Bangkok Hotels

[Almond812]

Any better options in the area of Soi Cowboy of between SC and NEP for this price and facilities? For some reason there's barely information to find about Jasmine City Hotel.

I am a big fan of Four Points by Sheraton. Suk 15, back entrance to Thermae is across it's entrance, and it's basically smack dab in the middle of SC and NEP. Nice hotel, rooms avail generally from 80-100 usd.

[Hiete]

Last time I stayed in Hotel Mermaid in Soi 29 which is my regular spot together with Park Plaza Sukhumvit.

Next time I might want to stay a bit closer to SC and was considering Jasmine City Hotel. The Deluxe Studio didn't seem to be bad. I like a room for about USD 100 p / and with size of minimum 40 m square. I don't bother to have breakfast.

Any better options in the area of Soi Cowboy of between SC and NEP for this price and facilities? For some reason there's barely information to find about Jasmine City Hotel.

[EihTooms]

Can you explain what you mean here. The best Expats I know (that seem worthwhile conversing with from time to time) live, well almost anywhere. I never thought of their exact location as making a huge difference, other than those that want to live right on Soi 4 or Soi 7/1 would be suspect, and not likely to make it to my "better class" if was trying to develop one.

Some expat pals of mine are in the category of "no idea if they are mongering at all". Mongering topic does not come up in the conversation. No idea though what is the criteria for a better class of Expats. Is there really something wrong with expats who choose to live further out? Why?

Actually I did know an old guy living in or close to Soi 4. Relative of a friend. He used to do accounting for the a well known disco in Soi 4. 30 years ago was part owner of a bar. Had coffee in a group including him at Landmark last year, but don't know him that well. His level of Thai language is still weak after living in Thailand for well over 30 years. However that is normal I guess.

Another guy I know who works in Thailand long term has brilliant Thai, but he is a very smart cookie on many subjects.

Oh, just guys who are more relaxed, more accepting of different cultures, funnier, less snooty, well traveled, that sort of thing. Just my experience. YMMV.

[Syzygies]

Not Least of which is I meet a better class of expat and visitor here than elsewhere. But proximity to bts and mrt stations is up there too.

Can you explain what you mean here. The best Expats I know (that seem worthwhile conversing with from time to time) live, well almost anywhere. I never thought of their exact location as making a huge difference, other than those that want to live right on Soi 4 or Soi 7/1 would be suspect, and not likely to make it to my "better class" if was trying to develop one.

Some expat pals of mine are in the category of "no idea if they are mongering at all". Mongering topic does not come up in the conversation. No idea though what is the criteria for a better class of Expats. Is there really something wrong with expats who choose to live further out? Why?

Actually I did know an old guy living in or close to Soi 4. Relative of a friend. He used to do accounting for the a well known disco in Soi 4. 30 years ago was part owner of a bar. Had coffee in a group including him at Landmark last year, but don't know him that well. His level of Thai language is still weak after living in Thailand for well over 30 years. However that is normal I guess.

Another guy I know who works in Thailand long term has brilliant Thai, but he is a very smart cookie on many subjects.

[Nyezhov]

I used to live near the Grand Palace and the Chayo Phraya Riverfront area but the transit to and from the red light distrcts was a hassle. Now I live less than a 15 minute walk from the entrance to Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy and the advantages are many. Not Least of which is I meet a better class of expat and visitor here than elsewhere. But proximity to bts and mrt stations is up there too.

I used to live in Thonburi and it was better to go to Mixx from there than it is now in my new crib. I could grab a cab 24/7 in front of the Grand Hyatt, 100 B, 15 minutes. I think next year I will go back on that side or go Riverfront. I prefer areas with less foreigners, which is why Thonburi beats Ekkamai, Thong Lo, PK, OnNut.

[EihTooms]

I don't ever deny rolling in the filth down there, I love it, I grabbed a Wood Bar gobble from a gobble worthy semi-hag the other day, I just wouldn't want to live there. ID stay in the Westin, or Radisson or down on Phrom Pong or over on Wireless if I was visiting. Before I moved in this year, I stayed at the Hotel where Monsoon is for three days and went nuts at the skeeze. And soi 8 is kind of less skeezy. But Ill never do that again anymore. There are degrees you know. I've seen more drunks blow chow in the street on Soi 4 near nana plaza than I have in front of the Sheraton.

I prefer Mixx to levels. Its 100 baht to my crib.

I used to live near the Grand Palace and the Chayo Phraya Riverfront area but the transit to and from the red light distrcts was a hassle. Now I live less than a 15 minute walk from the entrance to Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy and the advantages are many. Not Least of which is I meet a better class of expat and visitor here than elsewhere. But proximity to bts and mrt stations is up there too.

[Nyezhov]

This being the Bangkok Hotels thread, don't punters stay in Nana area hotels to be as close as possible to where they pull girls from so they don't have to sit in city traffic or ride a train with their girl back to their room? Sure, if someone is pulling from Tinder, escort services or some other option where the girl comes to your room without you leaving it, why not stay outside of the Nana area.

But if you're pulling from Levels and Thermae very often, as I recall you do as well, those venues are every bit as deep in the Nana area "pig sty" as, say, Lol!tas, Kasalong Bar, Beer Garden, the FL stroll on Sukhumvit, Soi 5, Soi 4 or just about any bar in Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy, aren't they?

I don't ever deny rolling in the filth down there, I love it, I grabbed a Wood Bar gobble from a gobble worthy semi-hag the other day, I just wouldn't want to live there. ID stay in the Westin, or Radisson or down on Phrom Pong or over on Wireless if I was visiting. Before I moved in this year, I stayed at the Hotel where Monsoon is for three days and went nuts at the skeeze. And soi 8 is kind of less skeezy. But Ill never do that again anymore. There are degrees you know. I've seen more drunks blow chow in the street on Soi 4 near nana plaza than I have in front of the Sheraton.

I prefer Mixx to levels. Its 100 baht to my crib.

[Chacal60]

She called it Nana Condo, possibly it's the same. Fairly dingy exterior, a parking lot with an elevator bank after you've walked into the parking area. First time she waited for me at the elevator, after that I'the just wave to the lonely attendant and go up to her room myself.

I miss-read your post. Nana hotel is just across the street from the entrance of the Nana Entertainment Plaza on Soi 4, just 50 meters south of Sukhumvit road. I don't know if it was a condo or not. Just a 9 story hotel at ground zero of the Nana mongering district.

[Syzygies]

Stayed 3 nights in the iCheck Inn at the end of Soi 7/1, Sukhumvit. I enjoyed it a lot. The room was small but very comfortable. The price was economical and the bed was comfortable. Small fridge and room safe in the room. The location is great, just around the corner from the Beer Garden and on a small street with BJ bars and naughty massage parlors. There is good food available at the Caribbean Thai restaurant about 30 meters away and on the corner of 7/1 and Sukhumvit. You do have to be firm with the massage ladies as you walk past them every time you leave and return. They are fun for a while but it does get a little old.

Many of us might be too well known by some of the staff working in this Soi, to consider staying there, and running the gauntlet regularly. Think of the gossip levels. Keep a low profile! Same if I walk through Cowboy or past Nana Plaza. Too many people know me. So staying right there is out of the question.

Fine for newbies I guess, if you love being in the middle of the "pig sty" all the time. Long timers here don't notice the pig sty so much when mongering, but prefer to stay somewhere a bit quieter.

[EihTooms]

I get mine from careful selection, Mixx and Levels, Spasso, Tinder and if I'm in a hurry, I load up on sanitizer and go over to Soi 8 or Soi 7/1 for some gobble. If they arent hags. Sticking ones willy in a denizen of one of the more sordid places is a bit declasse, staying in the area is Ghetto.

This being the Bangkok Hotels thread, don't punters stay in Nana area hotels to be as close as possible to where they pull girls from so they don't have to sit in city traffic or ride a train with their girl back to their room? Sure, if someone is pulling from Tinder, escort services or some other option where the girl comes to your room without you leaving it, why not stay outside of the Nana area.

But if you're pulling from Levels and Thermae very often, as I recall you do as well, those venues are every bit as deep in the Nana area "pig sty" as, say, Lol!tas, Kasalong Bar, Beer Garden, the FL stroll on Sukhumvit, Soi 5, Soi 4 or just about any bar in Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy, aren't they?

[Nyezhov]

Hi Nyezov:

Yes, Nana area is a bit of a pig sty. From what I have seen of Soi Cowboy it looks worse. Soi 7/1 is interesting to me, I don't consider it as bad as you make it out to be. My question for you: What do you recommend for a monger to see, what area do you not consider a "pig sty?" I am open to new positive information if there is something better out there, please share it with us. This is my first time in Thailand, I have had a ball, but the quality of the services I have gotten here hasn't been up to my expectations. I roll with it and move on. I have had a lot better service from the Chinese and filipina ladies in Abu Dhabi, but they are almost twice as expensive.

Please share your advice on something better, if it is out there.

Thanks in advance.

Tool Shedd.

I get mine from careful selection, Mixx and Levels, Spasso, Tinder and if I'm in a hurry, I load up on sanitizer and go over to Soi 8 or Soi 7/1 for some gobble. If they arent hags. Sticking ones willy in a denizen of one of the more sordid places is a bit declasse, staying in the area is Ghetto.

[MrKim]

Had a quick 2-night stay in Bangkok recently and wanted a relatively cheap option near Nana. I usually stay at 4 - 4. 5 star hotels (with the occasional 5 star splurge), but wanted to budget more money to the ladies this time and opted for something in the 3-3. 5 star range. Rolled the dice and chose the DoubleTree Phloen Chit, which apparently used to be the Majestic Grande.

Despite the name, this hotel is located in Soi 2, which is a quiet, boring alley right before Soi 4 and equidistant from both Nana and Phloen Chit BTS stations (about a 5 min walk to either station). Soi 2 is also the main entrance to the JW Marriott.

Pros:

- 2 minute walk to Soi 4 via the the driveway / alley directly in front of the hotel entrance, which will lead you to Soi 4 with Hillary 1 to your right and Hillary 4 to your left.

- Despite the proximity to Soi 4, it is in a quiet location and you won't hear the loud music of Soi 4 from the hotel. This is very important to me as I really need my sleep. Soi 2 is also quite dark, so taking a girl back from Nana via the aforementioned driveway / alley reduces the length of the walk of shame.

- Girl friendly.

- (Some) rooms are newly renovated and clean, walls were immaculately white and flooring seemed brand new. My room was facing the Phloen Chit side and had a view of the KingPower Mahanakhon building.

- Lobby looks newly renovated and clean.

- I was a bit worried that the ladies may not think highly of the room as I usually stay in nicer hotels, but all 4 ladies that came during my stay didn't seem to mind and two of them said it's a nice room.

Cons:

- There is absolutely nothing happening on Soi 2. There are no F&be options except a Starbucks and McD's, though Soi 4 is only a short walk away.

- Lots of taxis and tuktuks park on Soi 2 during their breaks and most of them didn't want to use the meter. I guess that's what you get for staying near Nana.

- Despite being newly renovated, the materials did look a bit cheap, particularly the bathroom tiles.

- Found a small bug / cockroach crawling on the floor (this has happened to me quite often in Bangkok, even at nicer hotels.).

- Breakfast buffet was average.

- When I checked in, the first room they gave me was facing another direction right next to a large plot of land that was being constructed. Nonstop jackhammering. This was a bit insulting. I asked for a room change and was changed to a newly renovated room, despite being told at check in that all the newly renovated rooms were taken. Double insult.

All in all, I don't think I'll be staying here again, as it just wasn't value for money at $75/ night. The check in experience plus the bug will deter me from booking this again. The biggest positive is the fact it is so close to Nana but still quiet and discreet. At this price range / star level you can get something better like Hyatt Place in Phrom Phong. For future stays near Nana, I will stick to the reliable Landmark, which is nicer and has access to the Fitness First gym.

[Tool Shedd]

Hi Nyezov:

Yes, Nana area is a bit of a pig sty. From what I have seen of Soi Cowboy it looks worse. Soi 7/1 is interesting to me, I don't consider it as bad as you make it out to be. My question for you: What do you recommend for a monger to see, what area do you not consider a "pig sty?" I am open to new positive information if there is something better out there, please share it with us. This is my first time in Thailand, I have had a ball, but the quality of the services I have gotten here hasn't been up to my expectations. I roll with it and move on. I have had a lot better service from the Chinese and filipina ladies in Abu Dhabi, but they are almost twice as expensive.

Please share your advice on something better, if it is out there.

Thanks in advance.

Tool Shedd.

[Nyezhov]

Stayed 3 nights in the iCheck Inn at the end of Soi 7/1, Sukhumvit. I enjoyed it a lot. The room was small but very comfortable. The price was economical and the bed was comfortable. Small fridge and room safe in the room. The location is great, just around the corner from the Beer Garden and on a small street with BJ bars and naughty massage parlors. There is good food available at the Caribbean Thai restaurant about 30 meters away and on the corner of 7/1 and Sukhumvit. You do have to be firm with the massage ladies as you walk past them every time you leave and return. They are fun for a while but it does get a little old.

As discussed on the Bangkok Reports board, there is a new group of beer bars going in on Soi 7 just south of the Beer Garden. ICheck Inn would be a great mongering stay for exploring this new venue.

Tool Shedd.

Just chiming in on hotels here. The I check in is on possibly one of the most disgusting of the disgusting sois in the entertainment district. The venue's on that street are filled with hags and ladyboys. It stinks and is an open sewer when it rains. I don't play holier-than-thou and I sure as heck been down there 4 fast and efficient relief but to stay on that soi is sort of like going to visit a city and staying at skid row. The Nana hotel is also repulsive and was a dump 25 years ago.

It's kind of funny to see visitors gets seduced by the bright lights and action of the nana area, me, I consider it a pigsty. I go to that area on my nightly rambles to people-watch and I'm never really impressed.

[EihTooms]

I miss-read your post. Nana hotel is just across the street from the entrance of the Nana Entertainment Plaza on Soi 4, just 50 meters south of Sukhumvit road. I don't know if it was a condo or not. Just a 9 story hotel at ground zero of the Nana mongering district.

Just chiming in about Nana Condo. That is a building down a very short driveway on Soi 4 opposite the California Ink Tattoo shop, Coffee Club and Hillary 1 Bar. There are usually 3-4 girls, often ladyboys, too, sitting or standing at the entrance to that driveway flagging down customers. These days many of the Vietnamese Freelancers stay in Nana Condo.