Charlie Place - The friendliest hotel on Soi Diana

[123quicky]

I came across this hotel by accident on my first trip to Pattaya.

I got to Pattaya from Phuket a day earlier than I planned and didn't have any room reserved for the night.

I figured I would just check in to whatever hotel that would not charge me thousands of bahts since it was only for 1 night.

On the ride to Pattaya I met 2 of my countryman who have been to Pattaya a few weeks back and they told me they were headed to the same hotel they stayed in last time they were there (Diana Dragon).

We got Soi Diana and unfortunately the hotel they were talking about was fully booked.

Since its started raining we hopped to the hotel across the street - Charlie Place.

 

We got greeted by a nice thai woman (around 55yo), that I later discoverd was the manager, who showed us the available rooms on the fifth floor (out of six, and yes, there's an elevator).

 

The rooms had - a standard room, king sized bed, TV, AC, refrigerator, hot water, some nice furniture and a balcony.

Thankfully we all got rooms so we checked in. The price was reasonable - 700b per night (though later on we got a discount on the price).

After settling in, we went down to the hotel bar and had a cold one with the all the resident bar girls and had a great laugh before heading out to WS.

The entire staff was so friendly and kind, and since me new made friends said they are not planning on changing hotels, I canceled my booking at the other hotel I was supposed to be in the next day (and paid a nasty fine) and extended my stay for another week for which I paid 650b per day.

 

The location of the hotel, I later discovered was brilliant. On the corner of Soi Diana and Soi Backhao, I was a 3 minutes walk from LK Metro with its great gogos (MASH, The Office...), 5 minutes walk from the amazing Devil's Den, and about 12 minutes from Mike's shopping mall.

 

The hotel also has a massage place with a great friendly staff (massage prices range from 100b - 300b), and the lobby/bar has a pretty decent Wi Fi connection.

 

My morning ritual was usually a cup of coffee on the bar, then head out across the street (Soi Backhao) to a nice little bakery called "Loaf" which served the most delicious coffee and bread for a nice breakfast (usually with my LT girl of the night).

 

But the thing that kept me in the hotel for 3 more weeks (500b per day) was the amazing staff.

the bar girls were friendly but not in the tempting way - they were just nice.

 

When one of my friends had a motorbike accident (busted lip and 3 broken teeth) one day at around midnight, the hottest girl in the bar (Her name was Mai - if I remember correctly) took him back to his room and nursed him all night. When he got up that morning and wanted to pay the bar girl and to pay the bar fine for taking her with him no one accepted to take his money.

I was spending most of my afternoons chatting with the receptionists, the bar girls, even the cleaning ladies if I came down a little early.

 

One bar girl was named Tukta and she was a 27(?!) yo spark plug that looked 15, and reminded me of my little sister. At first she thought I was nice to her because I wanted to shag her but when she asked me if I want to go boom boom I told her I would never do that cause she was just like my little sister. I ended spending most of my afternoons talking with her on the bar, she recommended great places for me to visit, we went shopping together before her shift started, ate lunch together, she let me listen to her music (she's very talented even though I couldn't understand what she was singing about) and we laughed a lot when she was rating the girls I had over.

 

The day I left the hotel she actually went out and bought me a goodbye gift and attached her photograph and a note that said "To my new big brother". Needless to say I'm still in touch with her from time to time via email.

 

I also got a scarf from the night receptionist who knitted it in the colors of my favorite soccer team (Go Barca!)

 

I'm gonna be back to Pattaya in a few months and most definately gonna spend my entire trip at Charlie Place

[andy666]

That's exactly why i always say: even if i would be very rich, i would still prefer a good guesthouse over the most luxuous hotel

[leadpencil]

A great review thanks and more importantly it sounds like you enjoyed yourself!

 

I have not heard of the place however will check it out next time I am over that way.

[smug]

That's exactly why i always say: even if i would be very rich, i would still prefer a good guesthouse over the most luxuous hotel

 

I wonder if it is possible to find both: a classy/nice place to wake up in the morning that also has that guesthouse friendliness?

[andy666]

http://www.charlie-place.com/

[andy666]

I wonder if it is possible to find both: a classy/nice place to wake up in the morning that also has that guesthouse friendliness?

 

The only ewperiences i have with 'more expensive' hotels are workrelated, big hotels where nobody remembers your name...

 

You might find some i guess, but don't you think that in the 'upperclass hotels' the staff is trained to be more reserved and is therefor less familiar?

[hhdan]

Great review! I am actually trying to decide where to stay on my trip to Patts in January. Do you have any contact info, maybe I will give them a call and see if they have a 3 weeker available.

 

Cheers

[smug]

The only ewperiences i have with 'more expensive' hotels are workrelated, big hotels where nobody remembers your name...

 

You might find some i guess, but don't you think that in the 'upperclass hotels' the staff is trained to be more reserved and is therefor less familiar?

Yeah, what I was thinking is more along the lines of a guesthouse that well fitted out. One's I've stayed at in Patts are pretty tired and worn down. I like waking up in a pleasant environs. Haven't been there but I hear China Garden is nice... wondering if there any others like that.

[andy666]

Great review! I am actually trying to decide where to stay on my trip to Patts in January. Do you have any contact info, maybe I will give them a call and see if they have a 3 weeker available.

 

http://www.charlie-place.com/

 

 

Cheers

Yeah, what I was thinking is more along the lines of a guesthouse that well fitted out. One's I've stayed at in Patts are pretty tired and worn down. I like waking up in a pleasant environs. Haven't been there but I hear China Garden is nice... wondering if there any others like that.

 

This one looks fine, never been there though

 

 

 

http://www.welkominnthailand.com/

[PawYai]

lots of good cheap guest houses in the area, one a mate stayed in across from charlies place is Nikhom Lodge also very good for the price

[999Baht]

Thanks for this review I remember seeing this place when walking past.

I think I even had a drink with a girl of my first trip out there in the lobby/bar!

I think I will ask to see the rooms on my next holiday.

 

I'm always in search of a good bakery....can you tell me in more detail where this loaf bakery is?

[Isr255]

I just sent in for a price quote for 2 rooms, we'll see how it works out.

[enterprise]

This is how guesthouses used to be, when Thailand truely was the land of smiles. Glad these places still exist.

 

Great location can get get baht bus from soi Buakhao to  Walking Street or Soi 6 and just a stones throw to LK Metro and the beer bare on Buakhao, soi Diana and the massage palours on soi Honey and Chaiyapoon.

 

 now its low season can walk into most hotels/guest houses  and get a room

[fiesta63]

have to agree with the OP on how friendly this hotel is, but because of its location on the junction the traffic noise was so loud even at 4 - 5am i had trouble sleeping so after 2 nights i had to move on,

[vegasphl]

The Loaf Bakery is just around the cornor from Soi Buakaw on Soi Diana. Going North on Soi Buokaew. you will see the 7-11 on the right corner with Family Mart across Soi Diana. Katty corner from the 7-11 is a Subway.... Loaf is 150 feet from the corner on Diana.  They sell Breads (try the Ciabitta rolls) muffins and Pizza. Every Wednesday is pizza buffet night. Coats about 295 bhat but it is one of the best pizza joints in Patts. Pizza Bologneese is my favorite.

[ddmmyy]

I will be in Patts in 5 weeks... staying at the Bay Breeze on soi honey.. I will have to check this place out..  and also thanks for the tip on the bakery .. Will surely check that out also... CHEERS!!!

[scottsoi6pattaya]

I came across this hotel by accident on my first trip to Pattaya.I got to Pattaya from Phuket a day earlier than I planned and didn't have any room reserved for the night.I figured I would just check in to whatever hotel that would not charge me thousands of bahts since it was only for 1 night.On the ride to Pattaya I met 2 of my countryman who have been to Pattaya a few weeks back and they told me they were headed to the same hotel they stayed in last time they were there (Diana Dragon).We got Soi Diana and unfortunately the hotel they were talking about was fully booked.Since its started raining we hopped to the hotel across the street - Charlie Place.We got greeted by a nice thai woman (around 55yo), that I later discoverd was the manager, who showed us the available rooms on the fifth floor (out of six, and yes, there's an elevator).The rooms had - a standard room, king sized bed, TV, AC, refrigerator, hot water, some nice furniture and a balcony.Thankfully we all got rooms so we checked in. The price was reasonable - 700b per night (though later on we got a discount on the price).After settling in, we went down to the hotel bar and had a cold one with the all the resident bar girls and had a great laugh before heading out to WS.The entire staff was so friendly and kind, and since me new made friends said they are not planning on changing hotels, I canceled my booking at the other hotel I was supposed to be in the next day (and paid a nasty fine) and extended my stay for another week for which I paid 650b per day.The location of the hotel, I later discovered was brilliant. On the corner of Soi Diana and Soi Backhao, I was a 3 minutes walk from LK Metro with its great gogos (MASH, The Office...), 5 minutes walk from the amazing Devil's Den, and about 12 minutes from Mike's shopping mall.The hotel also has a massage place with a great friendly staff (massage prices range from 100b - 300b), and the lobby/bar has a pretty decent Wi Fi connection.My morning ritual was usually a cup of coffee on the bar, then head out across the street (Soi Backhao) to a nice little bakery called "Loaf" which served the most delicious coffee and bread for a nice breakfast (usually with my LT girl of the night).But the thing that kept me in the hotel for 3 more weeks (500b per day) was the amazing staff.the bar girls were friendly but not in the tempting way - they were just nice.When one of my friends had a motorbike accident (busted lip and 3 broken teeth) one day at around midnight, the hottest girl in the bar (Her name was Mai - if I remember correctly) took him back to his room and nursed him all night. When he got up that morning and wanted to pay the bar girl and to pay the bar fine for taking her with him no one accepted to take his money.I was spending most of my afternoons chatting with the receptionists, the bar girls, even the cleaning ladies if I came down a little early.One bar girl was named Tukta and she was a 27(?!) yo spark plug that looked 15, and reminded me of my little sister. At first she thought I was nice to her because I wanted to shag her but when she asked me if I want to go boom boom I told her I would never do that cause she was just like my little sister. I ended spending most of my afternoons talking with her on the bar, she recommended great places for me to visit, we went shopping together before her shift started, ate lunch together, she let me listen to her music (she's very talented even though I couldn't understand what she was singing about) and we laughed a lot when she was rating the girls I had over.The day I left the hotel she actually went out and bought me a goodbye gift and attached her photograph and a note that said "To my new big brother". Needless to say I'm still in touch with her from time to time via email.I also got a scarf from the night receptionist who knitted it in the colors of my favorite soccer team (Go Barca!)I'm gonna be back to Pattaya in a few months and most definately gonna spend my entire trip at Charlie Place

Could not agree with you more about this one matey.I stayed there my last trip too,halfway through i checked out of another,to stay here.I loved the staff,andlocation.Subway underneath and a Family mart next door.What else could be better with all the basics.It is a little on the old side now,but justlove it.Will stay again sometime.

[carrtex]

How far is this place from Robins Nest

[midge]

How far is this place from Robins Nest

May be 300 meters same side from RN to 2nd RD.

[Dalef65]

Thanks for this good report I may check this place in August

[neo69]

I've stayed there a few times & found it to be good digs, the people are all friendly & Pookie who works in the bar during the daytime is quite friendly & up for a chat, I'll definitely stay there again. cheers

[Dalef65]

What's going on neo?

 

If you want to cancel just hit delete.55

[Dalef65]

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