Blackwoods Hotel soi 7 - a Lottellee Winna Review

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Intro - Living up in Issan, a quick 55 minute flight takes me to Suvarnabhumi airport, and being so close it makes it easy for me to holiday in Pattaya (a week or two at a time) around 8 times a year. Over the years I reckon I’ve stayed in around 50 hotels, condotels and guest houses in Pattaya. I’m always looking for something new and on my last trip I stayed at the Globe hotel and Restaurant on soi 7…I loved it there, but was also intrigued to see what the new classy looking 5 ⭐️Blackwoods hotel on the same soi was like.  I checked out TripAdvisor for reviews (which were positive), and via Agoda found a good price, so I wondered whether Blackwoods would match my expectations.

Location - now more often than not, I book hotels close to the action around soi Buhakow, however more recently I’ve fancied a change of scene. Blackwoods is located towards the top end of Soi 7 (towards second road). I think the location is fabulous as it’s a couple of minutes to Beach Road and across second road towards  Buhakow….this means you have access to Baht buses running both directions. You also have right on your doorstep all the bars in soi 7 (an area, which, in my opinion is very much on the up). I found the location a really refreshing change to Buhakow/LK…lots happening, plenty of bars but just a little less full-on loud music and craziness…Jai Yen Yen 👍

Check-in - So dropped off by Taxi on soi 7, I found myself walking up the stairs to the impressive entrance… you can tell from the off that this is a classy and friendly place….although not 5 star in the Western sense - maybe decent 4 star. Everything from the marble steps at the entrance, to the luxurious feel of the bed linen, right the way through to the quality of bath towels in your room is of a high standard. On checking in the girl in reception was really friendly, apologising profusely, that she wasn’t able to check me in early as my room wasn’t ready. The check-in process itself was quick, easy and efficient, and you should note that unlike many hotels, you will not be asked to leave 1,000 THB deposit when checking in.  

Rooms - I booked a standard basic room which was a decent size at 30 sqm and they are to a reasonably high spec and well laid out - I genuinely never felt cramped. Ultra modern designed and decorated. I really appreciated the minimalist effect including artwork throughout the room - a really nice design feature. As in many modern hotels there are no wardrobes (and barely any drawers), there’s just a hanging rail. For a ‘neat freak’ like me it’s bloody annoying having your kit spread out on random surfaces. There is a little bit of desk space, and there is a single chair but no sofa. There is a balcony (mine overlooking soi 7) but no furniture on it…it didn’t bother me but would  disappoint those who like to sit out. On the plus side you are given 2 swipe cards when checking in, so you can have the electricity on 24/7 (useful if you’re trying to keep loom cool and get your phone and iPad charged…but maybe costly to the owners).

There is a  modern flat screen smart television….but mine said ‘no signal’ 🤨 (no issue as I don’t watch TV on holiday). There is also enough power outlets to charge my devices. The lighting in the room is also good, and you can get a nice configuration should you happen to be entertaining. There is a small refrigerator (with free non alcohol minibar) and a medium size modern electronic safe. Talking of safes I wasn’t a happy camper as my room safe had no power, it was clear that the battery had run out…this is the sort of thing which could’ve been checked (as could the non working tv by staff) prior to giving to the customer. So I called to reception to report it, and they said they would send someone up, I waited 20 minutes, and then went down and repeated my request, again they said they would send somebody straight up. And another 20 minutes, nobody arrived, so I went back down again and waited another few minutes till the engineer was sent up. It was all good, but it’s just these small but important things which make a difference.

The bed was just perfect, not too soft and not too hard either, and the AC worked well - totally silent and with a clean filter. Note there is no bathrobes but those little slippers are provided.

Bathroom- The bathroom layout is of the modern and non traditional variety…with the fashionable sink in room, with separate bath/shower room and WC. The shower was one of the best I’ve ever had any hotel…note this is not a shower over the bath job - shower is separate and the bath is large. There is a window between the bedroom and shower room with droppable blind. The shower gel was quality too. 

Wifi - The WiFi signal is the best I’ve come across in the city, and no need to log in every day.

Breakfast - The breakfasts…well TBH I usually don’t eat till noon, but  as the breakfast was free, I did partake. Again, like the hotel generally the breakfast is okay. There is a choice of eggs, fresh fruit, yoghurt and coffee. As I say, I’m not a big fan of breakfast in hotels,  apart from of course the very classy top of the range hotels with offerings like omelettes made by the in-house chef to order. 

Facilities - the hotel has a nice  rooftop area with pool, sun loungers and a bar - and boasts distant sea views of the Bay. There is a small size gym with free weights and treadmill. There are two elevators so you are never kept waiting.

Customer Service - the staff are on the whole very friendly and helpful. The lady on reception ‘Cat’ is an absolute diamond, a wonderful ambassador for the hotel. 

Guest Policy - The receptionists 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). Security is good and after 7pm there is a night manager on duty. I felt safe and comfortable the entire time. 

Cleanliness - The cleaning in the room is of a really high standard, the place is totally immaculate - clean as a whistle. The staff are fine in terms of giving you extra towels etc...as always guys consider leaving a daily tip on top of the bed, for the hard working cleaners. I will give extra points to Blackwoods hotel for how quickly the rooms are made up…usually 30 minutes after putting the sign on. In some hotels you leave the ‘please clean room’ sign on say after breakfast… you can return some hours later to find that nothings changed, and that your room may not be cleaned until say 4 pm… not so here. 

Noise - This hotel is located right at the middle of soi 7, so I guess it’s down to the room you have, I was on the third floor at the front of the building and expected it to be noisy but TBH I didn’t hear a thing at night. 

Parking - There is parking for motorcycles and cars.

Quirky - You often see price-lists in hotels…usually it’s for room service or the price of minibar items. In Blackwoods you are greeted with a detailed price list for things which if broken or go missing (eg ‘toilet seat’ - 1200, and ‘wipe the feet’ - 250 😀)

Price - I got this at the low season price of 1,800THB including breakfast (via an Agoda offer)…high season prices will (I guess) be 2,000+. 

Overall -  In many respects this property is one that I rated and will possibly stay again. Blackwoods do not appear to cater for tour groups, so no large groups of Indian lads, nor coach loads of Chinese. US, Aussie, European and Korean guests are the ones I met. IMHO this is a decent hotel but it’s not 5 star luxury as we know it in the west. If you like soi 7 and can get it at under 2,000 then my advice is to give it consideration. 

Lottellee Winna Rating: 7.5/10

 

Edited September 29, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[sadisfied]

Thanks LW for another great review. I stayed at The Globe earlier this month thanks to your last review and it was on par with all that you mentioned. I walked by Blackwoods many times during that stay and it certainly looks pretty good. After the trouble finding The Globe when Meow's taxi was dropping me off, I looked rather longingly everyday at the spacious pickup/dropoff area in front of Blackwoods.

If I get back to Patts in Oct or Nov, Blackwoods is definitely on the shortlist. The Globe's prices for the dates I tried in Oct are more than double what I paid (around B1200) for this recent trip, so that's most likely out.

#35 on the room pricelist 😂

[ocka]

Hi @LOTTELLEE WINNA,  and thanks for the review.  I have a few small questions.

1. Is there a power outlet next to the bed?
2. Is there an armchair or sofa in the room?
3. Does the pool have a staircase entry or is it ladder only?
4. Is the pool open after sundown?

Cheers.

[Barak]

Awesome review, thank you for your efforts!

It's funny that they'll check if you took the bottle opener (100 Bhat), but didn't check the TV and safe.

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

14 minutes ago, ocka said:

Hi @LOTTELLEE WINNA,  and thanks for the review.  I have a few small questions.

1. Is there a power outlet next to the bed?
2. Is there an armchair or sofa in the room?
3. Does the pool have a staircase entry or is it ladder only?
4. Is the pool open after sundown?

Cheers.

1. Yes plug points either side of bed (pic attached)

2. Armchair only (pic attached) - a real pity as there is space for a custom made 2 seater sofa.

3. Ladder only.

4. Pool closes 9pm.

Edited September 29, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[ocka]

3 minutes ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

1. Yes plug points either side of bed (pic attached)

2. Armchair only (pic attached) - a real pity as there is space for a custom made 2 seater sofa.

3. Ladder only.

4. Pool closes 9pm.

Thanks.  Nice to see it's an international plug too.  

Good to have the pool open to 9pm.  I like to swim when the sun is not on the pool.  

[seaman]

Thx for again a great review

Will make a visit in November, check the rooftop pool and perhaps a room

Perhaps for a next trip ...

On google photos you can see 2 girls with a flamingo in the pool ... are they always there ? 555!

[CaribbeanDelight]

Thanks for the review.

I'm actually surprised about the noise as I read a few people weren't happy with the music from the bars around 1-2am

[james 71]

Great for posting review,

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

2 hours ago, CaribbeanDelight said:

Thanks for the review.

I'm actually surprised about the noise as I read a few people weren't happy with the music from the bars around 1-2am

Honestly, really quiet. It’s currently 10pm and I’ve just got in from an amazing night at Fired-Up…the vid attached shows me outside on the balcony and then I come inside and close the door. Genuinely really quiet inside the room.

[vimto66]

Thanks for another top class review LW, a great location, everything shiny and new etc.. but one thing that would probably put me off staying there.........yep you've guessed it the lack of storage space, just an hanging rail and no drawers would be a big no-no for me on a three week stay, ok for shorter visits maybe  but i do tend to bring quite a few clothes with me.

One thing i like about your reviews is the number of photos, gives you a decent idea of what the entire room is like, hope theres more to come in the future.

 

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

11 minutes ago, vimto66 said:

Thanks for another top class review LW, a great location, everything shiny and new etc.. but one thing that would probably put me off staying there.........yep you've guessed it the lack of storage space, just an hanging rail and no drawers would be a big no-no for me on a three week stay, ok for shorter visits maybe  but i do tend to bring quite a few clothes with me.

One thing i like about your reviews is the number of photos, gives you a decent idea of what the entire room is like, hope theres more to come in the future.

 

As always my friend, thank you for the positive feedback. Yes, there’s definitely a few more reviews to come, as next week I’m staying at Grande Center Point (with the family), and then another wild solo week on my own - staying at Ayura Grand so I can explore all the bars and GCs of Pratumnak and Jomtien…full hotel reviews to follow.

Totally agree with your ‘lack of wardrobe’ comments…I don’t understand why modern hotels build rooms without clothes storage.

Edited September 29, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[thainet]

25 minutes ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

As always my friend, thank you for the positive feedback. Yes, there’s definitely a few more reviews to come, as next week I’m staying at Grande Center Point (with the family), and then another wild solo week on my own - staying at Ayura Grand so I can explore all the bars and GCs of Pratumnak and Jomtien…full hotel reviews to follow.

Totally agree with your ‘lack of wardrobe’ comments…I don’t understand why modern hotels build rooms without clothes storage.

Think you'll find its Aiyara Grand, and unfortunately it is one the bigger Chinese Group hotels in the Jomtien/Pratumnak area. Bit of research might be in order.

 

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

2 hours ago, thainet said:

Think you'll find its Aiyara Grand, and unfortunately it is one the bigger Chinese Group hotels in the Jomtien/Pratumnak area. Bit of research might be in order.

 

I chose the Aiyara Grand for two reasons…1 location it’s exactly where I want to be re Baht Bus for Jomtien and Pattaya, 2 price, I’m a platinum member on Agoda and they had a Fire Sale offer, think it was 800 THB. 

Re Chinese tour groups, if there are some I haven’t noticed…walked past many times (yesterday included). I read Agoda reviews and no mention of tour groups. If I don’t like it I will just checkout and move to Lewitt hotel on soi5 round the corner…let me undertake a spot of PA hotel research 😎

[ocka]

12 hours ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

If I don’t like it I will just checkout and move to Lewitt hotel on soi5 round the corner…let me undertake a spot of PA hotel research 😎

It does seem to have some bad reviews on Google Maps,  so it's good that you have a "plan B."

[Barramonday]

Looks like a nice place to stay, thanks for the review.

Item #35 on the room charge list is a bit intriguing, Dua's intestines?

[ocka]

21 minutes ago, Barramonday said:

Looks like a nice place to stay, thanks for the review.

Item #35 on the room charge list is a bit intriguing, Dua's intestines?

I wondered about that too.  Meant to include it in my list of questions,  but I forgot. 

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

28 minutes ago, ocka said:

It does seem to have some bad reviews on Google Maps,  so it's good that you have a "plan B."

The reviews I’ve read are mixed, but mostly positive. The primary reason for booking (apart from trying out new hotels) was location. I’ve only booked at 800 THB for 4 nights…if it isn’t to my liking then it’s not a problem as I’ve already checked that the Lewitt (stayed there previously) has vacancies 😎

Edited September 30, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

35 minutes ago, Barramonday said:

Looks like a nice place to stay, thanks for the review.

Item #35 on the room charge list is a bit intriguing, Dua's intestines?

 

13 minutes ago, ocka said:

I wondered about that too.  Meant to include it in my list of questions,  but I forgot. 

I think they mean inside of the duvet quilt. ‘Dua’s intestines’…it’s all a bit lost in translation 😀 

[CaribbeanDelight]

On 29/09/2023 at 17:00, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

Honestly, really quiet. It’s currently 10pm and I’ve just got in from an amazing night at Fired-Up…the vid attached shows me outside on the balcony and then I come inside and close the door. Genuinely really quiet inside the room.

Yeah that's really doesn't sound loud at all.

Thanks for the video

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Having been here a few more days, let me say that this is a good hotel and one which is growing on me. The staff are so helpful and friendly, the breakfasts are ok, the location is fantastic, I like the room and I love having a proper large size modern bathtub 🛀 

My only real gripe is the wardrobe…or rather lack of one. It’s not the ‘fault’ of this hotel alone, many modern hotels go down this minimalist route of no closed off wardrobe or drawers. To illustrate how impractical this is check out the picture below - there is a very large hanging rail, but only 4 hangers - which results in lots of wasted space and means that my clothes remain in my bag, or some are placed on top above the rail (note I’m 180cm, but have dragged a stool over (bottom left in pic) to stand on. All in all, it’s just badly designed. As I say I’m not having a pop at Blackwoods, many new hotels are going down this minimal storage route.

[MilanoMila]

Thanks for the review.Your videos and photos show exactly how the layout is, and how good it is in terms of keeping the noise out.

the closet space is enough really. but you're right about the hangers. Just a few more hangers and this would be perfect

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Maybe this is in all hotels and I just haven’t noticed it. Obviously if you are dining in a hotel restaurant and bring your own wine you expect to pay corkage/service charge, but if your drinking in your room?

[keepitfun]

1 hour ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

Maybe this is in all hotels and I just haven’t noticed it. Obviously if you are dining in a hotel restaurant and bring your own wine you expect to pay corkage/service charge, but if your drinking in your room?

What an outrageous money grab.  How could they possibly enforce it other than going through your personal things.  

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

9 minutes ago, keepitfun said:

What an outrageous money grab.  How could they possibly enforce it other than going through your personal things.  

In fairness, I had beers and Hoegaarden Rose (for guests) in the fridge…no issues. Maybe it’s a rule in name only.