The Sky Top Hotel

[VicVegas 70]

I stayed at the old Sky Top for one month back in 2005 and at the new location (just down a few doors from the old one) a couple of times, but it's been a year or two and I wanted to see if it was like I remembered. I went down there on Saturday afternoon, October 16th, 2010. All these pics were taken by me on that day.

 

 

 

First I was attracted by the cute girl minding the bar out front (Naree Bar). Her name was On and though her face was average she had a nice figure. She's hiding behind the Doreman pilow in this picture. She wouldn't let me take a picture of her.

 

 

We played a few games of pool and I had a couple beers, even bought her a drink. She's one of several fun girls working there.

 

They have an internet shop on the first level. You can access the wifi in your room free of charge. That's On walking away from the camera. Nice body.

 

 

On took me to see the rooms. The smaller room goes for 550 baht per night.

 

 

The larger room is 700 baht per night.

 

 

Bathrooms have a western toilet and hot water. Looked clean and modern to me.

 

 

Location is great with Soi 6 and Big C a short walk away.

 

Lots of guys on this forum have dogged the place. It is definitely not as bad as they would have you believe. It ain't fancy, but as BigDUSA has said many times, it is a good place for those on a budget.

 

Their website is:

 

http://www.skytopguesthouse.com

Edited December 8, 2010 by VicVegas

[Parkwahn 61]

Tim42 states its a very good place, I have had a beer there but never stayed there.

[MM 6,562]

I think the issues with Skytop are not so much about the guest house, which is plain and average for the area, but about the fact that the owner came on the board and touted it as if he were a satisfied customer (see here)...and that BigD kept spamming it year after year.

 

It is what it is, but to use underhanded, deceptive methods to tout it, or to have a BM pushing it whenever an accommodation question comes up makes it a target.

[Sailfast 503]

Oh boy, here we go again...

[MM 6,562]

Yeah, it's almost as if Vic is just trolling today, since this has been done to death.

[Gawd Elpus 798]

Yeah, it's almost as if Vic is just trolling today, since this has been done to death.

 

 

Stayed one night, not for me Ronnie

[Hub 203]

Oh boy, here we go again...

 

You can say that again , and I am sure all the same oft-repeated issues exist that make many believe it is not a good value, aside from the spam and decptive advertising about the place.

 

I wonder how Vic liked the room service?

[stevoman 2]

Sorry Vic but posting those pictures IMHO certainly did the dump no favours! FAR superior accomodation available allover in that price range!

[plahgat 523]

Never stayed in SkyTop but often used the Internet Café a few years ago, and there surely where some nicelooking bargirls hanging around and giving a helping hand!

 

Plahgat

[BigDUSA 71]

Never stayed in SkyTop but often used the Internet Café a few years ago, and there surely where some nice looking bargirls hanging around and giving a helping hand!

 

Plahgat

 

The BG at Sky-Top are still good looking and they are good to go for 500 ST and 1K LT. Good value for your Baht.

[Yzi 72]

 

Room this messy in decoration, cabinet with glass doors looks like second hand buy from food vendor; very small looking bed, maybe 160 cm wide? Possibly even less, so small tv, it would be hard to see from bed and to top it all the "dining area" with PLASTIC CHAIRS AND TABLE tops it all...would i pay 700 bath for this/night? no way!

So many better choices for same or even less money with tasty interior decoration, bigger TV, breakfast and equally as good or better location.

[VicVegas 70]

Not beating a dead horse or trolling, just providing an updated review.

 

I actually, sincerely like the place and think it has gotten a bad rap on this board. I have no investment or interest in the place. I took time out of my trip to Pattaya and actually went down there and took a look for myself. How many of you naysayers have actually been there and looked at the rooms? Anybody?

 

I wasn't familiar with the owner (Pete) misrepresenting himself on this board. I agree, that's wrong.

 

I disagree Steve, it is not a dump. I also wouldn't use MM's words "plain and average".

 

Yzi, personally I wouldn't pay 700 baht for the large room. I much prefer the 550 room. The bed is plenty big for 2 people. Plastic chairs? I agree they look silly, and I wouldn't sit there, but I don't care, I'll eat on the bed. TV too far away or too small? Simple, move it closer. As for the cabinet, here's a better pic.

 

 

Looks ok to me. Even has a microwave and a toaster. Then again I don't get hung up on little details like this. When I'm in Pattaya I'm just looking for a clean place to drop my bag, someplace to sleep, shower, maybe look at a little TV. If these sort of details (TV, dining area, oversized bed) are important to you then yes, of course, you might want to consider a more expensive option.

 

The Sky Top is a clean, well maintained, budget hotel.

 

I'm simply defending a place that constantly gets slammed on this board. You say there are better for the same price in that area? Great, post your reviews of them and share with the rest of us. Personally I also like the Queen Vic on Soi 6, similiar price range, but if I wanted to stay near Soi 6 but not RIGHT ON Soi 6 I would definitely be happy at the Sky Top. After my visit last Saturday I plan on staying there on my next trip to Pattaya. That's how much I liked it (and, admittedly, reflects how much I liked the girl working there ).

Edited October 20, 2010 by VicVegas

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I actually, sincerely like the place and think it has gotten a bad rap on this board. I have no investment or interest in the place. I took time out of my trip to Pattaya and actually went down there and took a look for myself. How many of you naysayers have actually been there and looked at the rooms? Anybody?

 

I provided the review that seemed to upset the owner and, yes, I have been there. I also took the time and effort to compare it directly to a similar priced property in the same area. The review (and comparison), IMHO, was fair and balanced.

 

Most of the major criticisms of the place centred on a haphazard approach to guest safety and highlighted the shortcomings in relation to their lack of fire/smoke detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting and dodgy electrics (overloaded circuits and uninsulated electric showers cut outs in the bathroom). The owner and website designer say these items are all in place and the rooms are now non-smoking, and that may well be the case, but it is not evident from any of your photos (which, BTW, are very good). It does appear that the toaster, microwave, kettle, fridge etc are all sharing the same extension lead (shown on the top of the cabinet thing) which, presumably, connects to the same 13 amp circuit as the TV and DVD player. Likewise, the provision of the large green ashtray is somewhat at odds with the no-smoking claims.

 

At the time of my review one of the vocal advocates of the place responded that the fire hazard was negligible because the building was of a concrete construction and there was precious little that could actually burn. The inclusion of a tailors shop on the ground floor would appear, to me, to negate that argument somewhat.

 

Anyway, kudos to you, Vic, for providing some photos of the place - other folk seemed somewhat reluctant to do so in the past.

[stevoman 2]

Not beating a dead horse or trolling, just providing an updated review.

 

I actually, sincerely like the place and think it has gotten a bad rap on this board. I have no investment or interest in the place. I took time out of my trip to Pattaya and actually went down there and took a look for myself. How many of you naysayers have actually been there and looked at the rooms? Anybody?

 

I wasn't familiar with the owner (Pete) misrepresenting himself on this board. I agree, that's wrong.

 

I disagree Steve, it is not a dump. I also wouldn't use MM's words "plain and average".

 

Yzi, personally I wouldn't pay 700 baht for the large room. I much prefer the 550 room. The bed is plenty big for 2 people. Plastic chairs? I agree they look silly, and I wouldn't sit there, but I don't care, I'll eat on the bed. TV too far away or too small? Simple, move it closer. As for the cabinet, here's a better pic.

 

 

Looks ok to me. Even has a microwave and a toaster. Then again I don't get hung up on little details like this. When I'm in Pattaya I'm just looking for a clean place to drop my bag, someplace to sleep, shower, maybe look at a little TV. If these sort of details (TV, dining area, oversized bed) are important to you then yes, of course, you might want to consider a more expensive option.

 

The Sky Top is a clean, well maintained, budget hotel.

 

I'm simply defending a place that constantly gets slammed on this board. You say there are better for the same price in that area? Great, post your reviews of them and share with the rest of us. Personally I also like the Queen Vic on Soi 6, similiar price range, but if I wanted to stay near Soi 6 but not RIGHT ON Soi 6 I would definitely be happy at the Sky Top. After my visit last Saturday I plan on staying there on my next trip to Pattaya. That's how much I liked it (and, admittedly, reflects how much I liked the girl working there ).

 

"Tropical Berts" to name just one in the area, is far superior and at 650 bht, B/F included is in a different class!

[Parkwahn 61]

Vic, people feel at home in different places I have noticed many farangs go to the same guest house hotel, if you like it mate use it.

 

Tim42 loves the place, he is a decent guy.

[VicVegas 70]

dodgy electrics

 

On my next trip to Pattaya I'll spend the night at Sky Top and see if the electrical situation is an issue for me.

 

 

"Tropical Berts" to name just one in the area, is far superior and at 650 bht, B/F included is in a different class!

 

I've had a drink in Tropical Berts but not seen the rooms. 650 is at the top of my personal price range, but may have to look at it. Is that "B/F" a breakfast or a barfine that is included?

[Parkwahn 61]

How does anyone know the electrics are dodgy ? do people takle circuit testers with them ?

[sick buffalo 15]

I'm willing to try Skytop. A friend stayed there once about four years ago and liked the friendliness of the staff. Friendly people are difficult to find in the world. I don't care if the chairs in my room are plastic or oak or if they were made in China so long as they belong to a reliable, friendly face...

[sick buffalo 15]

As some BMs have said there has been a lot of needless badmouthing about this place. Somebody even posted pictures comparing Skytop with another place around Soi 3. Several places in the Buokhaw/LK metro area look similar but have rave reviews, only because BMs are not spewing grudge against others by slagging off places liked by their targeted BMs.

 

Just my opinion...

[sabaidii2 171]

How does anyone know the electrics are dodgy ? do people takle circuit testers with them ?

 

Easy: Lick a couple fingers and insert them into the socket. If you get shocked then you know the electrics are good (Assumption: You will only know this if you are conscious - and alive).

[Sailfast 503]

How does anyone know the electrics are dodgy ? do people takle circuit testers with them ?

 

If you read the report you would have seen the pictures. I believe the problem was attended to by the management so that is saying something. The fact that it was there to begin with also says something.

 

 

 

As some BMs have said there has been a lot of needless badmouthing about this place. Somebody even posted pictures comparing Skytop with another place around Soi 3. Several places in the Buokhaw/LK metro area look similar but have rave reviews, only because BMs are not spewing grudge against others by slagging off places liked by their targeted BMs.

 

Just my opinion...

 

Yes other places get rave reviews but they don't have one member constantly chatting the place up in every possible thread.

 

The "needless badmouthing" started a long time ago when a certain board member would recommend the place constantly. I've stopped by and it's not bad for the price. However, if, at any given opportunity I spammed a place that was simply reasonable when there hundreds of guest houses in Pattaya that are just as good a deal and many that are better deals then you might get sick of hearing about the place.

 

Sorry BigD, you know I lub u mak mak to mutt, but you where advertising. Tell the owner to pay for a banner

[papillon 695]

Have stayed at both locations and would do so again if I was stuck for a room.

 

Not my first choice by a long shot but ok.

[BigDUSA 71]

"Tropical Berts" to name just one in the area, is far superior and at 650 bht, B/F included is in a different class!

 

I like Tropical Bert's. I've never stayed there but looked at a room years ago. Nice room. I do eat breakfast at Bert's almost every day when I'm in Pattaya. Bert serves good pub grub. Good value for the Baht.

[Odense 492]

I did stay at Tropical Berts - and looked at the rooms at Skytop - but not stayed there. For me Tropical Berts is far better VFM.

I THINK but am not 100 % sure it was the new location I saw.

[Obsession 571]

What a sad whitewash Vic I am disappointed that you mislead BMs like this. And maybe we should point out that you live in a tiny room and don't even have a kettle to make a coffee. It's relevent to describe that you can live in humble surroundings with no amenities. Most Bms who book Pattaya GHs wold be on holiday and probably not ready to rough it as you live.

 

Why didn't you show how the toilet walls don't reach the ceiling?

 

Why didn't you mention the deafening bar complex next door?

 

That they have sold half the reception area to an Indian tailor? That must be annoying, to say the least!

 

Why call it a hotel, when the owner advertises it as a HOSTEL.

 

That coaches park outside spewing out exhaust fumes?

 

That it's on a busy main road?

 

That the lighting is crap ?

 

Why didn't you warn BMs about the night entrance? I think it's from 9 or 10pm.

 

Here's the night entrance

 

The light which is shared by the room and toilet. And the walls that don't reach the ceiling

And the wiring that is nailed to the wall, rather than within the wall as in other GHs. Note the cheap plastic connection at the T joint. It's a shambles. The wired were probably brought in from the old building as was the aircon. It's a second hand, second rate refurb about 6 years ago by people who weren't even builders or electricians.

 

 

The Skytop Hostel is substandard for BMs, end of. Don't let owners palm us off with shoddy second rate facilities and make us pay up front and sign contracts as he knew we would leave. I think he has withdrawn the contracts after he was outed on here, but I don't forget who the shysters are and will warn fellow BMs of them.

 

You are doing your fellow BMs a disservice Vic