Centara Life Avenue - a Lottellee Winna Review

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Intro - Living up in Issan I make 6-8 one or two week trips a year to Pattaya. I’m blessed with having friends and family who visit me, but on this occasion I was travelling solo - love doing that…a chance to ‘lone wolf ‘🐺 it around town. In all, over the years I’ve stayed in around 60 hotels and guesthouses in Pattaya - this time around I was returning to a hotel I hadn’t stayed in since shortly after it opened in 2016(?). 

hotel Name - …confused?…you will be 😎 When I booked this hotel it was called Centra by Centara Avenue, indeed that’s what all the signage and FB says. However on TripAdvisor and other sites it’s now marketed as Centara Life Avenue hotel…confused 😕 

Location- Outstanding location of this hotel, it’s hidden up a couple of little alleyways (1) soi Diana next to Areca Lodge (2) soi Buhakow next to 18 coins. So easy to get around town from here - one minute walk to LK Metro and the adjoining 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 don’t get a ‘wow’ factor as the alleyways don’t offer much ‘kerb appeal’, that said, the building itself has a sleek and modern look. The door is opened for you and there is no queue at reception who immediately offer you a welcome drink. The checkin process is businesslike, quick, easy and efficient. I booked payment in advance with Agoda and was asked to leave 1000THB deposit (returned on checkout). 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 modern but shows a little wear - spacious enough for me at 26sqm. The room has the best closet space I’ve seen for a while (a real pain as in even the best hotels like Amethyst and Blackwoods all they have is a hanging rail). There is also a safe, glass fronted refrigerator and flat screen smart television. There 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 small balcony with table and chairs and views onto LK Metro and across the city. The 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. Tea, coffee and water in room complimentary.

Room tip - while the standard rooms are fine I personally would choose the upgraded balcony option.

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

Breakfast - is only available at the adjoining Centara Azure. TBH I 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 small rooftop swimming pool with jacuzzi, sun loungers and towels. There is also a gym, sauna and steam room. The hotel has two speedy elevators and I never waited more than a minute or so. Also note this hotel has a synagogue.

Customer Service - The staff are nice (maybe more reserved than in some hotels though). 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. 

Cleaning - Spotlessly clean, hard working staff. However I didn’t get my room cleaned till late afternoon…as always guys consider leaving a daily tip for the hard working cleaner.

Security - which is well worth mentioning. The hotel traditionally has significant numbers of Israeli guests, indeed on previous visits here I have shared a few beers by the pool with IDF personnel on leave. Given the current Middle East situation, it is no surprise that security in this hotel very good (including RTP personnel making daily visits). I therefore felt safe and comfortable the entire time of my stay.

Car Parking - Security patrolled car parking under the hotel.

Noise - No traffic noise…some music drifting in from LK at night. I wonder how much noise will be generated by the soon to open beer bar next to the hotel. 

Price - I got this at the remarkable price of 928 THB inc tax (via an Agoda offer)…though I upgraded at an additional 100 a night for the balcony room…outstanding value for high season. 

Criticisms - very few. The alleyway entrance is a bit downmarket and TF gals, Food Delivery and taxis struggle to find the place. The only other thing I would say is that maybe this hotel lacks a bit of fun, buzz or atmosphere. 

Overall -  This hotel currently represents the very best value in Pattaya for a 3/4 star hotel…where else in high season could you find a hotel in this class for under 1000 THB. Over the last 12 years I have stayed in around 60 hotels and guesthouses in Pattaya. If you are looking for a modern medium grade hotel located in central Pattaya and at a bargain price 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. Israeli, Aussie, Korean and European guests seemed to dominate.  As always, the booking of this hotel is price dependent. If you can get it around 1,000 THB then my advice is to put it on your shortlist.

Lottellee Winna Score -7.5/10 (however if value is the main criteria 10/10)

 

Edited January 17 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[Gary7]

Another solid Lotalee review! Place looks legit. I will scope it out next week. 

[Thomaz73]

Great stuff, as always. Cheers! 

[cunneyes]

I'm booked for early March 

[Clem Fandango]

Excellent review as always 

[david_vr]

Thanks for the review, always appreciated

[Yagami Light]

It seems like an amazing value at the price you managed to get it. 

[gmingot]

Looks like a great hotel. At the moment a nice quiet location just seconds away from everything,

If I am not mistaken, wont it soon be immediately next to the new Las Vegas beer bar complex currently being built and perhaps impacted by the noise from there

[Sac Les]

The hotel must have read your review. Rooms start at $44 USD for my days next month.

[Thomaz73]

9 hours ago, gmingot said:

wont it soon be immediately next to the new Las Vegas beer bar complex currently being built and perhaps impacted by the noise from there

Quite sure he addressed that in the review

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

6 hours ago, Sac Les said:

The hotel must have read your review. Rooms start at $44 USD for my days next month.

I also booked for a mate and I, for the end of February 2 balcony rooms for 7 nights and paid 21,059THB. Works out at around 1400THB a night for the upgraded balcony room…so not quite the bargain I had previously, but still decent value for high season. I think the standard rooms were around 1200THB.

[L.O.S Lyle]

Very nice, especially that pool. That's a very convenient location which I might consider in the future if my current hotel (LK Metropole) doesn't work out.

[Geordie59]

My mate has a place in the adjoining Centara Condo. 
For me the front entrance is on Soi 15 and easy to find. I'd say you were using what my mate calls the side or back entrance to soi Dianna/LK. 

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

28 minutes ago, Geordie59 said:

My mate has a place in the adjoining Centara Condo. 
For me the front entrance is on Soi 15 and easy to find. I'd say you were using what my mate calls the side or back entrance to soi Dianna/LK. 

No (and yes)…confusing I know. I was using the front entrance to the Centara Life Avenue hotel (formerly Centra Avenue)….this doubles as the rear entrance of the Centara condos (and the Centara Azure hotel)…yup confusing 🤷‍♂️

[Yankser]

This is really useful info for me, I wouldn’t have considered a 26sqm room but that looks perfectly acceptable.

The price is half of what I’d usually pay too. I’ve booked 5 out of 6 weeks accommodation for my trip next month so this looks like a good final option, thanks 👍🏻

[Drevail]

That's a solid location for the price. I truly enjoy hotels near LK as that's about the area I end up at near the end of the day. And you're pictures are much better than when is usually displayed on Agoda or similar sites.

Areca is usually my go to but it's almost always sold out and I can't stay there.

[Jagaar]

@LOTTELLEE WINNA What was the bed like?

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

2 hours ago, Jagaar said:

@LOTTELLEE WINNA What was the bed like?

Very comfortable mate - not the traditional hard Thai type.

[42kaz42]

Great review as usual.  I need to find a hotel for my upcoming trip and this looks promising...

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

Just spent another mini break at this hotel. I think though this will be my last visit. In many respects it’s great  - a modern hotel in a fantastic location at a very competitive price.

The new beer bar complex directly opposite the hotel will be open shortly and this may have a significant impact noise wise on the balcony rooms (see picture below).

A second factor is the cleaning - the staff are fantastic, and the hotel is spotlessly clean, but my personal preference is for the room to be cleaned earlier in the day - today, for example, we were out all day, getting back for 4.30 to the room, not yet cleaned. at 4:45 I get a knock on the door, asking me can I clean the room? I just say ‘mai ow’ and ask for fresh towels.  No biggie, but it isn’t how I like to roll.

 

 

Edited February 23 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[Jagaar]

Shame about the beer bars opening opposite. In other respects this hotel, was pretty much what i am looking for. Comfy bed, pool, queit at night, and handy to baht bus to Soi6 or Walking Street. But there are so many other options still available.

[Starfighter99]

What would you say is the difference between this and the Azure, especially if they’re so close to one another? Also, has anyone stayed here since Las Vegas has opened and care to comment on the new noise level? Thanks!!

[Starfighter99]

Following up to my previous question, I noticed something quite unpleasant about the rooms at the Azure, and wondered if this applies to the other Centaras in the complex: the shower is inside the main space in the rooms, making everything a giant fishbowl. Indeed, the faucet/sink is in the main living space, not a separate room. I don't want to threadfuck, as it were, but since these two hotels are fraternal twins in a manner of speaking, I thought to ask.

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

On 23/04/2024 at 03:02, Starfighter99 said:

Following up to my previous question, I noticed something quite unpleasant about the rooms at the Azure, and wondered if this applies to the other Centaras in the complex: the shower is inside the main space in the rooms, making everything a giant fishbowl. Indeed, the faucet/sink is in the main living space, not a separate room. I don't want to threadfuck, as it were, but since these two hotels are fraternal twins in a manner of speaking, I thought to ask.

I have stayed in most of the hotels in the Centara group, and can confirm the washbasin in the room thing occurs AFAIK only in the Azure and not in other hotels. By way of example the first pic is of a room in the Azure (sink in room) and the second is of another hotel from the group - Centara Nova Spa (totally separate bathroom).

TBH, although my preference was for a separate bathroom, it didn’t really bother me overly when I stayed in the Azure.

Edited April 26 by LOTTELLEE WINNA