had a seaview (deluxe) room however ther are very few seaview room at the inn house now with high rise along soi 13. in my opinion even if the suite was very good you could get a better deal elsewhere for baht 2000 per night as other than the suite you would get no facilities or upgraded service. you will feel like a poor relation when you see the dynasty and sandy springs and even mal maison in same soi. these would give you a good stay for 14,000 per week. havng said all that you will have a good stay in a good location as inn house is middle of soi 13 that can be accessed from both beachroad and second road baht buses. have a good one. sleepwalker

hi andy yes stayed in both - they would score very similar in my book - probably the breeze would be tops simply because it has a nice outside seating area from which you can watch the coming and going on the soi and it is slightly closer to 2nd road. rooms are clean both have lift(s), dont think you would get the large rooms at the breeze for 700b high season pehaps 800. would suggest j and p court may be better value although another 5 mins walk from 2nd road. sleepwalker

hi fonz they do reply to e mails - imho a bit on the pricey side however it is very central if that is your requirement. rooms are as good as say areca - you do not however have areca facilities. bear in mind that the hotel entrance is right through the restaurant - would not bother some ; for me not ideal. sleepwalker

JP_court@hotmail.com should work sleepwalker

Alex replied quickly to two of my e mails but did not turn up at the airport to take me to Pattaya. A bit dissapointed as members reviews were generally good. Anyway it is no hassle to jump in a cab from the airport rank or take limo as I know the route and Town good enough to direct them to the Hotel. Will not try Alex again but there a few other recommended private taxis that i will try. Sleepwalker

Kingfisher I stayed at the Inn in March and have stayed at the haven a few years back. The Inn was for me the better option. When you book ask for a seaview room on 4th floor and above- these rooms have a great view and a small balcony with chairs. The bathroom has good water pressure and good temperature control. Both the satellite TV and the AC have remote controls. Rooms are a good size and kept spotless by daily cleaning ( 50 baht to the cleaners every few days guarantees plenty of clean towels). The hotel is generally quiet and does not have the noise problem of the Haven with its thin walls. On the roof is a jacuzzi type small pool and about 6 sun beds - also a telephone to order food and drink - this pool is hardly used however it is a nice spot with a fabuluous view. No in room safes but reception is very efficient and friendly. Breakfast is available at a small cafe at the Hotel entrance - I didnt have breakfast there but did have some excellent thai snacks during the day. Immediately opposite the Hotel is the Sportsman - excellent breakfast and burgers. Hotel has a good lift. Overall very good and from the reviews Sandy Spring and Dynasty make plenty of competition on Soi 13 - so I expect standards will stay high. Chok Dee Sleepwalker

controller - is the BA sale booked direct with airline ? thanks

havent stayed at marriot myself however you be hit for guest charge unless its cobra time. nova lodge walk in rate is about baht 1100/1200 with breakfast. no guest charge unless you upset the desk or security. the pool is one of the best in pattaya and probably the best you can get without guest charges. nova is in a hard to beat location. the other option you may want to consider is taking a lower priced hotel such as bay breeze or apex at baht 500 and then using the pool at another hotel as a guest - usually you can use the pool at say nova or tropicana provided you buy lunch or a couple of beers. just an alternative way of looking at things.