mardhi

Just out of interest - how did your guests like it? My experience is simple is best for the average girl we are hanging around with and that few care much for the fancy cooking even of their own food - as more often than not, they have never had it done that way. Now to find somewhere they really like and is half decent for the foreigner would be a great find - hence my question.

I doubt you can avoid having the stamp in your passport but do let us know how you get on. It would be a godsend to me, as I keep needing to replace my passport after about 4 years due to all those pesky stamps.

The Ibis hotels are nothing like what you get in Europe - they are all at least 1* higher up the ratings. I remember (working for Accor) going to the Accor academy, on the outskirts of Paris which is surrounded by 'test' hotels - yes really. You should have seen some of the rubbish they were testing to get costs down for room fitout. One I do remember was a hosepipe like a bumb gun that came out of the sink and could hook onto the shower fitting and/or bath. It actually got introduced into some hotels to save on buying two sets of taps. Unreal. Lucky most of those ideas have not made it over from Europe.

Is that the room you are getting/booked? Looks more like 1 bedroom place and might smart looking with it. Just remember not to attempt to walk back after a heavy night out !!!!

Here are a few sample pictures taken last night. I think (when I'd had a few beers) I changed the settings to be some mood setting or another. Anyhow, despite that, the pics seem good to me. Very easy to use as well.

Picked up a cheapo camera today just for putting in your pocket and not losing it. Sony cybershot DSC TX66. Power Buy knocking them out at 4700b down from 7xxx something. Will try it out tonight and share some results.

This is sold in Thailand - Sony DSC WX80 and fair value at 6990b. Not a bad review here:- http://www.pcmag.com...,2419661,00.asp A cheaper Sony here reviewed which is only 2990b and it shows. Model is DSC W710. However maybe good enough for Snaps in the bar. http://www.digitalca...ressions-review

A consistently safe bet is the Dynasty Grande. Personally I prefer the back wing as the doors are not steel and do not 'slam' shut which used to be an annoyance in the front wing. I am only assuming the front still has the steel doors as not stayed there (in the front wing) for maybe 5 years now. The bathrooms in the back wing tend to be larger as well in my experience. However these points are really splitting hair's its a fine hotel and very good value for money. The gym is also a decent size and well equipped.

What are you currently using for a compact camera Snick - your pics always look good. Maybe if you upgrade, you have a ready buyer in Fatcat? - But I'd also like to know as I am looking around. I'd agree about Samsung though - never seen 'great' results from those and we used at both Anaconda & Guess before - both easily breakable as well (which is what happened). Casio as well, mediocre results.

Most 5* hotels do not check ID's - infact they act like they don't even see you as you walk through the lobby. They clock you and her for sure. But as its unlikely you want it bragged about in a 5* place, they keep quiet. At the same time though, you are generally on your own as I found at the Grand Hyatt in HKG when some girl managed to open my room safe and steal the contents of my wallet. Probably most smart travellers even in this situation won't want to draw too much attention to it and choose to cover the loss themselves without involving any 3rd parties or having police reports etc - I know I certainly did especially as I was pissed as a fart by the time I got back to the room with her. The cringe factor alone was enough to just forget about it. I guess the moral is, if you can afford to stay in these hotels, you can afford any loss that may arise - or if a company is picking up the tab, then you sure as heck would not want them hearing about it.

I use a SLR and will be interested in suggestions as well for a small cheap pocket camera that takes OK photo's. Here is a good source to establish prices in Thailand - its Power Buys website - all in Thai but easy to get the prices. http://www.powerbuy.co.th/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=128

Foodland's diner at the front of the store is very similar to Kiss - cheap, good portions and very clean. The challenge is getting a seat anytime of the day or night. The major plus is its airconditioned and they use good coffee.

The hotel is full of Russian and Middle Eastern guests by all account. Not sure if that would bother you but aside from the policy + that mix of guests, I think I would look elsewhere. Perhaps the Centara on Trat or Koh Chang. Not as glamorous pool areas but much better beach.

The food was indeed excellent and superb value for money given the low price. New years day they are doing a similar menu but with a roast Ham as the centrepoint and this time its 5 courses. I do recall Pumpkin soup was one part of it. What I like is that its all homemade now in the restaurant - nothing is brought in anymore, and the head chef knows what he is doing. The new years day menu is also 499b. I get very jaded with restaurants and Bully's is now hitting many hot spots for me at least.

Am I the only guy who cannot see the entire middle section of the board? I can see advanced and I can see the public forum with hotels etc etc. The section containing chat, the bars etc is now not visible to me at least. I can still access the threads by looking at unread content, so its not been deleted, just looks like its hidden.

Bullys is going to be probably the best value - infact its ludicrously cheap by BKK standards and even half the price of many places in Pattaya. 3 course meal with two starters one of which was Onion soup. The other as I recall is a Ceasar salad. Roast Turkey or Roast Pork Loin for mains with vegetables etc and then couple of desserts. 495b.

Soi 8 pub appears to have new ownership and a few comments I have heard are that things have headed South, quality and service wise. However its only anecdotal comments and I have not recently been there myself. Bully's have not finalised their menu or even if its a buffet or served meal yet. I doubt the Landmark would be 1500b for 2 people - more like 1500 each now.

Based on the pics above 3 posts above - not entirely sure I agree with that and hey this is supposed to be a techie thread but I do understand your point. Now whatever happened to Fern & Harris 11........

Just curious - what happened to the Guess thread - can it be put up again from a "restore point" or whatever the techie term is. Also interesting to know who maybe behind it as it seemed to only delete the GB thread.

if anyone is confused about the location - its the old building where the original Guess Bar was located in. It all got gutted and this is the result.

Rajah Hotel has started doing up their rooms but I have not seen the finished product. The old product is on their website - just google it. I have seen the rooms, but from the website I got the impression the rooms are large and they certainly look old fashioned. Rajah Mansions upgraded the rooms about 4 years ago and started out being good-ish. However they did the refurb on the cheap and many things are falling apart. Its an old building,which does not help but at least the rates are low. While the rooms are of the same style, the condition they are in varies considerably. On the whole they are what I would call, sufficient - the beds are comfortable, the bed linen is excellent quality cotton with duvets. The TV selection is crap - hardly anything to watch unless your Thai or Chinese. Showers are hot and pretty good - but don't be expecting much else.

Its a fair old walk up Soi 3 and to be honest, the sign does indeed look new. But the building not so sure. It strikes me as a quick refurb of a former C grade office block just to spin a few bucks by chucking on a glass entry lobby. Much better choices in Soi's 2/4/6/8 and you do not need to cross Sukhumvit. However, if you like walking through Arab centric streets, you might like it.

This is a nice hotel albeit quite remote out of Hua Hin town - I stayed there about 4 years ago and the only thing I did not care much for was the restaurant. Everything else very nice, small and nice pools. Luckily I have a car so the location was no drama for me - but for others you might want to hire motorbikes or a car.

The airport express in HKG is superb - I always used it probably as frequently as you are doing now, however The Thai service is not a touch on it. When building something from scratch (as they did) all this should be one one level or easy to navigate with luggage. however its not. What would grate me the most is the delays between trains - 30 minute waits is lunacy and the cost of a taxi is quite low in relative terms (unlike HKG where the taxi is considerably more expensive and takes much longer). Actually getting a cab once you arrive and have struggled with your luggage is not easy in that area. However I can well understand you chooisng this option based on time you arrive and also the day of the week - its the most problematic day and time to be on the expressways. But for anyone with luggage, I'd say don't even consider it especially if you are not familiar with how to get around the city.

Good to know - lots of nice little boutique type hotels popping up in Soi 2 these days.