Rooms with balconies to enjoy a cigar near Nana?

[PhuketPete]

I appreciate a/c in my room for sleeping. But I also love rooms with balconies where I can sit outside in the BKK humidity and enjoy a beer and cigar (and no, not the LB variety).

 

Other necessities include a pool, guest friendly and no joiner, receptionist (to take IDs) and in-room safe, near Nana. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who can recommend a room with all (or most) of the above characteristics; their pros and cons. I'll start:

 

Fraser Suites (1Bed Superior & above) Sukhumvit - great view, newish, reasonable $ but a little far down soi 11.

Grand Sukhumvit - Diamond Suites - relaxing terrace, awesome location but expensive & limited availability.

Centrepoint Sukhumvit - apparently some rooms have balconies - never stayed there.

Amari Boulevard (some rooms with balcony) - great location and view but risky for guests & joiner fees.

Stable Lodge - apparently cheap and great location, but hard beds and no in-room safe.

H&M Suites and several VCR properties - rented directly from owner - no receptionist to take IDs.

 

I know of many others with balconies (e.g. Lebua, Chatrium Suites, Peninsula etc) but they're either too far from Nana or not GF. My main priorities are nice balcony, walking distance to Nana and GF. Any thoughts? Cheers, Pete.

[kansuwan]

Take a look at Omni Tower, Soi Nana Tai (ie Soi 4-Nana). Stayed there a lot around 10 years ago: excellent, nbut I can't rememer what configuration has a balcony - maybe Single Superior or Double Superior Suite. Photos of rooms on its own website and Tripadvisor.com (which has recent reviews - rather mixed). In my days, an excellent outdoor pool, huge rooms, in-room safe, good reception but it needed some money spent on refurbishing. About 5-10 minutes' walk to NEP. GF, though taking/recording visitors' IDs was a bit haphazard - depended which security guard was on duty and whether he recognised you/your friend.

 

Wouldn't mind an update here after you've been and gone.

[PhuketPete]

Take a look at Omni Tower, Soi Nana Tai (ie Soi 4-Nana). Stayed there a lot around 10 years ago: excellent, nbut I can't rememer what configuration has a balcony - maybe Single Superior or Double Superior Suite. Photos of rooms on its own website and Tripadvisor.com (which has recent reviews - rather mixed). In my days, an excellent outdoor pool, huge rooms, in-room safe, good reception but it needed some money spent on refurbishing. About 5-10 minutes' walk to NEP. GF, though taking/recording visitors' IDs was a bit haphazard - depended which security guard was on duty and whether he recognised you/your friend.

 

Wouldn't mind an update here after you've been and gone.

Thanks for replying kansuwan. I've heard about Omni Tower but didn't include in my original post for 2 reasons:

 

1. It's widely reported the reception/ security rarely check and/or hold IDs (which I like them to do) and 2. The rooms with balconies apparently feel a bit "cold" - the balconies themselves not really a relaxing place to hang out. Would appreciate any recent reports.

 

To update, according to this thread http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/CitiC...tel-t15548.html the CitiChic Suites have some rooms with terraces, though the rooms are small, no real view and a bit down soi 13. Apparently good value for money if you don't need a balcony/ terrace. But I do:)

[kansuwan]

How about Jasmine Suites (close to Cowboy and only a short hop to NEP). Pal stays there two or three times a year and swears by it; no idea about ID procedures, but it's certainly GF.

 

http://www.jasminecity.com/

 

Here's an old Omni pos with pix:

 

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/Omni-...k-Sukhumvit-so-

[chuckrivera]

Thanks for replying kansuwan. I've heard about Omni Tower but didn't include in my original post for 2 reasons:

 

1. It's widely reported the reception/ security rarely check and/or hold IDs (which I like them to do) and 2. The rooms with balconies apparently feel a bit "cold" - the balconies themselves not really a relaxing place to hang out. Would appreciate any recent reports.

 

This wasn't true on the multiple occasions I stayed there. It is a swipe card controlled entrance just to get to the elevator, and there is a security guard stationed there 24 hours a day to hold IDs, call your room to let you know of any visitors, and to call your room before returning the IDs. This happened 100% of the time when I stayed there. Can't report on the balconies though, as I have only stayed in the Studio and One Bedroom w/o balcony. Only thing is, some girls don't like staying there as supposedly there have been some murders or deaths there and they're scared of the ghosts.

[praf974]

the balconies at stable lodge kick ass (esp overlooking the nice pool and garden), and the breakfast is the best in the whole of thailand! i love this place .. no room safe but reception has safes. great value and perfect location imo ..

[PhuketPete]

How about Jasmine Suites (close to Cowboy and only a short hop to NEP). Pal stays there two or three times a year and swears by it; no idea about ID procedures, but it's certainly GF.

 

http://www.jasminecity.com/

 

Here's an old Omni pos with pix:

 

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/Omni-...k-Sukhumvit-so-

Cheers kansuwan; looks ok but a little far from Nana (my preferred area).

[PhuketPete]

This wasn't true on the multiple occasions I stayed there. It is a swipe card controlled entrance just to get to the elevator, and there is a security guard stationed there 24 hours a day to hold IDs, call your room to let you know of any visitors, and to call your room before returning the IDs. This happened 100% of the time when I stayed there. Can't report on the balconies though, as I have only stayed in the Studio and One Bedroom w/o balcony. Only thing is, some girls don't like staying there as supposedly there have been some murders or deaths there and they're scared of the ghosts.

Thanks for the input chuckrivera - I knew about the card swipe and guard but have heard mixed reports about him holding IDs. I'm not so keen on this property because I've heard the balconies are like many condo properties throughout the world - impersonal and cold. I also don't like highrises per se; prefer a building around 5-10 floors so one can still see (and talk) to people on the street, yet still a decent view. For example, I don't particularly like Lebua State Tower for this reason. Appreciate the info about the ghosts - valuable and practical; another reason not to consider this place.

[PhuketPete]

the balconies at stable lodge kick ass (esp overlooking the nice pool and garden), and the breakfast is the best in the whole of thailand! i love this place .. no room safe but reception has safes. great value and perfect location imo ..

Thanks praf974, that's what I've heard. But I usually carry expensive cameras and laptops with me and they're impractical to keep in a front office safe - I need to access them several times a day quickly and spontaneously;). I also read the beds there are uncomfortably hard - true, or just someone being a soft c*ck?

[wackyjacky]

PP: Try the Compass Hospitality properties (Admiral, Presidents, Legacy, Adelphi etc) they're all pretty nice and most have balconies. Somerset Lake on 16 I like as well. wj

[PhuketPete]

PP: Try the Compass Hospitality properties (Admiral, Presidents, Legacy, Adelphi etc) they're all pretty nice and most have balconies. Somerset Lake on 16 I like as well. wj

Thanks I know several of their properties. But none really fit the criteria I've set, except perhaps Omni and "Aspen Suites" which appear to mount their a/c units on the balconies. Or have I missed some? Cheers, Pete.

[praf974]

Thanks praf974, that's what I've heard. But I usually carry expensive cameras and laptops with me and they're impractical to keep in a front office safe - I need to access them several times a day quickly and spontaneously;). I also read the beds there are uncomfortably hard - true, or just someone being a soft c*ck?

 

i thought the beds were fine .. big and not too hard or soft ..

[wackyjacky]

Thanks I know several of their properties. But none really fit the criteria I've set, except perhaps Omni and "Aspen Suites" which appear to mount their a/c units on the balconies. Or have I missed some? Cheers, Pete.

PP: Why Nana ? Way more options walking distance to Cowboy. Omni was a little worn when I stayed there 3 years ago. I saw Aspen way cheap ($36) somewhere. Probably hotels Combined or Tim's site - Otels. wj

[PhuketPete]

PP: Why Nana ? Way more options walking distance to Cowboy. Omni was a little worn when I stayed there 3 years ago. I saw Aspen way cheap ($36) somewhere. Probably Hotels Combined or Tim's site - Otels. wj

Thanks wackyjacky. I prefer to stay around nana up to soi 11 or thereabouts for its proximity to Bumrungrad, the beer garden and nana complex. I know around Asoke is good though + more choices.

 

Perhaps Tim from Thaihoteldiscounts knows something more? I'll mail him.

[Bkkguestfriendlyhotels]

Thanks wackyjacky. I prefer to stay around nana up to soi 11 or thereabouts for its proximity to Bumrungrad, the beer garden and nana complex. I know around Asoke is good though + more choices.

 

Perhaps Tim from Thaihoteldiscounts knows something more? I'll mail him.

 

 

PhuketPete,

 

Thought I would catch you first.

 

Agree with Wj, Admiral Premier has some of the best reviews from my customers. Many guys have stayed there this month and they all love it. They have balconies there.

 

Also some good deals at Centre Point Wireless. They have balconies there. Aspen Suites is cheap too.

 

If you give me your exact dates, will check out the prices,as many places changing the rates on a weekly basis.

 

Cheers

Tim

[PhuketPete]

Agree with Wj, Admiral Premier has some of the best reviews from my customers. Many guys have stayed there this month and they all love it. They have balconies there...

 

If you give me your exact dates, will check out the prices,as many places changing the rates on a weekly basis.

 

Cheers

Tim

Thanks for the quick reply Tim :02: Regarding Admiral Premier, tripadvisor reviews state there's no furniture on the balconies (contrary to floorplans on AP's site) while the balconies apparently overlook a construction site. If so, then this property doesn't suit my needs (but then the info could be old).

 

I've stayed at Fraser Suites before and was happy; just wondering if there's any new beaut place I should know about that's either open now or before August that meets my preferences. I'm flexible on Asoke.

 

Not sure about dates yet as haven't decided on Bangkok only or BKK + Phuket or BKK + HKT + Patts yet. But roughly I'll be in Thailand 2 weeks around late August/ early September. Cheers, Pete.

[wackyjacky]

Pete: Jeez you're a hard man to satisfy. What do you want, a friggin chaise lounge ? Just drag the desk chair out there. Or better yet go up to the pool and suck on your Cohiba Sublima whilst someone is doing the same to you. There was never anybody up there, even during the day, when I stayed there in Dec. I had some big fun in that pool. (don't worry I imagine it's been cleaned since then !) wj

[PhuketPete]

Pete: Jeez you're a hard man to satisfy. What do you want, a friggin chaise lounge ? Just drag the desk chair out there. Or better yet go up to the pool and suck on your Cohiba Sublima whilst someone is doing the same to you. There was never anybody up there, even during the day, when I stayed there in Dec. I had some big fun in that pool. (don't worry I imagine it's been cleaned since then !) wj

Cheers wj . Yep I know I'm hard to please. Do I want a friggin chaise lounge or something? Yes! Something like the Amari Boulevard terrace room but more guest friendly. For e.g. see the photo here:

http://www.amari.com/boulevard/deluxe-corner.aspx . Appreciate your help!

[wackyjacky]

Cheers wj . Yep I know I'm hard to please. Do I want a friggin chaise lounge or something? Yes! Something like the Amari Boulevard terrace room but more guest friendly. For e.g. see the photo here:

http://www.amari.com/boulevard/deluxe-corner.aspx . Appreciate your help!

Pete: I get ya. That place is sweet. $200 and a long friggin way to Nana though. Check out CL for apts. Vrconnection has some goodins.The bangkokblast dude has a couple nice ones as well. Try this sucker for $120/nite. wj http://www.vrconnection.com/SukhumvitSuite/photos.htm

[PhuketPete]

Pete: I get ya. That place is sweet. $200 and a long friggin way to Nana though. Check out CL for apts. Vrconnection has some goodins.The bangkokblast dude has a couple nice ones as well. Try this sucker for $120/nite. wj http://www.vrconnection.com/SukhumvitSuite/photos.htm

Cheers wj. Yep, know those too. VCR is some guy called Henry Steven with some nice stuff on soi 13. Bangkokblast has a nice selection around Asoke, while H&M has a kick-ass penthouse down soi 8 (unavailable till further notice) http://www.hmsuites.com/properties2.asp . The problem I have with renting condos directly is that IDs aren't checked/ held by reception desks (I believe), and that makes me uncomfortable in the event of a problem.

 

I'm a pain, I know...

[Chuk Wa]

I have just realised that there is no hotels with balconies within 2km of Nana plaza!

 

here is a list of hotels with balconies in Sukumvit, Citadines ini soi 8,11 or 16 are worth checking out

 

CLICK HERE

Edited June 23, 2009 by Chuk Wa

[wackyjacky]

Cheers wj. Yep, know those too. VCR is some guy called Henry Steven with some nice stuff on soi 13. Bangkokblast has a nice selection around Asoke, while H&M has a kick-ass penthouse down soi 8 (unavailable till further notice) http://www.hmsuites.com/properties2.asp . The problem I have with renting condos directly is that IDs aren't checked/ held by reception desks (I believe), and that makes me uncomfortable in the event of a problem.

 

I'm a pain, I know...

Pete: Say hello to the front desk or security guard, explain your request, give him a couple hundred baht, get his cell # or desk #. Problem solved (oh probably not. I forgot who I'm dealing with) wj

[PhuketPete]

Pete: Say hello to the front desk or security guard, explain your request, give him a couple hundred baht, get his cell # or desk #. Problem solved (oh probably not. I forgot who I'm dealing with) wj

That comment made me laugh out aloud. Good one!

[PhuketPete]

I have just realised that there is no hotels with balconies within 2km of Nana plaza!

 

here is a list of hotels with balconies in Sukumvit, Citadines ini soi 8,11 or 16 are worth checking out

 

CLICK HERE

Thanks Chuck Wa; agree that the wotif search function is useful. But several properties not aligned with Wotif probably lie within 2km of Nana such as Omni Tower, Grand Sukhumvit, Amari Boulevard, and Stable Lodge.

 

Apologies everyone, forgot to mention free high-speed inroom WiFi is also a must. The ante has been upped .