Pieman

This is second hand information but FWIW I've read a couple of very bad reviews about the place in recent months, with the reviewers saying it should be avoided like the plague as the rooms are becoming increasingly grotty and the long heralded refurbishment has still not happened. As there are numerous places in that location (or others) for similar prices that are frequently recommended then I would advise your friends to look elsewhere. I re-iterate it is only what I have read and I have no personal experience of the place. Cheers Pie

I'm glad the Off Topic Section is gone and I hope it never returns..IMHO Greg, With the greatest of respect I have great difficulty understanding your position. Why do you hope it never returns ? If you didn't like its presence then surely the answer was to ignore it. Don't look at it - as is being forced upon you and others now. I simply cannot for the life of me even begin to comprehend why some would want it banned because they didn't like it. If I don't like something I don't eat it, don't drink it, don't talk to it, don't read it and don't shag it ;D. But because I don't like LBs I don't say they should be banned - I just stay out of their way. Furthermore, if you don't care much for the confrontational approach that was prevalent in that section (and I can understand that but, again, don't read it, rather than advocating a banishment order) - has it occurred to you that there will inevitably be a much increased outpouring of vitriol in other sections as a result ? Pete has already moderated one such "frank exchange of views" but it will only get worse. To me it seems simple - you don't like it, you don't go there. Your world will be a happier place if the arguments are contained. Cheers Pie

JohnnyK/Lazyboy....... Nice ones. [smiley=grins-jump.gif] Cheers Pie

That gave me a chuckle ramster - tks. Don't worry about your driver finding Sandy Springs - it won't be a major issue. As for the Internet Cafes then the one Tony is referring to (I think) is easy to locate. Turn right as you come out of the hotel and you come to a junction after about 100 yards (it's 2nd road/soi 13 but that isn't relevant). The internet cafe - adjoining a Kodak camera shop - is about 10-15 yards on your right. Having said that I found the connection speed very up and down the few times I used it (despite the ADSL they advertised) but YMMV. Cheers Pie

I did. I could add a lot "old fart" but as this is not the now defunct off topic section I will refrain from doing so, other than this............ What's next - trainspotting ? Or further whingeing about how bad girls/bars treat you in Pattaya whilst continuing to promote a lame site on the subject of .............PATTAYA !! G'bye - enjoy your anoraks' party !! Cheers Pie

ROFL - handbags at dawn from the self-promotion artists !! [smiley=grin.gif] Furthermore Gabor, Pete will no doubt be thrilled at your continued resurrection of old threads - something that he has mentioned before I believe. It won't be long........... [smiley=stomp.gif] Cheers Pie

FWIW, I've gone with the Coral Samui. They claim that their higher priced rooms have all been refurbished and have completely new bathrooms. Thus it appears to fit all the criteria and is at the bottom end of the budget range. They have also impressed me with very speedy replies to e-mail questions I sent to them. Tks for the link Valentino. I'll post a review when I get back as if it is all it is cracked up to be then at the price and given the location it's got to be close to the best value in Samui. Cheers Pie

ramster, Yes, every guest gets his/her own safety box in the lobby. Most hotels have a few larger boxes that may or may not be big enough to accommodate a laptop. I'm afraid I can't remember the Sandy layout. However, they may have boxes large enough for your laptop but if they do then experience tells me they won't have many of them. You would be well advised to mail them and enquire if they do indeed possess larger boxes (they prob will), and, if so, ask to reserve one. An alternative suggestion is to use their own "house safe" where they will stow the laptop for you. Another suggestion is not to pick up Beach road freelancers when you are shitfaced. ;D ;D All joking apart it is HIGHLY unlikely that someone is going to run off with your laptop unless you are judgementally impaired so keeping it in your room is almost certainly safe. Sorry, but I can't remember the opening hours of the reception safety boxes - perhaps others can help you there - but my hazy memory thinks they were something around 0700-2200 but, from what I can recall, not 24/7. Cheers Pie

BigMike is spot on with his recommendation. Given that you are finding baht buses/bikes a pain then you would not want to be staying in the Soi 8 area if south Pattaya/walking street is your game. You can walk from the Sandy Spring to Pattayaland 2 in about 3-4 minutes and it's not much further to Walking street from there as you doubtless know. Having said that, I am starting to become reluctant to recommend this hotel (this might be the last time I endorse it ;D ;D) as it is becoming FAR too popular as word spreads. They have, since my last trip, become cute and decided that all seaview rooms are now superior rooms. Thus rooms that were previously available at 990bt (with membership) are now 1200. It was exceptional value at 990 but at 1200 they are now borderline for value at the very best. I'll probably stay there next month but they are starting to take the piss undoubtedly through their occupancy levels being high - yet another internet horror !! Still - I can't complain (although I guess I am :) ) as I would never have found the place either without the net !! Cheers Pie

Tks again valentino, and yes, tried that - including the "new" download. But, assuming you have done likewise, you will have have seen they do not show the inside of any rooms in their multiple clips. I really don't care about a beachfront room/bungalow (but,as stated earlier, the hotel being close to the beach would be a bonus) and frankly, if the room has the other attributes I mentioned at anything less than SoBe prices then I'll be quite happy if it is on the 17th floor of a multi-storey car park. I resent paying top dollar prices (by Thai standards) for basement accom - and that seems to be the norm in Samui. Thanks again for your suggestions - I'll go look them up now. Cheers Pie

bathroom not brilliant, water pressure not very good, somehow it didn't seem to matter too much. Gus, I take your point but to me it does matter. Firstly, I like my creature comforts and dislike paying through the nose for them. I'll cheerfully spend 20-30K baht (or more) on a night out but I resent paying OTT for shite accomodation. Penny wise - Pound foolish perhaps but the prices for accom in Samui are laughable - they even make Phuket look like Pattaya. Cheers Pie P.S. My first ever trip to Samui (about 7-8 yrs ago) - I stayed at the Weekender in Lamai in their "top" room. I thought it was an utter hovel. They charged (then) about 1200bt a night and the equivalent room in Pattaya would have been about 400 at that time. Not having a go at you Gus but the 2100 you quote is indicative of the silly prices that Samui seems to be able to command. Is it down to Johnny Foreigner that knows no better (as opposed to Pattaya regs ?). Supply and demand ? I know nothing on this subject but whilst people moan about the prices in Phuket they clearly haven't spent time trying to get reasonable accom in Samui at prices that wudn't make a hotelier in Pattaya turn green with envy.

Tks Baz and valentino. valentino, I've looked at your suggestions but without a recommendation it's a bit difficult to gauge. I've seen many a picture that looks OK only to find a faded, jaded room upon arrival. I've never had many problems anywhere else in the world but on Samui I just don't seem to be able to get it right. I'm not overly demanding - for example a room similar to the standard ones at the Sandy Spring (990bt) would be fine and I'd happily give someone 1500-2000 for it on Samui. I just hate walking into dark, dingy rooms with mould around the ageing bathroom fixtures etc. Your link to island samui was interesting - have you seen the place ? I ask particulary as their site claims that the new owners have totally refurbished the place and that bathrooms have been re-tiled etc etc. Yet, the pictures of the place look like a typically faded Samui hotel. Are the pics out of date perhaps ? If you have anything to add it would be appreciated. Baz, Your recommendation looks ideal. However the rates I see quoted (for a room not a villa) range between 4300 (last year's rate on the homepage) and 5500 and up via various websites for a stay next month. I'm presuming you stayed in low season but did you get yours as a walk in or some other method ? Thanks again for the time and trouble both and if it seems I am being a bit OTT about this, well you are probably right. It's only for a couple of days but I am booking not just for myself but a friend from the UK and I would feel bad if I organised a shithole. The other places we are going to aren't an issue as I know sufficient good hotels but, as said earlier, my prior experiences in Samui have been dismal. Cheers Pie

In my few trips to Samui I've been seriously underwhelmed by the accommodation I've booked. I've looked through the hotel reviews section but there is nothing conclusive there. I would appreciate any recommendations on where to stay (pref Chaweng) that afford the following within a budget of 1500-2500 per night....... Guest friendly Queen+ size bed On or close to the beach Within 5 (ish) minutes walk from Soi Green Mango Air-con TV with decent Satellite And a bathroom that wasn't built by Noah - i.e. a reasonable supply of hot water with decent shower pressure without having to run around to get wet. Restaurant, bar, pool etc I don't care about but the more of the above criteria that can be satisfied the better. Thanks to those that reply. Cheers Pie

Good to hear from the Euro cap'n but where is the USA cap'n ? Is he too busy fondling the cup that he has no hands for the keyboard ? I mention this as I have a couple of pics to post ;D ;D but to do so without the esteemed Grendel "appreciating" them would be a waste !! Grendel - where art thou now ? Cheers Pie

I think Shilo's suggestion is a very sound one. The date will change each year and some will/some won't be able to make it - but that is always going to be the case anyway. At least everyone knows when it is going to be and as many try to make it to Pattaya for Loy Kratong then it kills two birds with one stone. Cheers Pie

Doggie, In an ideal world it would be somewhere between the 12th and 25th but I can do a week or so either side of those dates. Enjoy your forthcoming trip BTW - and do try to avoid bar owners proffering silly hats at 4a.m. this time. Cheers Pie

Baz, Read other recent "newbie" threads in this section. It's your best mate talking to himself once more and, YET again, attempting to show us all how clever he is and sticking a finger up to Pete who he expects to ban him shortly (under his previous membership). I.E. I can join this board as many times as I like - you will never get rid of me. Best ignored. Cheers Pie

Before anyone else wastes their time on this joker....... Call me a cynic guys, but why do I get the feeling that the thread starter, in what is his third post, has just had you over ? Note that in his other (the above was duplicated) post he is to be credited with the little gem of advising people to go to the Five Star Bar and ask for the peculiarly named proprietor AKA "mama-san" for help organising tours, transport and shopping et al. That was also fairly subtle. I rather suspect that he knew damn well that the address he was posting was indeed Tesco Lotus. Admittedly, one of the better wind-ups but a wind-up nonetheless methinks. Cheers Pie

It's sizzling away again........ http://myalbum.mweb.co.za/uploaded/38cde5f.../spam.jpg' alt='spam.jpg'> Tks for your contribution Wizard. :) [smiley=stomp.gif] Cheers Pie P.S. Rule no.1 of advertising - always better to make sure your product is at least half-finished before promoting it.

Ray, More than a tad off topic and I shud to it by PM but I'm off to bed and can't be arsed now as it's more difficult and I'll forget tomorrow (please reply by PM so we don't clog up this thread) but did u locate the processed peas ? If not gizza shout and I will endeavour to bring a few tins with me later this month. Cheers Pie

I'm beginning to go off Stickman. [smiley=AR15firing.gif] Cheers Pie

The one bit of good news is that if u've never flown them before then for my money Emirates are the best in the skies (Economy class that is). A lot depends on your connections of course as if they have long layovers then it's prob a non-starter. If I were you I would combine holding flights on Emirates for as long as you can get away with it along with Crackpot's suggestion of getting urself waitlisted on as many different airlines as fit reasonably within your desired dates of travel (and have realistic waitlists) and see what comes up whilst you still have the Emirates flights in reserve. Cheers Pie

Doggie, In answer to the question u posed I think ff29's ideas re mulligans are bloody good. On a first read I thought maybe a bit difficult to keep track of and confusion may reign but after a second read they are simple enough and the idea of..... 6) Opponents can use appropriate (tee box or anyplace) Mulligan’s to make opponents team member shoot his or her shot over again. Just a little twist if you think your opponent's shot was too good or was just a lucky one. is brilliant. A lot of fun to be had with this one potentially. Imagine hitting a wedge to 6 inches (or holing a 30 foot putt), glowing inwardly for a few seconds before one of the opponents says "now if you wudn't just mind doing that again.........." Cheers Pie

Turbo/grs90, Thanks for the responses - if differing views !! Think I'll sit tight for now (the worst might be over 6 weeks or so anyway) but only pay them for 1 night on arrival, retaining the option to move camp the next day. Cheers Pie

Ben, As they say, OSMV (our sizes may vary). I tend to buy L in Europe but anywhere between XL and XXL in LOS. I'll leave if to u as only u'll know whether your manufacturer tends to make "slimfit" or not. If in doubt go for XXL as if it's a bit big I'm sure a couple of washes will sort it out. Cheers Pie P.S. Forgot to mention.....Europe