Recent Review of the LK RENAISSANCE HOTEL

[limeister]

Having just got back from my awesome 1 week in paradise I thought I should share with you folks again another hotel review.

For this trip I didn't even bother try another hotel. I was determined to stay here because I heard so many good reviews before by other BM. Plus I wanted to compare it to the TIM BOUTIQUE since it seems these two hotels seem to be compared very often. I have already reviewed the TIM BOUTIQUE in another thread here

 

 

DATES: DEC 17th to DEC 23th

ROOM: Superior

RATE: 2700 per night with breakfast included. Paid an extra 1350 BAHT for late check out at 6PM.

BOOKED WITH: THAI hotel DISCOUNTS

ROOM NUMBER: 2709 (faces SOI DIANNA beer bar complex) on the 7th floor

LOCATION: Second Rd SOI DIANNA near Areca Lodge.

WEBSITE: http://www.lkpattaya.com/

 

 

PROS:

Staff spoke excellent English and very helpful. Even my cleaning maid.

Girl friendly and did not charge for bringing in two people BUT you must remember to book double occupancy

Large room at 60 sq m. Just the right size IMHO.

Large king size bed that was very comfy.

Master control for all bed lights. Very convenient when you are already in bed and need to turn off the lights.

DVD / Stereo entertainment unit with subwoofer. Connected it to my IPOD and I had my own disco in my room. Very useful when dancing in room with TG.

A very snazzy Samsung LCD TV.

Large selection of cable TV channels

Had a large balcony with tables and chairs. Great for watching the sun come up or people watching or other activites.

Large heavy curtains to block out the sun when sleeping in the day time.

Location was perfect. Close to LK Metro, KISS FOOD & DRINK, the AVENUE, ETC.

Had a sofa, bed stool, dining table, microwave, kettle, in room safe (small) , large fridge, a separate vanity section with table and a large Jacuzzi.

Only wall connection for internet but it was fast and reliable. 100 BAHT deposit for cable.

Always checked girls ID but staff do not call your room before the girl leaves the hotel.

Large pool but never used it.

2 bottles of complimenary water every day.

Everyone knows where SOI DIANNA is so no problem with motorcycles.

 

CONS:

My room was near a beer bar complex so very noisy until 4AM.

Ants bloody everywhere.

Room had definite wear and tear already despite being relatively new. Streaks on floors and walls.

Water pressure was terrible and no hot water the first night. Promptly sorted out the next day.

The water tap fixtures were a bit loose.

I absolutely hated the shower. There was no way to hang the shower head on the wall so you could not wash your hair with two hands. No shower curtain too.

Breakfast buffet selection was lacking. Only ate there twice.

Room had an adjoing door but locked. Some cheeky person tried to open it while I was sleeping in the morning.

Walls were a little thin.

 

 

A few thoughts:

 

Despite the many cons about this place, I still managed to enjoy my stay. The room facilities, very friendly cleaning staff and size of the room made up for a lot of it. Since it was high season I paid a premium of 2700 BAHT but still it was a bit much.

As mentioned before I absolutely hated the shower. Next time I will get a different type of room with a proper shower.

I asked the cleaning maid to always have 3 towels in my room instead of the normal two towels. I had 3 fresh towels in my room every single day I was there. I really liked my cleaning lady. She was just the most friendliest lady I met in Thailand. Sort of reminded me of my aunty. I tipped her only 60 BAHT my first night but in hindsigt I should have tipped her way way more.

I really liked the entertainment system. It served it's purpose very well when I wanted to listen to some tunes on my IPOD. I had many a dance session in my hotel room plus it was nice to listen to your favorite tunes while you having fun with your TG on the bed.

The room did not really feel like a hotel room but a small serviced apartment or Bachelor pad. It was a very relaxing atmosphere. Very conducive to holidays IMHO.

I liked that the fridge was huge so I could place all my store bought supplies inside quite easily.

 

Comparison with the TIM BOUTIQUE:

 

LK RENAISSANCE seems to be more upscale than TIM BOUTIQUE but then I yet to stay in the deluxe rooms in either of these establishments.

I preferred the bed at TIM'S. It was larger and softer.

The room at LK RENAISSANCE was much much larger.

The shower at TIM'S beats LK's in the ass times 10.

The facilities at LK were nicer too.

 

Having said all these things I will return for a repeat stay. I guess the final test would be to stay at both hotels during the same trip and stay in a deluxe room in each for my final comparison.

I guess I will have to prepare trip number 8 soon.

 

A few photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alleycat]

Excellent review of, what was for me, an excellent hotel, I love this place myself and admit that many of the cons were not within my experience. Thankyou so much for your conclusive and informative report mate, much appreciated

[Jack Scagnetti]

good review... thanks

[chuckrivera]

Great timing, I was looking for a recent review of this place. It's on my short list for next trip, and you answered a bunch of questions I had.

[Chezney]

Yeah, I'm booked in at the Tim Boutique but will certainly look to give this hotel a try should the pound strengthen.

 

Does it have an outdoor pool?

[lantern]

There is no doubt it a great looking place.

Last trip I Bar-Fined a girl, who the night before, had been with a friend who was staying there.

I asked her what she thought of the place and the reply was "He waste to mutt money"

[my_name_mark_u_like_me]

2700 baht a night......i think i will skip this hotel

[Millard]

Thanks for the review! Good details and pics. I also enjoyed the LK and was very pleased. Overall though, I prefer the Tim Boutique. Aspects of Tim that I think are superior:

 

1. Location is quite and secluded. Much better than Soi Dianna which I had to constantly avoid being hit by a car or motorbike, especially when drunk!
   
2. Breakfast buffet is much larger and tastier. Made to order omelettes. Also, the restaurant is inside, while LK's is open air (e.g. exposed to the heat and bugs).
   
3. While the staff at LK is great, Tim's personnel is more professional.
   
4. LK's facilities on the surface look upscale, but in actuality, the workmanship and materials are cheap.
   

 

Of course Tim Boutique isn't perfect either. My review if anyone's interested. Overall though, I still prefer Tim over LK.

Edited December 28, 2008 by Millard

[dude 947]

Thanks for the review! Good details and pics. I also enjoyed the LK and was very pleased. Overall though, I prefer the Tim Boutique. Aspects of Tim that I think are superior:

 

1. Location is quite and secluded. Much better than Soi Dianna which I had to constantly avoid being hit by a car or motorbike, especially when drunk!
   
2. Breakfast buffet is much larger and tastier. Made to order omelettes. Also, the restaurant is inside, while LK's is open air (e.g. exposed to the heat and bugs).
   
3. While the staff at LK is great, Tim's personnel is more professional.
   
4. LK's facilities on the surface look upscale, but in actuality, the workmanship and materials are cheap.
   

 

Of course Tim Boutique isn't perfect either. My review if anyone's interested. Overall though, I still prefer Tim over LK.

hi Millard, i've already read you excellent review on the Tim, can you just gave more informations about the wireless, free or not? it's very important for me?

[stricher#1]

no its not free, you have to buy a card with a number on it...you can buy cards with 1 hour load or 10 hours!

[dude 947]

no its not free, you have to buy a card with a number on it...you can buy cards with 1 hour load or 10 hours!

do you have an idea about the price? Thanks

[altec123]

This looks like a nice place to stay but costs too much for me. I am staying at Tim's on this trip, because I was able to get the room at a heavily discounted rate.

[tjvol]

I stayed in a superior room at the LK during low season for 1800 baht per night. I thought it was a good value at that price, but I am not sure that I would pay 2700 per night. Overall, I did like the place and I will probably book there again on my next trip.

[limeister]

I stayed in a superior room at the LK during low season for 1800 baht per night. I thought it was a good value at that price, but I am not sure that I would pay 2700 per night. Overall, I did like the place and I will probably book there again on my next trip.

 

I think during low season the LK becomes more value for money. I paid the higher price this time purely so I could compare the two hotels.

TIM wins on price definitely.

[limeister]

Thanks for the review! Good details and pics. I also enjoyed the LK and was very pleased. Overall though, I prefer the Tim Boutique. Aspects of Tim that I think are superior:

 

1. Location is quite and secluded. Much better than Soi Dianna which I had to constantly avoid being hit by a car or motorbike, especially when drunk!
   
2. Breakfast buffet is much larger and tastier. Made to order omelettes. Also, the restaurant is inside, while LK's is open air (e.g. exposed to the heat and bugs).
   
3. While the staff at LK is great, Tim's personnel is more professional.
   
4. LK's facilities on the surface look upscale, but in actuality, the workmanship and materials are cheap.
   

 

Of course Tim Boutique isn't perfect either. My review if anyone's interested. Overall though, I still prefer Tim over LK.

 

Agreed the breakfast at TIM was much better.

Location was alright for both places

I found the staff great at both places.

Facilities wise I think the LK is a bit better but then again the wokrmanship was less than desirable.

I liked TIM also. Might give the deluxe rooms a try next time around.