Me and my friend are going to Pattaya in June. We want to book 1 hotel room for us to stay where we both intend to bring a girl for each of us and indulge in activities together.
We are planning to bring 1 girl each to the room pretty much every evening.
Ideally, I'm looking for the following:
1. No issues bringing 2 "guests" at the same time (since we are renting 1 room with 2 adults staying).
2. No or low joiner fee.
3. Not too far from the action (It's my first visit to Thailand)/ not so far that girls would complain.
4. Safe.
5. Reasonably priced (I understand this is relative so my range is 1200-2600 baht per night).
Thank you for the help! If anyone has any other pointers / tips regarding this, those would be appreciated too.
No joiner fees at all. Check in guy himself suggested can bring 5 guests all together as per your capacity. Also tried and tested for same. But poor breakfast and pool.
KTK HOTEL: I wasn't familiar with this place, so I looked it up online. Looks like they have five different types of suites. They all look OK, to varying degrees. The decor is similar to that at the hotels in the LK chain. Very ornate. Not my cup of tea, but I realize lots of gents like it. As for the location of the KTK Hotel, I see it's east of Second Road and east-south-east of Soi 6. The streets are a little tangled there, so getting from the KTK to Second Road is going to be a bit of a hike. Google maps says it's 550 meters on foot from the KTK to the Corner Bar at the northwest corner of Soi 6 and Second Road. Headed for Walking Street, it's a 900 meter walk to the west end of Walking Street to catch a southbound baht bus. The center of the SOI LK Metro complex is 1,600 meters distant. I hope Mr. Kontiki likes to walk. Otherwise, he'll probably be using motorbike taxis quite a bit.
Choosing a hotel is a very personal thing, and I'm loathe to second guess another gent's choice without knowing much more about his preferences and his budget. But if Mr. Kontiki seeks to stay "closer to the action," he can do a lot better than the KTK. As they say on the interwebs, YMMV.
CHANGING MONEY: Changing money in your home country before flying to Thailand is guaranteed to result in a TERRIBLE exchange rate. Absolutely no reason to do it. Using ATMs in Thailand can be just as stupid. Or it can be a very smart move. That's because the exchange rate can vary depending on what button you push. And the fees can be hefty. Both these problems can be managed. But you need to get smart. There are dozens and dozens of threads on ATM usage that will explain all. If you prefer to just deal in cash, the smooth move is to change at least some money at the airport. But don't use the money changers near the baggage claim. Go downstairs to the lower level and use the money changers near the station for the airport rail link. Again, many threads on this here.
Bunky
I haven't stayed at KTK but have stayed at four or five hotels right next to it including the Nova hotels. I actually like the location. You can walk to second road in five minutes including Soi6. So really it's only a five to seven minute walk to second road aka the baht bus route.
The location may not be for all but I like staying in differenr central areas of Pattaya during my trips there just to change things up.
Will be spending the first 14 at the LK Empress and then the last 7 at KTK Hotel. When booking via Agoda I noticed they had a suite for the same price as the regular room at the LK Empress so I thought why not. It seems a bit closer to the action as well while not straight on top so I can still get some sleep and silence. Just to confirm, getting money ahead of time is alright but it's recommended to do the exchange to local currency at the airport? Cause when doing some research in these threads and youtube videos it seems that using my card is just stupid, I have low cost withdraws abroad from my bank but I assume the exchange rate is still better at the airport and to withdraw a pretty large amount and then bring with me limited amounts daily for "adventures"?
KTK HOTEL: I wasn't familiar with this place, so I looked it up online. Looks like they have five different types of suites. They all look OK, to varying degrees. The decor is similar to that at the hotels in the LK chain. Very ornate. Not my cup of tea, but I realize lots of gents like it. As for the location of the KTK Hotel, I see it's east of Second Road and east-south-east of Soi 6. The streets are a little tangled there, so getting from the KTK to Second Road is going to be a bit of a hike. Google maps says it's 550 meters on foot from the KTK to the Corner Bar at the northwest corner of Soi 6 and Second Road. Headed for Walking Street, it's a 900 meter walk to the west end of Walking Street to catch a southbound baht bus. The center of the SOI LK Metro complex is 1,600 meters distant. I hope Mr. Kontiki likes to walk. Otherwise, he'll probably be using motorbike taxis quite a bit.
Choosing a hotel is a very personal thing, and I'm loathe to second guess another gent's choice without knowing much more about his preferences and his budget. But if Mr. Kontiki seeks to stay "closer to the action," he can do a lot better than the KTK. As they say on the interwebs, YMMV.
CHANGING MONEY: Changing money in your home country before flying to Thailand is guaranteed to result in a TERRIBLE exchange rate. Absolutely no reason to do it. Using ATMs in Thailand can be just as stupid. Or it can be a very smart move. That's because the exchange rate can vary depending on what button you push. And the fees can be hefty. Both these problems can be managed. But you need to get smart. There are dozens and dozens of threads on ATM usage that will explain all. If you prefer to just deal in cash, the smooth move is to change at least some money at the airport. But don't use the money changers near the baggage claim. Go downstairs to the lower level and use the money changers near the station for the airport rail link. Again, many threads on this here.
The LK Empress is a solid choice. No issue or fee for joiners. The location is about as good as you can get for your first trip to Pattaya. Just steps from Beach Road, where you can hang out on the beach proper, or catch a baht bus headed south to Walking Street. From the LK Empress, you can also walk easily to Soi LK Metro and Treetown. If Soi Six is on your itinerary, you can walk east to Second Road, then catch a northbound baht bus. There are multiple laundries very close to the hotel. They don't show up on Google Maps, but they're all over the place.
No matter what you want to eat, you'll find it in that area. If you fancy an English breakfast, check out the Swan Pub and the Sportsman Pub. The breakfast buffet at the Lek Hotel is basic, but it's cheap and you can eat poolside. If you like a food court with multiple offerings and air conditioning, you'll want the Central Festival Mall, lower level. Want to try the local food? There are hawker stalls at the Soi Buakaow market, and on the north side of Pattaya Central Road, at the Pattaya Klang Market. Don't forget to have a slice from the Bronx Pizza.
Finally, let me add another endorsement for Nam's Taxi. Sure, you might be able to save a little money by taking the bus. But for the first time visitor hiring a car is the way to go..
If you want to be literally on top of the action; I'the recommend the LK Metro area to stay. The Areca Lodge is by far the most booked hotel in that area. The LK Metropole is another fine option. The LK Empress, while a fine hotel on the beach; it is a 10 - 15 minute walk to where any of the good action is located. Last point, you can always get scammed by a taxi service or any one of the limo services at the airport exit gates. Best to plan transportation in advance and do not pay upfront. Nam's is a fine service for 1000 to 1200, one-way, depending on the size of the car. They usually provide a bottle of water as well. Happy hunting!
Thanks for your advise, I decided to extend my trip to 21 days and will be spending the first 14 at empress and then the last 7 at KTK Hotel, when booking via agoda I noticed they had a suit for the same price as the regular room at empress so I thought why not, it seems a bit closer to the action as well while not straight on top so I can still get some sleep and silence. Looking forward to the trip although I am still 2 months away, hopefully end of Aug. / early Sept. Isn't a bad time for a vision.
Just to confirm with you, getting money ahead of time is alright but its recommended to do the exchange to local currency at the airport? Cause when doing some research in these threads and youtube videos it seems that using my card is just stupid, I have low cost withdraws abroad from my bank but I assume the exchange rate is still better at the airport and to withdraw a pretty large amount and then bring with me limited amounts daily for "adventures"?
The problem with these Agoda deals is they change the prices everyday.
Today is 1200, you check in (assuming you've never been there before), you see the place is good, you want to stay more and bim, price is gone up to 2500 the next day and you're forced to leave the place with regrets the next day.
By the way, that place was already at that price at the beginning of the month (some days).
I've been stung the same way. That price change could be due to the day of the week (e.g., Wednesday cheaper than Saturday) or holidays. When making Agoda reservations for several nights, it might show an average price per night (e.g., 2000 per night). After purchase, you may look at the details and it might be 3 nights at 1500 baht plus 3 nights at 2500 baht.
These hotel booking websites also have a limited number of bookings that they can sell at a discounted price. You might pay 1500 baht and the next customer (5 minutes later) pays 2000 baht.
The problem with these Agoda deals is they change the prices everyday.
Today is 1200, you check in (assuming you've never been there before), you see the place is good, you want to stay more and bim, price is gone up to 2500 the next day and you're forced to leave the place with regrets the next day.
By the way, that place was already at that price at the beginning of the month (some days).
I've never stayed at this one but stayed at two others from the same group (Aster and Arden) I found both to be excellent and a good deal for that price (excellent aircon, some of the best bed I've came across in Thailand, a washing machine with small kitchen, Japanese toilets, very comfy places, with a nice pool and the plus is the sauna).
I prefered Arden over Aster, asked them the price for 1 month, she said it starts from 48 K, I thought it was way too much for me.
Maybe by booking a few months before coming in Pattaya one can have it at a better deal.
I contacted that group prior to my trip last year for weekly and monthly quotes for their Pattaya properties and they were much lower than 48 k baht a month. Most were around 30 k if I remember correctly with Arbour being the most expensive. I didn't end up taking any of their monthly deals but stayed at a few of their properties and they're all legit.
The problem with these Agoda deals is they change the prices everyday.
Today is 1200, you check in (assuming you've never been there before), you see the place is good, you want to stay more and bim, price is gone up to 2500 the next day and you're forced to leave the place with regrets the next day.
By the way, that place was already at that price at the beginning of the month (some days).
I've never stayed at this one but stayed at two others from the same group (Aster and Arden) I found both to be excellent and a good deal for that price (excellent aircon, some of the best bed I've came across in Thailand, a washing machine with small kitchen, Japanese toilets, very comfy places, with a nice pool and the plus is the sauna).
I prefered Arden over Aster, asked them the price for 1 month, she said it starts from 48 K, I thought it was way too much for me.
Maybe by booking a few months before coming in Pattaya one can have it at a better deal.
I must confess the last time I tucked into the breakfast buffet at the Lek Hotel is was pre-COVID. So my bad for recommending it without knowing for sure that it was still on offer. I'm sure on the gents with more current knowledge will update its status. With regard to alternatives, I do know that Casa Pascal no longer offers a breakfast-brunch buffet. That one hit my hard because it was a favorite of mine.
When I stayed at the Areca Lodge in September, last year, they had a breakfast buffet. They had a cook for "made to order" eggs with about 10 different sides to choose from.
Is the breakfast buffet at the Lek Hotel open again? Last time I was in Pattaya (September 2022) the hotel was open, but without buffet. And the same applied to the Apex hotel nearby. So I went to the buffet in the LK Empress (twice as expensive, and less choice), or Casa Pascal (also more expensive, but well worth it).
I must confess the last time I tucked into the breakfast buffet at the Lek Hotel is was pre-COVID. So my bad for recommending it without knowing for sure that it was still on offer. I'm sure on the gents with more current knowledge will update its status. With regard to alternatives, I do know that Casa Pascal no longer offers a breakfast-brunch buffet. That one hit my hard because it was a favorite of mine.
1200 baht through Agoda without breakfast. Close to Soi 6, athough the short walk there is not nice: narrow alley with traffic pushing you against the walls on both sides. Soft Sealy-style beds. Efficient loudless aircon. Breakfast worth its 200 baht. Swimming pool usable, though crowded during the sunny hours. 90% Asian customers. Late check-in (5 pm) rather expensive at 1000 baht. Also, there might be construction work in the offing between the hotel and Centric Sea (see screenshot, blue cross) but I don't know what kind of room you should ask for to look away from that. The windows are not especially soundproofed.
Centara is even closer to 2nd road and is certainly worth considering too. Bed softness would be a deal-breaker for me. How are beds are at Centara?
I feel like I'm doing things wrong leaving Pattaya now for 4 straight months just when hotels are getting cheap and girls desperate again, but summer beckons in Europe. If you can travel at any time of year, I'd say now is the time to beat the iron while it's hot!
I just commented in the Pattaya thread about noticing hotel prices going down in Patts. It will be even cheaper as we get deeper into the summer. The poosy will get cheaper as well hehe.
1200 baht through Agoda without breakfast. Close to Soi 6, athough the short walk there is not nice: narrow alley with traffic pushing you against the walls on both sides. Soft Sealy-style beds. Efficient loudless aircon. Breakfast worth its 200 baht. Swimming pool usable, though crowded during the sunny hours. 90% Asian customers. Late check-in (5 pm) rather expensive at 1000 baht. Also, there might be construction work in the offing between the hotel and Centric Sea (see screenshot, blue cross) but I don't know what kind of room you should ask for to look away from that. The windows are not especially soundproofed.
Centara is even closer to 2nd road and is certainly worth considering too. Bed softness would be a deal-breaker for me. How are beds are at Centara?
I feel like I'm doing things wrong leaving Pattaya now for 4 straight months just when hotels are getting cheap and girls desperate again, but summer beckons in Europe. If you can travel at any time of year, I'd say now is the time to beat the iron while it's hot!
Hotel suggestions where you can bring 2 girls at the same time
Hi there everyone.
Me and my friend are going to Pattaya in June. We want to book 1 hotel room for us to stay where we both intend to bring a girl for each of us and indulge in activities together.
We are planning to bring 1 girl each to the room pretty much every evening.
Ideally, I'm looking for the following:
1. No issues bringing 2 "guests" at the same time (since we are renting 1 room with 2 adults staying).
2. No or low joiner fee.
3. Not too far from the action (It's my first visit to Thailand)/ not so far that girls would complain.
4. Safe.
5. Reasonably priced (I understand this is relative so my range is 1200-2600 baht per night).
Thank you for the help! If anyone has any other pointers / tips regarding this, those would be appreciated too.