Giotto's Lodge in Bangkok

I am at the end of a week plus stay at Livingstone's. My trip was meant to be 50% work and 50% pleasure, but unfortunately for me the work/pleasure ratio turned out more like 90/10. Not to bother, as Livingstone's turned out to be a great choice for both purposes. For me, staying in hotel room has been a chore. I spend more time that I like in them. I find that with few exceptions, they tend to be very sterile and predictable. Livingstone's breaks that mold thankfully. It is located slightly away from the madness of Nana that can easily consume you in Bangkok, but not too far away if you want to indulge yourself.

The rooms are 4 Star + in my opinion, and to be honest I have stayed in many 5 star hotels where the rooms cannot claim to be up to the standard of Livingstone's. There is both wired and wireless Internet available, the rooms are spacious and clean, and they have everything you would expect of a 4 - 5 star hotel. The food - one word, Yum! I never had a sub standard meal in my time there, and that is not something you can readily say for most hotels. All staff are friendly and fun to deal with.

Guido and **Giotto** are very gracious and knowledgeable hosts. What they don't know about Bangkok ain't worth knowing! They both make you feel so welcome in their "home" and are free with their tips on Bangkok, girls and good times.

That brings me to my next point. The Girls. Again, Yum. The Sports Bar is one of BKK's hidden treasures, with 30-40 girls in attendance nightly to keep you company you won't be bored. They are all beautiful and well presented. They are not pushy and do not readily push you towards "extra activities". That is entirely up to you. Given my unexpected work commitments I wasn't able to indulge in the pleasures as much as I had planned to, but when I did, it was time and money well spent :-) The one thing I like about the set up with the girls is if you are a *******, they are not pressured into going with you. I like that.

In summary, Livingstone's is a different accommodation experience. It is a boutique hotel, not a hotel or *****house. It has been a great stay. I will return.

Giotto amigo:
Been reading Giotto's forum from day one, but have not had the pleasure of staying there as I generally go straight down to Phuket. Am planning another Phuket run the week of June 18 and am tempted... really tempted to make it a point to stop over in BKK just to stay at your place! (Hmmm - how come you don't call this forum - Giotto's grotto?).
One thing that's been making me wonder about your place though is - WHERE ARE ALL THE BAD REVIEWS?! I can understand that with the discounts for ISG members, that they;ve got to write a report. Is this ANY report? Or do you hit the delete button for those reports that ain't full of praise? I mean - there's ALWAYS sooooo many things to complain about when staying ANYWHERE! So...?!! Can Livingstone's be the REAL shangrila we're all seeking?
SE Asia Joe

I think the reason that you don't see many negative things is that the staff are so helpful. Each time I have been at Giotto's there have been some minor problems but the staff always immediately jump up and deal with them. At least for me I have always found the customer service to be fantastic and highly recommend the place.

I was having dinner in Manli a while ago talking with someone I had just met about Thailand and we both had the same opinion that Giotto's was the best place in the city to stay. Although if in town for work it might be difficult to pull off if you have anyone in your HR or Accounting Department that might question the location of your hotel.

Giotto thanks for the advice on Saturday night. Turned out to be a great night. I'll write a report later on it.

[QUOTE=SE Asia Joe]Giotto amigo:
Been reading Giotto's forum from day one, but have not had the pleasure of staying there as I generally go straight down to Phuket. Am planning another Phuket run the week of June 18 and am tempted... really tempted to make it a point to stop over in BKK just to stay at your place! (Hmmm - how come you don't call this forum - Giotto's grotto?).
One thing that's been making me wonder about your place though is - WHERE ARE ALL THE BAD REVIEWS?! I can understand that with the discounts for ISG members, that they;ve got to write a report. Is this ANY report? Or do you hit the delete button for those reports that ain't full of praise? I mean - there's ALWAYS sooooo many things to complain about when staying ANYWHERE! So...?!! Can Livingstone's be the REAL shangrila we're all seeking?
SE Asia Joe[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Rick Hunter] ... we both had the same opinion that Giotto's was the best place in the city to stay. Although if in town for work it might be difficult to pull off if you have anyone in your HR or Accounting Department that might question the location of your hotel.[/QUOTE]Somehow I manage to get away with it, and my boss monitors my travels with interest (he knows me too well). Last time as he was signing my re-imbursements he threw up his hands with a laugh and asked "Why do you always need a double room when you travel? Huh?" I explained that single beds are too small for me. ;)

The thing with Giotto's is it also caters to family clients and business travellers (not only mongers), so there is still the element of "the benefit of the doubt". I'll test this theory soon, as I'm in the process of booking a few nights for myself, wife and daughter for a three night stay at Giotto's as part of a longer trip.

[QUOTE=SE Asia Joe]Giotto amigo:
One thing that's been making me wonder about your place though is - WHERE ARE ALL THE BAD REVIEWS?! I can understand that with the discounts for ISG members, that they;ve got to write a report. Is this ANY report? Or do you hit the delete button for those reports that ain't full of praise? I mean - there's ALWAYS sooooo many things to complain about when staying ANYWHERE! So...?!! Can Livingstone's be the REAL shangrila we're all seeking?
SE Asia Joe[/QUOTE]

I think the clientel at Livingstones is basically self-selected. They read what goes on here and know exactly what to expect. That in itself cuts down on the complaints. But there have been complaints. While mostly minor, Guido and Giotto have responded and made the corrections.

My biggest problem there is that for some reason if I use my AMEX card, in my company expense system Livingstones shows up as a restaurant instead of a hotel. That just flags it in our expense system which is a bit of an annoyance. Hopefully that doesn't happen the next time I show up.

My other problem is my Thai GF has seen the talent in the sports bar and is extremely reluctant to let me stay there, even though she would be right there with me. For some strange reason she doesn't trust me around all of that talent. I can't imagine why.

[QUOTE=Thor93]I think the clientel at Livingstones is basically self-selected. They read what goes on here and know exactly what to expect. That in itself cuts down on the complaints. But there have been complaints. While mostly minor, Guido and Giotto have responded and made the corrections.

.[/QUOTE]

Just wait until I am there in Feb (if he still lets me stay). I am one of the most pragmatic, realistic, skeptical, and some may suggest, stingy twats you will meet. If it isn't worth it, I'll not even entertain it.

Livingstones is twice the price of anywhere I'd stay in Pattaya, and the rest, but then again I understand that Bangkok is expensive, so I'll bear that in mind when I write the report. Women are also more expensive in Bangkok, as are the barfines, so we'll just have to see how the ladies in the lodge can persuade me to part with some bhat.

I bet you're worried now Giotto. I've chosen, through great self-sacrafice of bhat, to stay at your place and do a fair review, based upon my standards. Don't get me wrong, I'll pay for quality, and if the place is anywhere near as good as it is made out to be, then the report will reflect it!

[QUOTE=Thor93]My other problem is my Thai GF has seen the talent in the sports bar and is extremely reluctant to let me stay there, even though she would be right there with me. For some strange reason she doesn't trust me around all of that talent. I can't imagine why.[/QUOTE]Maybe it's time to pick a new GF? LOL

[QUOTE=SE Asia Joe]Giotto amigo:
Been reading Giotto's forum from day one, but have not had the pleasure of staying there as I generally go straight down to Phuket. Am planning another Phuket run the week of June 18 and am tempted... really tempted to make it a point to stop over in BKK just to stay at your place! (Hmmm - how come you don't call this forum - Giotto's grotto?).
One thing that's been making me wonder about your place though is - WHERE ARE ALL THE BAD REVIEWS?! I can understand that with the discounts for ISG members, that they;ve got to write a report. Is this ANY report? Or do you hit the delete button for those reports that ain't full of praise? I mean - there's ALWAYS sooooo many things to complain about when staying ANYWHERE! So...?!! Can Livingstone's be the REAL shangrila we're all seeking?
SE Asia Joe[/QUOTE]SE Asia Joe,

LOL - but no, I really do not delete the negative reports. I deleted ONE or TWO reports in all the time, and those were reports from a poster who only wanted to create some trouble.

You will find some criticism about issues in some of the reports. I remember that one of Travellar22 2 weeks ago, there are some issues here at the Lodge, and we are working on those. No Shangrila...

Just come over here, check it out, and write a realistic report with all Pros and Cons. I am the first who will read it, and try to learn, as every day.

Hope to see you soon here at Livingstone's Lodge.


Giotto

I am on my way to Singapore. Leaving today, returning on 07.06.2007, late night.

Will try to write a bit when I stay in Singapore, I had no time here during the past few weeks.

Guido is here, if somebody needs support to find other ISG members. But it is anyway low season, the Lodge is only booked half.

See you when I come back.


Giotto

According to the website, it shows that the price difference between going from superior room to deluxe room is a 45% increase... I was just wondering what the difference between those two rooms are (as I'm preparing an expense report for my trip coming up).

Thanks

[QUOTE=Petemcc]Just wait until I am there in Feb (if he still lets me stay). I am one of the most pragmatic, realistic, skeptical, and some may suggest, stingy twats you will meet. If it isn't worth it, I'll not even entertain it.

Livingstones is twice the price of anywhere I'd stay in Pattaya, and the rest, but then again I understand that Bangkok is expensive, so I'll bear that in mind when I write the report. Women are also more expensive in Bangkok, as are the barfines, so we'll just have to see how the ladies in the lodge can persuade me to part with some bhat.

I bet you're worried now Giotto. I've chosen, through great self-sacrafice of bhat, to stay at your place and do a fair review, based upon my standards. Don't get me wrong, I'll pay for quality, and if the place is anywhere near as good as it is made out to be, then the report will reflect it![/QUOTE]


the lodge is not a place for cheap people. if you want cheap stay somewhere else. if you value quality and good friendly service then stay there but expect to pay for it. the lodge is not really expensive but you can find cheaper rooms, food and women at other places in Bangkok. knowing this I still stay at the lodge because everyone is great and I like it there. I also prefer to pay more for that service and convience.

as for something negative, have you seen Giotto's legs?

PIT

Surprises didn't stop at my unexpected encounter with "old friend" N. at the Sports Bar. When N. had made sure that I was happy to see her again (which she doubted because I hadn't even recognized her at first) and had extracted my commitment for the night, she revealed that her plans for the night included attending a friend's birthday party and buying something at the night market - once the bar was closed. She promised however to return to my room as quickly as possible. Although that plan sounded kind of crazy, there weren't many other options left because it was actually about closing time anyway. So I said to myself, what the heck, I can wait two or three hours and then there's still a full day tomorrow.

But two hours later (4am now) the only one who kept me company in my room was a mosquito, no sign of N. Another hour later I was bitten, again by a mosquito instead of N. Yet another hour later I was dozing away, cursing myself for agreeing in that plan at all (particulary since N. didn't have a cell phone, so I couldn't even contact her). Recalling trav22's travails with getting laid and some older ghost stories, I began to entertain the idea that someone might have put a curse of celibacy on the Lodge! Mind you, I had been in BKK for more 24 hours by then, and only a HJ at Sazanka was on record.

Time to change that as soon as possible in the morning. To make up for the lost opportunities, I had to step up the quantities. Only a double session would do. I thought about the special offer at Love Teens that Duni had reported, but then decided to give Eden another chance. My last experience there was so-so, but since this visit seemed to be about repeats, why not? Not a very wise choice, I quickly realized when I entered the club. Seeing its line-up of mostly 3- to 4-ish girls - while your mind is still lingering on vivid images of all the lovely ladies at the Sports Bar - doesn't really leave a great impression. But since I was there already, I chose two just acceptable ladies and proceeded to the room. It was quite funny though because this time I had picked *both* girls myself instead of letting the first one choose the other. As it turned out, girl no. 1 was new so that girl no. 2 treated our session as a training opportunity. That didn't improve the atmosphere, but after 90min I could at least leave the place with a sense of relief - though certainly not satisfaction.

Since I still had some hours before I had to catch my flight at 3am, I wasn't too worried that I'd be able to find a proper way of bidding BKK farewell. After a lazy afternoon I left the Lodge to get some cash and when I came back guess who was waiting at the entrance? N., of course! She drank too much last night and apologized profusely. I was still upset but, well, seeing that lovely smile, what could I do? After my all-but-GFE experience at Eden, I wasn't to reject the opportunity to spend a few hours with a girl who could at least remember my name and face ;) Adding another piece of Thai logic, N. then insisted that I barfine her - although it was actually her free day. Whatever, I thought, if that's what it takes for a nice sending-off, that's fine with me. And it was fine indeed ...


Many thanks to Giotto, Guido and the Livingstone staff! I've had a great if somewhat short time at the Lodge and I really liked the place and its people - a little oasis in the middle of the bustling city.

Oh, not to forget: Criticism? OK, here's one: What about more [b]hooks[/b] in the bathroom? Would be really useful, for instance to keep your toiletry bag and the plentiful towels (not that I had much problems with the latter given my meager record of stay-over guests, LOL).

[QUOTE=PassinThrough]as for something negative, have you seen Giotto's legs?[/QUOTE]
Now that's a big sacrifice...

[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]Maybe it's time to pick a new GF? LOL[/QUOTE]

I tried to dump her once but ended up in even deeper. I can't really complain. She looks super, is maybe a bit too smart for her own good, speaks excellent english, and lately seems to have put her sex drive into overdrive.

I even think I can trust her. I can call anytime day or night and she is there. She has a phone in her apartment that lets me know she is home. I know her routine and her friends and there is nothing to cause concern.

I keep waiting to find something to prove she is doing me wrong, but in almost three years she has never given me any reason to suspect she is playing me. So while I complain from time to time, I doubt I could do better very easily. I think she is a keeper.

[QUOTE=Thor93] She has a phone in her apartment that lets me know she is home. I know her routine and her friends and there is nothing to cause concern.
[/QUOTE]
Thor, is there "call forwarding" in LOS ?