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[QUOTE=Need More Gas]But no. I got an email from the operator, saying the room I booked was not available, and ask me to choose another one listed in the email. Am I going to be shafted here? [/QUOTE]
Trying not to clog this up and upset Nic... And this should be in the hotel forum BTW, From my experience...
It depends on the site you were using.
Kind of sounds like you were using a consolidator. Firms buy up rooms at discounted rates, for example i buy up 50 nights in hotel X at this price for the year and i buy up 50 nights in hotel Y at this price for the year etc... You book your room, they go to the hotel and the hotel says sorry we are full or that classification of room is sold out. So they go to next hotels and that is what you got offered.
Others companies have sites on the net where they post their contract rate with the property. You book your room, they go to the hotel and hotel tells them sorry that contract rate is full up go someplace else, so they go to the next group of hotels.
A third option is that the hotels are managed by the same company and they move you around to where they have availability. There are many management firms in Asia that represent a large number of hotels.
In almost all cases you put up your CC number at time of booking or the rooms will not be reserved but they rarely charge it unless you are a no show or till the room is confirmed at least and the room was not confirmed. If you used some fly by night company to book your room then yeah you could be fleeced but in most cases it is no issue. Standard practice in travel industry in my neck of the woods to take CC upfront before even looking at working with someone.
No they did not have you over the barrel you could have gone to any number of online reservation firms to get a room and you might have gotten the hotel you wanted at the price you wanted. You just took what they wanted, you picked from their list instead of surfing the net and trying others.
Yes you had an option of that list only as that is the list of hotels they obviously work with and they do not work with the others, or the others were full up or the othes already filled their contract quota.
Sorry Nic... know you hate this crap. ;)
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[QUOTE=Tansak KTV]Trying not to clog this up and upset Nic...
Sorry Nic... know you hate this crap. ;)[/QUOTE]Nah mate, that's all good! It's actually my fault and I apologise to all for having misunderstood the Thread Topic.
In regards to Hotel Rooms, why are you guys under the impression that you can get a better deal on the internet?
Most times, the best thing to do is to shop around on the web and then call the Hotel directly. Hotels give these Website a Commission so you can almost always get away with the Website's price + a rebate of 5% by just calling the hotel.
Let's say you want to book the Davis Hotel on Soi 24, and you see it on Expedia.com for 4,000 thb per night. Expedia is knowned to ask for 20%+ commission from Hotels for sending business so, from the 4,000 you pay expedia, the Hotel only gets 3,200.
Call the hotel, explain calmly to the manager that you know the hotel roughly makes 3,200 on the Expedia Booking, then offer to pay directly 3,500.
Sometimes it will work and sometimes not, but 3,500 sounds like a win-win for both you and the hotel !
Anyhow, sorry too for Clogging the Thread.
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[QUOTE=Tansak KTV]Trying not to clog this up and upset Nic... And this should be in the hotel forum BTW, From my experience.
It depends on the site you were using.
Kind of sounds like you were using a consolidator. Firms buy up rooms at discounted rates, for example i buy up 50 nights in hotel X at this price for the year and i buy up 50 nights in hotel Y at this price for the year etc... You book your room, they go to the hotel and the hotel says sorry we are full or that classification of room is sold out. So they go to next hotels and that is what you got offered.
Others companies have sites on the net where they post their contract rate with the property. You book your room, they go to the hotel and hotel tells them sorry that contract rate is full up go someplace else, so they go to the next group of hotels.
A third option is that the hotels are managed by the same company and they move you around to where they have availability. There are many management firms in Asia that represent a large number of hotels.
In almost all cases you put up your CC number at time of booking or the rooms will not be reserved but they rarely charge it unless you are a no show or till the room is confirmed at least and the room was not confirmed. If you used some fly by night company to book your room then yeah you could be fleeced but in most cases it is no issue. Standard practice in travel industry in my neck of the woods to take CC upfront before even looking at working with someone.
No they did not have you over the barrel you could have gone to any number of online reservation firms to get a room and you might have gotten the hotel you wanted at the price you wanted. You just took what they wanted, you picked from their list instead of surfing the net and trying others.
Yes you had an option of that list only as that is the list of hotels they obviously work with and they do not work with the others, or the others were full up or the othes already filled their contract quota.
Sorry Nic... know you hate this crap. ;)[/QUOTE]I thought this was the right place for my post. Cleary this is not about a hotel, but about booking of a hotel.
But thanks for the info. Now I know how it works. The point is whether or not you trust them/their system. BTW the latter part of your comments are by someone who had known how it worked.
BTW I used hotels2thailand. El Greco mentions asiarooms which I came across, and noticed they clearly state up front that they will not take money unless a room you requested is booked and confirmed. In this case you are free to surf and find what you want. When I got the email saying the room was unavailable, I tried to locate the similar statement, but I could not find it in hotels2thailand website (maybe hidden somewhere?).
Anyway, it's now done and dusted.
Cheers
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[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]In regards to Hotel Rooms, why are you guys under the impression that you can get a better deal on the internet?.....Call the hotel, explain calmly to the manager that you know the hotel roughly makes 3,200 on the Expedia Booking, then offer to pay directly 3,500..[/QUOTE]
Yes and no. Commissions range from 5% to 10% on average, the more business you give them or the higher you are known (Expedia) you get more commission.
I agree with what you are saying about calling direct; however my history in dealing in BKK is that maybe 70% of hotels return emails, many are run by management companies that make these decisions so going to the hotel is useless in some cases, how much time are you spending calling different hotels and I will estimate over 98% of the people here don't speak a word of thai and getting to the right person or the right area is often difficult. So good luck calling most hotels directly in Bangkok.
Plus some hotels like Dusit are famous for quoting you 60-90 US dollars over what the average internet rates are if you go to them direct and they won't bargain down on the phone. Accor who runs some good chains runs travel industry discounts up to 75% off published rates if you can get those and they have some good corporate rates but they are going non guest friendly in some places in BKK. Other firms in asia have good corporate rates, but the marriott travel industry and corporate rates for JW in BKK sucks so it's hit and miss.
Now other operators buy up XXX days a year at certain hotels. We pay the hotels about 1/3 the average rate but we buy up over 60-90 days a year minimum (sometimes more) and we pay cash up front at the begining of the year. Then we have the rest of the year to sell off the number of days we bought up and we can sell those much lower then other folks including expedia so expedia is not the best operator out there in all countries. Especially Asia, there are stronger Internet hotel booking engines in Asia then expedia.
Then you have places like latestays that is like a priceline in USA or such and they offer two week in advance discounts on rooms and you can find some good prices there which beat even industry rates. Some hotels would rather dump excess inventory at terrible low rates then having them sit empty. The revenue management aspect of the travel industry has gone out the window lately.
Basically, BKK is priced so low in hotel rates (compared to other asian cities) what are people fighting for? A few dollars? After a while it doesn't make much sense to spend the effort. Go where you are comfortable and takes care of you. The personalized service and atmosphere and such is what seperates the places in BKK IMHO. Probably most peope using these Internet booking sites are still new(er) to BKK.
Cheers !!
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[QUOTE=Need More Gas]I thought this was the right place for my post. Cleary this is not about a hotel, but about booking of a hotel....But thanks for the info. Now I know how it works....Anyway, it's now done and dusted Cheers[/QUOTE]
Nah mate, maybe I was frustrated, it's been three weeks since I was in BKK and I have two weeks left till I return. ;) Enjoy your time !
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Happy Pizza (restaurant by that name in PP, SR and SV Cambodia) The happy part is green vegetable oregano like material Yup, still exists
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[QUOTE=Tansak KTV]Nah mate, maybe I was frustrated, it's been three weeks since I was in BKK and I have two weeks left till I return. ;) Enjoy your time ![/QUOTE]Thanks Tansak.
As this trip is my first in the scene, so it would be of a reconnaissance. I've got 5 days, and my plan is to try different things; MPs (a few variations in this, incl. legit one to rekindle the imeptus), go-gos, FLs, and possibly Eden club. I would be needing the enhancer to keep it up.
I am also keen to try GFE as well, either from a pro or a non-pro.
I am not sure if I can cram everthing into a 5 days though.
Thanks for all the info in this forum.
I shall report.
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[quote=need more gas]mps (a few variations in this, incl. legit one to rekindle the imeptus), go-gos, fls, and possibly eden club. i would be needing the enhancer to keep it up. i am also keen to try gfe as well, either from a pro or a non-pro. i am not sure if i can cram everthing into a 5 days though.[/quote]
as i was a cranky bastard earlier i'll try to give you my two cents, but everyone has a different opinion.
mp's: micklicker posted a list of soapies that is in report of distinction section that is a great guide to soapies in various areas and will guide you and help you pick the place for you. same token, giotto posted a mp listing as well but in a different area that will guide you where to go as well. that's in the reports of distinction as well. plus it was recently updated.
i won't bother with my choices as everyone is different but what they write has been pretty accurate in my opinion as well, if they report it is good then it is generally good so they should be your guide to help you choice where to go on your first visits in your limited days, don't just walk into a place you've never seen or heard about would be my advice. take their reports and use them.
eden: it's been written and talked about to death but imho everyone should try it once in their life if they go to bkk. just my pov.
fl: beer garden, bamboo beer, gullivers, flamingo moe's, etc... standing around nana or late night thermane just take your pick.... even ball in hand and regular bars have picked up fl. fl's can give you great service for the best price.
enhancer to keep it up: pharmacy between king tailor and bully's on suk (between nana and jw if you need wider frame of reference), you can't miss them, there are two of them, both have enhancer.
gfe: hard not to have that even in a mp. it's hit and miss of course but if you pick correct you'll have gfe all the time. granted you can pick wrong but just get back in the saddle and try again ;)
locations: nep is unique not sure wild is the term but it is more something then cowboy is and soi 33 is more higher cost but more laid back then the other two.
5 days.... go for short time, don't fall in love with one no matter how much you enjoy so don't go lt if you want to experience it all, go for 15 different ones and experience it all. and you still will have only scratched the surface of what some of these long time experts here have done as it takes months and months if not years to sample it all.
oh... [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord901][CodeWord901][/url]'s and sol are unique, not for everyone but again it's something that everyone should experience once in their life, afterschool in cowboy also can be interesting in the same general style.
enjoy !!! and happy holiday....
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5 Days
[QUOTE=Need More Gas]Thanks Tansak.
As this trip is my first in the scene, so it would be of a reconnaissance. I've got 5 days, and my plan is to try different things; MPs (a few variations in this, incl. legit one to rekindle the imeptus), go-gos, FLs, and possibly Eden club.[/QUOTE]The first Report of Distinction was based on a 5 day junket to LOS - if you follow Phuquar's steps, albeit some of the places have either changed name or closed down, you won't go wrong. Don't consider it a recon trip - you can get a real good cross section of what's available in Bkk in 5 days.
If you read further in the ROD thread, you might even find interesting alternatives.
As far a hotels go, stay at Livingstone's on Soi 33 (see Giotto's thread) or Majestic for your first visit.
Enjoy your trip and happy holidays.
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[quote=traveler1234]the first report of distinction was based on a 5 day junket to los. if you follow phuquar's steps, albeit some of the places have either changed name or closed down, you won't go wrong. don't consider it a recon trip. you can get a real good cross section of what's available in bkk in 5 days.
if you read further in the rod thread, you might even find interesting alternatives.
as far a hotels go, stay at livingstone's on soi 33 (see giotto's thread) or majestic for your first visit.
enjoy your trip and happy holidays. [/quote]thanks t1234, tansak,
re: hotels, it was too late to book a hotel along suk, so i opted for a one at petchburi road, near pantip plaza i think.
i have just read phuqer's report about his 5 day itinerary; i must say its quite comprehensive. my plan almost follows his ideas except shopping and sightseeing.
mps
i have put 5, 6 mps at various sois on sukhumvit in my "must-try" book. i've got to try angels. why? i tell the forum later. i am not sure sazanka is an mp, anyway i want a good scrub there. i am looking forward to the ball and dick manages from some of these mps. suzie wong. is this an mp?
fls
i definitely try bier garten to see if i can hit it off with someone nice.
phuqer mentions grace hotel coffee shop, i would pop in to see if i can score there, or just for titillation.
suk street itself. i like walking as long as its not too hot. maybe i bump into some totties. go-gos. patpon/soi cowboy/nep
i don't think this is my scene. but i want to see how a pinpong ball is popped and how a pussy can puff out the smoke.
nana carpark
again this is not my scene, but i am curious and try what happens.
tansak, you mention [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord900][CodeWord900][/url]/sol, i initially listed sol for my must-visit book but now i realised it is conducted out in open in the bar area? so i pass that.
enhancer
i noted that there are some chemists along suk. as the backup, i am taking some cs from vietnam where i work at the moment.
gfes
thank for the heads up on not falling in love. hope not. but if it happens, i can take it i think.
i am not bothered with lts. to me it is not only physically exhausting but mentally draining. i must save some gas for the following day as well
almost forgot, can anyone tell me when i can get the "inside massage"
cheers
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sim
Hello,
Can anyone help?
I need a sim for my mobile.
I understand that I can get one at MBK.
But until what time this place open?
My flight arrives at 8pm.
Or is there a place in Airport (new one) where I can buy one?
Thanks
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Gas, you can get a SIM card with a new Thai number at any 7-11, and there are several in the Nana and Biergarten area of Sukhumvit road. I paid 50 Baht for a 1-2-Call SIM card having 15 baht of time on it, and another 100 Baht for an refill time card, and that was all I needed for the 18 days of my trip. Grand total, under $5. No need to trek over to MBK just for a SIM card and a time refill card, any 7-11 will do fine.
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[QUOTE=Member #2041]Gas, you can get a SIM card with a new Thai number at any 7-11, and there are several in the Nana and Biergarten area of Sukhumvit road. I paid 50 Baht for a 1-2-Call SIM card having 15 baht of time on it, and another 100 Baht for an refill time card, and that was all I needed for the 18 days of my trip. Grand total, under $5. No need to trek over to MBK just for a SIM card and a time refill card, any 7-11 will do fine.[/QUOTE]#2041, Thanks a lot for the info. It'd save lots of hassles if I can get it at a 7-11.
But 50 Baht for a sim card, that's incredibly cheap.
Thanks
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7-11 at new BKK airport is at the bus plaza. Free shuttle to there from the terminal
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[quote=need more gas]thanks t1234, tansak,
re: hotels, it was too late to book a hotel along suk, so i opted for a one at petchburi road, near pantip plaza i think.
i have just read phuqer's report about his 5 day itinerary; i must say its quite comprehensive. my plan almost follows his ideas except shopping and sightseeing.
mps
i have put 5, 6 mps at various sois on sukhumvit in my "must-try" book. i've got to try angels. why? i tell the forum later. i am not sure sazanka is an mp, anyway i want a good scrub there. i am looking forward to the ball and dick manages from some of these mps. suzie wong. is this an mp?
fls
i definitely try bier garten to see if i can hit it off with someone nice.
phuqer mentions grace hotel coffee shop, i would pop in to see if i can score there, or just for titillation.
suk street itself. i like walking as long as its not too hot. maybe i bump into some totties. go-gos. patpon/soi cowboy/nep
i don't think this is my scene. but i want to see how a pinpong ball is popped and how a pussy can puff out the smoke.
nana carpark
again this is not my scene, but i am curious and try what happens.
tansak, you mention [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord900][CodeWord900][/url]/sol, i initially listed sol for my must-visit book but now i realised it is conducted out in open in the bar area? so i pass that.
enhancer
i noted that there are some chemists along suk. as the backup, i am taking some cs from vietnam where i work at the moment.
gfes
thank for the heads up on not falling in love. hope not. but if it happens, i can take it i think.
i am not bothered with lts. to me it is not only physically exhausting but mentally draining. i must save some gas for the following day as well
almost forgot, can anyone tell me when i can get the "inside massage"
cheers[/quote]
suzi wong is a gogo bar in soi cowboy. great for the oil show or the lesbian shaved pussy licking shows (be sure to get a front seat right at the gogo floor well before 10pm, so your view won't be blocked, and glasses if you are long sighted and might be too close to focus :d).
pussy smoking show is available at long gun nearby. might have to go to patpong for the pingpong (i don't know where as these shows don't turn me on at all).
yes sol is for the experienced monger like me who has seen (and been seen) everything. you can go to the back but its too cramped and awkward in my opinion. [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord900][CodeWord900][/url] has curtains so you won't be on display.
not sure if the "grace coffee" shop is valuable way to spend time. i wouldn't bother, personally.
its worth experiencing a good body-slide massage at a soapy massage parlour in my opinion. it really turns me on but many mongers are over it for some reason. but i'm a wimp. i like the soft stuff. i wouldn't dare go to sazanka for a salt rub :eek:
