Areca Lodge

[Lex 0]

Has anyone stayed at one of the newly renovated rooms (i.e. non-evergreen) at Areca Lodge? What are they like? I like the newish Evergreen rooms but as the renovated rooms are available at the pre-renovation prices I'm tempted to book one of those. The renovation will be complete when I arrive at the end of November. Thanks

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

I had a look at a completed room in June.

 

Main change is that the aircon unit is now in the doorway and blows into the room.

 

New beds and tables and a larger electronic safe in the wardrobe.

 

Pictures on Facebook, search for "Areca Lodge", obvious I know !

 

I booked at the end of my last holiday and was told they were almost fully booked for November.

Edited August 14, 2011 by The_Fat_Controller

[parry 58]

Mr Controller

Please could you copy those photos on facebook and post on here. cheers

[dennismoore 8]

I'm staying @ Areca now and the renovation has been completed in the oldest part of the hotel and from 1st september they started to renovate the "Corona" wing. It seems that they have closed the complete wing of that part of the hotel. Also the pool between Corona and Evergreen wing is closed until the end of september.

 

The newly renovated rooms are just like they used to be (= great!), but with new paint and a darker shade of brown on the wooden thing over the fridge. Also, as mr. Fat Controller said, there is a larger safe, that will fit laptops. Just a shame they didn't replace the old tv's by some new 32 inch (or more) flatscreens.

 

Arece Lodge is a great hotel in my opinion. They know who they cater to and act accordingly. At 1450 baht not the cheapest but still very well worth the money.

Edited September 7, 2011 by dennismoore

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

The Deluxe Pool View rooms in the Areca and Corona wings do have Sony flat screen LCD TVs, I have stayed in both.

 

However, as the feed signal is still analogue, the picture quality is actually pretty poor.

 

For those that can be bothered to go into the TV menu, there is also an FM tuner so you can listen to the English language Pattaya radio station which play pretty decent music.

 

The Standard rooms still have the old style TVs.

 

Mr Parry, just sign up to Facebook and have a look yourself, I am not re-posting pictures, sorry.

[parry 58]

I'm staying @ Areca now and the renovation has been completed in the oldest part of the hotel and from 1st september they started to renovate the "Corona" wing. It seems that they have closed the complete wing of that part of the hotel. Also the pool between Corona and Evergreen wing is closed until the end of september.

 

The newly renovated rooms are just like they used to be (= great!), but with new paint and a darker shade of brown on the wooden thing over the fridge. Also, as mr. Fat Controller said, there is a larger safe, that will fit laptops. Just a shame they didn't replace the old tv's by some new 32 inch (or more) flatscreens.

 

Arece Lodge is a great hotel in my opinion. They know who they cater to and act accordingly. At 1450 baht not the cheapest but still very well worth the money.

 

Thanks for the update Dennis. So they have refurbished the rooms but kept the shitty old televisions with the appalling picture quality. Next thing you'll be telling me is they havent replaced the jiz stained carpets

[parry 58]

I'm staying there at the moment. Nice refurb in room, new bed and new wardrobe, however, the crappy old televisions remain and the bathroom hasn't been touched and I mean the tiles havent even had a much needed re-grouting

[nus01 305]

, the crappy old televisions remain and the bathroom hasn't been touched and I mean the tiles havent even had a much needed re-grouting

so many Hotels are like this , i still like Sabai lodge however a new 20" Flat Screen and some re-grouting and the rooms would be vastly improved (total cost about 4 nights accomadation per room)

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

I am staying in the oldest building at the Areca now, which was refurbished about 4 months ago, the Corona building has just been finished this week.

 

All the Deluxe (pool-view) rooms have Sony LCD TVs.

 

The safe will probably take a 15 inch laptop plus a camera and documents, my 10 inch netbook looks a bit lonely in there.

 

No more carpets, mid-brown laminate flooring, same tiles at the entrance and in the bathroom.

 

Dark red blackout curtains.

 

Two normal chairs on the balcony, new towel rail there too.

 

Much more storage space, 4 drawers in the desk unit where the TV sits and larger bedside units too.

 

The aircon controls are by the door, 3 fans speeds and the thermostat moves in 1 degree clicks.

 

Bathrooms have only had a lick of paint on the ceilings as mentioned in another review.

 

Just had breakfast, serious BACON supply problem due to the floods, they can only get the streaky stuff, not the usual back bacon !

 

Last week, shock-horror, they had 2 days without ANY bacon !

 

I have re-joined their loyalty program, ACE club, for 790 Baht per year.

 

For this stay of 26 nights, I get a room rate of 1390 Baht as opposed to the normal rate of 1550 Baht.

 

The card also gives a 15% discount on " Spa, Hair Lounge, Food and non-alcoholic drinks at all outlets "

 

It is now 8 years almost to the day since I first stayed here and I have to confess this place still ticks all the boxes for me.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Update, Sunday 20th November.

 

The maintenance team are fitting new toilet seats to all bathrooms in the Areca Wing.

 

Tomorrow, all the standard rooms will have their TVs upgraded to Sony LCD models.

[Lex 0]

Thanks for the replies. Checked into the corona building yesterday, all as described by the Fat Controller except I've got a 32 inch LG flatscreen (excellent picture). No complaints but why are all the late night front desk staff gay blokes?

[joeypotter 14]

 

Arece Lodge is a great hotel in my opinion. They know who they cater to and act accordingly.

 

They ceratinly don't acter to the monger with their silly no girls under 20 rule and joiner fees for 2nd joiners. A place to avoid IMO.

[FoxtrotOscar 36]

Update, Sunday 20th November.

 

The maintenance team are fitting new toilet seats to all bathrooms in the Areca Wing.

 

Tomorrow, all the standard rooms will have their TVs upgraded to Sony LCD models.

Thanks for the replies. Checked into the corona building yesterday, all as described by the Fat Controller except I've got a 32 inch LG flatscreen (excellent picture). No complaints but why are all the late night front desk staff gay blokes?

 

Since you've been there recently, or still are, wondering what they are like with an early check in, their site states 1300hrs but wondering what their attitude is to someone arriving much earlier i.e. if the room is free no problem or try to charge extra - any experience?

[tomcat76 327]

Many years I've tried to make reservations online, been told they have nothing available, and then get there and check at the desk personally to find they DO have rooms (usually at a higher price than the ones seen during the online searching). I have little doubt the story would end the same this year, but have decided to just stay elsewhere. Always kind of liked the place, but was never THAT attached to it.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Hi FoxtrotOscar.

 

I am now back in wet and windy Troon, however next trip is already booked for 8th February.

 

For my last 2 visits I have flown in with China Airlines and taken the 0800 Bell Travel Service bus to Pattaya and arrived at the Areca just before 1000.

 

In June, the room was empty and available.

 

This November, they were still making up the room so there was a 30 minute wait after arrival before I could go up.

 

No extra charges for checking in early on either occasion.

[FoxtrotOscar 36]

Hi FoxtrotOscar.

 

I am now back in wet and windy Troon, however next trip is already booked for 8th February.

 

For my last 2 visits I have flown in with China Airlines and taken the 0800 Bell Travel Service bus to Pattaya and arrived at the Areca just before 1000.

 

In June, the room was empty and available.

 

This November, they were still making up the room so there was a 30 minute wait after arrival before I could go up.

 

No extra charges for checking in early on either occasion.

 

Good stuff, booked for start of March, first time staying with them and fly in very early too, didn't fancy having to hang around a lobby, cheers.