Inn of the Golden Crab

[Samsonite 181]

The Inn of the Golden Crab, Soi 13, Pattaya.

E-mail: Mr. David Wales, thegoldencrab@hotmail.com

I've spent little over two weeks at The Inn of the Golden Crab and give it high marks.

It is not a hotel, but rather apartments. Currently 1 bedroom apartments are 1,000 Baht a day and you can add 100 THB to that if you want your unit cleaned and linen changed daily.

The apartment has a kitchen with a two burner cook-top, full cabinetry, counter space, refrig. and all the tableware and cookware you might need.

The floors are very attractive marble tile throughout the apartment.

The bathroom has a shower, walk-in type separated from the loo by a 4 foot tall by 6 inch thick partition. Nicely done for that type of bathroom design.

There is a car park under the new wing, but at ground level, and, of course, a lift.

The in room safe is the best I've seen to date, but, unfortunately, not the biggest. You can have a 7 digit number plus a letter combination making it nearly impossible for someone to "crack" your code. Plus, you only have to enter the code once to open the safe. To lock it, just close the door and turn the knob counterclockwise.

If I could change anything I would add a couch (sofa) in the living room. As it is the two chairs and the coffee table give what is otherwise a very attractive room a "cold, unfinished" feeling. Each room has a balcony large enough for a table and two chairs looking toward the east and over the pool.

My only complaint is they are apparently not finished with the building and the construction noise starts around 9AM and goes on until 6PM. Once the new wing is completed I understand the owner plans to shut down the old wing and gut and redo each apartment so they match the new wing.

As it is not a hotel there is no food service, but La Maison is next door and The Haven is just across the street.

While it is not the Marriott, it is a great location and I would stay there again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send e-mail to, Mr. David Wales: thegoldencrab@hotmail.com

Edited December 7, 2006 by Scalawag

[jimmac 66]

Great report. Thanks for writing the review. Do you have any photos of the apartments?

[Samsonite 181]

Great report. Thanks for writing the review. Do you have any photos of the apartments?

Actually, quite a few, but I've yet to figure out how to use a photo hosting service. I'll try and do that over the next couple of days.

[soibj 0]

This definitely sounds like an interesting place, I may have to check it out as well when I'm at Whitehouse next month. Speaking of which Samsonite, is this hotel on the same side as the Lek or the Whitehouse in reference when walking from Beach Road to 2nd Road?

Edited April 14, 2006 by soibj

[Samsonite 181]

This definitely sounds like an interesting place, I may have to check it out as well when I'm at Whitehouse next month. Speaking of which Samsonite, is this hotel on the same side as the Lek or the Whitehouse in reference when walking from Beach Road to 2nd Road?

Same side as the Lek. The old wing is across the street from The Sandy Spring and the new wing is directly across from The Haven.

[jimmac 66]

Actually, quite a few, but I've yet to figure out how to use a photo hosting service. I'll try and do that over the next couple of days.

Thanks. I hope you figure out the photo posting. I've been staying at the Sandy Spring in a suite for my last 3 trips and will do so again next month. But I think the Golden Crab is worth a look for longer stays which I may do later this year and next. Look forward to your photos.

[soibj 0]

Thanks for the info, that soi seems so confusing with so many damn hotels. but IMHO is one of the better locations to stay as it is so centralized.

[EDP 0]

Please as a few shots of the place when u figure out how to post!! Its the same with me too!!!

 

Thx!!!

 

Ed

[Samsonite 181]

Thanks. I hope you figure out the photo posting. I've been staying at the Sandy Spring in a suite for my last 3 trips and will do so again next month. But I think the Golden Crab is worth a look for longer stays which I may do later this year and next. Look forward to your photos.

I've stayed at the Sandy Spring 3 times in 4 different rooms and I canNOT, other than location, understand the appeal. Well, there are two very attractive girls behind the reception desk.

;-)

I'll post some pictures sometime over the next couple of days.

[jimmac 66]

I've stayed at the Sandy Spring 3 times in 4 different rooms and I canNOT, other than location, understand the appeal. Well, there are two very attractive girls behind the reception desk.

;-)

I'll post some pictures sometime over the next couple of days.

Interesting reaction. I obviously like the Sandy Spring location and the girls behind the desk. But I think the 2500 Baht suites on Floor 8 are great. Nice big bed, nice separate living room, two flat screen TV's and a nice big bathroom with separate shower and tub. Most of all I like the balcony with the view over Pattaya bay. Ma Maison is across the street for a nice leisurely lunch or dinner and Sportsman is next door for a great breakfast. I really enjoy the place and the location but if the Golden Crab across the Soi is better value I'm prepared to move which is why I'm looking forward to seeing your photos.

[Samsonite 181]

IBut I think the 2500 Baht suites on Floor 8 are great.  Nice big bed, nice separate living room, two flat screen TV's and a nice big bathroom with separate shower and tub.  Most of all I like the balcony with the view over Pattaya bay.

I've stayed in one of the Sandy Spring 2,500THB suites and it was simply two of their standard rooms joined by a common door. The rooms were exactly the same. Take the couch out of the "living room" and replace it with a bed and, voilà, you have another "deluxe sea view room." You don't even have to change the end tables as they use the exact same tables as night stands, which don't have drawers, btw. In the "bedroom" add a refrig., two chairs and a table, and, again, you have another regular room.

Of the 4 rooms I've used not one had a chest of draws for your underwear and socks. I've never seen a flat panel TV in any room, just your standard tube TV and I don't think it was over about 21" in screen size. The bathroom are small and the shower head is designed for midgets. The last room I had and "final straw" for me, had a dark ring of mold around of tub and it was never cleaned the whole time I was there and the carpet was vacuum about every 3 or 4 days. Of course, there is no in room safe, or I could "forgive" some of the negatives. The place is wearing out fast and I've seen no attempt to maintain the building. It will, in the not too distant future, be another skidrow flophouse dump like the AA next door.

Edited April 14, 2006 by Samsonite

[jimmac 66]

I don't think you've stayed in a 2500 Baht suite on the 8th floor. That is the only floor I've stayed on and the experience has been as I describe.

 

I have read on the board some months ago that they also have 'suites' on other floors, maybe 7, which are just two bedrooms slapped together as you describe.

 

On floor 8 the living room has a big marble counter unit with a kitchen style sink in it. I wish it had a couple of kitchen things like a tea/coffee maker on it but then they don't promise that. The bathroom is very big. It has a separate shower and tub and it has plenty of space to walk around and its floor and part of the walls are all grey marble and are kept very clean.

 

I do agree that the furniture and carpets have started to show some wear over the last couple of years. I think if it shows a lot more wear in the next year or so I will be looking to move. I moved to the Sandy Spring a couple of years ago from the MarkLand because it had been allowed to deteriorate althought was still clean.

 

The 2500/night is at the upper end of my range and is OK for a week or so. For a longer stay I would want to lower my nightly cost a bit. That's why I'm interested in your Golden Crab photos. It has all the advantage of the Soi 13 location (though I think no sea view) as the Sandy Spring and you are advising it is better value. If I like your photos I may just make a personal inspection by dropping in when I'm there next month.

Edited April 15, 2006 by jimmac

[Theshagman 0]

I've spent little over two weeks at the Inn of the Golden Crab on Soi 13 and give it very high marks.

Do they have a web link?

[Samsonite 181]

Do they have a web link?

No, but I understand a web site is under construction.

There is a "view."

[jimmac 66]

Thanks for the photos. The place looks good. Is that last photo with Pattaya Bay in it taken off the balcony or out a back window of the apartment?

[Samsonite 181]

Thanks for the photos.  The place looks good.  Is that last photo with Pattaya Bay in it taken off the balcony or out a back window of the apartment?

From the hallway that leads to the rooms on each floor. Same view from the kitchen window.

Edited April 17, 2006 by Samsonite

[Theshagman 0]

No, but I understand a web site is under construction.

There is a "view."

If the web page is not ready , do you have their E-mail address or Fax number?

 

Thanks in advance

[Samsonite 181]

If the web page is not ready , do you have their E-mail address or Fax number?

 

Thanks in advance

E-mail Mr. David Wales at,

 

thegoldencrab@hotmail.com

[Samsonite 181]

There is Plenty of Hot Water, however in the apartment I rented the bathroom sink faucet was installed correctly, to my way of thinking, but the shower faucet was installed backwards.

In The States the standard installation of single handled water faucet has the handle moving counterclockwise so the Top of the handle with the colored Mark or Dot moves to your left for hot water and clockwise, moving the Mark or Dot to the right, for cold water. It would seem there is no such standard in thailand and every hotel I've used has it installed one way or the other.

After a few days of wondering if The Golden Crab has sufficient hot water I figured out if you turn the handle so the Mark or Dot on Top is all the way to your right, clockwise, and then lift it so it comes on, in a few seconds you will get more extremely HOT water than you need and you can then move the handle back toward center to get a temperature you find comfortable. Do NOT just turn it on while it is all the way over to the right and jump in. As with anywhere, including home, test it before using.

Starting from center and moving the handle one way or the other never seems, for whatever reasons, to produce enough hot water.

Just FYI.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Samsonite

[Emil 0]

I could be mistaken as Soi 7 and I talked to someone at the front desk about 6 months back, I believe they offer a very attractive monthly rate of around 20K.

[Samsonite 181]

I could be mistaken as Soi 7 and I talked to someone at the front desk about 6 months back, I believe they offer a very attractive monthly rate of around 20K.

That sounds correct. They will give you a sheet showing their rates and their policies, unfortunately I forgot to pick one up.

They do state, in no uncertain terms, that they do not want the business of certain individuals who, we might say, are....confused about their orientation?

[Samsonite 181]

I don't think you've stayed in a 2500 Baht suite on the 8th floor.  That is the only floor I've stayed on and the experience has been as I describe.

Apparently not.

 

I still stand by everything I said in the original review, but now that I've had time to reflect on this last trip I do have to add one or two caveats.

Unless you have a girlfriend who likes to cook or you like to cook yourself, the almost "full kitchen" is a lot of wasted space.

Also, and again, the place is IMHO very attractive, but the living room **as furnished** is cold, uncomfortable and was rarely used, except by a few of my female companions when they wanted to watch TV. Even then I found one lady lying on the floor on a towel and a pillow trying to get comfortable.

Not having a TV in the bedroom is an advantage from my point of view, given how much your average BG likes to watch Television.

Also, the bed is just fine for two people, but if you like threesomes it will definitely be too small.

So, if you are not going to entertain guests other than your immediate "friend" and, therefore, you don't need a separate bedroom, and you don't need a full kitchen, an upscale "studio" with a kitchenette might be more suited to your needs. Trying to find one in Pattaya is another story.

Edited April 28, 2006 by Samsonite

[soibj 0]

Apparently not.

Unless you have a girlfriend who likes to cook or you like to cook yourself, the almost "full kitchen" is a lot of wasted space.

I absouletely agree or even if one wants to or not want to cook for themselves just as I think when you are paying for breakfast (included in the price of your room) and don't actually ever use it is also a big waste of money.

[Samsonite 181]

I absouletely agree or even if one wants to or not want to cook for themselves just as I think when you are paying for breakfast (included in the price of your room) and don't actually ever use it is also a big waste of money.

Agreed.

WHY, with all the hotels in Pattaya is it so difficult to find one with the Quality,

but Necessary amenities? Good Location, Girlfriend Friendly, In Room Safe, Pool, Small Kitchenette (make a cup of coffee, heat something in the microwave) and easy access to the rooms.

I could even "forgive" the negatives of some of the hotels, such as The Sandy Spring, if they had In Room Safes. Surely, simply adding that one item, which is so rare, would increase a hotel's business?

Guess it is getting like BKK where you have to pay up and up to get a really good hotel.

Speaking of which, what is the Hard Rock asking for a night?

[Dingo 0]

Hard Rock is around 2975B in the low season (May-October), around 3600 during the high season. Another 1000 or so during Christmas. IF booked on the net, not through the hotel.

The rooms are not worth these rates, real tiny. Inludes a B'fast you will never reach in the morning... Dusit at 3900-4100 is a better deal.