onelilley

I was there in April also, noise never bothered me. Book through www.atsiam.com 1100baht standard room, 1200baht deluxe room, which is cheaper than their own website. Areca now has free wifi in their rooms, not before time though. onelilley.

Singapore have this sale going out of Australia also. Return flight from MEL or SYD a touch over $700AU all in. Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth also but not sure on fare prices. No miles with these fares but I can live with that at these prices. Grest fares from what I consider, the best airline I have ever travelled on, and now use them on every trip. Kicked me over the edge to fit in another trip before Christmas, although it will only be a short 10 dayer. Book directly through your country's web site which allows you to choose your seating also. onelilley.

Exactly, AirAsia config their A330 planes 9 across 3-3-3. Most of the major airlines like Singaporeair etc config theirs 8 across 2-4-2, one less seat so a bit more room overall. Each airline chooses their own seats and set out. onelilley.

Hope you all had a good night.....bastards. Good news, only a couple of weeks and I'll be back, always a fun bar with great music and girls. Any photos of the big night to tide me over for a couple of weeks????? onelilley.

Nok, I'm pretty positive Adam posts "with permission from management" because photos cannot be taken in gogo's. He posts that statement to let people know he hasn't gone against that rule, it is not management permission to post the photos rather their permission to take them in the first place. onelilley.

My friend stayed at the Mercure Pattaya last year which is an accor hotel, bastards charged him 300baht for every guest he bought in, not sure if Ibis etc are the same but I'm willing to bet they are. onelilley.

Same same me, I was there for a few days in late Jan, no construction noise to worry about. The only downfall to the hotel I could find was that the hallways are tiled, meaning you hear every pissed punter coming back to their room and slamming doors at all hours as the hallways echo, mind you I have no doubt the pissed punter was me many nights also and people would have been cursing me. The cleaning ladies start at about 8.00am and once again the hallways echo all their movements. onelilley.

I just booked Areca Lodge for my 2 week trip in April. I always stay in a deluxe poolview room which the Areca website quotes as 1400baht per day. I booked through atsiam.com at the rate of 1210 baht per day, because I booked more than 7 days I get a further discount so my daily rate works out to be roughly 1180 baht per day. The only downside to some people using atsiam is that you have to prepay which is no problem for me as it is one less expense once I get to Pattaya and the Areca website wants a deposit anyway which must be faxed with credit card numbers so I find atsiam.com more secure. Using atsiam I saved a total of 3300 baht for my 15 night stay. The construction noise from the third building being built was not any problem in January so I don't expect it to be in April. At 1180 baht per day I think this hotel is very good value and much better value booking through atsiam.com rather than the Areca website. onelilley.

Could not have said it any better myself. onelilley.

Looks like Thai Air have finally started dropping fares out of Australia. Most fares are around $1050 inc all taxes return out of MEL SYD & BNE for departures late Jan '09 to end Mar 09'. The link below is from travel.com.au it has a sale on now until Dec 28th for the same departure dates as above but they have the price discounted down to approx $950 inc all taxes. Not a bad deal compared to what they have been asking of late. Be quick the sale ends 28th Dec. http://www.travel.com.au/flights/deal-of-t...8HRO_intro_hero onelilley.

Great pics, looks like a fun night, different type of Thai/Indians than I have seen before I look forward to checking your bar out over new year. onelilley.

Sorry for the slow response, I obviously haven't had a look over this section of late. Anyway, a great guesthouse/bar was recommended by a bm here in his trip report. www.tonlesapguesthouse.com The bar part of the business is called "The pickled parrot". Good food, bar and accomodation. It is on street 104 just off the river front and has many interesting bars in its vacinity. onelilley.

Sue, If you can get that package, for anywhere near the advertised price, for the dates you posted i'd be very suprised. Flights are much more expensive out of Australia that time of year, even with Jetstar. I always try and book mine at the start of March when the airlines first release their prices, they always get more expensive as the year progresses. I'll keep my eye out for any deals but doubt there will be any at all over the high season. onelilley.

Very clever as always. Cheers. onelilley.

Exactly the same thing happened to me as larrymac90. Booking confirmed and I was left hunting for a taxi meter at 4.00am in the morning in Pattaya, I was lucky the front desk staff at Areca Lodge were very helpful. I emailed Pattaya Limo once I got back home, surprise, surprise, no reply and no apology, weak as piss. They can shove their shit service, I thought it was pathetic not to reply to my email. I always use Mr Toom, never been let down by him, yes I understand people have, but I haven't. I only gave Pattaya Limo a go because it was recommended by a bm here, so its back to Toom for me. onelilley.

Pete, Good luck with the bar, I'm sure it will be a great winner. Great promotions, just sorry I cannot check the bar out until my next trip at the end of the year. I have spent many a night in the bar complex infront of your new bar, and wondered many times why a nice open air bar couldn't work at the back of the complex. I don't think it will be too long before staff and patrons are beating down your door. Cheers. onelilley.

ian, Construction doesn't affect the use of the back pool at all. Sitting at the pool you only see a constrution fence, which is well behind the pool in the area you would never walk anyway, otherwise the back pool is as normal. Front pool in normal use also. onelilley.

Very entertaining as always, thanks. onelilley.

I stayed at Areca in January and wasn't really bothered by construction noise. I was however, pissed off every morning with the fucking roosters and chooks next door, which seemed to make noise all night long not just at sunrise. My room was on the first floor overlooking the back pool, on the left of the building looking toward the pool. The property next door had roosters and chooks everywhere in the yard which made noise constantly. I left my air con and tv on softly each night to compensate for the outside noise. I love this hotel and would always insist on a room in the front building from now on. Enjoy your stay. onelilley.

I found Wan Chai a great location. Stayed at The Wharney Hotel booked through Agoda.com. Good mid priced hotel right in the centre of the action and close to all transport. onelilley.

Thanks to Captain Murgatroyd, Adam and all the lovely ladies for a very good and fun night indeed. oneliley.

Joy...which she is!!

Adam, Great photos, the ladies always look so good all done up. Cheers. onelilley.

I agree with Richard, two very very useful sites no matter where in the world you are flying. Thanks for the links. onelilley.

Martin, I cannot believe an airline would be so stupid to allow this to happen, surely they have correct procedures in place for properly qualified passengers with guide dogs. To be bullied into allowing this old bitch into 1st class with what is obviously not a properly trained animal is just insane. You are a better man than me, I would have given the old bitch a massive piece of my mind when the dog started shiting near me. I don't blame the poor dog at all, I blame the stupid bitch for taking it on board. Sounds like you are complaining the correct way to the airline, at least a return ticket in way of compensation should be offered to you. A current affairs program would have a ball with this story, especially seen you have pictures, I'm sure the airline wouldn't want that sort of publicity. At times things aren't always about the money, but everyone in 1st class has paid good money for a 1st class ride, therefore the airline should offer everyone in 1st class some sort of an apology in the way of future travel etc, I hope you get something out of it. I will be interested to see the result from your e-mails. onelilley.