Good hotel with secure booking ?

[Slacker]

My month-long trip is looming and I've booked my Bangkok, Manila and Angeles hotels with the minimum of fuss. All of them are happy to accept a booking either on trust or provide a secure site to make a deposit. Cut to my attempts to book a hotel in Pattaya and either they don't bother to reply or else they require too much CC info for my personal comfort. In fact, they just stop short of asking me to mail them the card itself. Does anyone know of a hotel, pool, free internet, preferably along the lines of August Suites / Sabai Empress that isn't such a pain to book ? No wonder Pattaya is having such a tough high season !

Edited February 11, 2010 by Slacker

[Kramden]

Tim Boutique hotel, just off Second Road on a tiny dead-end Soi across from Mike's Mall. Top notch place, excellent location close to everything, awesome pool on the roof with great views, excellent big beds, very quiet, totally girl friendly. Depending on the season rooms go for $50-$70 a night. Try latestays.com It has good rates. It is the only place I stay in Pattaya.

 

Cheers

[polan]

i have booked the nova platinum with Agoda.com a couple of times and never had an issue, up to u

[rooster33]

I use Agoda.Good ,reliable & cheap.

[Fergal]

Yep I too use Agoda or Asiarooms.com, both very good.

[Slacker]

I have an inbuilt resistance to Agoda as they advertise low rates (usually against an inflated rack rate) and then hit you with the tax and extras on the last page. I've yet to find a hotel where their prices are any better than dealing with the hotel direct. Here's another anomaly...through Agoda you can book Areca Main Building & Corona, but not Evergreen Wing ?? However, I do accept the point that they may be secure to book through. Thanks for the Tim Boutique suggestion.

 

Post-script. After research, I've slightly amended my view of Agoda. They do offer reasonable savings on places like Tim Boutique, Dusit D2, etc., but I prefer something less pricey. Another niggle with Agoda is that to accomodate the savings made you invariably lose things like breakfast or free wi-fi, which would be inclusive when booking direct.

Edited February 12, 2010 by Slacker

[ktuser]

If you book any of the sabai hotels through their website they don't ask for any payment up front.

 

Just do the online reservation and they will email you a confirmation.

 

You can even ask for special offers and any discounts.

 

They gave me one free night last time I booked.

[T-T-T]

The eastiny hotels are good. Asiatravel.com I use to use alot . But now pretty familar with Pattaya so just phone or arrive and scout around.

 

If you let me know how much you wont to spend a night, can advise from my experience next trip will be 39th time.

 

If you are going to book online try and use paypal with your credit card logged with them this gives you double protection.

[zilly]

sabai lodge never ask me for a deposit and I guess the empress won't either. Book direct by email to Jittima (ked) the manager on [email protected]

[Slacker]

sabai lodge never ask me for a deposit and I guess the empress won't either. Book direct by email to Jittima (ked) the manager on [email protected]

 

Sabai Lodge was my hotel on my virgin trip and they didn't ask me for CC details then, but I wasn't a big fan of the property although service was excellent. Funnily enough the Sabai Empress is one of the hotels that require 2 night's deposit on a CC to secure the booking. They've only asked for CC number and expiry date , so probably won't be able to charge anything - go figure. I'll see what their response is before I settle for an old standby.

Edited February 13, 2010 by Slacker

[Nak Muay]

if your using a credit card the purchase will be insured through the card anyway so you never have to worry about chasing the money or proving you never used the card as your card provider is obligated to do this for you.

 

Anything else just make sure the website payment page has the padlock in the very bottom right hand corner of the status bar shows it is encrypted and safe.

 

Another alternative is to use Paypal again isnured by paypal so no worry about getting the money back.

 

Or A-lot of places dont always ask for deposites.

 

Or another is use a booking agent just to make the reservation and pay them the money.

Edited February 13, 2010 by Nak Muay

[El Cata]

sabai lodge never ask me for a deposit and I guess the empress won't either. Book direct by email to Jittima (ked) the manager on [email protected]

The Sabai Inn do not require a deposit, but they do require your CC details, at least they do when booking through their website.

 

It's a nice hotel, but they ripped me off big style over Xmas, so won't be staying again.

 

Peace.

Edited February 13, 2010 by El Cata

[devee8]

My month-long trip is looming and I've booked my Bangkok, Manila and Angeles hotels with the minimum of fuss. All of them are happy to accept a booking either on trust or provide a secure site to make a deposit. Cut to my attempts to book a hotel in Pattaya and either they don't bother to reply or else they require too much CC info for my personal comfort. In fact, they just stop short of asking me to mail them the card itself. Does anyone know of a hotel, pool, free internet, preferably along the lines of August Suites / Sabai Empress that isn't such a pain to book ? No wonder Pattaya is having such a tough high season !

I thought Pattaya Bay resort does not request CC info

[Slacker]

I thought Pattaya Bay resort does not request CC info

 

You're right. I have stayed there before, but girls aren't the only thing I butterfly with ! However, if they've finally installed that second elevator and there is no 'building site noise', I think I might settle for PBR as hotel this time.

[flago007]

I have an inbuilt resistance to Agoda as they advertise low rates (usually against an inflated rack rate) and then hit you with the tax and extras on the last page. I've yet to find a hotel where their prices are any better than dealing with the hotel direct. Here's another anomaly...through Agoda you can book Areca Main Building & Corona, but not Evergreen Wing ?? However, I do accept the point that they may be secure to book through. Thanks for the Tim Boutique suggestion.

 

Post-script. After research, I've slightly amended my view of Agoda. They do offer reasonable savings on places like Tim Boutique, Dusit D2, etc., but I prefer something less pricey. Another niggle with Agoda is that to accomodate the savings made you invariably lose things like breakfast or free wi-fi, which would be inclusive when booking direct.

If you book throught atsiam web site they are cheaper than booking direct with Areca Lodge and that is in the new evergreen building.ie super deluxe 1540 instead of booking through hotel is a example

[Slacker]

If you book throught atsiam web site they are cheaper than booking direct with areca lodge and that is in the new evergreen building.ie super deluxe 1540 instead of booking through hotel is a example

 

Thanks for the information. Atsiam is not a site I'm familiar with, but I'll give them a go. Have you had any dealings with them ?

[iluvasians/latins]

Summer Springs on Soi 1 is just as nice as August Suites. They will ask for a credit card to book a room. I just got back a couple of weeks ago, and have received statement from CC company. NO charges on CC. I paid cash at checkout. If you are that paranoid about CC info, get a CC with a small limit, like $500. If there every is any fraud, you won't be out much.

 

I stayed at August Suites in July, and can say Summer Springs is just as nice. They do have more TV channels than August Suites. The staff is not as nosey either. Rates are better, 1200 vs. 1650.

[flago007]

Thanks for the information. Atsiam is not a site I'm familiar with, but I'll give them a go. Have you had any dealings with them ?

Hi slacker the websiteis atsiam.com ,i have used once before and no problems at all.Will be booking with them again for sure if they give the best prices.If you join pattaya sports club they give you 10% discount off the digs,which membership last year

[Slacker]

Summer Springs on Soi 1 is just as nice as August Suites. They will ask for a credit card to book a room. I just got back a couple of weeks ago, and have received statement from CC company. NO charges on CC. I paid cash at checkout. If you are that paranoid about CC info, get a CC with a small limit, like $500. If there every is any fraud, you won't be out much.

 

I stayed at August Suites in July, and can say Summer Springs is just as nice. They do have more TV channels than August Suites. The staff is not as nosey either. Rates are better, 1200 vs. 1650.

 

I think paranoia is too strong a word - I've no problem giving CC info as long as the method is secure. I consider that responsible use of the card, and I'm sure most CC issuers would agree. Too many hotels think that it's acceptable to ask for all info including signature in an email that any member of staff could have access to. Let's not forget that CC fraud is rife in Thailand and I would rather not arrive to find that my card has been maxed-out / compromised and add complications to my trip. I've heard any number of nightmare stories. Some may take a more cavalier approach to their finances - I'm not knocking it, but it's not for me.

 

Summer Springs is getting some good reports on the forums. I'm not really concerned about TV channels - I watch very little at home and even less in Pattaya ! The only negatives (for me) would be the less central location and shower / tub combo - I prefer a walk-in shower after nearly breaking my neck in one last trip !

 

I'm sure the Pattaya Sports Club info will be helpful to some on here, although it seems to be heavily biased to one sport (golf)...at which I'm absolutely hopeless ! Some good info coming to light here though...thanks to everyone.

[philkrenshaw]

I have an inbuilt resistance to Agoda as they advertise low rates (usually against an inflated rack rate) and then hit you with the tax and extras on the last page. I've yet to find a hotel where their prices are any better than dealing with the hotel direct. Here's another anomaly...through Agoda you can book Areca Main Building & Corona, but not Evergreen Wing ?? However, I do accept the point that they may be secure to book through. Thanks for the Tim Boutique suggestion.

 

Post-script. After research, I've slightly amended my view of Agoda. They do offer reasonable savings on places like Tim Boutique, Dusit D2, etc., but I prefer something less pricey. Another niggle with Agoda is that to accomodate the savings made you invariably lose things like breakfast or free wi-fi, which would be inclusive when booking direct.

 

A few months ago I took a trip to South America and booked hotels in 5 different cities through Agoda. Some were pay in advance and print a voucher, others were print the reservation page and pay on checkout. Got free breakfast everywhere, very good prices, no problems. You get a small credit that's a fraction of your hotel cost that you get to apply to a future Agoda reservation. More bonus points if you write a review for their web site. I think maybe some of the "hold the fees until the end of the booking" is because you don't earn a fraction of things like Value Added Tax, just the base cost.

[rockets07]

i contacted the "Shagwell Mansions" on a friends reccomendation, i just emailed them and they got back to me within 2 days, booked and no money up front was asked...many of the hotels you see on websites such as "Agoda" "Direct Rooms" etc, just try to contact them directly, email a few and the first one who replys go with them...the Pattaya Bay Resort will do booking over email, no problems....

[Topper]

Did you try the Penthouse hotel. I think they always answer their e-mails very quickly and they have a very good on line booking system.

Spam URL Banned or www,penthotel.com

[farang1]

It is very common for any hotel that accepts CC to ask for the info in advance, not only Pattaya hotels. I always give my information to the Sandy Springs on Soi 13 and have never had a problem. In your case, I suggest you book in one of the guesthouses in the Soi LK Metro area that do not accept CCs. There are also similar establishments in the Walking St area that don't accept CCs, Secrets comes to mind offhand.

[Slacker]

It is very common for any hotel that accepts CC to ask for the info in advance, not only Pattaya hotels...

 

I'm not flaming, but please read the post. I stress...I have no objection to providing the details, just the method they request it be done with. Some hotels have secure pages on their site, some direct you to a secure site and some, like PBR, are happy to reserve the room without any details. Sending CC number, CCV number, expity date and signature in an unsecured email or to an unknown fax number is foolhardy and asking for trouble. The last thing I need when arriving on holiday is to start dealing with CC issues when it's rejected the first time I use it. Talk to anyone that has had this happen and ask yourself "Do I need this on holiday / vacation ?".

[Daveo]

I have paypal and works very well, no problems in 3 years