Reservation or Just Walk Up

[VicVegas 70]

On previous trips I have always played it safe and made room reservations in advance, but many guys have told me that, unless it's high season, you'll find better deals by just showing up and shopping around. So that is my plan for my up coming trip, to hit Pattaya on May 13th and just start looking. Then I noticed that Saturday the 15th is a Thai holiday. Will there be a million Thai vacationers in town that weekend? Will all the hotels be booked? My short list of potential hotels include Tim's, Apex, Sky Top, Bay Breeze, and Pig & Whistle. What do the Pattaya experts think?

[Daveuk 28]

I dont think the Thai holiday will make any difference to availability at the hotels you have quoted. It seems to me that during the holidays you see many Thai families on the beaches, very few seem to stay in hotels - probably they come for the day by bus and depart in the evening.

I have made 7 trips to Pty and now and I never bother to reserve a room, but I have to say that I never visited in the busy Christmas/New Year Period. On arrival I just drop my bag at a bar and tour the Soi 7/8 area to see what rates are on offer.

I stayed at two of your hotels "Skytop" & Apex and have written reviews for the hotels section. They are very different but are both good in their price range (400/500 per night).

[Eneukman 1]

Whilst it's highly unlikely that the town will ever be totally fully booked, I would always recommend that you book somewhere to stay for the first night or two. Then you can look around for other accommodation at your leisure.

 

Personally, I prefer to know where I'm going to be staying for the duration of my holiday, but that's just my preference.

 

Alan

[ting_tong 63]

I am staying at the baybreeze, I reserved it in advance for 500bt a night. I was there for a month last time, and it was during high season, they turned away a walk up falang right in front of me. And they held my room for me!

I only have good things to say about baybreeze!

 

6 more days to go!

[laffnliv 78]

This time of year there should be no problem by just walking in. However, if you arrive a 2:00 AM or so you might not be able to negotiate as well. Usually the night staff people have even less command of English, and the manager is not there for serious negotiation. If you are a late arrival, I suggest that you do as suggested above and reserve a room for the first night or two. That way you can do a search at your leisure.

 

Roy

[partyanimal 0]

If you've never stayed at the hotel before and it's low season, I'd book the first two nights only.

 

Another reason to consider not booking one hotel for you rentire trip is that you may wish to avoid a clingy bargirl or psycho bargirl. Or you may fall in love and want to bring her to Ko Samet.

 

When I lock myself in I ususlly regret it. Got a trully fantastic deal thru Priceline but now have to cancle my trip and prob not get money back.

[Greg_B 306]

Better to make the reservation and re-comfirm it before you leave for Thailand... Last thing I want to do is be looking for a hotel when I arrive...

[Zeus 56]

The only reservation I have ever had was the first night (or 2) in Bangkok. I don't want to have to worry about finding a room at midnight when I arrive.

 

In Pattaya I always stay 2 days at the dynasty inn with reservations made at BKK. Then I find a room via walkin for the rest of my stay in town. This usually is at the Welcome Plaza Hotel where I have gotten 650/night walkin rate. Otherwise I get quoted 750. So I will always do walkin. The only exception would have to be if I stayed over the Christmas high season - then you would need a reservation.

 

I'm about to start my 11th trip with no problem following this process.

 

Zeus

[Crackpot 2]

May is low season.

Practically every Hotel will have about 20% occupancy or less.

 

Dont pre book,

 

Get a room for your first night then do a wander and check door rates and ask about deals available. Most Hotels will do a discount if asked.

 

This post was modified due to totally unnecessary harrassment by pedants

 

:) :) :) :) :)

[Fonz 0]

Crackpot may I ask what is a aby deal.

[sparkey1 0]

Maybe aby is when you do the no american breakfast deal and get 100 bt off the price of your room . Aby maybe stands for american breakfast Yuk !!!

 

I dunno ??

 

Sparkey

[p3squid 0]

That's a good question on the book or walk up thing. I left my last 5 days open on my time to try out the walk up angle. I think one advantage would be to see the room before taking it.

[VicVegas 70]

Thanks guys. I arrive in BKK on 5/12 (already got a room reserved) and proceed to Pattaya on 5/13. I'll wing it from there and I'll let you know how it goes.

[Crackpot 2]

Crackpot may I ask what is a aby deal.

Pedantic mood today are we ??

[Fonz 0]

Dost know the answer young Cracker ?

[Crackpot 2]

Dost know the answer young Cracker ?

Forsooth I dost sire as it was put into my orignal post

[Fonz 0]

Cracker I asked a serious question did not intend it as a harrassment.

So you made a mistake wich is not a big deal.

[monkeyman 1,604]

This post was modified due to totally unnecessary harrassment by pedants

Christ, we're even getting hassle from child molesters now.

[monkeyman 1,604]

[stevemcm 1]

If you want the Pig & Whistle you'll have to book they don't have many rooms and are nearly always full regardless of season.

 

stevoh.