First Trip to Pattaya - Where to Stay?

[Guest rentalb123]

Hello,

 

I will be making my first trip to Thailand, specifically Pattaya in the spring. I am struggling to determine where to stay. I think I have a choice, then I look some more and find reviews about dirty rooms or bugs. I am not looking for a 5 star here, however, would pay for one if that was what was required. I am really just looking for a clean room, either close to the beach or in the city and would prefer gay owned vice chain.

 

From what I read it is easy enough to get between these two areas, if someone has suggestions as to what area is better would appreciate input here also.

 

Currently looking at Poseidon or Ambiance, however, am open to ideas or suggestions from someone who has recently visited. Thanks for any help in this.....

 

[Gaybutton]

Currently looking at Poseidon or Ambiance

 

The problem with a question like this is that you're likely to get several totally different answers. If it's your first trip, then I would recommend the Ambiance. It's located in the heart of Pattaya's gay action. Not only is it a gay hotel, but there will be plenty of people who can answer all the questions you'll have, can help you with any kind of problems that might arise, and you can count on the desk staff checking the ID of any boy you bring in so that there can't be any trouble.

 

Directly across the street from the Ambiance is Le Café Royale. Both hotels are similar in nature and I would recommend either of them.

 

The Poseidon is nice, but it's in the Jomtien Complex, near the beach. That's fine if you prefer to be near the beach, but it's not close to where the major night-time gay activity is. The Ambiance and Le Café Royale are both in the heart of it. All you need to do to be in the thick of the bar scene is to simply walk out the door and that's why my recommendation for a first trip is either of those.

 

When you arrive, if you want I'll be happy to take you around and show you the ropes personally. I always enjoy doing that and helping people new to Pattaya. If you're interested, all you have to do is send me an Email ( gaybutton@gmail.com ). I'll respond with my local contact information.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

The Ambiance would be my choice also. I wouldn't want to be in Jomtien, especially with the traffic mess between town and there. from Ambiance you are in the middle of boys town, and a 10-15 minute walk (a five minute motorbike taxi ride) from Sunee. You are also located in an area with 24 hour restaurant services available.

[Guest rentalb123]

Gentlemen,

 

Thank you for your thoughts. I was leaning towards Poseidon as I thought the distance was actually inconsequential between beach and night areas. It appears to be larger than I thought. I liked Ambiance for the gym and airport transfers offered, plus I understand that they are installing an elevator which resolves the negative comments I had heard about fifth floor stairs. My only concern remains that there are several write ups on the web about the rooms not being clean. I can handle almost anything, however, when the night is done I prefer to know that the sheets are clean and that nothing I have not asked to join me in bed has joined me in bed. The only other thought is that if the hotel is in the center of the nightlife is it at least somewhat quiet inside the room? As anyone stayed here recently?

[Guest rentalb123]

Thank you for your kind offer, When my arrival gets closer I will email you to get information and maybe we could share a drink and chat. I have seen several places on here where a guide could be hired for an evening to say, show the ropes to a first time visitor, would you consider that to be a worthwhile expenditure also? I have traveled Europe and South America, this sounds like the same type place as say Prague or Acapulco, just much larger scale.

[Guest laurence]

Gentlemen,

 

The only other thought is that if the hotel is in the center of the nightlife is it at least somewhat quiet inside the room? As anyone stayed here recently?

 

Good question! If the rooms are above the go-go club then you will have noise until closing about 1:00 AM. After closing the area is quite dead, noisewise.

 

[fedssocr]

Having stayed 3x at Ambiance including a just-concluded stop there last weekend I would say, stay somewhere else. In my opinion the physical plant of the hotel, while never great, is really going downhill. The staff are wonderful, but I suspect that is the case in most hotels in this country. My room had no or limited hot water in the shower during my stay. They are installing an elevator but there is no indication when that work will be done. Construction is limited to 10:00-17:00. But if you have any concern climbing steep stairs you will want to consider that. The rooms are also generally very dark. And while it may not be a concern for you, the TV options are limited to a measly 7 or 8 channels.

 

At this point I don't plan to come back to Thailand but if I ever do and I ever go back to pattaya I would stay somewhere else.

[Guest rentalb123]

Having stayed 3x at Ambiance including a just-concluded stop there last weekend I would say, stay somewhere else. In my opinion the physical plant of the hotel, while never great, is really going downhill. The staff are wonderful, but I suspect that is the case in most hotels in this country. My room had no or limited hot water in the shower during my stay. They are installing an elevator but there is no indication when that work will be done. Construction is limited to 10:00-17:00. But if you have any concern climbing steep stairs you will want to consider that. The rooms are also generally very dark. And while it may not be a concern for you, the TV options are limited to a measly 7 or 8 channels.

 

At this point I don't plan to come back to Thailand but if I ever do and I ever go back to pattaya I would stay somewhere else.

 

 

Unfortunate, but echoes some of the other comments I have heard. Does anyone know of a good clean place to stay in the downtown area, price is not a primary issue, something in in 3500 baht a night range would be ok.

[Guest rentalb123]

Unfortunate, but echoes some of the other comments I have heard. Does anyone know of a good clean place to stay in the downtown area, price is not a primary issue, something in in 3500 baht a night range would be ok.

 

Where would you stay if you went back?

[Guest rentalb123]

Anyone have any experience with Siam Bayview or the Hard Rock? Are they local to either the down town boyz area or the gay beach?

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Anyone have any experience with Siam Bayview or the Hard Rock? Are they local to either the down town boyz area or the gay beach?

 

Hard Rock is farther from the gay beach than any of the others talked about.

 

If you want to be in the gay area and the center of the action, then the only hotel I could add would be Howard's , which is in Sunee Plaza area. It is small, but has some nice rooms and an elevator. It is not fancy, but comfortable, and located in a good spot. Location, location, location.

[Guest fountainhall]

Anyone have any experience with Siam Bayview or the Hard Rock?

 

Stayed once at the Bayview and would not stay again. It was quite run down for what is a 3 - 4 star hotel. On the other hand, the Siam Bayshore at the south end of the beach is much nicer. Most rooms have recently been renovated, there are two pools, excellent breakfast - and within walking distance of Sunee (close) and Boystown (relatively close) - plus the bus to the beach has already passed most of the major traffic jams.

 

March/April is peak season and Bt. 3,500 might be difficult to get at the Bayshore. But with the general fall-off in tourists, many hotels will do deals. Worth a try, perhaps.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

For anyone interested in a nice new hotel right on the beach, the Avalon is the answer. Also, they have a golf cart to take you to the main road to get the baht bus to S. Pattaya.

[Guest rentalb123]

For anyone interested in a nice new hotel right on the beach, the Avalon is the answer. Also, they have a golf cart to take you to the main road to get the baht bus to S. Pattaya.

 

Must say it is a great looking place, however, how far is it from the beach or boyztown?

[Gaybutton]

I have seen several places on here where a guide could be hired for an evening to say, show the ropes to a first time visitor, would you consider that to be a worthwhile expenditure also?

 

No, I don't. In Pattaya I can help you myself. If I'm not available, if you post a message here I'll bet you will get responses from several people who would be willing to show you around. Failing that, why not simply take a boy off from one of the bars and pay him to show you around? If it were me, that's how I'd do it. I really see no need for a hired guide at all.

 

As far as the hotels are concerned, I have never heard a complaint about the Ambiance. If you're reluctant to stay there, then I suggest staying across the street at Le Cafe Royale.

[Gaybutton]

Must say it is a great looking place, however, how far is it from the beach or boyztown?

 

The Avalon is literally on the gay beach. You would simply exit the hotel, turn right, walk about 50 yards, and there's the gay beach area.

 

I do not recommend staying there. It's nowhere near the main gay areas and again, you're looking at a 15 to 20 minute bus ride to get to the gay area. Also, that hotel caters primarily to European families. I don't know how kindly they would look at you bringing boys in.

 

Stay in town. You're much better off in town. If you want to stay in the Boyztown area, then stay at either the Ambiance or Le Cafe Royale. If you want to stay near Sunee Plaza, then stay at Howard's. Those are your best choices, in my opinion, and those are the most popular gay hotels. At any of those three you'll have excellent, helpful staff, a hotel at which not only are you allowed to bring in boys, but it is expected, and easy access to everywhere you'll want to go.

 

Again, you're a first time visitor. Stay in the established places near the action.

 

[Guest fountainhall]

I do not recommend staying there.

 

Totally agree with GB. Stayed at the Avalon once. It's vastly overrated. The rooms are shabby, it's very basically furnished and is packed with Russians and Central Europeans. No problem with that, but they do tend to get very rowdy. If you want to stay in that area, The Rabbit Resort is far more pleasant and very gay friendly.

[Guest buaseng]

The only other thought is that if the hotel is in the center of the nightlife is it at least somewhat quiet inside the room? As anyone stayed here recently?

Don't whatever you do accept a room on the first or second floor directly over the Boyz,Boyz,Boyz nightclub. It is impossible to get any peace and quiet or to sleep whilst there is any sort of activity taking place there.

Same applies to Cafe Royale at the end of the hotel nearest Toy Boys gogo bar.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I stayed at Cafe Royal for a month two years ago, and my sleep was never interrupted...at least not by noise from outside the room. There were a few stairs to climb, but it was comfortable.

 

However, if I had it to do over again, I would stay at Howard's, and agree with Gaybuttons evaluations.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

If you want to stay in that area, The Rabbit Resort is far more pleasant and very gay friendly.

 

The problem with the Rabbit is it is so far from public transportation.

[Guest rentalb123]

All, thank you for the thoughts, I have become convinced and will choose between Ambiance and Howard's, leaning towards Ambiance due to having gym and restaurant on site and availability of car for hire to get to and from airport easily (assuming it is ever opened again).

 

Can you use Boyzgym though even if not staying at Ambiance for a fee?

 

Howard's looks nice and I would assume based on location that it is quieter at night, however, the overwhelming guidance seems to be to dive into the middle of it all.

 

Again thank you all for time and information......

[Guest MonkeySee]

Does anyone know of a good clean place to stay in the downtown area, price is not a primary issue, something in in 3500 baht a night range would be ok.

 

Have you considered the Mariott? Not sure if you can rent a room in the 3500 baht range, but it is an excellent location, close to boyztown and the royal garden shopping center. The health facilities are probably one of the best in Pattaya. The hotel has a beautiful pool, modern gym, tennis courts, clean and good service. No problem with having your new friend to your room for a visit.

[Gaybutton]

Can you use Boyzgym though even if not staying at Ambiance for a fee?

 

Yes, you can. If you prefer, there is a very large gym called Tony's Gym, very close to the intersection of South Road (Pattaya Tai) and Third Road, about a 10 minute baht bus ride from the Ambiance. Tony's Gym has much more to offer because it's quite a large facility. You can pay a daily rate there. You might want to check it out while you're in town.

 

While we're on the subject, if any of you are interested in taking Muay Thai (the Thai boxing) lessons, there is a good 'school' just outside of Tuk Com.

[Guest fountainhall]

The problem with the Rabbit is it is so far from public transportation.

 

When I last stayed, it had it's own tuk-tuk to shuttle guests to and from the police box on the main road. As long as you have a mobile, you can call as you get close and they come within minutes to pick you up. But it does stop around 10:00 pm I believe.

[Guest laurence]

Yes, you can. If you prefer, there is a very large gym called Tony's Gym, very close to the intersection of South Road (Pattaya Tai) and Third Road, about a 10 minute baht bus ride from the Ambiance.

Better yet, California Wow an excellent gym about 5 minute walk from Ambiance on Second Rd.