Pattaya advice

[Spanky_bum_time]

Apologies... I am sure this has been asked many times!
Looking to head out to Thailand (1st time) for a late break, Will be going solo and chosen Pattaya as destination of choice.
Require advice on hotels, Does anyone have advice or reviews on which ones are girl friendly and close to the action?
Where best to book?.. Thinking hotels.com or laterooms.com
Finally transport from airport to hotel, Do you just use a cab? And what cost?
Many thanks in advance.

[Jerboa]

Yes it's been ask numerous times. So when are you going and for how long? Most hotels are girl friendly, your best on first trip to stay close to the baht bus loop of Beach road-2nd road, as most of Patts is only a 10 baht ride away. You don't really have to book the room for the whole stay in advance, I say that, because there is a over supply of rooms in town, you could book for 2-3 nights, then if happy with your hotel should be able to extend, or find somewhere better. Prices are VFM too, I usually stay in rooms in the 3 star class, clean safe and good facilities for 500b-1000b. Another idea might be rent apartment, check out AirBnb.

[Jimmyredcab]

Where best to book?.. Thinking hotels.com or laterooms.com

I like Expedia.

List of girl friendly hotels ---------

External Link/Members Only


All hotels will let you take girls back to your room --------------- but some will charge what they call a joiner fee, that could be 500 baht or more.

[Jimmyredcab]

Finally transport from airport to hotel, Do you just use a cab? And what cost?

If you arrange for a cab to pick you up it will be 1000-1200 baht ------- depending on the company, if you get one from the taxi rank it will be nearer to 1500 baht.

Cheap charlies will tell you to get a bus ---------- but do you really want that after a 12 hour flight.   

[mattylondon]

Yes it's been ask numerous times. So when are you going and for how long? Most hotels are girl friendly, your best on first trip to stay close to the baht bus loop of Beach road-2nd road, as most of Patts is only a 10 baht ride away. You don't really have to book the room for the whole stay in advance, I say that, because there is a over supply of rooms in town, you could book for 2-3 nights, then if happy with your hotel should be able to extend, or find somewhere better. Prices are VFM too, I usually stay in rooms in the 3 star class, clean safe and good facilities for 500b-1000b. Another idea might be rent apartment, check out AirBnb.

Renting an apartment may be a better idea if you want to take somebody back discretely, even though most hotels turn a blind eye anyway.

I think if AirBnb had been around when I last went, that would be the option I chose now. Taxis aren't so expensive.

[Jimmyredcab]

Renting an apartment may be a better idea if you want to take somebody back discretely, even though most hotels turn a blind eye anyway.

Not exactly a blind eye, the reception even take a note of the girl's ID ----------- for your protection, many hotels will phone you before they return her ID in case she has robbed you.   

[rocky101]

If you are still looking, I'd suggest the following from personal experience.

- April Suites and August Suites, both close to Soi6
- VT6 condos on 2nd Road (my most preferred)
- Seemespring hotel on 2nd Road
- LK Renaissance near Soi Buakhao
- LK Metropole near LK Metro
- Areca Lodge

Like someone else has already said don't book for the entire period, however the risk is that at better establishments you MAY struggle to extend your stay. I've assumed you are not on a shoe-string budget.

[Vivago]

I've stayed in most areas of Pattaya. The cheapest gaffs in Central Pattaya are found north of 2nd Road, along Soi Honey Inn and adjacent soi's and up towards LK Metro. Here you can find a plethora of small hotels and guest houses to suit all budgets from shoestring (3-500 baht) upwards. Many do discounts for longer stays of a week or more. I used to like the Bay Breeze but haven't stayed there in yonks. Another cheapy directly on 2nd road is the Apex which does a good value and popular buffet breakfast for less than 100 baht.

These days I like to stay south of 2nd Road on the soi's that run down to Beach Road. I prefer either Soi 10 or Soi 13, both quiet soi's with no conglomerations of noisy bar beers that are found on other soii's such as 6 and 8 but still very central and a leisurely walk away from all the action areas. Soi 10 is right next to Festival Central Mall and has several good hotels including The Stay and See Me Spring 1 & 2. Soi 13 also has plenty of good, mid-budget choices. My current favorite is Sandy Springs which I cannot fault. Girl friendly (no joiner fee) and with polite and helpful staff, lees than 2k will get you a large, well equipped room overlooking the pool and with a seaview. Best mid-budget hotel I've come across recently in Pattaya.

Has anyone flown into U-Tapao-Pattaya Airport? About 40kms from Pattaya, it seems a decent alternative to the hassle of a Bangkok transfer and I've booked on an Air Asia flight from KL next week. Only 20 quid too. Just concerned about the transport options for the onward move into town.

[Jimmyredcab]

Finally transport from airport to hotel, Do you just use a cab? And what cost?

I like to have a driver waiting for me, this company is based in Pattaya on third road, the driver waits near exit number 3 with your name on a placard, the cost is 1000 baht including tolls, when booking you need to tell them your full name, flight number and airline, date and estimated arrival time -------- plus the address of your hotel.

mr_ttaxi@hotmail.com

[Jimmyredcab]

My current favorite is Sandy Springs which I cannot fault. Girl friendly (no joiner fee) and with polite and helpful staff, lees than 2k will get you a large, well equipped room overlooking the pool and with a seaview.

I have stayed there, no problems but a seaview is not guaranteed, the hotel is half way down Soi 13.   

The OP has not stated his budget, for 2000-2500 baht you will get an excellent hotel at this time of the year.

[Liam52]

@vivago, I flew out of utapao before Xmas,  it's a military controlled airport, military checkpoints on the road to it.  I didn't notice any taxi ranks outside the airport or waiting taxis. Probably would be safest to arrange a taxi to collect you.  About 50 min drive to pattaya

[Vivago]

@vivago, I flew out of utapao before Xmas,  it's a military controlled airport, military checkpoints on the road to it.  I didn't notice any taxi ranks outside the airport or waiting taxis. Probably would be safest to arrange a taxi to collect you.  About 50 min drive to pattaya

Thanks for the info. I better organise a pick up. I wonder why Air Asia fly into a military controlled airport?

U tapao started life, I believe, as the biggest American Air Force bases in the area during the Vietnam War and it was presumably its proximity was the catalyst for things kicking off in Pattaya as a R & R destination.

I have stayed there, no problems but a seaview is not guaranteed, the hotel is half way down Soi 13.   

I stayed there twice last year, several months apart, both times unbooked walk-ins. I was most impressed when I rolled up the second time when the receptionist instantly recognised me and offered to put me in the same room as I had on my first stay, which did have a sea view, albeit between buildings. How do they do that?

The hotel ticks all the right boxes for me and I'll spend my first week there but for the second week I might just treat myself to a stay in the LK Empress if I can get a reasonable quote. Its one of the best girl friendly hotels in town.

[Jimmyredcab]

I stayed there twice last year, several months apart, both times unbooked walk-ins. I was most impressed when I rolled up the second time when the receptionist instantly recognised me and offered to put me in the same room as I had on my first stay, which did have a sea view, albeit between buildings. How do they do that?

Commonly know as a "restricted sea view".   

My hotel of choice is the Intimate Hotel (Tim's boutique hotel), just off second road near The Avenue shoppping complex, currently on offer at around £40 a night ---------- second choice would be Sea Me Spring on Soi 10.

[Jerboa]

Thanks for the info. I better organise a pick up. I wonder why Air Asia fly into a military controlled airport?

U tapao started life, I believe, as the biggest American Air Force bases in the area during the Vietnam War and it was presumably its proximity was the catalyst for things kicking off in Pattaya as a R & R destination.

I stayed there twice last year, several months apart, both times unbooked walk-ins. I was most impressed when I rolled up the second time when the receptionist instantly recognised me and offered to put me in the same room as I had on my first stay, which did have a sea view, albeit between buildings. How do they do that?

The hotel ticks all the right boxes for me and I'll spend my first week there but for the second week I might just treat myself to a stay in the LK Empress if I can get a reasonable quote. Its one of the best girl friendly hotels in town.

Yes Utapao is a Royal Thai Navy airfield, was built for B52's, so a long runway capable of receiving large airliners, the Ruskies have used it for charter flights for several years, recently the Thai government did say they wanted to expand commercial flights from Utapao. I'm not sure about transport from there, if Airasia are flying there now, no doubt there will be taxis and shuttle buses to Patts.

[Jerboa]

As for transport from Swampy to Patts, yes a taxi is fine, but other alternatives is 389 bus, runs from 7am-10pm takes 2hrs and is 122 baht. External Link/Members Only

Or Bell bus, who will drop you off at your door in Patts for 230 baht, bus leaves swampy daily.
08:00/10:00/12:00/14:00/16:00/18:00 External Link/Members Only

[blueruin]

i usually use agoda to book hotels, however they are paid upfront and often cant be cancelled so are a bit cheaper.

Ive always stayed around LK Metro, its about halfway between Soi 6 and walking street. LK metro also has some pretty good gogo bars and soi Honey is next door, there is a few other places nearby like Lolita's. You also have Kiss the 24 hour thai fast food resturant at the end of soi diana on 2nd road which is very handy, cheap and the food isnt bad.

It can be a bit noisy depending on where you stay at LK metro, I've stayed in guesthouses like billabong which are cheap but clean, but you wont get much sleep before 3am, it has a live band in the bar. Also got propositioned by the 50ish year old cleaning lady while she was cleaning my room which i doubt would happen in a hotel.

Last visit i stayed in 247 boutique hotel on soi honey, pretty good for around 25 quid a night, has a rooftop pool too, not that i ever used it.

[mattylondon]

Not exactly a blind eye, the reception even take a note of the girl's ID ----------- for your protection, many hotels will phone you before they return her ID in case she has robbed you.   

Yep, good point there.

[Spanky_bum_time]

Thanks for all the advice so far!!..

Correct, I'm not on a shoestring budget..

Planning to go 1st of Feb but not guaranteed due to ongoing purchase of a house!

Initial research shows I can get a direct flight for £450, Hotels £20 - £40 a night for average 3* establishments.

Intending to go for 7 nights, Have seen that most recommend 10 nights plus but have also heard from folk who say 7 is plenty, So for a 1st time 7 will be enough to gauge future trips!

Will continue to research and please keep the advice coming!

[Jimmyredcab]

Planning to go 1st of Feb but not guaranteed due to ongoing purchase of a house!

Initial research shows I can get a direct flight for £450.

Cheapest I can see for 1st Feb is £519 with Thai International.

Bear in mind you will be travelling for at least 18 hours door to door ------------ 7 days is simply not enough, despite what others may tell you.   

[blueruin]

Thanks for all the advice so far!!..

Correct, I'm not on a shoestring budget..

Planning to go 1st of Feb but not guaranteed due to ongoing purchase of a house!

Initial research shows I can get a direct flight for £450, Hotels £20 - £40 a night for average 3* establishments.

Intending to go for 7 nights, Have seen that most recommend 10 nights plus but have also heard from folk who say 7 is plenty, So for a 1st time 7 will be enough to gauge future trips!

Will continue to research and please keep the advice coming!

Go for longer and spend a few nights in Bangkok, 2 weeks is the way to go. Plenty of mongering to be had in Bangkok too.

[godhomer]

Has anyone flown into U-Tapao-Pattaya Airport? About 40kms from Pattaya, it seems a decent alternative to the hassle of a Bangkok transfer and I've booked on an Air Asia flight from KL next week. Only 20 quid too. Just concerned about the transport options for the onward move into town.

Vivago i don't know if this will help you but it gives a little info on the airport you mentioned although the guy is flying out of Pattaya and not into it.

External Link/Members Only

Hope it helps .

[Stickitin]

I'd suggest a 10 day minimum if you can do it, 7 days is way too much of a rush in and out with the long fights etc.

[Jimmyredcab]

I'd suggest a 10 day minimum if you can do it, 7 days is way too much of a rush in and out with the long fights etc.

Good advice, I would say if you can't do at least 10 days then put off the trip until you can.   

[Vivago]

Hope it helps .

Yes, thanks mate. Very useful. The indomitable Geoff 'fat wap' Carter no less.

I deffo have to organise a driver to meet and move me from this place. 

[Liam52]

It's a nice small airport, will be a lot faster than going through bangkok

[Jerboa]

It's a nice small airport, will be a lot faster than going through bangkok

Unless you're stuck behind a plane load of new arrival Russian charter tourists.

[escortman]

Hi mate

i stay at sabai lodge no charge for guests

love the place

[Spanky_bum_time]

Going for 10 days now, Fly out direct on 1st Feb and arrive about 4pm on the 2nd.
Looking at hotel options now as obviously want to be close to the action!
Suggestions great fully received looking to have it all booked on Tuesday before last 5 shifts at work.

[Spanky_bum_time]

Hi mate

i stay at sabai lodge no charge for guests

love the place

Is it 'Sabai resort pattaya'?

[Vivago]

Unless you're stuck behind a plane load of new arrival Russian charter tourists.

No, I got stuck behind a plane load of newly arrived Indian tourists. 

Took over an hour to clear immigration.

[Vivago]

Spanky - you really ought to consider Soi 13. Its as central as you can get.

I'm staying at the Sandy Spring at the moment. Nice, unfussy, mid-ranger. About £34 a night. Guest friendly. Top seaviews from the room balcony.

Hidden Image/Members Only
 

[James999]

The price for the room is good, and I agree you have a good view of the sea, but seriously those shitty shacks between you and the sea spoil it completely, I would be very pissed off if they were part of my "sea view"

[Jimmyredcab]

The price for the room is good, and I agree you have a good view of the sea, but seriously those shitty shacks between you and the sea spoil it completely, I would be very pissed off if they were part of my "sea view"

God knows what room he got but there is another hotel between the Sandy Spring and the sea, it is called the AA hotel, when I stayed there I got a view of a wall. 

[Vivago]

God knows what room he got but there is another hotel between the Sandy Spring and the sea, it is called the AA hotel, when I stayed there I got a view of a wall. 

Its not rocket science, matey. I just requested a sea facing room, of which the majority of the rooms at the Sandy Spring are.

I can see the AA Hotel from my room. Its the ugly yellow building in my photo and is built side on to Beach Road so few of their rooms can have proper sea views although their pool terrace at the front does. 

The AA also has many crap reviews so I haven't stayed there.

Hidden Image/Members Only
 

[Spanky_bum_time]

Someone recommended the Jontien long stay hotel, The guy in question has a Thai missus and they go back a lot and he says it's a great place plenty to do and you just hop on a bus to get to the entertainment district, Only thing that puts me off is he doesn't go there for the girls so not sure if it's fit for my purpose!
I've had a look on hotels.com and looked through reviews for Soi 13 and tempted by Inn house hotel on Soi 13, Anyone know if this place is decent/girl friendly? Looking at some other reviews hotels charge a fee for bringing back girls.
Appreciate I've left it late!

[James999]

Appreciate I've left it late!

So stop fucking about and book it, there are plenty of suggestions above 

[Jimmyredcab]

Someone recommended the Jontien long stay hotel

I don't like Jomtien, the girls are even uglier than in Pattaya, it is very cheap though.

[Vivago]

I've had a look on hotels.com and looked through reviews for Soi 13 and tempted by Inn house hotel on Soi 13, 

You ought to stop prevaricating and get booked in somewhere. Remember its still peak season and popular places can get booked up days and even weeks ahead.

The Inn House is a small place directly opposite the Sandy Spring. Hardly more than a guest house. Does it even have a pool? What are their rates?

All hotels on Soi 13 will be guest friendly.

Go to Jomtien if you want a beach holiday.

[blueruin]

If you are going for the girls don't bother about jomtien. Stay in central pattaya near 2nd road.

I stayed in the inn house once a few years back, I don't think it has sea views, well not decent ones anyway, was girl friendly when I stayed. Small rooms, clean, OK hotel.

[Spanky_bum_time]

All booked!   

Flying out of Heathrow at 21:35 1st Feb on a direct flight with Thai air, Should arrive 16:00 2nd Feb.
I thought the return flight was good value at £533.05

Taxi booking also been sent through advised link.

Hotel: I was gonna be a cheapskate and book something for around £200 for 9 nights, Reading reviews on here and the booking sites decided not to spoil it, Opted for Sandy Spring Hotel on Soi 13, Only 1 room left!  It's a sea view suite with king size bed! Some people I know were saying just book a couple of nights then you can arrange better/cheaper accommodation when arrive but as this is my first trip abroad in 24 years (I'm 36!) I wanted to do it right! Plus it'll be good for taking girls back!

Only able to do 9 nights this time due to what I was allowed from work but will go and learn for next time!

[Vivago]

Only 1 room left!   

 ..hotel booking sites always say that. What is your nightly rate?

I think you will find that you chose wisely. I've stayed in loads of different hotels all over Pattaya, and Sandy's is just about my favorite in the midrange bracket.

[Vivago]

Heres a taster of what awaits you.  Last nights thousand baht honey.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Jimmyredcab]

Heres a taster of what awaits you.  Last nights thousand baht honey.

Plus thousands of pig ugly bitches, it will be interesting to see what this newbie thinks of the quality, let's hope he is not disappointed.

[Spanky_bum_time]

I'm looking forward to it!
Will leave the pig uglies alone lol.
Do girls mind being photographed/filmed?
How long did your honey stay for for 1000bht?

[Vivago]

Will leave the pig uglies alone lol.
Do girls mind being photographed/filmed?
How long did your honey stay for for 1000bht?

Yes..leave the pig uglies for London cabbies.
Some do, some don't although the don'ts can become do's for a purple sweetener or two (500 baht).
Short time/one pop.. in my case about an hour.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Jimmyredcab]

Yes..leave the pig uglies for London cabbies.

What all the 99.9% of them, you have posted pictures before of pretty rough women, most Pattaya girls are monsters, that is simply a fact.

[Spanky_bum_time]

Cheers Vivago for all the advice plus anyone else with positive feedback, Looking forward to it, Even if the girls are shit I'm at least on a good flight and staying in a good hotel, Just need the beer to be cold!

[blueruin]

A couple of beers and you'll find something you like 

[Jerboa]

Cheers Vivago for all the advice plus anyone else with positive feedback, Looking forward to it, Even if the girls are shit I'm at least on a good flight and staying in a good hotel, Just need the beer to be cold!

Take what Jimmy says about the quality of the girls in Patts with a pinch of salt, he doesn't even find Thai women attractive, there are thousands of hookers in town, no one saying all are stunners, but plenty of decent ones to find.

[Jimmyredcab]

Take what Jimmy says about the quality of the girls in Patts with a pinch of salt, he doesn't even find Thai women attractive, there are thousands of hookers in town, no one saying all are stunners, but plenty of decent ones to find.

No one has to take my word for anything, simply go to you-tube and type in Pattaya bargirls or something similar, even better "Soi six pattaya"  ------- some of the roughest women on the planet.