Booking through an Internet site

[Trvlr 50]

Has anyone tried booking some favorite Pattaya hotels through an Internet booking site?

Not too long ago it was always cheaper to call a hotel directly. But in the last year or so a few Internet sites have become more competitive. Of course there are other disadvantages, such as cancellation fees, but let's assume no cancellation will be necessary.

I am particularly interested in the Sabai Lodge and perhaps the Flipper group - does anyone have experience booking through an Internet site? How was it, and which site was it?

I know it is now cheaper to book at the Ambassador - where I stay in Bangkok - through an Internet company.

[Dingo 0]

I always do.

If you stay at a bit more upmarket place you will always get a better deal than throught the hotel (at least almost).

Cheaper ones, like the ones you mention, can give you the best rate when walking in, or booking through the hotel.

 

Do a google search, "name of hotel" pattaya rates and spend an hour checking. Then check with the hotel.

 

Happy hunt.

[Dungheap 243]

Trvlr, I use priceline and sawadee for places I know as they can be considerably cheaper but if you're not familair with the hotel I think you're better off booking direct as many of these web sites want to charge you the full amount up front.

 

So what happens when you arrive and that ocean-view room is merely a glimpse of water between the cracks of the two rooms in front of you? Or they want to charge you a guest fee for your lady of the night? Once you've prepaid, you're stuffed.

 

Many hotels also allocate the crap rooms to the cheap agencies. You can beat this by contacting the hotel, telling them you're a member of their rewards program and ask for a room with views.

[cybers1b 8]

Trvlr, I use priceline and sawadee for places I know as they can be considerably cheaper but if you're not familair with the hotel I think you're better off booking direct as many of these web sites want to charge you the full amount up front.

 

So what happens when you arrive and that ocean-view room is merely a glimpse of water between the cracks of the two rooms in front of you? Or they want to charge you a guest fee for your lady of the night? Once you've prepaid, your stuffed.

 

Many hotels also allocate the crap rooms to the cheap agencies. You can beat this by contacting the hotel, telling them you're a member of their rewards program and ask for a room with views.

sawasdee does not charge you the full amount and they also accept other form of payment then credit card if you feel uncomfortable using your card over the net.

 

SAWADEE.com

 

they are one of the best services for thai hotels imo

 

cheers

cyber

[Dungheap 243]

Cybers, I've used them numerous times and after you pay the deposit they always bill you the full amount.

 

They're very efficient until you have a complaint. Booked a hotel in Hua Hin and the ocean view was buffalo view. Complained and they basically shrugged their shoulders. I asked for a refund and they said no can do so I don't use them much now.

 

They're not that cheap anyhow. Priceline will give you the Marriott Spa (Riverside) in BKK for US$41 ($51 total), Sawadee slugs you $71 or $76 or something ++

 

Best thing about sawadee is they cover all the main areas in Thailand, Priceline only covers BKK and Phuket.

[cybers1b 8]

Cybers, I've used them numerous times and after you pay the deposit they always bill you the full amount.

 

They're very efficient until you have a complaint. Booked a hotel in Hua Hin and the ocean view was buffalo view. Complained and they basically shrugged their shoulders. I asked for a refund and they said no can do so I don't use them much now.

 

They're not that cheap anyhow. Priceline will give you the Marriott Spa (Riverside) in BKK for US$41 ($51 total), Sawadee slugs you $71 or $76 or something ++

 

Best thing about sawadee is they cover all the main areas in Thailand, Priceline only covers BKK and Phuket.

OK, I only used them once for a Hotel on Samui and they chargend me 20% of the full amount, the rest was paid to the Hotel directly upon check in. That was in March 2003,, maybe I was just lucky, but I found their service rather fast and nice. And you are right, the best part is that they offer all areas in Thailand, even though they are probably by far not the cheapest.

 

cheers

cyber

[Hammer 815]

My last three trips to the Flipper Lodge, I have reserved my room via the internet, and paid up while out there, and have never had a problem.

[too_mutt 10]

My last three trips to the Flipper Lodge, I have reserved my room via the internet, and paid up while out there, and have never had a problem.

 

Please tell us which internet agent you used if possible. I thought that most people dealt directly with the hotel when reserving the Flipper Lodge/Hotel. Thanks

 

Regards

[Hammer 815]

Sorry to confuse you, I go direct with the hotel as well, via their Internet site.

 

Why bother with any agents ?

[Trvlr 50]

Thanks for everyone's input. Just to clarify what Hammer asked. I would book through an Internet agent because:

The rates are sometimes - not always and not usually - about 25 percent cheaper than what you can get through the hotel's Internet site. To give an example, the Ambassador Bangkok is offering a special promotion of $58 a room. I can get it for $39 from an Internet agent.

The disadvantage is:

Internet sites lock you in - there is always a penalty for cancelling - minimum of one night's tarriff. And if you cancel close to your arrival date (varies - maybe less than 72 hours) all hell breaks loose - you could lose a lot.

However, most Internet agents will let you shorten your stay without a penalty.

 

I was asking if anyone has used Internet agents for the Sabai and Flipper groups in Pattaya, and what the experience was. And whether it was significantly cheaper. I would not use an agent if it was only, say, 10 percent cheaper.

[Mescalito 19]

When I was there earlier in the year I booked all my hotels directly: the Conrad in Bangkok via the Hilton web site; Nana through their web site via e-mail, and Residence Garden in Pattaya through the FLB site. No fuss, no problems, no middle-men. It worked perfectly.

 

[too_mutt 10]

Mescalito,

 

In each of the instances you mention did you use a credit card to secure the reservation? That would be my assumption but I wanted to confirm. Thanks.

 

Regards

[Eneukman 1]

I've booked the RG through the link from the board here for my last 2 visits to Pattaya plus I've booked it again the same way for my trip this November.

 

I've also booked hotels in Amsterdam, Bruges and Prague via the internet and never had any problems.

 

Alan

[partyanimal 0]

I don't like prepaying cause plans can change. First off you might have to canscel a trip. Secondly maybe you'll fall in love, and want to take of to Ko amet. Thirdly,

maybe you'll want to change hotels cause you don't like it. Fourth maybe you'll want to change hotels cause you want to avoid a certain bargirl(s).

 

One plan is to book a place for two nights and if you're really happy extend your stay which shpould not be a problem in low season. In the meantime walk around and check a few places out. When they see you checking out a place without luggage, they are more apt to give you their best price.

 

For you high end guys you can probably bid 55 bucks thru Priceline and get the ShangriLa BKK. I did but had to cancel due to a medical problem. Was able to get my money back except for a 25 a night service charge. I'm not a high end guy but that deal jsut seemed too good to pass up.