Help and advice needed for my second trip

[chrisbrewer 0]

I am making my second trip to Pattaya in June this year. On my last trip I stayed at Residence Garden which was great apart from the distance from the action.

 

I want to stay nearer this time and have been looking at the Soi Buakhao area.

 

All I need from my accommodation is clean, a/c, safety box, and of course guest friendly.

 

So far I have looked at the following:

 

Honey Inn

Jasmine

Bay Breeze

Sandy Spring

 

The reviews on most of these places are rather out of date and I would really like some recent info on them.

 

Of course, if anyone has any other ideas regarding somewhere to stay that would be of help as well.

 

My budget will stretch to around 1400 bht a night if necessary, but less would be nice.

 

Chris

[MC_Ldop 40]

There are tons of choices in the Soi Buakhao area for your price range. Do you have any additional wants and wishes? That would help narrow it down.

[alexist 12]

Hi Chris

 

Last July I stayed in the Jasmine Mansion. The Staff, Kevin, and Jin are all exceptional, the food selection is varied and anything I ate was well presented and very tasty. The breakfast (didn't make it too often) is nice and would set you up for the day ahead.

 

It is guest friendly and the night security man was helpful and welcoming. There is a small bar and a free pool table. In room safe and spotless.

 

If you like smaller family style Hotels then the Jasmine Mansion ticks all the boxes. For me it was like a home from home and I would highly recommend it.

[Dr Mick 111]

Many good places near there on Soi LK ,i love this area,

[soi unwise 6]

Can recommend Opey De Place,they have a website.Its within wanking distance of soi bukhao in soi lengkee.Directly opposite soi Diana.Price about 700 per night.Nice pool,balcony and good coffee shop.Bars and restaurants opposite plus salon,launderette and ATM.No in room safe but boxes in reception open 0800 till 2200 with security all night.

[Indiscipline 6]

The Areca Lodge could be a good joice for you.

Guest Friendly: (if you bring 2 girls, you will be charged for the second girl)

In room Safe: (at superior rooms)

clean:

 

In addition: 2 great, big pools.

Price for the Superioor Room is around 1.280 per night. Best booked through Sawadee or at Siam.com

[Emil 0]

A new place opened around last fall in the soi LK Metro area. It called the Pasadena and there best room cost 1200 a night.

[chrisbrewer 0]

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

I've done a bit of research on the web and have e-mailed Jasmine Mansion to see if they can fit me in.

 

My back up in case they don't is Areca Lodge.

 

Thanks again for your assistance.

 

Chris

[marcortez 0]

If you choose the Jasmine.......avoid the rooms in front facing the street....noisy!!!

 

And....no lift.....get a low floor.

 

 

 

The Jasmine also charges a 5% surcharge if you use your credit card......a direct violation of the terms of agreement with Visa and MC.

[chrisbrewer 0]

I e-mailed both Jasmine Mansion and the Areca Lodge.

 

Neither have come back to me.

 

I am now thinking of trying to book the Rockhouse in LK.

 

Anyone stayed there?

 

Any comments would be welcome.

[nus01 305]

If you choose the Jasmine.......avoid the rooms in front facing the street....noisy!!!

 

And....no lift.....get a low floor.

 

 

 

The Jasmine also charges a 5% surcharge if you use your credit card......a direct violation of the terms of agreement with Visa and MC.

Is it the fact that they are charging 5% that is the violation, iknow hundreds of places in australia that pass on the merchant fee to the customer.

[Emil 0]

Any comments would be welcome.

 

Yes, don't panic. Your not arriving until June so you have some time. If you don't hear anything from the Jasmine in the next week send me a PM and I'll stop by and see what's up. I'll be back over in LOS on the 13th.

[GREEN MALAKA 56]

hi chris

 

never met you but i know 2 friends of yours quite well skygod and kev0184

 

i have just returned home from pattaya and had a 3 month stay at the SANDY SPRING HOTEL

on soi 13 between beach road and 2nd road

easy access to both roads and has the friendliest staff i have ever met

 

below is some info and rates and if you book with eric from scandinavia bar you get 1 free beer a day at his bar

you can also book other hotels from his site and they are at the same price as booking with the hotels

http://www.scandibar.com/hotel/

 

Sandy Spring Hotel, Soi 13

A very popular hotel with swimming pool.

Rooms with balcony.

Special offer from Scandinavia Bar - 1 free beer per day!!!

 

 

http://www.sandyspringhotel.com/index.htm

 

Sandy Spring Hotel has 8 floors and 79 rooms including Standard, Deluxe, and Suite. Each room is spacious, comfortable and well designed with a large balcony for the joy of the spectacular view of Pattaya Bay.

In the room, enjoy a full range of services designed for your convenience and comfort such as Flat-Screen Color TV with Cable Programming, Individual Air-conditioning, Refrigerator, Telephone, Wake-up Call, Internet Connection, Room Service, and Bathroom with full range of amenities such as hairdryer, bathtub, and cold-hot water supply

 

Standard Room 1,200 Bahts/Net/Night/Room Only

Standard w/Balcony 1,290 Bahts/Net/Night/Room Only

Deluxe Room 1,500 Bahts/Net/Night/Room Only

 

 

 

enjoy your stay where ever you end up

no i am not affiliated with any of the above

i just like the sandy spring and my free beer every day

 

 

G M

[gizmo 0]

I e-mailed both Jasmine Mansion and the Areca Lodge.

 

Neither have come back to me.

 

I am now thinking of trying to book the Rockhouse in LK.

 

Anyone stayed there?

 

Any comments would be welcome.

 

 

Never stayed there, but the room's are nice!

Also you could try the Metro apts.

[python 27]

Hi,

 

I can't comment on the Jasmine Mansion as I've not stayed there, it sounds basic but ok.

 

As for the Areca Lodge not bothering to reply, I think thats a blessing in disguise!! I checked out after my deposit was spent!! If any hotel can't be arsed to reply I think that says it all.

 

My thoughts, regards booking through Sawadee, Siam.com, Asiarooms etc is don't, unless you already know the hotel and you are happy with it. Reason being, ok you may get a free breakfast or slightly better rate but you pay up front, in full, for a hotel/room you may want to be out off after a couple of days. Refund chances I guess are slim. When I was in Areca I met guys that hated it but felt trapped as they had paid in full, in advance, for 14/21 days or whatever.

 

Who ever you choose I advise a 2 or 3 day deposit at the most. A hotel losing biz because you change your mind or get a better offer is up to you, not your problem. Surely this would not be a problem to a good, busy hotel? In my mind, paying in full for the duration of my stay, 4 months, before I've even set foot in the place is crazy. Not sure, but, think Jasmine may insist on this?

 

Personally, I need a pool for daytime, so, I would consider another location or lean towards Sandy Spring as I've heard only good about it and thats from my mate that stayed there on and off for 3 months until his house build was finished.

 

Anyway, good luck and hope you choose a winner,

[Strike 0]

Can recommend Opey De Place,they have a website.Its within wanking distance of soi bukhao in soi lengkee.Directly opposite soi Diana.Price about 700 per night.Nice pool,balcony and good coffee shop.Bars and restaurants opposite plus salon,launderette and ATM.No in room safe but boxes in reception open 0800 till 2200 with security all night.

 

I have stayed at both Opey de Place and Residence Garden last November, and can vouch that ODP is not anywhere near the same class as RG. RG rooms are HUGE in comparison, have kitchenettes and the decor is much newer. I think ODP is in an alright location and is a good value, but if you book there expecting something similar to RG you will be disappointed. Both the RG and ODP have a convenient car park. However, each have issues with traffic safety, IMO. Many times walking down Soi Lengkee I thought that I would get hit by a passing motorbike, and crossing Thappraya road in front of RG is sometimes like a real-life game of Frogger. It was so bad, that one night my TGF and I chose Jomtien over Patts for the evening out, just because we would not have to cross the road to catch a songtow.

 

Don't get me wrong, ODP is a good hotel, but you get what you pay for in this case.

 

Best of luck,

Strike

[brotherbuzz 3,205]

I e-mailed both Jasmine Mansion and the Areca Lodge.

 

Neither have come back to me.

 

Odd that Dear from Areca didn't reply to you cuz she usually replies within 24 hours. Was the email addy you used: info@arecalodge.com?

I have nothing but good things to say about the place.

[MM 6,562]

Odd that Dear from Areca didn't reply to you cuz she usually replies within 24 hours. Was the email addy you used: info@arecalodge.com?

I have nothing but good things to say about the place.

 

One thing to note is that Areca is a fully non-smoking hotel. All rooms. Enforced by a 500b fine.

[brotherbuzz 3,205]

One thing to note is that Areca is a fully non-smoking hotel. All rooms. Enforced by a 500b fine.

 

In the room, yes, on the balcony, puff away.

[Bruce Mangosteen 538]

I have a condo here now so I don't stay in hotels anymore. However, I have talked to a number of people who have stayed in the Rockhouse and they were very satisfied. My friend Alex is a great host, the rooms are quite large, and the bar is excellent. Here's a link to their website: http://www.rockhousepattaya.com/ The rooms feature free WiFi internet. The Rockhouse is close to BobsBBQ as well as other good places to eat.

 

If you want to stay farther south, you can try The Vault. http://www.thevaultpattaya.com/ It is located on Second Rd. just south of Marine Plaza; a short walk from Walking Street as well as several discos. Mike is also a good friend who runs a very honest establishment. The rooms are very large for the price and again I have talked to many satisfied customers. They have free in-room internet access.

 

Another choice is Secrets. It is on Soi 15 just up from Walking St. http://www.thevaultpattaya.com/ They are steps from Walking St. Their rooms are also a good value for the money, the bar/restaurant is quite nice, and they have free WiFi internet too.

 

Note: If you stay in either of the latter two places, you will be very close to a certain bar that features great burgers and sandwiches, fantastic wings, and excellent Mexican food. Not to mention a huge selection of beers and spirits, and great music.

 

 

(Sorry for the shameless self-promo... )

[soi unwise 6]

Sorry Strike,no idea why compare TRG to ODP in this paticular thread,did you read the original post ?

[teelack 9,628]

Why not consider the Soi 7 and 8 areas? I was enthralled by you trip report last year and as I will be there in June it would be fun to run into you and your team mates. If this area is of interest the two groups with places are the Flipper Group (2) and the Eastiny Group with three places.

[chrisbrewer 0]

One thing to note is that Areca is a fully non-smoking hotel. All rooms. Enforced by a 500b fine.

 

Thanks for that Martin. That's ruled out the Areca Lodge for me then!

 

Look forward to seeing you again in June.

 

Please keep the crawls going until I get there.

 

 

Why not consider the Soi 7 and 8 areas? I was enthralled by you trip report last year and as I will be there in June it would be fun to run into you and your team mates. If this area is of interest the two groups with places are the Flipper Group (2) and the Eastiny Group with three places.

 

Might just do that. I'm there May 31 thro June 13, look forward to hooking up for a beer.

 

Guess I'm going to have to start again. Wish the Rock House had a pool!

Edited March 11, 2008 by chrisbrewer

[chrisbrewer 0]

Fuck the pool!

 

I've just e-mailed Alex to book the Rock House if poss.

 

Update: 30 minutes after my e-mail I get one back from the Rock House.

 

Booking confirmed, no problems.

 

How about that for service!

Edited March 11, 2008 by chrisbrewer