Giotto's Lodge in Bangkok

[Nick2005]

It is indeed sad to know that LL is closing down. I have been to Bangkok only twice, and both the times I had pleasure of staying at Livingstones' Lodge. My first visit was in May 2006 and second one recently in Sep 2012. In my last trip, I could notice the way things had gone down on Soi 33 as compared to 2006. Anyway, wish you all the best, Giotto, for all your future ventures. As far as I am concerned, I guess I will have to look for a new place to live during my next trip to Bangkok.

[Nvslim]

Sorry to hear about you leaving the lodge. I still have visiting BKK and the lodge on my bucket list. Maybe just stop by if I get there to see what I missed.

Good luck in your future and keep ISG in mind when you see or do something noteworthy.

All my best,

Slim

[Giotto]

Very sorry to hear the news Giotto, especially since I was planning to come over for a few days next month. Thanks though, for all of the hospitality and personalized service extended in the past. I wish you all the best in whatever path you choose to pursue.

GoodEnough,

No reason to be sorry. And if you get over here let me know, that we can meet up somewhere.

As for my path in the future:

I was basically thinking about getting up whenever I like to, then making the difficult decision what kind of breakfast I prefer for the day. Afterwards checking the mails and the stock markets before moving to the swimming pool, sunshine, palm trees, Campari Orange. Later in the days some research activities about the local female service provider market will be performed, and the outcome of that determines further activities at night.

From time to time I will pop up in PI and have you show me around, but I also think about spending some time in places like Boracay (and some other PI islands) , Bali (and some other Indonesian Islands) , Samui and Phuket (and some other Thai islands). Once the beach and pool life becomes too boring I will spend some days in Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai or Jakarta (KL will be left out).

As you can see life will be damned hard, but I am prepared for a long period of suffering .

Hope to see you soon!


Giotto

[LukeSkywalker]

Looks like the worldwide recession took a big toll on Thailand's tourist industry.

Had a good time at LL. Sorry to see you go.

With so much competition from lots of available hotel rooms in BKK, perhaps employing touts at the airport, promising first drink, first fuck free may reel in business...

[Yujin]

Guys, don't worry about me. I am fine, and I will be fine!

For those of you hormone- and animal-instincts driven mongers (should I say "motherfuckers"?) who know me and had contact to me I will still be here. Get listed in the Outlook contact group! To all others except "some": Good bye, have fun, all the Best! To Harold. And "some" others: You are still idiots! Nothing changed! Fuck you!

In reading your previous posts, it was obvious that this was going to happen. When you're bleeding money, only bad things can happen if you can't stop the hemorrhage. I'm glad to know that you have a lifeboat to carry you to safety.

My best wishes to you!

[BionicMan]

Make sure to include me. I live there.

A ah ah ah ah. You do not even know what we are talking about and you want to be included? Hilarious!

Ok, I will reveal it. It is a gay party! Still want to be included? LOL! Kidding, of course, before somebody reports this to Jackson for a ban!

[BionicMan]

Mackin,

The hotel upstairs will keep the name LL.

The ground floor will operate with a different name.

Giotto

Maybe too early to discuss, but what's going to be happening in the ground floor, apart operating with a different name than LL? Restaurant? Bar? Gogo bar, MP, lounge bar. Just thinking loud. Oh well. We'll see!

[Pita123]

It looks we are loosing an hotel host but might re-gain forum member in full activity.

S'pore: give me notice in due time and I can arrange, but I need really early notice as it is in high demand (ah ah ah you guys stop wondering what this is all about. I AM NOT a pimp! LMAO)

Make sure to include me. I live there.

[Traveler1234]

I hope you keep the thread open. Maybe we can post our 'funniest LL stories'!

[Giotto]

Are they going to keep the same name?

Mackin,

The hotel upstairs will keep the name LL.

The ground floor will operate with a different name.

Giotto

[Giotto]

This sounds like bad news as you've always seemed a good guy providing a personalized service not easily found in this day and age. You mention that it should be great following renovations which suggests that this ownership change is good for you as well and you're not unhappy with this or is this situation not entirely of your choosing?

I recall you also opened a restaurant near Silom. Will you continue with that or is that finished as well?

Rjsss212,

Thanks for your positive statement in regards of our service.

I am absolutely OK with what's happening now. After some successful years until around 2008 Livingstone's Lodge lost money. Too many problems: Thaksin, demonstrations, airport occupation, killing of 100 demonstrators, floods, financial crisis, European debt crisis etc. etc. etc.). The tourism in Bangkok has changed. Years ago 90 of 100 tourists were Caucasians, now 90 of 100 tourists are Asians.

The LL concept needs to be changed, and this is right now happening. Our concept died somehow a few years ago.

I personally needed to stop the financial bleeding. The losses of the Lodge started to eat up my retirement savings. LL was listed with Sunbelt Asia in October 2012 already. And we needed quite a time to find a buyer. But finally we found one. And a real good one. A man with ideas. A man who really has a vision. A man who can make it here. And he might change all the road.

I am here right now, and I support this guy in the transition period. He gets my full support with everything he needs, and step by step I teach him about the "nervous system" of this property. I will be here as long as he needs me, at least for the next two months. And afterwards I will still return from time to time, when you guys return to here.

As for the restaurant in Silom (Patpong) - that's Guido's (my ex-manager) restaurant. I helped him to start it up. But that was it for me. I definitely prefer to spend my time on the balcony of my condo high above Bangkok or at my house on the river in Ayutthaya. But not in Patpong. No way!

Guys, don't worry about me. I am fine, and I will be fine!

For those of you hormone- and animal-instincts driven mongers (should I say "motherfuckers"?) who know me and had contact to me I will still be here. Get listed in the Outlook contact group! To all others except "some": Good bye, have fun, all the Best! To Harold... and "some" others: You are still idiots! Nothing changed! Fuck you!


Giotto

[Wolvenvacht]

All,

The Lodge closed today, the ground floor will be renovated. The renovation will last about 3 months.

Ohh, I forgot to mention. A new owner took over, and he will change the concept a bit. But all of you should come here later this year, to check it out. It will be great.

Thanks for all your support over the last 9 years. It was great meeting you.

Giotto (retired since 01. 07. 2013)

http://www.livingstoneslodge.com

All the best for you in your future endeavours Giotto. When last I stayed in LL it was indeed getting a bit quiet, but I was treated like a king (and not only by the girls in the Sports Lounge) and will fondly remember the few nights I was in your hotel.

[BionicMan]

And. I will check out the high end discos, clubs and massage parlors. Those places, where the beautiful Thai working girls have moved to. Then. In a year or two. This will get boring, and I will start something new. No idea what. But something will come up.

B-Man, don't forget Singapore. Once in my life I want to do that one. Giotto

It looks we are loosing an hotel host but might re-gain forum member in full activity.

S'pore: give me notice in due time and I can arrange, but I need really early notice as it is in high demand (ah ah ah you guys stop wondering what this is all about. I AM NOT a pimp! LMAO)

[Weird One]

There will only be one Giotto. Best of Luck.

Weird One

[Giotto]

All the best, Giotto, for your new chapter of life!

Bionicman,

Thanks, all the best to you, too.

I got a lot of mails / PMs yesterday. To answer one of the most asked questions:

I will stay in Bangkok, I bought a small condo here (258 sqm ) , and I build a "House on the River" in Ayutthaya (a bit bigger ). Life is really bad !

As for my professional career: I will not do anything for a year or so, just relax, finalize the renovation and construction, buy furniture and discover some good restaurants (never had really time for that). And - I will check out the high end discos, clubs and massage parlors - those places, where the beautiful Thai working girls have moved to. Then - in a year or two - this will get boring, and I will start something new. No idea what. But something will come up.

To all who want to keep in contact with me:

PM me your name and E-Mail address. I will create a group of "Undisclosed Recipients" in Outlook, and send news from time to time, that we stay in contact. Then, whenever you come to Bangkok, you can send a mail to me and we can then meet up here somewhere for a coffee or a beer. I can then brief you about the changes that have taken place in the Bangkok Nightlife (... that I know about).

B-Man, don't forget Singapore. Once in my life I want to do that one ...


Giotto