Info on Sandy Springs and Areca Lodge Please

[crassieman 0]

I do not want to beat a dead horse down (as their are other posts on this forum concerning these  hotels ), but for any of you punters out there who have stayed at either one please answer.  First, are the king or queen beds just two singles thrown together? I am over 6 ft and 270lbs---I need a good solid large bed. Since I will be arriving by myself----but picking up alot of action should I order  a single or double room---in terms of bed size will that make a difference? Also, in terms of location---SS is on Soi 13 ---Areca is in N Pattaya--is Areca's location near any gogo's,etc. or am I way out in bumfuc_ Egypt? Any one who can relate their experiences with either hotel please do so. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[jimmybcool 0]

Well, first off, welcome aboard.  Now the chastisement - do the basic research in the Hotel reviews section here.  >

 

But OK, a quick primer.  I have stayed at neither and don't know what kind of beds they have.  Many Pattaya hotels have rooms with a mixture of beds so it probably depends on which room.

 

Regarding location, Sandy Springs is a great location on Soi 13 which is minutes to action at either end of town.  Areca Lodge is NOT in North Pattaya.  It is close to Sandy Springs, but the significance is it is on the other side of Second Road.  That means you have to walk across 2nd road several times a day.  Not fun.  Plus, it is a several minute walk from 2nd Road after you cross.

 

I looked at Areca Lodge and like the hotel, but not the location because of this  walk.  No biggie as I jog on occasion and am fit.  But if it is raining, it would suck.  Just overall more effort to party.

 

I would suggest Sandy Spring if you don't know your way around Pattaya.

[jimmac 66]

I stayed at the Sandy Spring last month.  I am about 5' 11" and weigh about 270 lbs and the king size bed was excellent, very comfortable for sleeping and withstood a fair amount of banging.  It is a real king size, not two singles thrown together. I like lots of pillows so when I arrived I asked for two extras and it was no problem.  Same with towels...I had 4 clean new bath towels every day. The bathroom I had was excellent.  Sandy Spring is a new hotel so everything in it is new and in good shape.  The location is great.  I recommend it.  I haven't stayed in the other place.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

I am an Areca Lodge regular, 4 stays in 13 months.

There are rooms with one or two beds.

You do not get 2 beds pushed together.

Do not think you will have a problem fitting in the king size bed alongside a little brown lovely!

They are opening a new pool soon, so you will have a choice of 2.

As for the location, the only hassle is crossing 2nd road, and Soi 13 is only just across from Soi Diana, so the 2 hotels are about 5 minutes walk apart.

I like the Areca because they are maintaing standards, and the manager, Bussaba, actually listens to guests opinions and complaints (usually very minor).

I will be back for my 5th visit in February 2004.

[Top_Cat 16]

Same as Fat Controller ( who I met at the Lodge u O.K. Mart  ;D) IMHO the Areca Lodge is a very good venue.

 

Stayed there June 2003 return 27th. Dec. Could try some where else. But what for?

 

Laid back. Good staff. Nice pool. Nice restaurant. Manager Bussaba is excellent. If you go for the first time she will look you out and does not have a "Mai pen rai" attitude. (as in "well" shrug the shoulders what the f....)

 

Crossing Second Road is an experience. The traffic flow is in one directiion (apart from motorbikes  ;D)

 

You can walk along to the traffic lights. But you can negotiate the traffic by taking one lane at a time. Up to you.  

 

Could go on for a while yet.  

 

IMHO the Areca Lodge is a great hotel.  ;D

 

 

Top_Cat

[Bigmike 0]

Traffic lights are just a reason for drivers to try and run over you in Thailand. A fucking joke, I know I hire a motor bike when I'm there.

Bigmike.

[too_mutt 10]

Has anyone used the following website to book Sandy Springs: http://www.scandibar.com/hotel/sandy/

 

They have a notice that reads as folows:

 

 

It sounds like this would save the 300/350 Baht charge from the hotel.

 

They also indicate the following:

 

 

SoCalGuy

[crassieman 0]

Thanks to everyone for your replies---and thank you for your very useful link cheers! ;D ;D ;D

[jimmybcool 0]

Top Cat and Fat Controller,

 

I looked at Areca once briefly.  They showed me a fairly small room.  Do they have different room  sizes?  Do they have a walk in (drag a TG in with you ) shower?  Do they offer monthly rates?

 

While I stand by my recommendation for a first timer to stay inside the baht bus loop, I don't mind a bit of a  walk.   ;D

 

I stay for 2 months at a pop so I am looking for a bit of room to spread out in.   I also have a lot of junk with me.

 

Any more details would help.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Hi again,

They have one larger room per floor, and that should be OK for a 2 month stay.

Personally, I do not have too much junk so standard rooms are OK for me.

As far as I know all the showers are over the bathtub so not too comfortable to share, even with LBFMs.

They certainly do offer some sort of discount for monthly or longer stays, but have never been lucky enough to stay that long.

If u e-mail them they will normally reply pretty quickly.

Hope this helps.

[Taxi 0]

SoCalGuy,

                 thanks for the link, I had booked 20 days, 11 in Februrary at their rate of 2,500 per night for a suite, your link just potentially saved me 5,500 baht or 11 x barfines.  I have written to them and asked for the rate or asked them should I cancel my booking and rebook with the agent.  My guess is they won't give me the rate....... it's a Thai thing, so will give the agent a go.  Have you used them before?  Thanks for that, I like this hotel, cheers

[jimmac 66]

Flash, please let us know how it works out.  I just clicked the Scandibar link and couldn't believe it.  I could have saved 2500Baht on my 5 night stay earlier this month (actually not because Scandi says no suits in Dec and Jan) and I certainly will make future bookings this way to save money.  I don't understand why the hotel would set themselves up like that.

 

By the way, its a good place.  Good quality and even better value for money if you can get a suite for less than 2,000 Baht a night.

[jimmybcool 0]

The_Fat_Controller,

 

Thanks for that.  I need to look again and see the larger room.  I am a pack rat.  I have 2 sets of golf clubs and a full set of clothes in Pattaya.   Plus books, my own blender, DVD player, etc.  It amazes me when I see all that shit how it happened.  

 

I will be there end of January just showing up and asking.  Seems that is the best way to get a discount these days.  

[too_mutt 10]

Flash2034,

 

Actually, I have not used that agent, I came across the link while doing a Google search on Sandy Springs in Pattaya.  Please post to the board the results from your booking, if you are pleased or not.  Thanks.

 

SoCalGuy

[crassieman 0]

Just booked 5 days in March through Scandibar.com---recieved an e-mail from them within 3 hours stating they are now checking into the reservation and will get back to me within 48 hrs. Will let you know how the booking goes---looking forward to that free bottle of Carlsberg beer plus the many others that will follow. 73 days--but who's counting. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Taxi 0]

SoCalGuy,

                will let you know, 48 hours so far and no reply, very unusual they normally are very quick.  I'll give them another 24 hours then just make a booking, if that gets confirmed via the agent I'll cancel my existing one.  Cheers

[Supersun 1]

Can any one please let me have the idea of rates for Areca and how do you book them. Regards and Happy new year to all. I am reaching on 19th Jan for two weeks. Supersun

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

All the Areca Lodge info is in their webite, surprised you did not find that !

http://www.arecalodge.com

[Emil 0]

Can any one please let me have the idea of rates for Areca and how do you book them. Regards and Happy new year to all. I am reaching on 19th Jan for two weeks. Supersun

 

If you like that area and the Areca is booked, try the Opey De Place located a little over 100 meters from the Areca on the other side of Soi Buakaow.  

 

website:  www.geocities.com/opeydeplace

 

Emil

[Taxi 0]

OK, Sandy Springs came back to me and said the Scandibar.com rate in Jaunary is 2,500 per night and would I confirm my booking again.  I have gone back and said I confirm I am arriving 22 Jan, but have 10 nights in February and will they apply the Scandibar rate for those nights or should I book via them.  Will keep you posted, the difference is 500 baht a night so well worth trying to get the better rate.  Cheers

[jimmac 66]

The difference is 5,000 Baht, enough for 5 LTs.  Keep us posted.  I'd like to save a ST a day on my next visit to Sandy Spring.

[Lex 0]

If you book the Areca in advance and specify a non-pool view room they do a 100 baht discount off the standard 1070. Pays for a BF every few days anyway

Doubt they do it if you don't ask. I prefer the non-pool view rooms as they get a lot more sun than the swimming pool (haven't seen the second one yet). Great value either way

[Supersun 1]

Many Thanks to all. I have decided to stay at Tropicana again.

[jimmac 66]

Flash,

 

Have you had success yet in getting the lower rate through Scandibar?

[Sa-teef 44]

Flash and others,

 the rate quoted you maybe for the lower (2nd & 3rd floor) rooms without a seaview.

 

Room 01.10-30.11 01.12-27.12 28.12-05.01 06.01-31.01 01.02-30.11

Standard 990 1,190 1,490 1,190 990

Suite 1,990 --------- --------- --------- 1,990

 

 That is the same price they quoted me directly from the hotel:

 

" The room with sea view

is 1200 baht/room/night.  The standard room on the 2nd and the 3rd floor

and the front view room  rate is 990 baht/room/night.  The suite room with

sea view is 2500 baht/room/night.  The suite room with front view is 1990

bath/room/night."

 

 If you were expecting a seaview room, I'd check into it first.

 

-- Steve