Bangkok Bits & Pieces

[Gaybutton]

I just returned from a few days in Bangkok. Sorry, I don't go to the Bangkok bars, but I do have some information to share:

 

The USA embassy has entirely changed its entrance facade since I was last there. It's much more high tech now and much quicker to enter, leave your belongings, and retrieve them when you leave.

 

Three of us went to the embassy and each of us had appointments we had made online. ( see: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.as...K&appcode=1 ). Due to traffic we were more than half an hour late for our appointments and the American Citizens Services room was crowded. Nevertheless, they still accepted our appointments, mentioned that they understood about traffic problems, and we were taken immediately.

 

I always stay at the Malaysia Hotel when I can. The room rate is now 800 baht per night and, of course, plenty of boys still hang around outside, usually in the smoking gazebo or in the immediate vicinity. 500 to 800 baht is the going rate for "short time."

 

Some of you may recall a lot of noise from construction that was taking place directly across the street from the Malaysia Hotel. That construction is now complete and resulted in a brand new hotel, the Ibis. I went in to have a look. For the time being they have a promotion going and all rooms are 1300 baht per night. Their restaurant is 24 hours and they start serving breakfast at 4:00am and you can get breakfast until noon. Non-smokers may want to give the Ibis a try. Absolutely no smoking is permitted in the hotel at all and no smoking is allowed in any of the rooms. I have no idea whether the hotel is gay-friendly, but being in that area I would guess that it is.

 

 

See: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6537-h...kok/index.shtml

 

I also discovered a wonderful new restaurant that has been open only 4 months. It's a French restaurant called Vickie L'amour, owned by Monsieur Jackie, a very affable gay gentleman who also has the restaurant walls decorated with works of art that are for sale. It's a small restaurant, two tables outside and six tables inside. The menu is wonderful and very reasonably priced. It is not an extensive menu at all, but I enjoyed it so much I ate there twice. Try the ham and cheese stuffed pancakes as a starter. Don't miss it! Also, I have been looking all over the place for Eggplant Parmesan, and that was one of his menu selections. I was absolutely delighted. The portions are substantial and served piping hot. The restaurant is located between the Malaysia Hotel and the Pinnacle Hotel, a bit closer to the Malaysia, on the Pinnacle Hotel side of the street. The hours are 11:00am to 11:00pm, closed on Tuesdays. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. If you are staying at the Malaysia, the Pinnacle, the Babylon, or anywhere else in the area, it's a must. I would even go as far as recommending going to eat there if you are staying in another part of town.

 

[KhorTose]

Great report, thanks. Can you tell me more about the Ibis? Is it gay friendly, and does it have a joiner fee? See what I meant about Italian food. Even a French restaurant serves good Italian food.

[Gaybutton]

Can you tell me more about the Ibis?

I'm afraid not. Everything I know about it is in my post above. I suppose I should have checked those things, but I didn't.

[Rogie]

Great report, thanks. Can you tell me more about the Ibis? Is it gay friendly, and does it have a joiner fee?

 

I agree with KhorTose: very good report Gaybutton.

 

I stayed at the Ibis in January: I'd just flown in from Australia and the Malaysia was full, and I stupidly hadn't booked (essential at that time of year).

 

I paid 1,500 baht per night for two people and stayed two nights. I was with bf so I cannot comment on joiners fee (I presume what you are referring to KhorTose is if you take a boy to your room - apologies if I have understood this wrongly).

 

I didn't try the breakfast or indeed any meals there. The hotel is clean and spacious. The staff were friendly and efficient and I have no evidence that they are not gay-friendly - after all, our sexuality was obvious.

 

The rooms are very small and so are the double beds - perhaps you could call them sub-queen? The bed was also very hard.

 

My impression is that the rooms are designed for coach parties, stay-one-night-and-move on kind of people. They simply aren't comfortable or even cosy, given the size - just functional.

 

Overall I was disappointed - I cannot recommend the Ibis as particularly good value unless you are really stuck for somewhere to stay.

 

 

 

[Gaybutton]

Overall I was disappointed - I cannot recommend the Ibis as particularly good value unless you are really stuck for somewhere to stay.

That's really a shame. A brand new hotel ought to be far better than that. It just goes to show that people ought to have a look at hotel rooms before deciding to stay. Of course, in your case there wasn't much choice after a long flight.

 

Based on your report, I guess the best that can be said is the fact that you can get an early morning breakfast there. I hope that, at least, is worthwhile.

[Guest Oogleman]

Here is Ibis hotels website

 

http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-6537-hot...kok/index.shtml

[Guest fountainhall]

The quality of the Ibis should not be surprising. The brand is the lowest rung of the Accor hotels group (Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure etc.) and is meant to be cheap and basic. Sounds like the Ngamduplee/Sribumphen one is pretty basic without being especially cheap.

[Guest pingalicker]

Thank you Gaybutton! Another place to put on my "must try" list for my next trip to LOS. I also always stay at the Malaysia Hotel, and walk to many places from there. Walking up over Rama IV via the elevated walkway (check the items for sale on blankets there and on the other side of the road when coming down the stairway) I go to Muay Thai boxing at Lumpini Stadium (Mecca for Thai boxers) and then walk on down to Suam Laung Night Bazzar where many places to eat are located. The mango stickey rice stand there is just fabulous. From the Night Bazzar I take a taxi to the gay bars and really get the night started. From that walkway on Rama IV on the Lumpini side are many very good food stalls and carts and places to pick up fresh fruit to take back to the room. I find that whole area around the Malaysia Hotel interesting with many great places to dine at, with price ranges and menus varying to fit all budgets and tastes. I can't wait to try the newest offerings there, thanks again!