The One - Bay Breeze…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 like to holiday on my own or with buddies who travel from Australia or the UK to visit me. This time my mate from Manchester was over for a month. Now I always try and book hotels around what my mates want (eg one of them wants a pool and on a 1000 THB budget - the Oakwood, whereas another wants the best money can but near the action - the Amethyst). So having listened to what this chum wanted (great location, near the action and close to a good Falang restaurant) I decided to book into the newly refurbished The One - Bay Breeze (to give it its full title). I have stayed at this hotel previously, but wanted to see what it was like after the recent refurbishment - I checked out TripAdvisor for reviews (which were positive), and via Agoda found a good price.

Location - as I get older, more often than not, I book hotels which are not so close to the action around soi Buhakow and more recently I’ve fancied a change of scene up to Pratumnak/Jomtien. However, in this instance, my mate wanted to be near the centre of things. Bay Breeze is located towards the bottom of soi Honey (towards second road). I think the location is fabulous as it’s a couple of minutes to Beach Road and up the soi towards Buhakow….this means you have access to Baht buses running both directions. You also have right on your doorstep a lot of bars, plus you are directly opposite Hemingway‘s sports bar and restaurant.

Check-in - So dropped off by Taxi we found ourselves walking into to the impressive entrance… you can tell from the off that this is a classier place than the hotel was pre the refurb, but luckily it hasn’t lost its reputation as a friendly place….do not expect 5 star though - maybe decent 3 star. Everything from the marble steps at the entrance, to the feel of the bed linen, right the way through to the quality of bath towels in your room is of a decent standard. 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 deluxe room which was a decent size at 28sqm and they are to a reasonably high spec and well laid out - I genuinely never felt cramped. A modern design with appropriate Thai decor. I really appreciated the ‘feel’ of the room including artwork. Unlike many modern hotels there is a wardrobe (although not enough drawers). For a ‘neat freak’ like me it’s important not to have your kit spread out on random surfaces. There is no desk space, nor sofa, but there are 2 easy chairs . There is no balcony but there is from the high floors a spectacular view towards Central Plaza. 

There is a  modern flat screen smart television with plenty of channels and there are also enough power outlets to charge my devices. The lighting in the room is good, and you can get a nice configuration should you happen to be entertaining. There is a glass fronted small refrigerator which contains offerings from the hotel (price list below). Inside the wardrobe is a decent size modern electronic safe. 

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 are no bathrobes but there are slippers provided.

Tea, Coffee and Kettle are provided.

Bathroom- The bathroom layout is of the traditional variety…ie there is none of this fashionable sink in room, with separate bath/shower room and WC. The shower gel was quality too. 

Wifi - The WiFi signal was for the most part good, although occasionally, it could be a little patchy - so mostly good but other times not so. 

Breakfast - The breakfasts…well TBH I usually don’t eat till noon and when I did it was at Hemingways across the road. The hotel does currently have a special offer on which prices the breakfasts at 179THB.

Facilities - the hotel has a small relaxing area with mini pool, with a few sun loungers and chairs. There is only one elevator so sometimes you are kept waiting a few minutes.

Customer Service - the staff are on the whole very friendly and helpful. 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  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 at the second road end of soi Honey so I guess it’s down to the room you have, I was on the 7th floor at the front of the building and expected it to be noisy but TBH I didn’t hear a thing at night…my mate was two floors above and he says he couldn’t sleep for the noise.

Refurbishment Works: be aware that some refurbishment works are currently underway, particularly on the higher floors. We had a little bit of banging of hammers one afternoon, but TBH it wasn’t overly intrusive.

Parking - unsure if there is parking for motorcycles and cars.

Price - I got this via Agoda at the price of 1,450 (room only).

Overall -  In some respects this property is one that I rated and would possibly stay again. Bay Breeze 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 an ok hotel and the refurbishment has brought it up to modern 3 star standards. If you like soi Honey, want a top location and can get it at under 1500THB then my advice is to give it some consideration. 

Lottelle Winna Score: 7/10

Edited November 9, 2023 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[vimto66]

Thanks for another top notch detailed review LW, is the wardrobe the only storage space in the room, if it is its not ideal but i could probably still manage ata push, tbh the location and the fact everything is shiny and new might do it for me.

Is there a dressing table, it appears not on the pics so im assuming the mirror and the shelf space (where your bag is) acts as that, i like a room with chairs, i put them to use.

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

3 minutes ago, vimto66 said:

Thanks for another top notch detailed review LW, is the wardrobe the only storage space in the room, if it is its not ideal but i could probably still manage ata push, tbh the location and the fact everything is shiny and new might do it for me.

Is there a dressing table, it appears not on the pics so im assuming the mirror and the shelf space (where your bag is) acts as that, i like a room with chairs, i put them to use.

Thanks for the positive feedback, my friend - appreciated.

Yes there is additional space in the bedside cabinets (see pics). No dressing table though.

[Kickoff]

Like the minimalist to the refurbed rooms but don't like how limited the fridge is as I like to keep some drinks in there. Can always just put what's in there out & to the side but would rather not. 

Great review!

[footix]

I was a regular at Bay Breeze for years but prices I have seen on Agoda for it are a really big step up. Not sure the refurbishment justifies the extra cost but thanks for the review. 

[harrycd]

Yeah prices really jumped up, the suite and location used to be a steal.

Service was poor though how is it now?

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Service is good throughout the hotel. Bay Breeze is definitely all the better for its makeover, I describe it as of modern 3 star standards in an outstanding location. However, it’s very much price dependent - yesterday I got a walk-in price for the DeBua at a lower rate than Bay Breeze…it’s a very competitive market for hotels and they need to adjust their prices to compete.

All that said Baybreeze a decent hotel in a fantastic location.

 

[Jagaar]

Thanks LW for another great hotel review. I too like to unpack iand place things in draws, don't like living out my suitcase

[gentleenforcer]

2 hours ago, footix said:

I was a regular at Bay Breeze for years but prices I have seen on Agoda for it are a really big step up. Not sure the refurbishment justifies the extra cost but thanks for the review. 

I agree with that...I love the hotel but the price is too expensive now for what you get. They are clearly recouping funds after the renovation. 

[chilli]

Have been a regular customer of Bay Breeze since 2002. Last time there was August 2022.

Been wondering what it was like after the refurb.

Noted some negatives now. No desk with draws. Preferred the previous wardrobe facility. Frig is a minus. 

Maybe they can remove the hotel drinks etc so I can place my own cold supplies inside. 

Pluses!! Always found the bed comfortable. Like the long bench in shower room. Staff always pleasant. 

When I arrived there August last year, the receptionist and boss lady remembered me.

Thanks for the review. 

[Orgynizer]

Looks good.

The only thing which I do not like after the renovations: The sofas have white color now and the fabrics are not the best. I guess they will look ugly and dirty after a few months with a lot of  stains (food, drinks, sperm...).

[TooLate]

I booked a Superior room for my up coming trip on Agoda.  There weren't any good pics of the room on Agoda for the Superior room only the Deluxe and the Bay Breeze website seems to have outdated pictures of their rooms.  Had anyone stayed in a Superior room?  How different is it from the Deluxe?

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

I’m not sure 🤔 mate. I’ve stayed in the deluxe and balcony deluxe, both were great (since the post Covid refurbishment). I think my mate stayed in a superior - his room was at the back of the building and it got less street noise and (from memory) he got a minibar too. All the rooms are good though.

[Gonetothedogs]

Stayed there a lot during COVID for 700-800 a night and loved it. Perfect location really, got Hemingway’s outside, a 7-11 a a couple of good places for a quick 60 baht krapow.

 

no desk and chair anymore then? Bugger, wouldn’t be able to work like before