Hotel for Boystown or Sunnee -Ideas

[Guest]

Time to plan my next trip.

 

For the Pattaya leg, I'm looking for a hotel ideally between Boystown & Sunee, in the up to 1200 price range.

 

Maybe some other readers have some ideas to share?

Howards: Good location, but the rumours of hard beds put me off. Not a great deal of information about the rooms on the website. Big rooms for 1500, small for 600.

 

The New Paradise Inn: Excellent location, very little recent information on the residence. Gets a mention on an old thread:Thread

Also, google brings up one report of a visitor arriving and the hotel charging him double the price quoted in his written reservation.

 

Boutique Hotel: Looks good from the outside. Would be good if I could find a website for the place. How on earth do these businesses expect to market themselves?

A couple of reasonable reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

Mosaik Apartments: Rumours of them being booked up already on another site. Time I sent an enquiry.

 

Le Cafe Royal: 1100 + tax. Good location, although I'd be rather worried about noise from Boystown.

The Ambience seems to have climbed outside of my proposed price range.

 

The final candidate is the Baan Dok Mai, which I may well try again, but after consideration of some alternatives.

 

Jomtien seems to have some interesting options, but I'd rather not be looking for a baht bus when trying to return to my room late at night with company.

 

This site is good: Soi DB

 

 

Incidentally, the stay in Bangkok takes care of itself. I'll stay at the Om Yim for the 4th successive year. Just over 1000 baht a night, clean rooms and a convenient location.

[Guest RichLB]

Don't write off Jomtien Complex. There is no problem at all getting baht buses to and from the area and it's only about a 10 minute drive to Boyztown or Sunee (barring traffic). It also has the advantage of numerous eateries, abundant host bars, and very convenient to Dongtan Beach (the gay beach). Ganymede Hotel has received some excellent reviews, is new, and conveniently located. Just a thought!!

[Guest travelerjim]

Don't write off Jomtien Complex. There is no problem at all getting baht buses to and from the area and it's only about a 10 minute drive to Boyztown or Sunee (barring traffic). It also has the advantage of numerous eateries, abundant host bars, and very convenient to Dongtan Beach (the gay beach). Ganymede Hotel has received some excellent reviews, is new, and conveniently located. Just a thought!!

 

I agree RichLB,

 

Having walked through the Jomtien Complex a day ago,

(I was away from Pattaya for 6 months),I was pleasantly surprised

to see the many gay friendly clubs, cafes and hotels ready to serve.

 

In the late night hours, a 100 baht baht bus ride to Jomtien Complex,

from Sunee or BoyzTown area is easy to get for door to door service.

Or take a 10 baht bus ride sharing with others.

 

I applaud the owners of businesses in the Jomtien Complex for improving their

bars, clubs, cafes and hotels...including the Sauna.

 

A good other choice for visitors to Pattaya.

 

tj

[Rogie]

In the late night hours, a 100 baht baht bus ride to Jomtien Complex, from Sunee or BoyzTown area is easy to get for door to door service.

I didn't know it was that cheap. Is that a fixed price or do you have to haggle? 100 baht seems very fair to me, especially if two of you.

 

I stayed in Jomtien on my last visit and would do so again. There is no rule in my book that says every evening has to be spent in Boys Town or Sunee! However, for those evening spent away from Jomtien, the only real drawback was not having to get a baht bus back at the end of the evening, it was the pathetic state of the road. After one heavy overnight downpour I had to laugh; the recently relaid road just near the Hanuman statue looked such a sorry sight the next morning.

[Guest anonone]

I will share my thoughts about Howards since I stay there frequently, though I will admit up front that I am not at all picky about lodging amenities. Bug free and air conditioned are about my only criteria. I also tend to pick lower end places to have more money for fun.

 

On my first visit, I met Punya (the owner) and he was very welcoming and helpful to a poor lost soul thrown into the wonderful world of Pattaya. In seriousness, he is a real asset and would go to some lengths to help you out if needed. This is of great value to me, in case of something unusual happening...illness, etc. I have noticed he is not on site quite as much lately. I think he is spending more time at Sansuk, which he also owns.

 

Rooms at Howards are very basic and clean. Furniture is run down, there is no "ambiance", and the beds are fairly hard. I don't have any problems sleeping on them, though. Air conditioning works fine as well as fridge in the room. I always stay in a standard room, so no experience with the larger one.

 

For things which may bother some people: there can be some issue with the bathroom. I have seen some mold on either the shower curtain or shower wall and the towels are not the greatest quality. Free wifi does not reach the guest rooms, so it is only really available in the bar area downstairs.

 

I find the location of Howards to be ideal. A 2 minute stroll to Sunee and 10 minutes can get you to either Boystown or Day/Night area. Very easy to get to the baht bus route for a trip to the beach. I also like that there are some free lance guys hanging out in the bar downstairs. It can be a good way to either start or finish up your night.

 

I did stay in Jomtien for a week during one visit as there was no room available at Howards. It was OK, but I missed being close to Sunee and BT. Jomtien is OK, but does not have the party vibe that Sunee and BT has. No gogo bar in Jomtien is also a major minus for me.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Anonone, I know you didn't intend to convey anything negative about Howard's, but after reading your description, I doubt very much now I would ever stay there.

 

Mold, hard beds, shabby furniture, lack of wifi, etc. are all things I would consider detrimental to a comfortable stay at any establishment. You did say you were not picky, and I applaud your reasoning for overlooking these amenities, more fun for other things.

 

It's too far down the scale of acceptability for me, I'm afraid. I spend too much time in hotel rooms not to want to enjoy my surroundings in them. I don't need to stay at the Hilton, but something more middle ground would be enough for me. I like Mosaik in Pattaya, PJs in Chiang Mai, and I'm yet undecided about Bangkok.

 

As I've said before, to each his own.

[Guest]

I'm quite happy taking the baht bus during the daytime to visit Dongtan beach. Pay 10 baht, share one, no hurry.

Am not sure I want that hassle at night, when accompanied by a new friend. I imagine it involves waiting longer, whilst putting up with all the odd looks from feminist heifers also on the baht bus. Hiring one for 100 sounds more like it. Do you pick them up in the usual place by the school? How much haggling is required to get 100 baht? I don't want too much of that hassle late at night.

 

As for Jomtien, well it has a few host bars. However I like to visit the gogo bars, as there are very few other places in the world with such fine entertainment.

 

 

Regarding the Hotels:

 

I checked Howards on Trip Advisor and the review written in German raises some concerns.

 

Sadly I confirmed Mosaik is already booked up until the 10th of January.

[Guest anonone]

Hi Thaiworthy.

Thanks for your comments. I am certain Howards is not for everyone. I wanted to convey an honest assessment of the place for others to make their own judgement. It has good and bad points. I think it is of great value and an excellent location, which for me outweighs the cons. I also admit a bit of bias as it was where I stayed on my first trip. I have very fond memories which probably clouds my judgement.

 

Also, my typical visit is only for 1 week and I spend very little time in the room. About 5 hours of sleep plus bedroom fun times is about it. If I was staying for several weeks and was not in "party mode" all the time, I would probably seek other accommodations with better amenities.

 

z909: I was curious and read the tripadvisor review. It does raise some concern, though I have not had such a problem there.

 

For others, the review -dated in 2009- indicates some money missing from the safe with an unsatisfactory response from the owner.

 

I do not rely on any hotel room safe anywhere as all of them are equipped with some sort of master code / key / staff over-ride function that allows access. In my view, it can happen anywhere but everyone has to find their own comfort level with that.

 

Regarding Jomtien and the baht bus: I have found the baht bus does not take a lot of haggling, but it goes much better if you speak some Thai. Assuming you are around the BT area, I would think 100-150 for a direct ride back to Jomtien is feasible. Pretty easy to pick one up by the school where they are lined up waiting to go. If you happen across an empty one somewhere else, also possible.

 

Based on one visit last year when I stayed in Jomtien, I agree with your feeling that the baht bus and distance was a hassle at night. During the day for a beach visit, no problem to get from Sunee to Dongtan. At night, I just didn't want to deal with it in reverse. And I agree wholeheartedly that the lack of gogo bars in Jomtien is a real dealbreaker. Nice host bars to pop in for a drink when finished up at the beach in the afternoon, but not for me once the sun goes down.

 

For lodging close to Sunee, you may want to look at Two Guys guesthouse. It is on the other side of Sunee from Howards, so a little farther away from BT, but closer to Day/Night. Very similar rooms and prices as Howards, but no elevator if that is important for you. There is a restaurant downstairs that has a reputation for a good breakfast. I don't think it is as much of a bar as you would find at Howards though...and I have never heard of free-lancers hanging out there. two guys

I stayed there for 2 nights at the end of a trip when Howards was booked up. Nicely run place with a good reputation, which I agree with based on my brief visit.

 

Monty's bar (very close to Howards and Sunee, off of a side soi) just posted on another forum that he has 2 rooms available for rent. I think he wanted 1 week or longer stays. The prices were very low, but I can't recall any of the details he listed about the rooms. Might be an option for you.

 

There are also several smaller places listed on Nicky's Gay Pattaya site, including links to each place.

Nickys Gay Pattaya - Hotels Sunee

 

Good luck in finding someplace you like. I take it as a positive sign that our "gay" hotels are filling up. Thankfully, I have already reserved my room at Howards for my early December visit.

[Guest travelerjim]

I'm quite happy taking the baht bus during the daytime to visit Dongtan beach. Pay 10 baht, share one, no hurry.

Am not sure I want that hassle at night, when accompanied by a new friend. I imagine it involves waiting longer, whilst putting up with all the odd looks from feminist heifers also on the baht bus. Hiring one for 100 sounds more like it. Do you pick them up in the usual place by the school? How much haggling is required to get 100 baht? I don't want too much of that hassle late at night.

 

 

Re: 100 baht for baht bus from Sunee area to Jomtien...at night hours...

(the 10 baht busses still run at night...but are loaded and you may have

to wait a while to get one)

 

I get the baht bus at SoiVC...Second Rd...in front of the Middle Eastern restaurant...

always 3 -4 baht busses stopped there waiting for customers to book flat rate.

 

The drivers always ask for 150 baht..I say too much and tell them I will pay 100 baht...

take me to my condo door - View Talay 5C - next to Jomtien Complex.

 

If they say no..I begin walking away and they always say OK...get in for 100 baht.

 

Works for me every time.

tj

[Guest RichLB]

Just to adress some confusion for those who have never been to Pattaya, let me clear up this baht bus thing. The price to take a baht bus almost anywhere is 10 baht. One merely stands on the side of the road, raises your arm, and climbs in. It is rare to have to wait longer than a minute or two for a baht bus to arrive. However, if you talk to the driver about where you want to go, he will assume you want to hire him as a taxi and then you will have to negotiate the price. Unless you live in some out of the way place, though, I can't figure out why you'd want to do that.

[Guest lonelywombat]

Opposite Mosaik where the old Flamingo hotel used to be, seemed to have similar condos to Mosaik.. I called in my last day last trip but could not find anyone to talk to,

 

There might be later info avail from expats.

[Guest joseph44]

Just to adress some confusion for those who have never been to Pattaya, let me clear up this baht bus thing. The price to take a baht bus almost anywhere is 10 baht. One merely stands on the side of the road, raises your arm, and climbs in. It is rare to have to wait longer than a minute or two for a baht bus to arrive. However, if you talk to the driver about where you want to go, he will assume you want to hire him as a taxi and then you will have to negotiate the price. Unless you live in some out of the way place, though, I can't figure out why you'd want to do that.

 

As long as you depart and arrive within the baht-bus routes, you can get everywhere for only THB 10.

However: There are 3 major baht bus-areas: Naklua, Pattaya and Jomtien. Travelling within those areas along the routes is THB 10. Travelling across the areas will add up THB 10.

For example: From Naklua Road Soi 12 to Jomtien Complex will cost you THB 30.

 

The Baht-bus routes are (roughly): Naklua - up and down Naklua Road. Jomtien - up and down Jomtien Beach Road including Thappraya (or Jomtien 2nd Road nowadays). Pattaya has several routes: 2nd road, Beach Road, Sout Pattaya Road in a circle + every outbound road is a separate route: South Pattaya Road, Central Pattaya Road and North Pattaya Road.

You may also find Soi Bhuakow as a separate route.

[Guest]

I do use the hotel safe for various items & therefore want to stay at a place with a reasonable reputation for security.

 

Incidentally, I just heard an entire safe was recently removed from a room in Pattaya recently. I'll not be sharing the information about this incident, as information received via Private Messages should remain private. A simple matter of trust.

Had that happened to me I would be sure about the facts. These would be posted on every single forum I could find, plus Trip Advisor & the rest of them.

Onto more constructive matters, we seem to get very few hotel guesthouse threads here to assist people in their planning. A search brings up a good one from 2007, but a lot of the links no longer work. So please chip in here.

 

I'm not going to stop at Two Guys this time, but am wondering about Eldorado. Anyone tried it? CLEAN, quiet, comfortable & having wifi are my priorities.

 

I once stayed in Paradise Complex Patong Beach. The noise of the disco until about 4:00 am made the hotel into one of those never to be repeated experiences.

In contrast, staying in one of the rooms at the back of The Ambiance in Boystown proved to be pleasantly quiet. I don't know how rooms at the front or across at Cafe Royal compare?

[PattayaMale]

One overlooked spot is Center Condo. Many of the farangs that frequent Jomtien, Sunee and Boys Town live at Center Condo right on Pattaya Tai. It is not thought of as a place that tourist stay but there are people that actually rent rooms on a daily, weekly, and monthly. It has a large swimming pool, has motor bike taxis at the door step and is on the main baht bus route. It also has new elevators being installed and security. I know one man the rents many rooms there. His name is "Condo Steve" You can PM me for his phone or if permitted on this board 0861445160. He gave me permission to post his number.

[Guest fountainhall]

I do use the hotel safe for various items & therefore want to stay at a place with a reasonable reputation for security.

I was horrified earlier this week when staying at what is listed as a 5-star Sheraton in central China. It's safe-deposit box was more complicated than any I have previously encountered. It was one of those older types which requires both a passcode and a dial to be turned. Of course, I screwed up, and had to go down and ask someone to come and open it. One girl came with me, leant behind the safe, pressed something - and the door popped open! I wonder how much goes missing from safety boxes in that hotel!

[Guest thaiworthy]

Sadly I confirmed Mosaik is already booked up until the 10th of January.

 

Don't give up! Keep contacting them at regular intervals. I would make a booking someplace and then cancel it if Mosaik came through.

 

There was an article on Thaivisa that said the tourism industry is suffering up to 25% cancellation rates because of the flooding. Of course, you aren't due for a few more months, so I'm sure this crisis will be over by then. People cancel as a result of panic. I think this would be worth some persistence. Keep trying. Have Nong contact you if there's a cancellation or harass him until he gets tired of hearing from you. Just a thought.

 

Thaivisa article

[Guest]

Thanks for the Centre Condo suggestion. That looks good.

However I really prefer to make advance bookings by e-mail, as this allows me to spend a few minutes checking the offer carefully & also provides a written record for future reference.

[PattayaMale]

Ok here is his email

stevekino@hotmail.com

[pong]

2 points:

re Paradise Inn- I stayed regularly at the old place-guess now how long ago that was. From recent reports and that area, i conclude it is now at least 99% Arab-make up your mind for yourself. Also many rooms for rent in that giant Chinese Wall-lookalike condo (yensabai|?) behind Sunee-these are mostly private, so standard intern vary

2.Re rented bahtbus; in BKK in a real taxi, meter, with AC and all that (and does not matter how many people inside) for a 100 bt ride you can go nearly 15 km (in nighttime-no traffic waiting) Really: all of you who say ''it is so cheap'' have no clue about prices. But yes, I also know- in London a single on the bus is now 2,20 GBP=well over 100bt, p.p. it also really does not matter at all where you pick it up, but Thai will take care to use it in the right direction-so that he does not need to turn. In BKK there is the curse (for the unknowing) of waiting taxi's who refuse to go by meter-I have not really seen that so much in PTY

[Rogie]

Re rented bahtbus; in BKK in a real taxi, meter, with AC and all that (and does not matter how many people inside) for a 100 bt ride you can go nearly 15 km (in nighttime-no traffic waiting)

 

In BKK there is the curse (for the unknowing) of waiting taxi's who refuse to go by meter-I have not really seen that so much in PTY

Those taxis you curse Pong are, as you will well know, hoping to get fares either from locals who don't mind paying whatever is asked or 'green' tourists. All experienced tourists know all they have to do is walk onto the road or cross over to the other side. In general I think Bangkok taxis are fantastic. Apart from the occasional cautionary tale, as recounted in the Airport Taxi thread (see link), they are as you imply Pong, in a wholly different league to Pattaya's baht buses.

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/topic/7279-airport-taxi/page__p__51987__hl__%2Bairport+%2Btaxi__fromsearch__1#entry51987

 

Until they get proper taxis in Pattaya folks are stuck with baht buses. The system is fine once you get used to it. What system would people rather have? The baht buses in Pattaya or taxis and tuk-tuks in Phuket? I haven't been to Phuket in a long time but the tales I have heard don't encourage me to go back.

[ChristianPFC]

However, if you talk to the driver about where you want to go, he will assume you want to hire him as a taxi and then you will have to negotiate the price.

Simply asking where he goes increases the price as well.

 

I still don't know how to find out where a bus is going (without asking the driver and thereby hiring him and having to pay more). Baht busses in Pattaya have been the subject of many threads over the years. I found the attached document somewhere on the internet, the best documentation I know.

 

I prefer to stay in Howard's guesthouse so much that I don't consider staying somewhere else unless it's full. The funny thing is that there are moneyboys hanging out in Howards, whereas Sansuk sauna has a no moneyboys policy, but both have the same owner.

pattaya blue baht bus routes.pdf

[Guest]

That's the Paradise Inn emphatically removed from my shortlist then.

 

Excluding standard routes, the cost of any form of taxi or baht bus is going to be no lower than the price the tourist can negotiate.

That's one reason why I like a hotel within walking distance of the nightlife.

[Guest]

Does anyone know much about the I-Ris near Sunee?

 

Might this be suitable?

 

ie:

1 Is this catering to a quiet well behaved customer base that won't keep me a awake all night?

2 Are money boys likely to be welcome?

3 Do they have room safes?

[Guest joseph44]

I was horrified earlier this week when staying at what is listed as a 5-star Sheraton in central China. It's safe-deposit box was more complicated than any I have previously encountered. It was one of those older types which requires both a passcode and a dial to be turned. Of course, I screwed up, and had to go down and ask someone to come and open it. One girl came with me, leant behind the safe, pressed something - and the door popped open! I wonder how much goes missing from safety boxes in that hotel!

 

Get this:

[pong]

I still don't know how to find out where a bus is going (without asking the driver and thereby hiring him and having to pay more).

It is one of those annoying farang-unfriendly manners of Pattaya-the Thai do not have that trouble. Most of them make small ''asking'' gestures with their hand- like str8 on or turn L/R-if it approaches a junction. And there are NO set routes by drivers-it goes just as custom asks for.

But then again it is heavencompared to what farag have to endure in Phuket.