alexist

A big thank you to all who replied, there were quite a few helpful suggestions. I have decided on the Jasmine Mansions it has everyhthing I require and after reading the diary I feel I know the owner already. It doesn't have a swimming pool but last year all we did was look at the pool as we walked past and I'm sure I could get a photograph of a pool from somewhere! I spent loads of time trawling the web and the answer was right under my nose. It does pay to at least glance at almost everything on this site. Good luck all Alex Oops.... I mean everything

Sound & Vision... thanks mate this definately looks like what I am looking for. Their web page has expired but was able to access details through sawadee.com. Have you stayed there? Alex

Hi Python...hope you are well. My mate and I stayed in the Areca in July. Hotel is clean and well kept, staff are very friendly and smiley. Breakfast (didn't make it too often) was buffet style and o k. Had room service a few times and quality of food varied depending on what you ordered but was never below an acceptable level. Language barrier sometimes appeared when ordering food but was never insurmountable. Location was fine quite a few bars within walking distance...soi's 8/7 short baht bus ride but we always walked. would recommend you request a room facing pool as that was only down side for me as our rooms overlooked other wing and had privacy issues. hotel has small outside bar which is nice as a meeting place. Walking street accessed by walking thru supermarket to beach road then short bus ride. Hotel is very guest friendly and take I D's with little fuss and only the occassional smirk/grin. If you go out of Hotel and turn right you find bars which you would otherwise not see and I really enjoyed that aspect of my trip. No in room safe but no issues with safety deposit box. Would definately recommend Areca though I am looking to try something with a suite next time I visit. Good luck Alex

Thanks bigfella... yes they definately look the part, unfortunately they do not have any "normal" cheaper rooms for my mate to stay in . I'll keep on trawling the net... but as previously stated all help/suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated. Cheers Alex

Yes you're right valentinoxxx I should have given more requirements. stayed at Residence G last year and Areca Lodge this year. requirements are as per normal mid range hotel room just upgraded to suite. I know I could get villa condo cheaper but need the services of a hotel. Only real essential is room service and safe/deposit box. There needs to be availability of cheaper normal room as my mate don't like spending much. I will continue to trawl the web but suggestions appreciated. Looked at Bella prima but website not too informative. Cheers alex thanks again

Hi guys... been trawling the net for a while now....anyone any personal recommendations for hotel suites (apart from residence Gardens). There is so much variety I'm gettin confustededed. also some hotels don't advertise their suites on sawadee etc. Fairly central would be best. eastiny Inn looks good but suite prices not on web also no website. Assistance much appreciated Alex

Hi Mr Toom Its the original poster here. My full name is Alex McAllister and your service was booked for Friday 7th July 2006 collection off the afternoon flight arrival from Copenhagen delivery to Areca Lodge. Please be assurred that your driver did NOT know his way to Areca Lodge as we spent almost as much time in Pattaya searching as the trip from Bangkok took. I think you will agree 3hrs 45 mins in a taxi with broken air conditioning would try the patience of a saint. Also the fact that he argued over price, (presumably cos he'd spent half his working day driving round Pattaya) really annoyed me, I was going to give him a generous tip anyway!!!! The great thing about Pattaya is that you have very little time to dwell on negatives and after a quick shower and several renditions of "welcome hansum man" my holiday was back on track. Whats done is done but I do hope you get these teething problems sorted as word of mouth advertising also has its down side if the service is not what it should be. Good Luck for the future Alex

After reading glowing reviews I felt confident enough to book MR Tooms Taxi to collect me and my newbie pal from Bangkok on the 8th July. I should have picked up on the omen that my christian name was written backwards. The guy who was there to meet us was between 150 and 250 years old no major problem there and he seemed quite nice. The problem was his car was probably the same age as him. Air conditioning did not work, two out of the three seatbelts in the back were broken and the other one held together with cardboard and tape. Still not a big deal as the excitement of going to Pattaya softens your expectations re transport. When we arrived in Pattaya he did not know how to get to the Areca Lodge. He drove all round one way systems and up every side street in Pattaya. By this stage we were livid and I told him to stop and ask someone...he wouldn't. We eventually found our hotel and then he started arguing about the price. I paid the 2,000 he asked for as I was too frustrated to talk sensibly to him. Total time from pick up to arrival at Areca Lodge 3hours 45 minutes. Cost of Taxi 2000 baht I WILL NEVER USE MR TOOMS SERVICE AGAIN!!!! The only downer to a wonderfull holiday. Alex

Me "How much for a blow up doll?" Shop owner "£30 for white one and £60 for middle eastern one" Me "Why is the middle eastern one so expensive?" Shop owner "Cos it blows itself up!"

I am definately not gay (at least thats what my boyfriend says) and find Tabs posts both informative and amusing. The world today is full of people who are all too willing to leap off into the deep end for the slightest of reaons. A bit of levity and variety can bring a smile/laugh to an all too sad and violent world. For those who take offence or who feel that a male ass spotting contest is the first step to world gay domination DON'T read Tabs posts. I a Newbie who has only been too LOS once but I have the sense that if a post starts to offend me then I stop reading. I do not like the come shots or the Lady Boys willies but I will quickly scroll past these as I enjoy Tabs writing style. All I can suggest is that you all lighten up or don't read his posts. And as for you Tab.... keep pushing the boundaries, I wouldn't bend down in front of you but I would buy you a beer! Glad I got that off my chest (words that perhaps Emma and Bert might have said) Alex

Thanks for takin the time Pete. much more informative since I've been and can now visualize the locations. Heaven above sounds like the spot. Ref the pricing of 7000b... in May of this year I was paying 5000 baht for short time in Spain, can't believe Spain is cheaper than LOS tee hee... will they survive charging such prices, perhaps they depend on the Japanese men? Till next edition Regards Alex