Too much choice! Please help me choose hotel

[beerandpoker]

Hi everyone, I've spent way too long researching my first trip to Patts now and still can't make my little mind up about where to stay for about a month coming from London in October. I'm 29 and going to be going solo and am looking for a really comfortable place with a good pool and within walking distance of good choice of beer bars and gogos. I was seriously considering booking this place http://dancewatchers.com/16-744_Jacuzzi_&_Pool_Table_View_Talay_2A.html because it looks great, but it seems Jomtien is not the best location for me, as I don't want to have to get the bus all the time to find good nightlife. The apartment may be a great party place, but it isn't in a party location! I've found direct flights with Eva Air for £563 with seems okay value. The few choices that are top of my list are:

 

View Talay 6: a lot of the nicer rooms get booked up, but the simple ones like this are okay looking http://dancewatchers.com/VT6_X_16-563.html Looks like a good location, short enough walk to LK Metro. About 35,000 Baht a month

Total cost £1325

 

Marriott: I'm still quite amazed I can book this as a package holiday with flights and transfers from London on Emirates or Qatar for £1630 for 27 nights. Recent reports of joiner fees put me off a bit, but it's still cheap for a hotel this nice, and I'd feel safe there. I have no idea what it costs to eat there though for breakfast and the occasional room service, maybe that will make it more expensive that I thought. Will I feel like/look like a perv amongst nice family holiday makers? Do I even care about that?

Total cost £1630 but room only

 

Or a good mid range hotel: Areca Lodge. I like the look of the location of Areca, no joiner fees, can get a Delexe Pool view room (I'm not sure if that's the new rooms everyone recommends, or not) for £30 a night. And probably has a crowd I can hang out with?

Total cost about £1450 with breakfast

 

For a complete newbie, what would you recommend out of these three different type of accommodations? Also, if I can't get it sorted for October, I'll come in January/February. I've read a lot of you prefer the low season, but I'm not seeing a huge difference in price between those dates, more just an availability issue. For a newbie, who's not used to hot weather, is it better to come in October or January?

 

Any thoughts greatly appreciated! :

[casinoclub]

If you are staying long term, why stay at just one location? Perhaps you want to spend 1 Week near Soi 6, 1 weeks near WS, and 1 week in LK area. Then you can try all the hotel. Then on your subsequent trip, you'll have a better idea where you like better.

 

Given this is your first trip, I would start off with something near Walking Street. Then move closer to LK Metro. And end up something near Soi 6.

[fostraswift]

page 10 on soi 10,maybe

or

http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/pattaya/april_suites_pattaya.html

try e-mailing april suites direct might get a better price but you will have to give CC details to confirm which is ok

[Candidographer]

If you are staying long term, why stay at just one location? Perhaps you want to spend 1 Week near Soi 6, 1 weeks near WS, and 1 week in LK area. Then you can try all the hotel. Then on your subsequent trip, you'll have a better idea where you like better.

 

 

That is a good idea.

 

I hate moving rooms when I am there, so each trip I try a new area.

[wetwillie]

Hey B&P

 

 

 

View Talay 6 and DW is a good choice. You can't beat it for location. Out front to Second Rd. for a BB to Soi6, out the back gate to BR for a bus to WS, or cut through New Plaza up to Soi Baukow for a BB to LK Metro. The standard rooms are just fine and the pool is great. From some recent pictures posted it looks like they finally put some lounge chairs at the pool. Good little restaurant inside that will bring you food and drinks out to the pool also. If this is your newbie trip the location is key. You can easily venture out to explore all areas with relative ease.

 

 

 

I finally decided on VT6 for my first trip after looking online at what seemed like every hotel in Pattaya. Good luck on your search and I think you'll find that the room you choose and everything else will become secondary to the main attraction. Have Fun!!

 

[Rocketboy]

i stay at and like sea me spring on soi 10, nice central location..

[sparcs]

I'm in the same boat. Was looking at Baywalk for the longest time then Whitehouse Condotel. Weighing all the options, location etc ... finally, I think it's gonna be Sea Me spring hotel. But my trip is only 10 days so I haven't really considered Condo's.

[Candidographer]

Was looking at Baywalk for the longest time

 

Ia m considering Baywalk also for my next trip, since I want to be close to WS and in a decent hotel.

 

So I will also be interested in other's review on Baywalk

[Luv2Phuket]

Hi everyone, I've spent way too long researching my first trip to Patts now and still can't make my little mind up about where to stay for about a month coming from London in October. I'm 29 and going to be going solo and am looking for a really comfortable place with a good pool and within walking distance of good choice of beer bars and gogos. I was seriously considering booking this place http://dancewatchers...w_Talay_2A.html because it looks great, but it seems Jomtien is not the best location for me, as I don't want to have to get the bus all the time to find good nightlife. The apartment may be a great party place, but it isn't in a party location! I've found direct flights with Eva Air for £563 with seems okay value. The few choices that are top of my list are:

 

View Talay 6: a lot of the nicer rooms get booked up, but the simple ones like this are okay looking http://dancewatchers...6_X_16-563.html Looks like a good location, short enough walk to LK Metro. About 35,000 Baht a month

Total cost £1325

 

Marriott: I'm still quite amazed I can book this as a package holiday with flights and transfers from London on Emirates or Qatar for £1630 for 27 nights. Recent reports of joiner fees put me off a bit, but it's still cheap for a hotel this nice, and I'd feel safe there. I have no idea what it costs to eat there though for breakfast and the occasional room service, maybe that will make it more expensive that I thought. Will I feel like/look like a perv amongst nice family holiday makers? Do I even care about that?

Total cost £1630 but room only

 

Or a good mid range hotel: Areca Lodge. I like the look of the location of Areca, no joiner fees, can get a Delexe Pool view room (I'm not sure if that's the new rooms everyone recommends, or not) for £30 a night. And probably has a crowd I can hang out with?

Total cost about £1450 with breakfast

 

For a complete newbie, what would you recommend out of these three different type of accommodations? Also, if I can't get it sorted for October, I'll come in January/February. I've read a lot of you prefer the low season, but I'm not seeing a huge difference in price between those dates, more just an availability issue. For a newbie, who's not used to hot weather, is it better to come in October or January?

 

Any thoughts greatly appreciated! :

 

I don't know where you are seeing reports of joinder fees and maybe things have changed, but I stayed at the Marriott in Nov. 2009 and Nov. 2011 and I was NEVER charged a joinder fee or hassled in any way when I brought girls back (which I did virtually every night!)

 

As I have stated in other threads, I LOVE the Marriott! I really think that it's impossible to beat the location - easy walk to LK Metro or WS; baht bus route stops on 2nd Road and Beach Road, so REALLY easy to anywhere.

 

If my math is correct, you'd be paying about 1200 baht a night for a room that typically books for over 4000 baht a night. Sounds like an incredible deal to me...

 

I changed rooms on my last trip and was not happy that I did. I liked both hotels, but I'm a slow packer/unpacker, so the day of the room change was a "lost" day for me. That said, I can only get away for short trips, so you could spare a day or two more than I could.

 

 

EDIT:

I just searched for and read the thread re potential joinder fee at Marriott. It could be a policy change or a misunderstanding -- it sounds like a subsequent email said no joinder fee if i.d. is left at the desk.

I'd like to hear form someone who recently stayed there to see if they were/were not charged a joinder fee.

Edited May 10, 2012 by footypjman

[casinoclub]

Like many BM said, "LK Metro / Soi Diane" area is really a pretty decent location to everywhere in Pattaya that you might be interested in.

 

There are many budget guest house in that area. There are also LK Renaissance or Acrea Lodge hotel. I have stayed at both hotel, and they are both guest friendly as well as clean and nice hotel that's reasonably priced.

 

From there, it's walking distance most of the LK Metro / Soi Diane attractions and GoGos. You can catch a baht bus on Soi Bukhow to get to WS in no time. Or you can catch a baht bus on 2nd Road to head up to Soi 6, Big C . Soapie places.

 

If you are coming back to hotel at night from WS, just hope on one of the baht bus that's line up at corner of 2nd road and South Pattaya Road and get off at Kiss Food / Mike Shopping Mall. And even then, you can still walk to the near by GoGo like Oasis, Office, Mash, and etc. They close around 3:00 am.

 

 

ViewTalay 6 is also a pretty decent location. You have access to both Beach (baht bus toward WS) and 2nd Road (baht bus toward Big C / Soapie). And it's about 15 minute walk to LK Metro area establishments.

 

 

Page 10 is right on 2nd road near Soi Diane. So it's about as good as LK Renaissance / Areca Lodge / LK Metropole. I believe it is closer to Soi Diane compare to ViewTalay 6. Walk to Beach road to catch baht bus toward WS or stay on 2nd road for baht bus toward Big C / Soapies. And maybe 10 minutes walk to LK Metro area establishments.

 

Hotels near WS are obviously convenient for getting to WS (which is 100% a night time thing). You'll have to get on 2nd road to catch baht bus toward soi 6 / Big C / Soapie (which is mostly afternoon kind of thing). LK Metro area has late morning (Lolittas), afternoons (Champaign, Lolittas, Devil's Den, etc) thing, and night time thing.

 

See if that helps you decide where you want to go and what you want to do. For those of you that's first time in Pattaya, most places do not open until 11:00 am in the morning. There are a couple places that do not close until 9 or 10 am in the morning from previous night on WS. So maybe just figure out what your activities might be like then pick a location that's most suitable?

 

Here's what a sample day might look like:

 

xx - 10 Morning round

10 - 11 Breakfast

11 - 1 Massage (w/ or w/o happy ending depending on where you go).

2 - 4 Soapie / BJ/ Nap / shopping / enjoy beach / afternoon Go Go

4 - 6 Soi 6 drinking / ST / more massage?

6 - 8 dinner / wash up / get ready

8 - xx LK Metro, Soi 7 Beer Bar, WS beer Bar, Disco (Insomnia, Lucifer, iBar).

 

 

See, with that schedule, Page 10, ViewTalay 6, LK Renaissance, Areca Lodge, LK Metropole all work well from a transportation and logistic standpoint. :-) In the morning, activity in room, breakfast at hotel, and 5 minutes walk to 2nd road, Soi Bukhow, or Soi Honey. Then get back to LK Metro for afternoon GoGo or hope on Baht bus on 2nd to Soi 6 or Big C / Soapie. You are likely to end up on beach road. Hope on baht bus, get off at Mike Shopping Mall, and get back to room to eat (kiss food?) or wash up and then go out. Head out over LK Metro to kick off Go G action, then get on Soi Bukhao for baht bus to WS. Continue at WS until you find your lady. Get back to corner of 2nd road / South Pattaya Road and get on baht bus to get off at Kiss Food / Mike Shopping Mall. 3 minutes later you are back at your room (or continue down Soi Diane to Lk Metro again for one last visit).

 

Just a sample. :-)

[endi1]

I'm in the same boat. Was looking at Baywalk for the longest time then Whitehouse Condotel. Weighing all the options, location etc ... finally, I think it's gonna be Sea Me spring hotel. But my trip is only 10 days so I haven't really considered Condo's.

You could rent Condo's from 1 night up to as many nights you like with www.dancewatchers.com Edited May 10, 2012 by endi1

[nikcholas]

try this :

http://www.mikehotel.com/index.html

 

this is right in the corner of Second road and South Pattaya road. 1 min from walking street.

Price is 1800 thb for standard room

[manarak]

Check out www.wgfriendly.com (or click the banner in my signature)

 

all details about girl-friendlyness, free internet, room safe, gym and pool.

 

every hotel page also has a google map to show it's location

Edited May 10, 2012 by manarak

[Wonald]

Good post from casino club reminds me of my daily ritual here ..apart from a gym vist instead of drinking everyday which is more of what illd do in pattaya though ...great info on were to stay probably the most I've learnt so far

[ChuckWow!]

Hey B&P

 

 

 

View Talay 6 and DW is a good choice. You can't beat it for location. Out front to Second Rd. for a BB to Soi6, out the back gate to BR for a bus to WS, or cut through New Plaza up to Soi Baukow for a BB to LK Metro. The standard rooms are just fine and the pool is great. From some recent pictures posted it looks like they finally put some lounge chairs at the pool. Good little restaurant inside that will bring you food and drinks out to the pool also. If this is your newbie trip the location is key. You can easily venture out to explore all areas with relative ease.

 

 

 

I finally decided on VT6 for my first trip after looking online at what seemed like every hotel in Pattaya. Good luck on your search and I think you'll find that the room you choose and everything else will become secondary to the main attraction. Have Fun!!

i stay at and like sea me spring on soi 10, nice central location..

 

Above 2 are excellent recommendations. If you can get a room at VT6, get it. You won't regret it. Other places you may regret. VT6 is the perfect location, it is a condo, so you can bring as many girls back to your room to have the orgy of the century if you like. Most other hotels will only allow 1 girl free, additional ones will cost extra. Try and get one with a sea view on a high enough floor. I stayed in one on the 13th floor and it was amazing. There is nothing better than sitting out on your balcony after waking up and having a smoke while your Thai girl is sleeping naked in bed in the morning. Or just relaxing out there and enjoying the view and even surf the internet on your laptop. Hopefully the room has wifi. VT6 is my #1 recommendation.

 

The other is Sea Me Spring which I just stayed in my past trip. It also is in a very good location, just 1 soi down from VT6. Very large room compared to others, you can opt for a sea view also, walk in large showers, bathtub, and also like VT6 can access Beach Rd or 2nd road in either direction of it. These are the 2 main roads you will use.

[beerandpoker]

Wow, thanks guys, loads of great responses here. I think I'm probably going to go for Talay View 6, at least for part of the trip.

 

I'm still kind of tempted by Jomtien too, I like the look of having my own private pool in the View Talay Villas next to Rompho complex and a nicer beach to walk to, but the entertainment looks really hit and miss around there, but after a month in central Patts, it might be a nice change of pace. Private pool with naked TG, can't be done in the hotels/condos!

 

 

Casinoclub, thanks for the great schedule idea! I can't imagine myself doing all that in a day, I'm just not that hardcore. I'm going to have to work hard to stop myself from falling into a girlfriend relationship.

Edited May 11, 2012 by beerandpoker

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Mate my recommendations for quality mid priced hotels in different parts of town....Pattaya Bay Resort at the back of Avenue shopping Mall nr LK and second RD or Nova Gold again nr second road but opposite soi six (handy if thats your cup of tea!).

[sparcs]

You could rent Condo's from 1 night up to as many nights you like with www.dancewatchers.com

 

Thanks endi1. Never really thought of it that way for a short stay. I'll check out the VT6 as well.

[endi1]

 

 

Thanks endi1. Never really thought of it that way for a short stay. I'll check out the VT6 as well.

OK now,that is not for every condo.I'm talking about dancewatchers condos,that are available for short stays.

[sparcs]

OK now,that is not for every condo.I'm talking about dancewatchers condos,that are available for short stays.

hehe, ok, i got yah now

[Woofiee]

View Talay 6 and DW is a good choice. You can't beat it for location. Out front to Second Rd. for a BB to Soi6, out the back gate to BR for a bus to WS, or cut through New Plaza up to Soi Baukow for a BB to LK Metro. The standard rooms are just fine and the pool is great. From some recent pictures posted it looks like they finally put some lounge chairs at the pool. Good little restaurant inside that will bring you food and drinks out to the pool also. If this is your newbie trip the location is key. You can easily venture out to explore all areas with relative ease.

Did you book directly or through a group? I've only seen it available for monthly rent... half a month would be ideal.

[endi1]

Did you book directly or through a group? I've only seen it available for monthly rent... half a month would be ideal.

You can book at View Talay 6 throug Dancewatchers for any number of days you want.