ICON is Back

[Guest HeyGay]

As Bunk Kums 1st report is correct :- The ICON IS back:The old ICON may be coming back? @ Bondi

Dont quote me! but I was told by a mole, that surprise Owners will be recreating the old ICON, one of these owner, so I have been reliably informed, use to get his leg over many times when the ICON was in Full Swing, and was a share holder, I hope so, I for one, use to miss this extravaganza Hotel Complex, all we will be short of is the fab swimming pool, but the Jomtien beach is over the back garden.also confirmed.

3 shophouses of the old Bondi have been purchased by well-known local couple Ray Cornell and Darrell Bevers in a partnership and the building is currently being completely stripped prior to a full high quality renovation.

 

The new business which will be called "The Venue" will comprise a show bar, a hotel of 12 rooms and 2 suites and a Japanese style spa open to both guests and visitors. There will be snacks in the show bar but no restaurant. Renovations include the installation of a much needed lift.

 

Though completion is targeted in the first quarter of next year, the owners tell me they will not compromise quality for time.

 

This should be a landmark development in the Jomtien area. Both Ray and Darrell have owned and run hotels previously and their first careers were in show business. Ray's experience with UK Ray Cornell Dancers should especially ensure polished professionalism in the Show Bar.

 

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum...b299e072eb27905

[Guest Oogleman]

Cant wait to see what they do with it. Good luck to them.

[KhorTose]

Cant wait to see what they do with it. Good luck to them.

 

I never got the chance to stay at the Bondi. The last time I came to Pattaya I called them and they booked me a room. One week before I arrived my friend returned from Pattaya, and told me they were closed. I quickly booked at the Poseidon, and when I called the Bondi I got no answer, no email, etc. What a bunch of inconsiderate people. I could have showed up and not had a room to stay in.

Could it have been that hard to send me an EMail?

[Gaybutton]

Could it have been that hard to send me an EMail?

 

Yours is not the first such story I've heard regarding hotels in Thailand. Some hotels, for example, take care of the "bird in the hand" first. In other words, if you booked a room for two nights, and then decide to stay a third night or more, many hotels allow that even if someone else has a reservation and the hotel is out of rooms. The person with a reservation shows up only to be told there is no room for him. Imagine the joy of that little circumstance if it happens to be a person who just arrived after a long, grueling international flight. Sometimes the hotel will help find another place to stay and sometimes they just give you the sheepish smile, say 'sorry,' and you're on your own.

 

Often I hear stories about someone trying to book a room via Email to the hotel, and they can't get a response from the hotel.

 

A popular Bangkok hotel is the Pinnacle Hotel. Most prefer to book through Jimmy. Jimmy is Thai, but runs a travel service from a room on the 13th floor of the hotel. You get a major discount booking through Jimmy, but you'll see the Second Coming of Christ before Jimmy will answer Email, or even read it. If you're going to book through Jimmy, you'll have to call. It's the only way. His number is 081-859-6585. If you're calling from within Thailand, most of the time he'll ask to call you back. Usually it takes a few hours before he does, but he really will call back, so at least you don't have that problem. However, his office hours are 10:00am to 3:00pm. If you don't call within those hours he won't answer his phone.

 

Jimmy is a great guy, speaks fluent English, and is extremely helpful, especially if it's your first time in Bangkok, but he's also somewhat of a character. If you're really lucky, when you go to his office to pay him you might get out of there within a half hour. (you pay Jimmy directly if you book through him. You check in at the front desk and tell them you booked through Jimmy, but you don't pay at the front desk. You pay in Jimmy's office.) What I learned to do is to place what I owe him into an envelope (there are envelopes in your room), write my name and room number on the envelope, and push it under his door during his non-office hours. That works just fine and is perfectly acceptable to him.

 

Somebody told me a story, but I can't remember the name of the place, about staying at a small hotel in Bangkok. The price included breakfast. Unfortunately, what they didn't tell him is the breakfast is not served at the hotel. To get the breakfast, they give you a voucher and send you to another hotel, about half a mile away!

 

Welcome to Thailand . . .

 

When I was in high school they had driver's education then. I always remembered what my instructor repeated so often: "Always expect the unexpected." That saved my life more than once while driving. That same phrase also seems to apply with virtually anything in Thailand. You would be well served to remember it. That way, you won't be so shocked when something totally bizarre happens. When it comes to bizarre experiences in Thailand, I'll bet just about everyone reading this message has at least one story, more likely several stories.