Lex

I'm currently staying in a junior suite at the Bella Villa Prima soi 4 for 2000 bht per night. The suites are huge (69 sqm) with plenty of features (2 tvs, in room safe, kitchen, separate aircon in bedroom, 2 balconies and wireless internet in every room for free). However, the room is a bit bleak and the place feels a little run down even though it's only a couple of years of old. This isn't helped by the fact the staff appear to wear their scruffiest clothes! (friendly bunch though). To be fair my room is really a serviced apartment and there are a lot of people living here. The standard rooms at 1050 per night might be a better option but these were fully booked when I checked in. I've decided to change hotels so I can have a room with a little more character and had a look at the other hotels in the area today. The Sunshine Vista on soi 3 only has wireless internet on floor 6 but they offered me an executive suite 7 nights for the price of 6 which worked out at just under 2000 per night for my stay (discounted from 2240). The suite looked fantastic if not as big as mine in the Bella Villa (I don't think there are any bigger in the area). The pool was much nicer too. The only construction noise I heard was from the huge North Shore (soi 5?) development but I don't think this would intrude. I had a look at the new wing of the Sabai Lodge (or Inn, can't remember) soi 2/3. At 1350 baht per night the standard rooms looked good and well appointed, if a little crowded. Other people have commented that the rooms are big, don't flame me on this, there was a big bed and this didn't leave a lot of space. The next room up was much bigger and they offered me a discount on that but I was already thinking the Sunshine Vista looked a better option. Wireless internet in all the rooms here too and the new pool looked great, not that anyone was using it. Finally I had a look at the newly opened Sabai Resort next to the Sabai Room soapie (now there's a location!) right on second road. First thing I noticed was the swimming pool, best of the bunch by a mile and most of the rooms seemed to open onto it (the room I was shown didn't have a balcony). Cheapest room was 1750 per night (apparently all the rooms are the same but you pay more for location). They offered to discount this to 1550 for 7 days plus. The rooms were like mini suites. You entered through what looked like an office (only had a desk, chair and some storage in it) then there was a very big bedroom and a very well appointed bathroom with a walk in shower. Had just about everything and I would have booked it there and then if they could have confirmed in room wireless internet (they thought there was), I'll be back with my laptop to check it out. If location and swimming pool are you're priorities then I reckon this place is the pick. If I do stay here I'll add some comments/photos when I get home. There's also the new Mike hotel which will be fully completed soon....

I've just checked out of the Areca after a run in with the night staff. My girl for the night (a living dolls showgirl) didn't have her ID as it had been stolen the night before. Fair enough they have a policy of not allowing joiners without ID's, if the bloke had explained that to me I'd have accepted it. However, he only spoke to the girl and how he put it left her very upset and he didn't bother talking to me at all. I might be feeling a little aggrieved at having missed out on the opportunity to get to know the showgirl stunner more intimately but it's not the first time I've noticed the (male) nightstaff show a lack of respect to invited "guests". To me that's the only thing that detracts from an otherwise excellent hotel with (as I found out) unbending standards. PS I wouldn't pay any extra for a deluxe room. The standard room is fine and only lacks a view and tea/coffee making facilities. The in room safe would be useful though

I went to Mr Wong to replace the glass on my genuine Rolex. He had to order the glass but completed the repair in less than 3 days and could really talk the talk (and talk it in 5 languages!). His 3000 baht watches are about the best you can get and he'll fix them forever but like Cheshire Tom I would also recommend Burapa in MBK (Bangkok) who have a better selection and some really cute salesgirls. They sold me a stainless steel Submariner for 2500 including a perfect copy of the leather and wood Rolex box. But if you really want something special, Mr Wong showed me a swiss made copy yachtmaster which he was selling for 15000 baht. If I hadn't just spent 10,000 on the repair I would have been tempted! Bloodhound. I think that fancy watch you mention is a Jacob and Co. I got one for 1300 on Pratnum market.

If you book the Areca in advance and specify a non-pool view room they do a 100 baht discount off the standard 1070. Pays for a BF every few days anyway Doubt they do it if you don't ask. I prefer the non-pool view rooms as they get a lot more sun than the swimming pool (haven't seen the second one yet). Great value either way