Giotto's Lodge in Bangkok

[QUOTE=PassinThrough]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[/QUOTE]


PIT

Thanks for your advice. I'm not actually cheap, just stingy and careful, but from all the reports I have read, Livingstones does seem to offer exceptional service and quality. Therefore, I will treat myself to this and see how the other half live. I'm actually a big softie and am satisfied with simple, functional and clean things, so anything above this will be a bonus. It's just a pity I can only stay a couple of nights, but I'm sure they'll be good ones.

[QUOTE=Byung]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]

Difference is size and possibly jacuzzi and shower in larger room. I would suggest booking smaller room and looking at larger room when you arrive...then make final decision (subject to availability at that time).
I usually get deluxe or jr suite, but really not needed. Only time you're in the room is to sleep and of course whatever else you do with your girl(s) in bed :) Unless you're a gymnast, regular superior should be fine.

[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.

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]Is that the case with what shows on the credit card? I am trying be in stealth mode and about to book, prefer to do it as a forum member rather than book through Expedia, Wotif or the like. The later masks typically where you stay rather it shows who you booked through.

I know Goitto is in Singers anyone confirm what show on the credit card statement?

Cheers,

Fleetz

[QUOTE=Fleetz]Is that the case with what shows on the credit card? I am trying be in stealth mode and about to book, prefer to do it as a forum member rather than book through Expedia, Wotif or the like. The later masks typically where you stay rather it shows who you booked through.

I know Goitto is in Singers anyone confirm what show on the credit card statement?

Cheers,

Fleetz[/QUOTE]On my Mastercard statement it said: Living Stones Lodge Bangkok Tha.

Hope that helps, have fun while you are there.

[QUOTE=Fleetz]Is that the case with what shows on the credit card? I am trying be in stealth mode and about to book, prefer to do it as a forum member rather than book through Expedia, Wotif or the like. The later masks typically where you stay rather it shows who you booked through.

I know Goitto is in Singers anyone confirm what show on the credit card statement?

Cheers,

Fleetz[/QUOTE]

The charge card slips from Livingstones just say Livingstones Lodge and give the address. It does not specify what the charge was for. The invoice lists across the top Boutique lodge, steak house, sports lounge, beer garden,Thai restaurant, Pub. The charges are listed seperately with no more detail given then Beverage, Room Charge, Telephone, Laundry, Cocktail, etc. Bar fines show up as Beverage.

So basically you should be fairly clean in putting things on the company expense account. I never did realize though that there was a beer garden there. Next time I shall have to look for it.

My problem was that my corporate AMEX card charge goes directly to my company's expense report system where it is automatically categorized. For some reason in that system it picks up any Livingstones charge as a restaurant instead of hotel. And that makes it difficult for me to properly expense the individual items which creates a flag which calls attention to that charge. And this is one charge I would prefer not to call attention to.

Luckily my boss doesn't pay much attention to the details, but there are those that do.

As I think about it it would be nice to have a database here within ISG that tells us how charge card receipts and invoices look for some of the more popular places around the world so those of us who travel on expense accounts would know where it is safe to charge and where it is not.

[QUOTE=Thor93]The charge card slips from Livingstones just say Livingstones Lodge and give the address. It does not specify what the charge was for. The invoice lists across the top Boutique lodge, steak house, sports lounge, beer garden,Thai restaurant, Pub. The charges are listed seperately with no more detail given then Beverage, Room Charge, Telephone, Laundry, Cocktail, etc. Bar fines show up as Beverage.

So basically you should be fairly clean in putting things on the company expense account. I never did realize though that there was a beer garden there. Next time I shall have to look for it.

My problem was that my corporate AMEX card charge goes directly to my company's expense report system where it is automatically categorized. For some reason in that system it picks up any Livingstones charge as a restaurant instead of hotel. And that makes it difficult for me to properly expense the individual items which creates a flag which calls attention to that charge. And this is one charge I would prefer not to call attention to.

Luckily my boss doesn't pay much attention to the details, but there are those that do.

As I think about it it would be nice to have a database here within ISG that tells us how charge card receipts and invoices look for some of the more popular places around the world so those of us who travel on expense accounts would know where it is safe to charge and where it is not.[/QUOTE]Thanks for that Thor93,

I know you don't see the corporate AMEX statement but if your charge slip shows Livingstones Lodge the the statement should state the same.

Nice to know the BF show up as a Bevvy! (-:

Cheers,

Fleetz

[QUOTE=Fleetz]Thanks for that Thor93,

I know you don't see the corporate AMEX statement but if your charge slip shows Livingstones Lodge the the statement should state the same.

Nice to know the BF show up as a Bevvy! (-:

Cheers,

Fleetz[/QUOTE]

I do get my Corporate AMEX statement. The transfer to the corporate system is electronic. Livingstones Lodge is all that shows normally catergorized as a restaurant instead of hotel.

It is nice when charge card reciepts are very neutral. I like having the company help me make my way. Eden Club's charge receipts say something innocent like Fisherman Club, so it can become a dinner. I know in Germany two of the bigger FKK clubs' receipts say they are restaurants. Since they offer a buffet in addition to the other delights, it is completely legal to put the entry fee as a dinner.

The risk with Livingstones is that a google search does kind of tell the story. You would not want your boss reading up on it. He might wonder about that "friendly" staff in the sports lounge.

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

I just come back from Singapore, tired - and now this. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LEGS?

Even Rummenigge (with his sexy knees) would be jealous if he ever saw them... :)


Giotto

[QUOTE=Giotto]
I just come back from Singapore, tired - and now this. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LEGS?
Giotto[/QUOTE]
Oh, I don't know! Maybe, this ?

I have a complaint about Livingstone's. It happened a while ago, and I didn't say anything, as I knew that my remarks would be taken very seriously, and might result in a drop in business.
But since someone asked, well, the best way to describe my problem is this way.

I was sitting on the pot, having my morning constitutional, after a nice BBBJ, reading the paper, I reached over, and what did I see?

Following up on the previous reports reg. the credit card text on slips and statement:

We plan to change that text to:

Livingstones Lodge Co., Ltd.

Categorized as: Boutique Lodge (and that is the problem, we don't know whether that is possible)

Any other ideas?

Of course we cannot prevent any readers of typing that into Google and find information about the Lodge...


The Management
Livingstone's Lodge Co., Ltd.

[URL]http://www.livingstones.co.th[/URL]


BTW: I just typed in Livingstones Bangkok into Google, and nothing really worrying for business travellers appears on the first google pages - I would not be too worried.


Giotto

[QUOTE=Yin Yang]...
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]Yin Yang,

Thanks for your report.

Yes, you are right, [b]hooks[/b] - we have them here in the office already, since approx. 7 months! We all forgot, good that you complain.

We also have DVD players here for all Deluxe / Junior Suites / Executive Suite ... and they are still not installed.

Lousy Lodge.


Giotto

[QUOTE=1Ball]...
I was sitting on the pot, having my morning constitutional, after a nice BBBJ, reading the paper, I reached over, and what did I see?[/QUOTE]Mr. Vice President,

LOL. But - this is a special service only for Vice Presidents...


Giotto

[QUOTE=Giotto]I just come back from Singapore, tired - and now this. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LEGS?
Giotto[/QUOTE]

Don't worry, G. If you inspect the rooms upstairs more often, they'll soon look like this. Not sure if playing pool has the same effect though ...

YY

Just thought I'd add that on the Livingstone's website, everything seems to work except for the menus for each restaurant listing.

I know it's not that important, but I'm on a special diet and I wanted to see if the items on the menu were 'okay' for my health!

-Byung