Amethyst Hotel - a Lottellee Winna Review

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Intro - This trip was with a buddy of mine from the UK. He is happy to spend a bit and favours luxury over frugality (this is in contrast to other buddies of mine who are more budget conscious and ask me to book accommodation around the 1,000 THB mark). My mate’s criteria for a hotel included - being on a Baht bus route, having a nice pool, modern rooms, guest friendly and outstanding customer service. So after a little research I booked the newly opened Amethyst as it ticked all those boxes and more.

Location- Decent location of this hotel, it’s easy to get around town from here - located at the top of Soi 15 Buhakow, it’s about a 2 minute walk to LK Metro and the adjoins hot sois (pothole, lenkee and diana). You are literally 30 seconds to Baht Buses running both ways up and down Buhakow. 

Check in - As your approach the hotel you really get a ‘wow’ factor - the building has a sleek and modern look, beautifully designed. The concierge is out in a flash to help you with bags, the door is opened for you and there is no queue at reception who immediately offer you a welcome drink. The checkin process is friendly, welcoming, quick, easy and efficient. We booked payment in advance with Agoda and we’re not asked to leave any deposit. The staff respectfully request that all ‘additional guests’ (the gals) hand in their ID cards when they are brought back to the room. No joiner fee.

Rooms - The room design is ultra modern and fresh - reasonably spacious too at 28 sqm. The room has no closet as such, but a hanging rail and drawers for socks and stuff. There is also a safe, glass fronted refrigerator and flat screen smart television. There also was enough power outlets to charge my devices. The rooms are opened by electronic cards and the key needs to be placed into the holder in your room to power the electricity. My room had a tiny balcony whose only use is for drying swimming stuff). The room featured a nice view across the city. The king bed was large and comfy enough to sleep on. The AC worked well, and the toilet, bathroom and shower room are modern and well designed. Room tip - while the standard king rooms are fine I had a look at the mini suite rooms and I might choose that in the future.

Wifi - The WiFi signal quality is outstanding, and no need to log in every day.

Breakfast - The restaurant looks very nice, but I decided against booking breakfast. TBH we looked at what was on offer, but decided that there is just so much choice elsewhere - the Nest on soi Diana serves a nice brekkie.

Facilities - The hotel has a really classy rooftop swimming pool with jacuzzi, sun loungers and towels. There is also a gym (yet to open as equipment is currently being installed). The hotel has a speedy elevator, and I never waited more than a minute or so. There is a nice open air first floor bar area with views onto Buhakow - happy hour at 4pm offers cheap beer buckets and 2 4 1 cocktails.

Customer Service - The staff were nothing short of fantastic. Everyone is very friendly and chatty. Always had good banter with the reception staff and the night security dude. The staff are respectful to any guests you might invite back to your ‘loom’…no guest charges (for one visitor), ID cards must be handed in (a good thing in my view) and you get a call from reception to make sure everything is OK before the lady gets her card back. If you wish to bring a guest back without going to reception, this can be done via the basement/car park lift.

 Security and Cleaning - security good and I felt safe and comfortable the entire time. The place is clean as a whistle...as always guys consider leaving a daily tip for the hard working cleaner.

Car Parking - Security patrolled car parking under the hotel.

Noise - No traffic or other noise…all good. 

Price - I got this at a price of 1700 THB (via an Agoda offer). I thought this good value as the hotel simply oozes class and luxury. 

Criticisms - very few. The balcony is useless for sitting out in the standard rooms, the gym isn’t completed yet, and the bathroom tiles aren’t non slip (be careful).

Overall -  Over the last 12 years I have stayed in around 50 hotels and guesthouses in Pattaya. Believe me, the Amethyst is right up at the top of my list of top class hotels and at a competitive price…5 star luxury at a 4 star price. If you are looking for a location in central Pattaya then this property is one for you. This is not one of those hotels that do tour groups, so no large groups of Indian lads, nor coach loads of Chinese. US, Aussie, Korean and European guests seemed to dominate.  IMHO this is an outstanding hotel for those who enjoy good 4/5 star quality and who want to be near (although not on top of ‘the action’). As always, the booking of this hotel is price dependent. If you can get it under 1,500 low season and 2,000 high season, then my advice is to put it on your shortlist.

 

Edited February 24, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[ocka]

Thanks @LOTTELLEE WINNA for another great review. 

I particularly liked the pictures showing that there are power outlets next to the bed,  and that universal outlets have been installed so my Australian appliances can be plugged in without an adapter.

The walk-in shower is another big plus.

Appreciate the warning about the slippery tiles too.  I just spent seven weeks in hospital for that exact reason,  and wouldn't want it to happen on holiday.

I found one more picture that will help to illustrate the pool:

From this one you can see that the pool has a staircase entry.  Very handy for those of us with limited ladder-climbing ability.

It looks like that might be a swim-up bar in the right hand corner too.

This place is definitely going on the short list for my next booking.

[bangna]

Great review thanks for posting.

But quote from their website "located in the heart of the poshest district"

just off Soi Buakhou 

[Kandinski]

51 minutes ago, bangna said:

But quote from their website "located in the heart of the poshest district"

Maybe the PR guy that wrote it has background as used car salesman or real estate agent. 

[pasta man]

Nice review. Currently 5000 baht per night. 1700 baht looks like a deal. Maybe because it had just opened?

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

7 hours ago, pasta man said:

Nice review. Currently 5000 baht per night. 1700 baht looks like a deal. Maybe because it had just opened?

Wow…I couldn’t believe what you posted, but you are 100% correct. The prices have gone through the roof - 6000 THB for April. Maybe it was a ‘soft opening’ type price. I can guarantee I won’t be spending that sort of cash.

[ryche40]

Mid April onwards it's sub 2000 thb pr day with free cancellation on Agoda. Maybe its fully booked the next few weeks

 

 

[funky310]

The price is noticeably cheaper if you go on the hotel's direct website https://amethysthotelpattaya.com/, which is typically the case with a lot of hotels these days, who are sick of robbing middlemen like Tripadvisor, Agoda, Booking.com etc etc. Booking direct often also unlocks more perks and benefits. And it pretty much eliminates that common scenario in Thailand where you turn up and they deny you have a booking and try to charge you the rack rate!

 

[lovermand66]

9 hours ago, pasta man said:

Nice review. Currently 5000 baht per night. 1700 baht looks like a deal. Maybe because it had just opened?

What is currently? Put som dates! If you book more than 6 days the price are 1650b for a twin room etc 5-12 march…on there own website…

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Should also mention a couple of other big pluses with this hotel. 

1) Room service is timely. I pressed the makeup room button at 9am and went out to breakfast…arrived back in loom at 10.00am and everything is clean, tidy and shining - magic! Some other hotels, you can come back at 3 in the afternoon to an unmade bed and unclean room.

2) No noise in room - thick walls, strong doors and carpeted hallways. Totally silent.

Edited February 25, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[Hilo]

7 minutes ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

Should also mention a couple of other big pluses with this hotel. 

1) Room service is timely. I pressed the makeup room button at 9am and went out to breakfast…arrived back in loom at 10.00am and everything is clean, tidy and shining - magic! Some other hotels, you can come back at 3 in the afternoon to an unmade bed and unclean room.

2) No noise in room - thick walls, strong doors and carpeted hallways. Totally silent.

Sorry it looks fantastic but at $200 per night I would rather stay somewhere else as close..it is literally twice the price of Areca Lodge ..which has a great pool…fantastic food and staff …and the location is unbeatable.

[LovinBgood]

22 hours ago, pasta man said:

Nice review. Currently 5000 baht per night. 1700 baht looks like a deal. Maybe because it had just opened?

       

That is a rediculous price IMO.  For that price you need to offer better location and bigger rooms, balconies, etc..

[momo5]

Looks nice.  However, the lack of a wardrobe would irritate me for stays of longer than a day or two.  

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

1 hour ago, Hilo said:

Sorry it looks fantastic but at $200 per night I would rather stay somewhere else as close..it is literally twice the price of Areca Lodge ..which has a great pool…fantastic food and staff …and the location is unbeatable.

1 hour ago, LovinBgood said:

       

That is a rediculous price IMO.  For that price you need to offer better location and bigger rooms, balconies, etc..

 

There appears to be some confusion over price. Rooms can be had for around 1600 - 1700 THB

Edited February 25, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

1 hour ago, momo5 said:

Looks nice.  However, the lack of a wardrobe would irritate me for stays of longer than a day or two.  

Yes agree not ideal…but not a deal breaker for me.

[Hilo]

2 hours ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

There appears to be some confusion over price. Rooms can be had for around 1600 - 1700 THB

Yes sorry they are fully booked now ..

when I look on the site now it says $108 Aus per night …

sorry about this…

looks Great at that cost…

[Bobson VaGene]

Had a quick look at mid June, cheapest room on Agoda was $83 AUD/1950฿ p/n.

Those prices for April are not only due to Songkran but also Skips & Kiwi's getting away for their Easter holidays.

Definitely a good location in general for LK/Boomerang fans but as a Hardcore Soi Honey fan (Page 10 is a little far out 😄) I'd need a rather enticing deal on one of the bigger rooms to stay there

[Osi420]

Looks like a good hotel, and pretty close to the action in LK Metro. Had a quick look if you book 7 days in July, then it was 1650 baht p/n. I think thats a pretty good deal for such a new hotel.

[lovermand66]

10 hours ago, LovinBgood said:

       

That is a rediculous price IMO.  For that price you need to offer better location and bigger rooms, balconies, etc..

Yes, but that price isn’t True. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[Mr magoo]

@LOTTELLEE WINNA

After what feels like an eternity (3yrs) I'm returning to Pattaya next weekend, and staying throughout the month of March.

I already have my accommodation sorted, but perhaps could be tempted to spend a weekend at the Amethyst if I can find a room rate below, let's say, 1800bt per night ?

I think at that price point, it'd be in direct competition with Areca, and judging from your photos, I think the Amethyst wins comfortably.

Thanks for your wonderful review, you've sold it to me hook line and sinker !!

555

Mr magoo.

[Guiness]

hi lottie, 

thanks for the review . i didnt think that i would be back in thailand but there may be an opportunity in May and if so i hope to stay there . 

thanks again ! 

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Mr magoo said:

@LOTTELLEE WINNA

After what feels like an eternity (3yrs) I'm returning to Pattaya next weekend, and staying throughout the month of March.

I already have my accommodation sorted, but perhaps could be tempted to spend a weekend at the Amethyst if I can find a room rate below, let's say, 1800bt per night ?

 

Not wishing to thread fuck but take a look at LK President on 3rd road opposite soi Pothole.....having visited both Amethyst and President and considering President is much cheaper and IMPO just as good the LK wins hands down for me.....

I booked my son in the LK for early May at 849 baht/night through Agoda weeks ago..Hotel.

I am friendly with the owners of the Amethyst but at 1700+ per night for the same period it was a no-brainer.

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

1 hour ago, petermik said:

Not wishing to thread fuck but take a look at LK President on 3rd road opposite soi Pothole.....having visited both Amethyst and President and considering President is much cheaper and IMPO just as good the LK wins hands down for me.....

I booked my son in the LK for early May at 849 baht/night through Agoda weeks ago..Hotel.

I am friendly with the owners of the Amethyst but at 1700+ per night for the same period it was a no-brainer.

Wow…you got a killer price for your son! I would definitely consider LK President too…good rep + location gets better every day as ‘the action’ creeps up to and over third road.

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[petermik]

2 hours ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

Wow…you got a killer price for your son! I would definitely consider LK President too…good rep + location gets better every day as ‘the action’ creeps up to and over third road.

 

I often check Agodas prices (best usually midweek) and I booked early with free cancellation/pay later option and when I saw the 849 baht+taxes  (no breakfast....plenty of nearby better options) I jumped in early last month.

Regarding the Amethyst when I viewed the executive suite at 7000 baht/night luxurious as it was I thought to myself what typical Pattaya visitor is going to pay that....the owners are the same folk who have the Katesiree Residence  and At All on soi Bukhaow and Coffee and Beer on Pattaya Tai plus 3 Gold shops.

The Amethyst has been 6 years in the making but delayed by a couple of years through covid.

[tobeornottobe]

How does this hotel compare to blackwoods .