Where to Stay in Thailand!

With the advent of the World-Wide-Web, the task of keeping up to date information on all the hotels in Thailand has become quite a bit easier. I will post some specific details on recomendations for specific cities as I receive them. Most of the recomendations I will list will be based on proxcimity to Nightlife in a given city and the openess of the hotel to allow for those over-night guests (without charge.)

The folowing web sites have very complete info on hotels in the major Thai cities of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Most of these sites also include addresses, phone numbers, pictures of the rooms and hotel facilities and even the ability to make a reservation on-line.

***Special*** Tsm Apt guide with photos and discounts!

Rent an Apartment Rent these comfortable, self-contained, centrally-located apartments and studios by the night, week or month!

RegiTEL Thailand (BEST - most comprehensive list with phone numbers, pictures, rates)

Asia Travel (GOOD - OK list of hotels but better pictures of hotels - not comprehensive)

ABC Travel (OK - not comprehensive at all and tends to list only 5 star hotels)

BangkokNet Hotel Page (Pretty Darn Good Stuff!)

Pattaya Hotels Listing (GOOD - pretty comprhensive)

Phuket Hotels Listing (GOOD - OK list of hotels on Phuket)

Bangkok Hotel Picks

Special rate at the Omni for Tsm

Conveniently located behind the Washington Theater in Washington Square just off Sukhumvit Soi 22, Bourbon St. Bar & Restaurant is truly the only American owned and operated restaurant in Bangkok.

Although I have never stayed here in the past... it appears that a number of members love this place. The co-owners (Doug and Darrell) apparently cater very well to the TSM (Single Male) traveler. I guess I MUST stay here on my next visit to check it out!

The NANA Hotel
4 Nana Tai
Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 252-0121
FAX: +66 2 255-1769
RATES: 800-900 baht

As the name implies, the NANA Hotel is directly accross the street from the entertainment plaza. So, for those, wishing to get into Bangkok and stay put for a week or two, with everything you need right outside your door... then this has got to be the place. Bringing your new temporary girlfriend home here has never been a problem. The Nana also reportedly has a barber shop with some very lovely barbers, a coffee shop and a night club (of course, girls will frequent ALL of these venues at almost ALL hours...)

The Dynasty Inn
5/4-5 Soi 4 Nana Tai (opposite Nana Hotel)
Sukumvit Road
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +662 656-8100-6, +662 252-4522, +662 250-1397
FAX: +662 255-4111, +662 656-8107

Located accross the street from the NANA Hotel and reportedly this place is cleaner, friendlier, cheaper and just plain nicer than the NANA hotel. Facilities include a 24-hour coffee shop, lobby bar, Barber and Beauty Salon, Traditional Thai Massage Parlour and Good Thai Food in the Restaurant. Of course the usual info goes for the barbers, massage girls, bar and coffee shop, etc. This is to say, the majority of the women you will find in these places are waiting to become your best friend for the day, night, week, whatever!

On the Dynasty vs. NANA

I'm not saying that the NANA is a bad place, just that I liked the DI better. I found it to be a little tattered around the edges. Major construction was going on in the lobby. The room design reminded me a little too much of a love hotel...I know thats what I am there for...but still. One major(and to me serious) problem was the MATTRESS. It was not a real mattress, but a slab of SOFT FOAM RUBBER! Really uncomfortable, and terrible for your back. That was the reason that I checked the DI in the first place. Also, lazy SOB that I am, I don't want to get out ouf bed to control the TV or A/C. This is not a problem in the DI. For what the NANA is charging, I expect all of the modern convenienes; that have not been upgraded in a decade or more.

Sukhumvit Crown Hotel
7 Sukhumvit Road (Soi 4-6-8)
Bangkok, Thailand
TEL: 011-662-253-5672,3,4
FAX: 011-662-253-5675
No e-mail address.
Rates: 540B ($21) per night for air-con room with cable TV.

If you want one of the best locations in Bangkok for the single traveler on a budget, the Crown is for you. It is across Sukhumvit Road from the Ambassador Hotel and Thermae's, a little down Soi 8 on the right. 5 min. walk to Nana. 2 supermarkets within short walking distance. The Crown is an old hotel - but the rooms are acceptable. The staff is helpful and there is NO problem bringing guest(s) at any hour. Large slightly-angled mirror on the wall facing the bed (figure it out!). Free hotel safe in the lobby. The guests seem to be mainly Americans or Europeans looking for action a budget.

The Grace Hotel
12 Nana Nua Soi 3
Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 253-0651
FAX: +66 2 253-0680
RATES: 565-1507 baht

Well, actually I have never stayed here and if you do I am sure it would be a pretty wild ride. So, some of you might like that! If you have stayed here, please advise us on the details. Of course, the Grace has some excellent facilities of its own (Massage Center, Disco, Night Club, Snooker Room, Pool, Coffee Shop, etc.) If you do not stay here, then you'll oddly enough end up here a lot of the time anyway, so... how bad can it be. Seriously though, I have one report that tells me this hotel is populated mainly by Arabs (who incidently the Thai hotel personel and working girls do not particularly like). So evidently, American or European guests are treated with additional respect and service... Bringing girls back to your room is not a problem at the Grace, for obvious reasons ;)

More on the GRACE Hotel

Grace Has an old wing (550b x night) and the new wing (around 1000b x night), there are also some special discount rooms in the old wing at the last floor (but yoy have to walk some stairs becouse there is no lift to the last floor!!..)

Good security service, a guard always check and retires the ID of your guest and he calls you back in the room if she goes out alone (really a good service!!!)

24-hour cafe is really open 24-hours! Can pickup a girl at 9:00 in the morning!!! There is literally some girls all the time there !!!

The Ambassador Hotel
171 Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok Thailand
Phone: +66 2 254-0444
FAX +66 2 253-4123
RATES: 1,400-4,600 baht (NOTE: these discount rates are available only if you register on-line)
Send email to the Ambassador-Bangkok

For those who want a little nicer place to stay then the Ambassador is a good bet. Still only a very short walk to NANA Plaza but a very well know hotel with great facilities. The only drawback is that they will try to charge a 400 baht fee for your female visitors (which can be avoided in most cases). while the Ambassador is a little more classy than the Nana or Grace, I have heard very good reports coming back regarding the little clubs (bars, discos whatever) in the hotel. apparently, the women hanging out in these bars a quite a little more classy too... yet, many claim success here...

Pattaya Hotel Picks

Diamond Beach Hotel
373/8 Moo 10
Beach Road - South Pattaya
Tel: (038) 429885-6
Fax: (038) 428888, 428071
Rates: 300-500 banht/night

Flipper Lodge Hotel
520/1 Soi 8
Beach Road - South Pattaya
Tel: (038) 426401-3
Fax: (038) 426403
Rates: 700-800 baht/night

High Five
217/8 Soi 8
Pattaya 2nd Road - Central Pattaya
Tel: (038) 427115-8
Fax: (038) 427119
Rates: 200-500 baht/night

One of the Best Values in Pattaya

Winner Hotel & Restaurant
Soi Buakow
Tel: (unknown)
Rates: 250 baht/night

Reportedly every bit as good as the above hotels, but much cheaper and a little further out (near Diana Estate).

TSM Member Exclusive -- A member shared this place but would not like this information distributed outside TSM (don't spread this info publically please).

Regent Marina Hotel
463/31 Pattaya Beach Road
Pattaya City, Thailand 20260
Tel: (038) 428015
Fax: (038) 423296

far from the noisy South Pattaya but just ten minute walking to there!! At the beginning of the beach road. Has not so good restaurant, disco (always empty), a beautiful pool,massage parlor, some shops inside, good rooms at around 1100b x night. Near a GymnCenter, Travel Agency. A classy location far from the crowdy area, very quiet!.

An easy hour and a half from Bangkok, the Regent Marina Hotel is located in the less busy north end of Pattaya Beach. Spend your holidays or even business days with us. Our superior service will guarantee you satisfaction.

Dining: Marina Coffee Shop & Restaurant, for international cuisine 24 hours a day. Rendezvous Lobby Bar, open 11:00 am to 12:00 midnight.

Sports: Deep-sea fishing, Skin and Scuba diving, Sailing, Windsurfing, Para-sailing, Water-skiing, Golf, Island hopping.

Additional Features: 4 function rooms to accommodate 20-400 people.

Island View Hotel
401 Cliff Beach Road, Pattaya
Cholburi, Thailand
Tel: (038) 428-818, 429-817-8

Outside Pattaya,south up to the hill, just on the road to the great and famous Royal Cliff Hotel. Very quiet, 2 restaurants, a good pool, a good beach , pool table, can rent boats, around 1000b a night. Friendly services, good rooms (ask always for a seaview room and you''ll see a beatiful landscape at the sunset!!). A very classy spot if you want go there and stay relaxed with your doll!. Some US Navvy Officials use it during their rests in Pattaya!!. The only drawback is: you have to pay around 60b to go downtown! but tthere is also a 3 times a day free servite bus to South Pattaya!.

Lek Hotel
284/5 Soi 13 Pattaya Road, Pattaya City
Cholburi 20260, Thailand
Tel: (66-38) 425550-2

Central hotel with cheap food, a small pool, good and friendly service. Very cheap (500 b a day), small but clean room. Walking distance from the action but still quiet enough!!!. Not on the beach but, who dares to swim in the Pattaya water ??..

Phuket Hotel Picks

On the southern edge of Patong beach. Right accross the street from the beach. It is within walking distance of the main drag which is where all the beer-bars are located. My travel agent suggested I pay for a double since, he said, that some of the better hotels "may" give you a hassle about bringing in a lady. But, the Seaview has entrances that bypass the main lobby. Very easy to get a girl inside your room. The rooms are very nice and clean. The lower rooms (3 stories) are better but more expensive. Nice pool, cable TV, stocked refridgerator (w/beer & liqiueur billed to you if you open but free bottled water), AC, hot water, but no in-room safe. Use the security box at the front desk. It is a bit upscale with a very nice resturant and the room rate includes a free and very good western style breakfast buffet. Ask for it if you book. I paid 1,700B (US $68/night) for a double on the third floor, but that was during high season!

Thara Patong Beach Resort
170 Thawee-wong Rd,
Patong Beach, Kathu,
Phuket 83150,
Thailand.
Tel: 6676-340135
Fax: 6676-340446
Rates: 1650-4500 baht/night

The rates are about the same as the Seaview Hotel but the Thara is closer to the night action.

Patong Bay Garden Resort
61/13 Thaweewongse Road
Patong Beach, Katu, Phuket, Thailand. Tel: (66 76) 340-297
Fax: (66 76) 340-560
Rates: 2,000B (US $80) and up during the off season

When I was there (2 days/1night) the placed was packed with europeans mainly from Germany and Italy. I did not meet many yanks, although there are a few regular bars that cater to americans.