drpaul854

Anyone have an update on the Girl Friendly policy at Ibis in Pattaya?

Great List - Thanks But I have to agree with the poster below: I stayed in the Town Lodge last year - BIG walk (I also walk miles in BKK regularly) for a clean but mediocre room in need of an update. It does have an interesting bar/lounge

I'll add my quick positives about Cathay Pacific also - at least they are good from the States to BKK - and they run some killer deals from time to time, it is worth signing up for their email alerts.

Nice site but still the button problems outlined above from the Taxi page.

Emil - IMHO - has in correct here in my opinion on airfares, though recently EVA has been cutting back on the number of routes flown NY to BKK which has the effect of raising prices. Not sure about other airlines as EVA Deluxe seats are my travel of choice - at least so far. But BigDUSA has it right - IMHO -as far as skin color and any problems you might have. If they are sore the next day - they can't make any money.

FirstTimer, Your travel plans are not the ideal for a scuba trip but I'll bet the diving in Pattaya and Phuket in July is far more enjoyable than that available to you on a good day in England. I have never been to Pattaya or Phuket in July but I have been to both and dove in June (about the same rainfall as July) and in September (average rainfall greater than July). It rains half to 2/3 of the days but often later in the afternoon after the 2 tank dive is finished for the day. And often it only lasts for an hour or so and then it stops. Regarding Phuket - the liveaboards only

I used Mr. Toom's excellent service from Bangkok to Pattaya on 11-2-07. This is my 6 or 7th experience and all have been great. Highly recommended.

What he said

I stayed there 6 months ago. The regular rooms are a bit small in my opinion, the next size up is quite large and spacious - but both are in need of refurbishing old carpet, paint, fixtures, bedspread,etc.. Location is great staff accomodating if not overly welcoming and guest friendly - IDs taken at desk and phone call made to you before the ID is returned.

18 months ago I had my teeth laser whitened for 8000 B (?) at a dentist on Second Road - forget the name but half way between Soi 13 and Pattaya South. Excellent job but be warned: 1. You are limited in the types of food you can eat for several days - the laser treatment (most types of whitening treatment) remove the "protective layer" on the teeth and the tooth is much more porous and easily stained at this time. These pores fill in naturally over several days. This dentist recommended a week - I have heard others say 3-4 days is long enough. Basically stay away from most dark foods

Soi 4: Bella Vista Prima has a modest gym - see website for info: www.bellavillapattaya.com

BJ Holiday (mentioned above) has "large shower" because it is basically the entire bathroom - no seperate shower stall just the shower head in a corner of the tiled bathroom. Soi 13 Whitehouse Condotel has large (3+ people) very nice 3-sided corner glass enclosed showers complete with a small seat and lots of elbow room. Guest friendly - but no pool if that is important to you.

I have used Mr. Toom on 5 occasions including 2 pickups at 3:00AM he and his drivers have never let me down. He does drive but also subcontracts to other drivers depending on the work load - the driver's english skills have varied from excellent to basic the cars from good to great. Will continue to use his service - use to be 1200 Baht old airport to Pattaya not sure if there is any change with the new airport.

It is expensive and you never really know who will show up and escort you to Pattaya - I'd personally save the money and go with a prearranged car service - I like Mr. Toom's service you can find him on this forum by doing a quick search. Not sure of the new price now that the airport has changed but it should be 1200 Baht or under including all tolls

I am copying this from another forum by a member who is also a member here and who I believe is currently out of Thailand traveling in Cambodia - it may help you - most of it is beyond my lievel of expertise to comment on it: Hey I know alot of people are worried about thier online security while in South East Asia. With keyloggers at internet cafes and the paranoia that comes along with traveling around the world with a laptop it's a bit nerveracking at times. So, I decided to figure out a safe secure way for me and you to use Internet cafes all over the world and still have the basic

I have a ride and willing to share with 1 or 2 others to Pattaya. Hopefully will be on my way by noon.

Monkeyman has it right - I have been on both EVA's Evergreen and Elite - Evergreen has bigger seats with more room, you do have an individual screen but must choose from the 4-5 movies playing at that time OTOH Elite has the nice individual entertainment system where you pick and control your own individual movie and game choices but much smaller seats and less shoulder and leg room - more like Cathy coach seats. Given a choice - I choose Evergreen, but I fear that choice has a fast approaching expiration date.

Disheartening to hear these reports - I have used Mr. Toom on four occasions with four different drivers/cars (once with Mr.Toom himself) and all 4 experiences have been positive. But I can not argue that some of these reported trips are much less than satisfactory. Mr. Toom would be wise to monitor these boards and correct the problem drivers brought to his attention ASAP. Perhaps he is growing too fast to maintain quality control and a reputation lost is harder to regain than it is to initially establish.

Yes you can

I have just returned form LOS and used Mr. Toom's service on two occasions this past trip - the first was set up a couple of weeks out (pick-up from Bangkok to Pattaya) and the second for a last minute trip to PP during which Mr. Toom responded and organized my pick-up in Pattaya within a few hours (that was a 3:30 AM pick-up in Pattaya BTW - don't ask) High praise for his service and value. Thank you Mr. Toom.

Sorry - I arrive 11 in the morning and hope to be out and about by the time your in customs. Anyone else arrive around 11AM to share a ride?

Same Same experience as dotcom_OD. Book a seat on the website when you order your tickets then if you are not happy with the seats get to the airport a little early and you will have a good chance of getting better seats - for all legs of your trip in one shot .

I used Mr. Toom in February - my flight landed about 50 minutes late and customs was moving extra slow so it was about 2.5 hours after my arrival time that I met up with Mr. Toom - he was there waiting.

I used Mr. Toom's service last trip and found it to be great. And I was planning on using him again on my next trip but not I am anxious to hear if he was really there waiting for you or not - did you try to call him when you could not find him at the airport?

Evergreen Deluxe or Elite - no question about it BTW - IMHO the seats are bigger and better on Evergreen Deluxe and the entertainment (interactive on demand) is better on Elite. On Evergreen Deluxe you get your own screen and a choice of 4-5 shows at any one time to pick from while on Elite you get your own screen and you can start and stop any available show/movie at anytime