Nova Lodge

[python 27]

Hi,

 

I'm wondering if any onyone has stayed at Nova Lodge, say within the last year or so?

 

I fancy a change from my usual and am considering the Nova Lodge or Areca Lodge.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

BTW, Im going over Songkran, are Pattaya hotels "much" busier over this period?? Would I need to book soon?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Hi Mate,

 

I will be staying there for a few nights in December. If no one gives an update before then PM me and I will do another reply.

 

I used to stay there regularly. The price booking through Asia rooms is good for this hotel. The location is ideal accross the road from the beach and therefore also easy for the baht bus.It is across the road from the bar action and English pubs.Very near TOPS. It has a nice garden area, average pool, one English and one German restuarent and a crazy golf setup. I am told that the Zeppelin does excellent food. Buffet breakfast is OK but repetetive.

 

Bad points are the rooms, basically the hotel is run down and there are no lifts. Some rooms on the top floor have leaks. I have no idea about joiner fees.

 

Regarding Songkran, I will book after my December trip. This December trip is a recce to find and book the best hotel for my needs during Songkran/Easter as I will be flying my sons and my 85yr old Mother out for the holiday. My sons are LOS vets but my Mother is a newbie!!

 

My choice from Songkran is from.

 

- Nova Lodge ( unlikely)

- Sunshine Vista ( maybe)

- Markland ( maybe)

- Sabai Lodge new wing ( very likely)

 

Hope this helps.

[BorisBroomhead 0]

I had a mate who stayed at the Nova Lodge 5 times over the last 5 years. Met up with them in June 2006 as he was just moving out because the rooms were completely worn out & he had just seen a rat. He was a big fan of the place but said never again.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Fucking EXCELLENT handle mate....can't stop laughing!!!

[David_Bekam 1]

It's two years since I stayed at the Nova Lodge.

 

There are 2 or 3 suites, a few premium rooms and standard rooms. I have noticed that it does get fully booked in peak times. They have many repeat guests and some who stay a long time, mainly European origin when I have stayed there, but this is bound to vary.

 

Pros

 

Fantastic location near soi 7 and 8 but not too close. Also backs onto beach. is a few minutes walk from a big Topps Supermarket and is on a main Baht Bus route, 5-10mins ride from Walking St.

 

Breakfast buffet has a good variety available, as much as you can eat, including Thai style.

 

Beautiful tropical style gardens and nice big pool with crazy golf.

 

Onsite travel agent, tailor shop and artist, though better value could be probably obtained elsewhere.

 

In my experience most of staff helpful as long as you treat them with respect.

 

Fairly good security and space to park motorbikes and cars

 

No joiner fees, though officially he/she needs to have ID and leave it with reception.

 

Cons

 

The rooms are desperately in need of renovation. So much so that I consider it's not worth the price any more and am going elsewhere. Rooms at the Areca sound a hell of a lot better.

 

They have low season and high season rates like most places, but then charge even higher rates over the Christmas/New year period together with celebration gala dinners at xmas and New Year that you are required to pay for even if you don't attend.

 

The standard rooms do not have in room safes, but there is a safety deposit box system available at reception during the day and evening.

 

 

If possible get a room facing inwards towards the garden/pool. They are usually a better view and less noisy away from Central road and the Thai disco on the other side

 

I will be there in 2 weeks time, as a friend is still staying there so will give an update later.

 

If they could just renovate the rooms, it could be a great hotel.

 

Cheers

 

David

[alexist 12]

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

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Sorry for the late update...Yep I stayed there for a few days over Xmas, yep the location is still excellent and YEP! The rooms are still shit and I will never stay there again....

[ockie_dockie 0]

Sorry for the late update...Yep I stayed there for a few days over Xmas, yep the location is still excellent and YEP! The rooms are still shit and I will never stay there again....

refurbishment(major) just started(april 2009), name changed to centera beach hotel, should be a good bet from november onwards.

[jimmac 66]

I wonder how much the prices will go up after renovation. Years ago I stayed at the Beach Hotel at Soi 2 which also had old, run down rooms but clean and no leaks. It was renovated a couple of years ago and is now an overpriced boutique hotel whose name I can't even remember.