Want to stay at a true 5-star hotel during your next trip to Pattaya and have the bucks to pay for it? The Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort is open and ready.

 

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/pattaya_hotels.asp

40,000 - 160,000 baht to stay for three nights at the beginning of December? No thanks...

40,000 - 160,000 baht to stay for three nights at the beginning of December? No thanks...

Where are you seeing prices like that? I'm looking at prices that range from 4700 to 6500 baht per night. Later today I'm planning to go over there myself to have a look. I'll get the prices and post them.

Just checked with agoda.com. A three night stay for 2 people during weekdays in early December is just Bt 3,700 per night!!

Ok, I did go to the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort today. Getting there is easy. You just go north from the Dolphin Roundabout to Soi 18. Turn left and the soi takes you right to it.

 

It's definitely an impressive place, but there were a two noticeable negatives, in my opinion. The first is there are no handicapped facilities. There are elevators, but that's about it. Somebody in a wheelchair isn't going to get to the swimming pool at all. The other was that the entire lobby area is completely open air. No air conditioning in that entire area. Good luck on a hot day.

 

I asked for a room price list. They don't have one! I couldn't believe it. The desk clerk told me to just look on the Internet. It was like pulling teeth to get them to give me any room prices. But I did manage to get the important ones:

 

Deluxe unit: 5400 baht

Deluxe Ocean View: 5550

Club Mirage Ocean View: 6900

Grand Mirage Suite Ocean view: 17,000 baht

Royal Suite (only 1 unit): 42,900 baht (and it was occupied!)

 

Based on fountainhall's post, apparently you'll get much better deals using online hotel booking services.

I understand it is VERY family-oriented. Was that your impression, GB?

How many places in Thailand have you found to be handicapped friendly? I was just at Central Festival Cinema #4, which is up about 20 or stairs. No elevator or escalator. And this is a new "state of the art" shopping mall.

I understand it is VERY family-oriented. Was that your impression, GB?

That was my impression, but the place is so large that I doubt anyone is going to ask any questions if you bring in a "guest" for a while.

 

How many places in Thailand have you found to be handicapped friendly? I was just at Central Festival Cinema #4, which is up about 20 or stairs. No elevator or escalator. And this is a new "state of the art" shopping mall.

Exactly the point. Here is a brand new hotel, supposedly 5 stars (and I'm not so certain I agree, although I wouldn't dispute 4 stars), parts of which are still under construction, and no special provisions for the handicapped. If Central and Centara are examples of 'state-of-the-art,' then I think current state-of-the-art could stand some improvement.

 

It is definitely a luxurious hotel, with prices that go with it, along with many amenities I haven't seen elsewhere, but if it were me I would have a look at the hotel and the rooms before deciding to stay there at those prices.

 

I can honestly say that I was impressed by many aspects of the hotel, but there were also many aspects that I felt are common to most better hotels.

 

In all honesty I would not feel comfortable in that kind of hotel if I was interested in pursuing gay activities in Pattaya. It seems to be more the kind of place where the average guests will spend most of their time and venture out only occasionally, and then most likely on tour buses.

 

I felt that it was definitely for families looking more for a resort holiday more than families interested in exploring Thailand. That was my impression. It's a great place, but I doubt that it is the type of place at which many of those with an interest in the gay scene would feel very comfortable. Besides, it's nowhere near the gay scene. Also, I saw no baht buses or motorcycle taxis anywhere near the hotel.