Guest mgluyas Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 Hey guys will be staying in Pattaya for two weeks 18th March. I have booked the Malaysia in Bangkok for two nights and the Sansuk Pattaya for 13 nights. Anyone have any reality on what these are like. Michael Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 I'm not sure what you mean by "reality." Reality in terms of what? That's quite a broad question. Regarding the Malaysia Hotel, some people love it and some people wouldn't stay there even if it was free, so you can expect mixed reviews. Personally, the Malaysia Hotel has become my first choice when I stay in Bangkok. The rooms are a little run down and could do with renovation, but I'm perfectly happy. When I book a hotel I have absolutely no interest at all in luxury while other people insist on it. For me, all I give a damn about is that the room is clean, has a decent bed, has air conditioning, TV, and a hot shower. The Malaysia has all of those. Right down the street from the Malaysia Hotel is the Pinnacle Hotel, and the rooms are much nicer, but even booking through Jimmy the rooms are twice the price as the Malaysia. I'd rather spend my money on other things. To me, some of the advantages of the Malaysia include its gay friendliness, the hospitality of the hotel staff, the ease of getting there if you drive a car, the fact that it has a 24 hour restaurant, the fact that available boys almost always hang out there, the fact that there's a good massage on the premises, it's within easy walking distance of some very good restaurants, there are several ATMs and a 7-Eleven right outside the hotel, it's within easy walking distance to the Babylon Sauna, and easy walking distance to the nearest MRT subway station. Getting to the most popular Bangkok gay venues in the Silom-Surawaong-Patpong area is a ten minute, 35 baht taxi ride. Regarding the Sansuk in Pattaya, obviously it's a perfect location if you intend to frequent the Sansuk Sauna. I've never seen the rooms, so someone else will have to review them. The location is about halfway between the city and the beach. You have to go up and down a long, steep hill to get to the Sansuk, but I understand they do provide transportation up and down the hill to where you can catch a baht bus or motorcycle taxi to take you to town or to the beach-Jomtien Complex area. No matter where you go, you'll probably go by taxi because the location is a distance from most places you will probably want to go. Again, it's a matter of personal taste. If it were me, I would choose not to stay there simply because of the location. It's a lot easier to go to the sauna from wherever you may be than to be staying there and finding it inconvenient to get to anyplace else. That's just my own opinion. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 The problem with the Malaysia is that some of the Thai boys won't go to that hotel because of the reputation it has for having so many money boys hanging around. Quote
Guest frodo Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 GB, long and steep to Sansuk? You've got to be kidding. About 200 to 300 yards from main road, and a gentle slope, definitely not steep. I have friends staying at the guesthouse and the room is very nice. They also tell me the food in the restaurant is good and not expensive. They do a set dinner for 199 baht. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 GB, long and steep to Sansuk? You've got to be kidding. No, I'm not kidding. To you it's a gentle slope. To me it's steep. Either way, 200 to 300 yards from the main road is not exactly close by. If you don't mind that, wonderful. Have you stayed there before? If yes, please tell us about it. I've never even been in any of the rooms, so I know nothing about it. Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 I have seen the rooms in Sansuk and they are very good and have all amenities. However, like GB, I would not stay there because of the location. Regardless of opinions on steepness, it is still a bit of a trek to the main road. I have been told that there is a little baht bus or motor cycle that can take you up the hill to the main road but its never been available when I've wanted it. I think Sansuk falls into the 'Icon Syndrome' category (nice but out of the way) and therefore will never be heavily patronised. I also agree with GB on the Malaysia Hotel in Bkk, but (FYI) the taxi to Suriwong now costs about 45 Baht Quote
PattayaMale Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 I have eaten at the restaurant that is beside the street going into Sansuk. I have walked up the road and did not get tired, but the road is a little bit away. They may have motorbike taxi drivers that are on call that would come and take you to wherever you would want to go. If you like spas and saunas this may be the place to go. Does anyone know if the have massage rooms or foot massages on the premise? You can tell that I have never been there but everything I have heard has been positive Quote
Rogie Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 If you like spas and saunas this may be the place to go. Does anyone know if the have massage rooms or foot massages on the premise? Yes, they do! At least body massage, not sure about foot but I'd be surprised if they didn't as the staff seem eager to please. Having said that I haven't has a massage myself so cannot comment further. This is a very well run, friendly sauna with excellent facilities. A scaled down version of Babylon in some ways. I have not eaten there but the restaurant looked clean and the meals good value. I prefer to go late afternoon whilst it is still light and laze around the pool. The pool is quite small so probably a bit disappointing for fitness fanatics (who can use the gym incidentally), but as a centrepiece for the sauna it's not bad. If my memory serves me well, I recall seeing a tuk-tuk with a Sansuk Sauna logo roll up and a farang get out. Perhaps you can phone up and book it. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 Before we get into a debate about how steep the hill is or how much of a trek it is if you have to walk up and down, then what I would do is either chance it and hope you'll like it or book another hotel instead. Then, on your first trip to Pattaya, go there and try it for yourself. If you like it you can always book it for your next trip. All I can tell you is I agree with Gay Grampa. Based on its location and that hill, it would not be my choice as the place to stay during a first trip to Pattaya unless you intend to rent a motorcycle or car. Quote
Guest Soi10Tom Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 They have a little bus that says SANSUK on the side that runs up and down the "steep hill", so there is no need to walk at all. But, to call it a steep hill tells me that someone needs to start going to the gym and cut down on their smoking. It is a very mild down/up grade and a walk of about three minutes. I live one soi over and do a neighborhood walk almost everyday that includes the "Steep Hill." The food is very good, the facility is very clean. The 2nd and 3rd floor rooms are very busy most every late afternoon and early evening with many hot young guys and old goats running about eyeing, groping and running in to nice quiet little rooms..to do something...not sure what, but the noises cuming over the low walls will give you a good hint as to what is happening. The hotel rooms are excellent. Quote
Guest mgluyas Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 Thanks for the help guys. This is actually my second trip. The first I stayed at Cafe Royale. It was a little to in the middle of it all. Anyway If it is too out of it then I can stay a week and book elsewhere. Michael Quote
Guest Soi10Tom Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 One thing that I forgot to mention. Have no fear of walking down the hill late at night when returning to Sansuk. Although it is rather dark, you will be walking by one of the largest mansions, compounds, private residences in Pattaya or even Thailand. No one is really sure what it is, but it is guarded 24/7 by security people that that are stationed at every entrance, so no need to fear being mugged or robbed. Quote
Guest pingalicker Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 I am one who LOVES the Malaysia Hotel. Having stayed there numerous times I've found the staff to be very friendly and helpful, the resturant serves good food with a smile, welcomed many "money boys" to room from the parking lot and the price is a bargain. The one and only problem I've ever had there is the elevator stopped between floors coming down from the 6th floor with all my luggage on the way to check out and return to USA. The staff came quickley along with 2 very drunken and very handsome German young men and pulled up a height of about 5 feet and flopped me out on the floor like a fish out of water. It's one of those stories I like to retell. Be sure to try the nearby resturants "Oh Ho", the resturant on the ground floor of the Moon Hotel and the Chinese resturant on the same road as the Malayasia near Rama IV. All very good. I went to the Sansuk Sauna for the first time on my last visit (Oct 08) and wished I would have visited it on earlier trips. Just had a wonderful time with every visit. The owner (can't remember his name) showed me around and made me most welcome. Had dinner there 3 times, and enjoyed each. There is a video I viewed about the whole complex that I linked to from one of the Thai chat websites, if not this one. Haven't stayed as a guest there, but talked to some who did, and they just raved about it. I've only heard good things about Sansuk Sauna, and that has been my experience also. Quote
Guest RichLB Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 I can never resist throwing my two cents in when advice is sought. I've visited Sansuk Sauna several times and have always enjoyed my times there. I'm not sure I would want to center my vacation for 12 days there, though. It's not like you'd be trapped staying at the guest house, but leaving it to venture into Pattaya, Sunee, of Jomtien Complex will require a decision. It will require a walk of a couple hundred yards (although I have no idea where this "steep" hill is supposed to be. I've never noticed it.). And, if you wish to go north on Thapyra (the only street running into town or Jomtien) you take your life in your hands crossing the road. Since this is your second trip here, I assume you are already aware of the alternative places to stay for some time. Lots of guys seem to like Howard's on Soi VC (Punya is the owner there, too) and the Poseidon in Jomtien Comples remains popular. But, wherever you end up in Pattaya, I'm sure you'll have a great time and will be back often. Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 I have no idea where this "steep" hill is supposed to be. I've never noticed it. Ok, ok, ok . . . I give up already. The hill isn't steep. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 Ok, ok, ok . . . I give up already. The hill isn't steep. How about a "strenuous slope"? Quote
Guest gay_grampa Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 They have a little bus that says SANSUK on the side that runs up and down the "steep hill", so there is no need to walk at all. Every time I have visited Sansuk the little bus has been broken or away for repairs or away on some errand. One time I managed to get a motorcycle and every other time I have had to walk ... which took 5 to 6 minutes. It probably did me some good but got me into a heavy sweat just before visiting the bars. I remain to be convinced that it's not 'Out of the way'. Quote
