Bangkok Hotels

[QUOTE=Rjsss212; 1142908]The Atlanta is against sex tourism.

Sex tourism is exploitative, socially damaging and culturally demeaning:

Those who want to buy sex should do so in their own country.

Tourism is not about going on a rampage through other people's country: those who cannot go abroad without behaving badly should stay home.

SEX TOURISTS ARE NOT WELCOME[/QUOTE]Quite a rant of prudism. They could simply say that prostitutes are not welcome as spoils their family image. They should face facts that most poor Asian countries have lots of uneducated people forced to sell sex to make a decent living. They should be complaining about the Thai police force rather than tourists having a good time, supporting girls and their families, helping the economy, and harming no-one.

These people at the Atlanta seem to be a fun lot.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1143078]Quite a rant of prudism. They could simply say that prostitutes are not welcome as spoils their family image. They should face facts that most poor Asian countries have lots of uneducated people forced to sell sex to make a decent living. They should be complaining about the Thai police force rather than tourists having a good time, supporting girls and their families, helping the economy, and harming no-one.[/QUOTE]You are right about this except for your last comment. Whether we want to admit it or not people are routinely harmed in this business.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1143078]Quite a rant of prudism. They could simply say that prostitutes are not welcome as spoils their family image. They should face facts that most poor Asian countries have lots of uneducated people forced to sell sex to make a decent living. They should be complaining about the Thai police force rather than tourists having a good time, supporting girls and their families, helping the economy, and harming no-one.[/QUOTE]I certainly appreciate your point as I am a card carrying pragmatist (and am myself a 'do whatever it takes' individual) but I have no problem with cultural diversity even when the values differ from mine and I rarely if ever tell others what they should or should not do if they are not bothering anyone (which they don't appear to be here) – live and let live. Also I RESPECTFULLY disagree with you that most Thais are 'forced' into sex for a living. I think that's too easy an excuse as I think its just the fastest and easiest path and that's what human nature usually takes – most people are very lazy, lets face it, but that's their choice and their culture and if its what they choose then its fine with me but that is a different discussion.

I would really be interested however in knowing the story behind this unusual hotel – the people (owners) , client base and the history of this prurient posture. Also on the forbidden list is 'pop' music and violent movies!

Also interesting is the phrase 'Le patron mange ici' mixed in. It is the only hint of French on the whole website I'm guessing it's a throwback (as is everything else about this place) but I've never heard it before. Maybe Nic knows its nature.

[QUOTE=Rjsss212;1143156]... Also interesting is the phrase 'Le patron mange ici' mixed in. It is the only hint of French on the whole website I'm guessing it's a throwback (as is everything else about this place) but I've never heard it before...[/QUOTE]"Le patron mange ici" (= "The boss eats here") is said to be (by several websites) a familiar advertising gambit in many provincial French restaurants, which communicates a reassuring message about quality and confidence in the product. Well, I am French and so far, have never seen it in any French restaurant located in my native country.

Actually, this expression seems to be more popular... in England (Tony Blair, for instance, used it)! It's not unusual for other countries to use French expressions and vocabulary, especially about gastronomy and cuisine. In France, we also use English expressions ("Wait and see", for instance) and even some words or expressions which are not actually correct in English (or that don't have the same meaning) but that sounds like English words or expressions ("smoking" instead of "tuxedo", "relooking" instead of "makeover", "rugbyman" instead of "rugby player", etc.). Well... "C'est la vie!" ;)

[QUOTE=Rjsss212;1143156]... Also I RESPECTFULLY disagree with you that most Thais are 'forced' into sex for a living. I think that's too easy an excuse as I think its just the fastest and easiest path and that's what human nature usually takes – most people are very lazy, lets face it, but that's their choice and their culture and if its what they choose then its fine with me but that is a different discussion...[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Prostitution is not a job of last resort for Thai women to survive, but it's rather a vocation for those who want non-essential material possessions that they can’t otherwise afford. I had a discussion about this with another ISG member several weeks ago in another thread.
[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112117&viewfull=1#post1112117[/url]
[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112624&viewfull=1#post1112624[/url]

[quote=syzygies;1143075]... i have no idea exactly what is considered to make the typical 5 star standard...[/quote]
i found one good description [url="http://www.cerf-resort.com/hotelstarratings.html"]here[/url]:

[i]"a five-star hotel is characterised by luxury appointments, superlative service, and the highest standards of comfort. five-star hotels offer originality in architecture and interior design, high-grade materials in construction and décor, and such special touches as fresh flowers and plants in abundance. these properties also maintain a high staff-to-guest ratio, gourmet dining, and 24-hour room service.
guestrooms offer ample space, the finest furnishings and decor, premium bedding, and luxury bath products. room amenities generally include high-speed internet access and cd and/or dvd players. five-star resorts may offer additional recreation facilities such as tennis courts and golf-course access. on-site spa services, a top-notch fitness centre, and a pool are generally available, as well."[/i]

by the way, you may want to read this webpage too: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/star_(classification[/url])

[QUOTE]It also depends what you consider 5 stars. The GM is described as 5 stars on WOTIF. It ain't, really. The JW though, I would think is 5 stars.[/QUOTE]The last time I stayed at the Grand Millennium I was able to book a package deal through Agoda, which included a very nice room with a killer view on the club floor, which entitled me to access to the club lounge and free internet. The folks in the club lounge were just terrific. Every morning at breakfast they greeted me warmly and fussed over my every desire. The chef made my eggs exactly to order. During the middle of the day they were only to happy to fill my ice bucket, which saved me the hassle of calling room service. (A couple of times one of the girls even slipped me a can of Diet Coke to go, even though all drinks are supposed to be consumed in the lounge.) The evening reception was a civilized way to tune up with a cocktail or two prior to heading out on the town, and to meet some people who were far more knowledgeable about the city than I. And when it came time to check out I was able to handle the formalities in the lounge while two bellmen whisked my luggage down to the car.

Does all of that rate five stars? Perhaps not. The room, while nice, was on the small side. I would have preferred a little more space, extra storage and refrigerator. The towel supply was rather modest, and for some reason there was no place to hang the wet towels if you wanted to re-use them. I suppose I could have called room service for a fresh set, but that's a bother.

That said, I think true five star hotels in Bangkok are going to be FAR more expensive that the Grand Millennium. I paid USD $169 per night all-in last December, about 5,000 baht. Booking a more lavish hotel would have cost me another $100 per day, so I didn't see the value. Finally, I think that Grand Millennium's location, so very close to Soi Cowboy, has to factor into the decision of anybody reading this forum. That's got to be worth at least half a star.

Bunky

[QUOTE=Goyave; 1143190]Agreed. Prostitution is not a job of last resort for Thai women to survive, but it's rather a vocation for those who want non-essential material possessions that they can't otherwise afford. I had a discussion about this with another ISG member several weeks ago in another thread.

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112117&viewfull=1#post1112117[/url]

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112624&viewfull=1#post1112624[/url][/QUOTE]I tend to agree too.

For many reasons girls indulge in the old profession not for reason striclty linked to (economical) desperation.

Example #1:33 yo girl, speaks and write fairly understandable english. Sends all the money (anything new here?) to her family in cenral Thailand. To the point that sometime she is really short of money in BKK (anything new here?). She gets bar salary and appr 3K for ea. LT: Should end up with a nearly fair income.

By my understanding she could possibly get a job as a store salesgirl in a tourist area (decent english) or, e. G, BKK airport shops.

Why does she keep the WG job? God knows (I do not take it easily, of course, maybe she tried and failed)

Example #2:32 yo from Isaan- Does rounds in Singapore@OT. Admits working there a month is equal to 6 month work in homeland. Not far from that schedule. Spends money in phones, home theater for parents home, and other bits and pieces. She has a Black berry (good, give me your email, as the primary function of BB is easy mail,"sorry no have email, no good writing english!) and an I-phone bought 2nd hand in SIN ("can you please set it in thai as it is in english, vendor saked me 35SD to set it". I-phone seems a good tool for her photos (she snaps them and sees them, what else do you want from life?)

Definetely spending all what she earns or about.

Basic english. Could she do something else more legitimate? Ehmmm why? She works a bunch of weeks and earns to live another bunch doing nothing (and spending the earning) , no need of working 8-10 hrs a day 6-7 days a week for 12months in a shop or whatever.

Being WG has advantages. And for those enjoying sex (they both do enjoy it). Ideal situation: being paid and have fun!

[QUOTE=Bunky;1143218]I think that Grand Millennium's location, so very close to Soi Cowboy, has to factor into the decision of anybody reading this forum.[/QUOTE]Also, the location is not only great relative to Soi Cowboy, but it's a 2 mins walk to both BTS and MRT (Asok. Sukhumvit interchange station). So it you want to go to the MPs (Nataree, Amsterdam etc) you do not need to change lines like you do if you live close to Nana plaza, where you do not have instant access to both lines.

[QUOTE=Syzygies; 1143075]Nic,

Maybe there should be 6 star (or 5 star plus) Hotel categories for those that far surpass the normal 5 star standard. I presume places like Shangri La and Oriental are in special categories for service and price. [/QUOTE]The special category in which I place the Bangkok Mandarin Oriental would be 1* for having the most arrogant, elitist, obnoxious attitude behind their service of any hotel establishment on this planet that I am aware of. It is pervasive enough that it must be trained and encouraged to have achieved this level of snobbery across the board. As I stated before, I would not stay there if they were the last hotel in Bangkok with rooms, and they were offering a half-price special. To put this place in the same category as the Peninsula, Shangri-La, Sukhothai and Four Seasons, which are the places that I consider to be truly deluxe in Bangkok is sheer absurdity.

[QUOTE=Member #2041;1143235]The special category in which I place the Bangkok Mandarin Oriental would be 1* for having the most arrogant, elitist, obnoxious attitude behind their service of any hotel establishment on this planet that I am aware of. It is pervasive enough that it must be trained and encouraged to have achieved this level of snobbery across the board. As I stated before, I would not stay there if they were the last hotel in Bangkok with rooms, and they were offering a half-price special. To put this place in the same category as the Peninsula, Shangri-La, Sukhothai and Four Seasons, which are the places that I consider to be truly deluxe in Bangkok is sheer absurdity.[/QUOTE]

Hey, stop sugarcoating it and tell us how you really feel!

[QUOTE=Goyave; 1143190]Agreed. Prostitution is not a job of last resort for Thai women to survive, but it's rather a vocation for those who want non-essential material possessions that they can't otherwise afford. I had a discussion about this with another ISG member several weeks ago in another thread.

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112117&viewfull=1#post1112117[/url]

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?1031-Hatyai-Reports&p=1112624&viewfull=1#post1112624[/url][/QUOTE]Yep, you rarely find the level of frugality expected from such an 'impoverished' group. In fact I think the frugality baseline level for the presumably 'impoverished' should be that of our members...

[QUOTE=Chill Out;1143135]These people at the Atlanta seem to be a fun lot.[/QUOTE]Can you fuckin imagine! Sounds like a deleted scene from a Tarantino movie...

[QUOTE=Rjsss212;1143298]Hey, stop sugarcoating it and tell us how you really feel![/QUOTE]Did I mention that the staff there are obviously trained to be assholes?