CanadianGuy

That was exactly my thought as I made my way through the photos before reading the replies. You'd expect more smiling in the Land of Smiles :) Guess they think farangs like some attitude.

Congrats Pete! I very much enjoyed practically living at the PBG for a month last May and look forward to again making it home starting next month. Of course, given my typical luck, last week I switched my arrival date from April 25th to May 25th. All the best going forward!

I have spent a fair bit of time in the PBG since its opening and have found that practically all of the service girls, including Noi (daytime Noi; not sure about evening Noi) are in the game. This is the case even though almost all of them seem to be in long term relationships with farangs (hey its Pattaya). Most of the service girls made a point at one time or another of informing me that they are single and need to find a bf (daytime Noi was particularly persistent in this claim). I then ofcourse learn through the grapevine or direct observation that they are actually all hooked up to some p

The first thing I did last night was hit Pete's new place after I rolled into town. I was up for over 30 hours prior to hitting the bar and traveling most of that time, and thus ready to crash when I checked into the hotel. But, I wanted to check things out. The place definitely lives up to what has been stated online. I found it to be a great place to hang out and I, despite being out of it for reasons previously mentioned, didn't notice any problems with availability of and interest from the freelancers. Maybe they like sleepy man who has not chance of long boom boom. I tried the food an

Pete, I hope you have the cold beers and chicken cashew ready, I'll be touching down in 24 hours :) Looking forward to checking out the new place! Jay

Hi, I found mention of the Golden Sea Pattaya hotel on this forum and was wondering if anyone else has stayed there and has any thoughts. Your insight is most welcomed! Thanks! Jay

Thanks for the info. jinxy. Much appreciated. If a fellow Canadian gives it the thumbs up, it must be worth checking out :)

Well Pete, you are single handedly responsible for adding to Pattaya's tourism business with this new beer garden. I was going to spend a month in Bangkok, rather than Pattaya, given that I have not been impressed with my last couple of visits to Pattaya. More specifically, I could never find the same atmosphere and hassle-free hang-out in Pattaya that I have enjoyed at the Soi 7 beer garden in Bkk. I am not a hardcore monger by any means (the pestering and dramatics annoys me to no end) and often enjoy spending my days and nights chilling out over beers in a hassle-free establishment where th

Thanks for all the insight and pics. I have one, what is probably a ridiculous question, but I'll ask it anyways as I have no idea how that works. Roughly, how much does the elecrticity and water end up costing for a month after all is said and done. I know it depends on usuage levels, but I am after a ballpark guesstimate here. Are we talking 1000s or 100s of baht for a single, average user in a standard room? Related to that, how does the tracking of that occur? Is the usuage transparent or can they more or less claim any amount they please without anyone being able to verify the amount

Hi, I am wondering if there is any new insight on the Best Beach Villa hotel. I am planning to stay in Pattaya for one month, starting the end of April. The Beat Beach Hotel and Bella Villa Prima have quoted me the same rate for a stay in their standard rooms. Could anyone offer advice as to which to go with, and if there is any construction going on next to either of them? Many thanks!

Well I got in last night and am now just catching up on emails, after a slow start to the morning. First night in Pattaya after awhile will do that to a guy. I'll definately drop by. Actually, if you serve up drinks throughout the day (I know crazy of me to even question this) I might drop by in a bit to get the day started. Cheers!

Of course with my luck I am arriving on May 17th... Sucks to be me

Thanks Onelilley. I have no worries or problems then with them doing that. Just wanted to check as you never know. I think the reference to an extra guest meant more than one girl. I am sure I read that in other posts. Although I have yet to bring more than one back at once, it is good to know :) You never know when the girl may have a twin sister that wants lots of lub too... Fook Mi Fook Yu Thanks again.

Thank you very much for the information Ned!

www.sawadee.com always asks for the amount to be paid upfront to secure the booking. I don't have a problem with that. I have used them in the past a number of times and they have been great. They also always seem to give better pricing than dealing directly with the hotels. Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like it is the norm then in Pattaya to provide your credit card upon checking in even if you have booked and paid through an agent. Cheers.

Hey, I just booked and paid for a 2 week stay at the Areca Lodge through sawadee.com. Given that I have already paid for the hotel, upon check-in will the staff at the Areca Lodge still ask me to provide them with my credit card info. and sign a blank credit card invoice? I am always paranoid about providing what is essentially a blank check to hotels. Especially given some stories I have heard about such in Pattaya. Thanks for the insight!

Well then pre-Happy Birthday to LBJ and Violatedm3! I get into Pattaya on the 17th and will certainly drop by for the celebration. Cheers, Jay

I'll also be staying at Metro Apartments in May, the second half to be more precise. After reading the positive reviews on here I decided it was certainly worth checking out. If the speedy and informative manner that Dennis replies to email inquiries is any indication of the quality in which the apartments are managed, this is a very well run establishment. Now the painful part begins of counting the many days till I get to party at the Metro! :) Cheers!

The management at BVP just quoted me a rate of 1400 bht a night for a 14 night stay in a standard studio at the BVP during July. ZAP, where did you come across the 1100 rate? Thanks!

Hey Ben99, I am having the same experience with Areca Lodge. I have emailed them a number of times, but have not received a reply. I was interested in staying at the hotel, given all of the positive reviews on this site. However, they seem to be very unprofessional in how they handle their customer service. The last time I stayed in Pattaya, which was 2002 (I am long overdue for a return), I stayed in the Sabai Lodge (which is across the street from the Inn), and had a great time. I am now thinking to give up on Areca and go with Sabai Inn or Lodge as well for my 14 day stay in July

Hiya Roy, The laptop issue was somewhat a concern as I am not just going to Pattaya when in Asia, but rather will be in China and then Bangkok for 3 weeks prior to Pattaya, and then another week after Pattaya for business. Thus, I'll be dragging the laptop along with me. However, I can just leave it back in China when heading to Thailand and pick it up on the way back :) Like I would actually get time to do some work there with all that candy around! Thanks for the note about the large showers in the superior room... fitting 3 or 4 in a shower is an important point to consider :)

My quote for the beginning of Dec. was 880 bht for the seaview, so your price sounds pretty good to me. However, perhaps someone who has logged some time their in Oct. can offer you better insight. JP

Hi Roy, I finally figured out my timing in Asia, and it looks like I'll be staying in Pattaya from Dec. 1 to Dec. 11. Looks like that 1 month stay will have to wait till next summer. I am just about to send off an email to Sabai Lodge to book the room. Would you recommend going for the Superior room overlooking the pool? Or, is there not much difference between that and the standard room? Also, do you happen to know if they have an electronic safe in the room that will hold a laptop? Thanks a bunch!! JP

I'll definately look you up Roy when in Pattaya! Will figure out my schedule in the next couple of weeks. Charlie: I emailed Flipper lodge and Sabai Lodge two days ago and heard back the next day from both. However, do not expect detailed or precise answers to any enquiries that are beyond room availability and price. I think the respondent had a limited understanding of English. I'm still trying to figure out if the reply means that I will be able to safely store my laptop in an electronic safe in the room at Sabai Lodge. You might want to send out a second email, just in cas

Great! Thanks so much for your advice Roy! I've sent off a couple emails (FL and Sabai Lodge) to enquire about their availability. Checked out their websites and they look great. I'll hold off on the RG till my next stay, which no doubt will be soon enough :) Thanks again, CG