Some reviews from my July Bangkok trip

[AlexThompson]

I spent two long weekends in Bangkok this month and has a blast, per usual.  I have received so much guidance from you gents over the years, and wanted to share some of my own experiences...

HOTELS

Le Siam Hotel https://www.lesiamhotel.com/
I love this little hotel.  Great location - next to Silom Complex and just five minutes from the main action.  Amazing food on the street outside the hotel.  Clean, comfortable rooms.  No issues with guests.  Amazing breakfast.  My new favorite!

The Tarntawan Hotel Surawong Bangkok
I needed to book a hotel quick and saw a forum headline about this hotel.  Ugh.  I should have read further.  The hotel is very old and dingy -- and now it is being completely renovated inside and out, with constant noise and construction materials.  I pre-booked two nights but left after one and got my money back.

Glitz Hotel
I needed something quick after moving out of Tarntawan and booked Glitz sight unseen.  It's more like a hostel.  Pros: Close to the action, right next door to Tawan.  Cheap.  No drama bringing guests back.  So close to Prime Massage.  Cons: No elevator.  Sparse rooms.  I would stay here again if others were sold out.  It's fun being in the thick of things.

MASSAGE

The Prime Massage
Based on the glowing review of @DivineMadman, I cannot get enough of this place.  I go every single day I am in Bangkok.  To me, it's the perfect combination of quality, luxury, professionalism, and price.  I consistently have excellent massages.

Sabaidee Spa
This was a low point on my trip.  When I arrived, the manager offered a selection of services.  He said the body-to-body would include elements from all of their massages.  I chose a guy named "Deeno/Deego/Diego?".  Pre-set prices and tips were expensive.  I arrived in the dingy, terrible room and showered in the filthy shower.  The guy got undressed, lightly massaged my for five minutes, before rubbing his D in my A.  Not being dramatic, it felt like assault.  I asked him to stop but he kept going.  I ended the massage early and left.  Expensive, shoddy looking, and bad massage.  Will not return.  i quickly erased the bad memory with a massage at Prime.  ;-)

 

Magic Touch by The Tree

https://www.travelgayasia.com/venue/magic-touch-by-the-tree-bangkok/

Although just a five minute walk from Glitz, this is a delightful off the beaten path, bohemian vibe-type shop.  I had a wonderful, sensual massage with Mr. Diew.  You can add the shop on Line and choose your masseuse from the photos you request.  A fantastic experience.  Would definitely return.

 

SAUNAS

 

Babylon

I don’t care what people say, I love this place.  Such a throwback to a simpler, hedonistic time.  Guys from all over the world, all ages and sizes, converge for fun.  I had always heard about the legendary Foam Parties, and I have to say, it did not disappoint.  This was definitely the CRAZIEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE. (And I have done crazy things.)  The courtyard is filled with foam, and guys converge to dance and play in the suds, under the stars.  It was WILD!  I highly encourage doing this at least once, just to experience it for yourself.  It was the pinnacle moment from my trip.

 

Chakran

This is an upscale sauna that gets rave reviews, however I was VERY intimidated.  The place is 99 percent hot Thai guys, and you have to be completely naked the whole time.  I felt like an intruder — definitely out of my element and invading their territory.  The “orgy” on the rooftop and being able to shower outside with a view of the city was incredible, but I have definitely aged out of this experience.  I would choose Babylon instead.  The highlight was the bar that overlooks the "corral" of massage boys on their phones, waiting to be chosen.  Probably the hottest guys I have seen in the city.

 

SPA

 

Dahra Beauty & Spa - Silom

https://www.dahra-spa.com/spa-services/facial-treatments/

 

I had spent two weeks at the beach and my face was busted.  Based on Trip Advisor reviews, I took the ten minute walk from the main action and discovered this very luxurious spa.  Reasonably priced massages and facials that were discounted 20% for low season.  I had a one hour facial that was excellent for $30USD that would have been $200 in the states.  I will definitely return.  

 

Overall, it was another wonderful long weekend in the city.  I love the lazy feeling of Sunday afternoons in Patong -- just grabbing a coffee or lunch and watching people recover from the night before.  I can't wait to go back!

 

 

[vinapu]

Great review.

I agree that being in the thick of action / Glitz / is more important that distant luxuries but it's me, others may have different priorities.

Based on your review I made firm resolve to finally utilize Glitz , Prime and Magic Touch and return to VCK / Chakran massage / whenever I'm in BKK next time , thank you.

That 'probably hottest guys I've seen in the city ' statement says it all.

[Guest]

15 hours ago, AlexThompson said:

Glitz Hotel
I needed something quick after moving out of Tarntawan and booked Glitz sight unseen.  It's more like a hostel.  Pros: Close to the action, right next door to Tawan.  Cheap.  No drama bringing guests back.  So close to Prime Massage.  Cons: No elevator.  Sparse rooms.  I would stay here again if others were sold out.  It's fun being in the thick of things.

Thanks for the review on this hotel.    Was there a room safe & how was the cleanliness ?    Also, any issues with road noise ?

What worries me is the Booking.com review score is 6.6.     This is quite poor, if we correct this for the current inflated way of calculating review scores on booking.com.   A hotel would have to resemble a gulag and be in a terrible location to get something like 4 out of 10.   

[To put it in perspective, The Nantra averages 6.7.   They don't clean that properly, the plumbing doesn't work and the bathrooms need a complete refit.   I believe there are several board members not planning to return there.    Perhaps the Nantra score would be lower if we calculated over the last 2 years ?]

The Le Siam looks good, but a tad more expensive.    If some members can advise me how to pep up my stock portfolio performance in the next couple of years, I might just try it. [<==Irritating emoji] 

[Boy69]

I stayed 4 years ago at the Glitz they just finished complete renovation of the property and my stay there was fine there is in room safe . sometimes the hot water at bathroom was gone and the noise from the street can be an issue .I understood since than they don't maintain the property well and their service rolled down so I don't think I will return, However the location is superb at the centre of everything you need.

My next trip will stay probably at the Le Siam or at Furama.

[AlexThompson]

@z909 The room at Glitz was perfectly clean, safe and comfortable.  It has a room safe and a fridge. The bathroom was modern and clean.  Overall, there was some peeling paint here and there and no "extras", but they do provide free water daily.  I stayed on the 4th floor, hence no road noise, but I had to walk up three flights of stairs.  It's a perfectly sweet, no drama hotel.  I think the people on TripAdvisor are straight, high-maintenance Americans who are used to staying at Courtyard by Marriotts.  Don't believe the hype. 

FYI - The Le Siam is $60USD a night now when you book on their website.

For me, I like being able to leave my room and be in the heart of the action within 90 seconds.  I don't like being buffered by expansive elevator banks, and big lobbies, and layers of security.  These two hotels suited my needs well.

@vinapu I really like the setup at VCK Massage.  You can have a drink at the bar and observe the guys for awhile before ever committing to a massage.  (There are plenty of other guys there who are just socializing and have no intention of getting a massage.) I also love how they have so many "types", straight out of Central Casting - the nerd, the student, the football player, the fashionista, the bodybuilder, the gym rat, the aloof pretty boy, etc. You can cast your very own porno!  

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, AlexThompson said:

  I think the people on TripAdvisor are straight, high-maintenance Americans who are used to staying at Courtyard by Marriotts.  Don't believe the hype. 

 

that is the reason I pay very little attention to all those anonymous / for me / reviews on the internet.

Sometimes for fun I read reviews of places I know quite well and what I read is not what I recall.

But I consider trustworthy of what our contributors are saying here

[paulsf]

I’m one of those “high maintenance “ Americans.   Courtyard is about as low as I’ll go .   I’ve never stayed at any of the hotels that are talked about in these posts, other than the Tarntawan many years ago.    For the last five years I’ve been staying in condos.  In the end they are cheaper than even the low end hotels mentioned here.   Much quieter, much cheaper and never any issues taking people home with you. 

[joshhb]

I've stayed in just about every AirBnb on Silom soi 3. Ranging from £30 per night to £80. Its a much better experience for stays more than 3 nights. Silom Lofts and Baan Pipat are the best.

Quad Suites next to Holiday Inn Express are dark and dismal. Klaas Silom Condo are very small, but modern. Best value has been the slightly shabby "penthouse" on the top of The Oasis.

[Boy69]

The problem with Glitz is that their website and in other booking sites the pictures of their rooms can be misleading it looks like luxurious boutique hotel but actually it's not this is why I guess many visitors are disappointed and giving bad reviews ,

However as other mentioned for its price the Glitz is not a bad option at all if all you need is a reasonable clean room and prime location.

[ggobkk]

I’m the type who when checking review sites looks for the really negative reviews.  They can be revealing...sometimes, one person’s dislikes can be exactly what I’m looking for.  

[Guest]

1 hour ago, ggobkk said:

I’m the type who when checking review sites looks for the really negative reviews.  They can be revealing...sometimes, one person’s dislikes can be exactly what I’m looking for.  

I have learnt to do that as well.     Mainly since my last trip to Singapore, when I booked in a "Hotel 81" in Chinatown, thinking this looks like an Ibis style chain & should be safe.    However, they also rented rooms out by the hour and the noise made sleeping difficult.

The other important thing is to check for fake reviews.    I

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, z909 said:

I have learnt to do that as well.     Mainly since my last trip to Singapore, when I booked in a "Hotel 81" in Chinatown, thinking this looks like an Ibis style chain & should be safe.    However, they also rented rooms out by the hour and the noise made sleeping difficult.

 

at least we know now there's no problem with visitors there

[traveller123]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:53 AM, AlexThompson said:

I spent two long weekends in Bangkok this month and has a blast, per usual.  I have received so much guidance from you gents over the years, and wanted to share some of my own experiences...

HOTELS

Le Siam Hotel https://www.lesiamhotel.com/
I love this little hotel.  Great location - next to Silom Complex and just five minutes from the main action.  Amazing food on the street outside the hotel.  Clean, comfortable rooms.  No issues with guests.  Amazing breakfast.  My new favorite!
 

 

We have to go up to Bangkok early September to try and get a US Tourist visa for my partner.

This hotel looks pretty near the Embassy

Thanks for the recommendation

[18past19]

On ‎7‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 11:53 PM, AlexThompson said:

On ‎7‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 11:53 PM, AlexThompson said:

Probably the hottest guys I have seen in the city.

 

This reinforced my impression towards the place. Not sure if I could say the hottest guys in the whole city, but a massage shop with the most hottest guys compared to 3 other shops I'd been (Prince, Arena and my Hero). I remember that the cutest guy of my last trip was a masseur from V club.

[18past19]

On ‎7‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 10:53 AM, ggobkk said:

sometimes, one person’s dislikes can be exactly what I’m looking for.  

one man's food is someone else's poison?

their poison can be my food.

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, asnstudent said:

one man's food is someone else's poison?

 

absolutely, just enough is to recall perennial discussions about merits of twinks vs.hunks or how off putting or sexy tattoos  are.

[paborn]

12 hours ago, vinapu said:

absolutely, just enough is to recall perennial discussions about merits of twinks vs.hunks or how off putting or sexy tattoos  are.

Batting a thousand. If reading a review, even on Amazon, I check the person's other reviews to see if they have reviewed  a product I know. It's surprising how often negative reviews are from people whose hobby appears to be complaining.

hunks/twinks/tattoos/no tattoos and the endless discussions about the Tarntawan.

[paborn]

Le Siam Hotel https://www.lesiamhotel.com

I tried searching this' and I  got a very grand looking place on the river not by the Silom complex. Any pointers to help? I know I must have done something wrong.

[vinapu]

5 minutes ago, paborn said:

Le Siam Hotel https://www.lesiamhotel.com

I tried searching this' and I  got a very grand looking place on the river not by the Silom complex. Any pointers to help? I know I must have done something wrong.

try this link from agoda, don't be intimidated by length of it, just click once

https://www.agoda.com/pages/agoda/default/DestinationSearchResult.aspx?asq=u2qcKLxwzRU5NDuxJ0kOFzKB3GJyRBBHZf8%2Bv3E5Ekt7wSHHhPYk2zGmGWiijRCTmc8zEN25SrX%2BnLv23oPqL5ohSqQL1evrc4aKGcDDVSwrDc8ApX2p4jNAagsJ1soAJtzaC0cR0EvjdUUjzBo9YO2fvowMROMl2blx3hH3Th%2BvpAOzjwLqE6MvO5hS%2BUSA3PXigDsrTdOFuDpLfEPc69HhfYWbJrK1D3dm6jk2j%2Fk%3D&selectedproperty=10704&hotel=10704&tick=637003825570&languageId=1&userId=27ec5d63-f8c4-4e80-bcfb-a67a564d1d5e&sessionId=ppjmsqeh0kuiyvybn5irc1s0&pageTypeId=7&origin=CA&locale=en-US&cid=-1&aid=130243&currencyCode=CAD&htmlLanguage=en-us&cultureInfoName=en-US&ckuid=27ec5d63-f8c4-4e80-bcfb-a67a564d1d5e&prid=0&checkIn=2019-10-08&checkOut=2019-10-10&rooms=1&adults=2&children=0&priceCur=CAD&los=2&textToSearch=Le Siam Hotel&productType=-1&travellerType=1&familyMode=off

[paborn]

Thank you. No idea what I did but this is far different.  The other had private villas - 

[anddy]

Le Siam should be well known to many here, it is the former Swiss Lodge on Convent / corner of Saladaeng Soi 2 (where there was a large 7/11 on the other corner, now a construction site)

The Siam on the river, not too far from former Dusit Zoo, is a VERY nice, very expensive 5-star Hotel with some exquisite artwork and antiques in the lobby areas. Been there a couple of times for afternoon tea.

[Guest]

22 hours ago, paborn said:

 If reading a review, even on Amazon, I check the person's other reviews to see if they have reviewed  a product I know. It's surprising how often negative reviews are from people whose hobby appears to be complaining.

I also read the text of the reviews & sometimes their other reviews, particularly if the reviews are important (e.g. trying a different hotel, or buying some "unknown" electronic appliance).

Example review abuse includes:

1    Some wireless earphones on Amazon with over 250 reviews, all 5 star and all by "Amazon Customer", not real people with names and other reviews.  With that sample size, there should be many "named" reviewers.     I only take any note of reviews by real people, with names and a proper range of reviews on other diverse products.

2   Other wireless earphones on Amazon, with about 50 5 star reviews, but the review text is full of reviews on clothing, knives and anything except the product.

I complained to Amazon about both of the above cases & nothing was done.    After delivering outstanding service for years, Amazon are slipping just a touch. 

 

3     A terrible hotel in Istabnul which had one 5 star review on Trip Advisor.   The reviewer showed his photo & he was the guy working in reception.   He had one other review - a zero star review of a nearby hotel.     I reported this and the reviews were deleted.

4   Beware of poor hotels with an abnormal review distribution.    The low scoring bad reviews with real customers and a few 100% score fake reviews stuffed in to push up their score.

 

There are, of course, the persistent complainers.     Some of whom are on the forums (& one of whom seems to dislike almost every gay bar in Thailand).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, z909 said:

I also read the text of the reviews & sometimes their other reviews, particularly if the reviews are important (e.g. trying a different hotel, or buying some "unknown" electronic appliance).

 

for reasons you outlined above , as i mentioned many times before , while I read review sometimes just for fun I'm not influenced by them at all unless they are coming from people I know at least just a bit / like people who are contributing here on the forum or other 2 Thai gay fora which I read more or less regularly / 

[Huncsaba]

The Pinnacle Lumpinee is a gayfriendly hotel? And what happent with the Hotel Malaysia, was a family run hotel and now looks new owner with higher price...Someone can to answer me please?

[Guest]

On 8/3/2019 at 5:08 PM, vinapu said:

for reasons you outlined above , as i mentioned many times before , while I read review sometimes just for fun I'm not influenced by them at all unless they are coming from people I know at least just a bit / like people who are contributing here on the forum or other 2 Thai gay fora which I read more or less regularly / 

When I go somewhere for the first time, I'm either booking a hotel "blind" or relying on customer reviews.   As long as I filter out the obvious fraudulent reviews, this method is often helpful.   Particularly on Trip Advisor  if the reviewer resembles a real traveller  -ie has numerous published reviews for different hotels in different locations, then I am more inclined to trust them.    Also, the standard of English might match their profile.