scampy

My Sony Vaio has a 15" screen and fits comfortably in the room safe's at both Residence Garden and Sabai Lodge.

I'm at Areca for 8 nights from the 13th Oct so will be happy to share a couple of beers. I had similar dilema to yourself having stayed at RG before but not at Areca. So following my time at Areca I am off to RG for a week

Yes both wings have lifts.

Poskat

Bill, they are just standard rooms. As said on the smallish side. Bed, wardrobe, luggage rack, desk, TV, chair and room to walk round. Bathrooms are great. Good quality furniture and all new/modern. Good value compared to likes of Nana/Dynasty/ Nana City Hotel/Raja which are on same Soi 4 block and all approx 1000 baht. For Majestic Suites book in advance as often full occupancy, esp at weekends.

As above in BKK you often get what you pay for. First visit I stayed at Manhattan on Soi 13/15 which was approx 1000-1100 per night (approx 3 years ago) and I found it aged, tatty, noisy and inpersonal. Next, and subsequent, visits I stayed at Majestic Suites paying 1350 Baht per night for the Single Superior - where single is your breakfast only - and would not look anywhere else given the quality service and room fittings. Guest friendly, asking for ID at reception. The rooms are not the biggest, but given like me you only sleep and shower in the room then it may well be ideal. No noise pollution, even with NEP one side and skytrain the other, due to great sound proof glazing. Located on Suk between Soi 4 and Landmark Hotel (near to Subway) it is ideal walking for NEP - 2mins - and Nana BTS - 5 mins.

BJ Holiday Lodge another in that budget which I am looking at for October. Soi 3 - and again it is written up in the review section.

Landmark springs to mind also. 200m walk around the corner to NEP.

For a bank ATM go across Second Road into the Big C/Festival Centre shopping complex. Ground floor bank has a couple of ATMs. Five mins walk at tops. IIRC there is a 7-Eleven at the top of Soi 3 which is the next soi along - though there might even be one before you get there! Also one just beyond Soi 1 the other way and another convenience store on the opposite side. Again if it is daylight hours then Big C is as handy.

Flipper Lodge Soi 8 is another good spot around the Beer Bar Soi's. Also look up Sunshine Residence on Soi 8. Both have pools on top of the usual amenities and are gtg for under 1000 baht, with discount during off season.

Good rooms in the new wing. As stated above the higher floor have a good view of the bay and down the Soi, and due to the height there is less noise pollution for those who this bothers. Ask for the end room on the side that sides onto Soi 8 as these are slightly larger. Think rates varied from 1050 to 1400 for these rooms depending on season. Discounts in May both online (Pay 6 get 7) and walk up (Pay 5 get 7).

My laptop is 330mm x 280mm x 60mm and fits in the RG in-room safe.

Bump and an update. No reply from anyone associated with J.A. Villa's as to their guest policy etc. Ib from the old favourite RG replied within 8 hours to my enquiry, confirming that my room was available for a further 9 nights if I required it. No brainer here. RG it is everytime. Customer service > all.

I am considering a change of plans in January that will give me an additional week in Pattaya. Saw J.A. Villa advertised on a couple of websites and it seems a decent spot. Suites from 1350-1800 bht and from the photo's the rooms look modern. Has anyone stayed here? I have found a couple of reviews on the web which spoke well of the place but no indication as to their guest policy. They don't seem to have their own website, so I have e-mailed atsiam.com to enquiry whether numerous TGs will be welcome or not Will update with any reply I get back.

When I booked in September for January coming I was quoted the 1350 per night, so I assume that will be valid as the increase will have happened since then. However this page needs updating on this website as it still contains the 1350 as opposed to the updated 1399 on the final page of the review. 49 baht is small potatoes for such a welcoming hotel