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mardhi

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Posts posted by mardhi

  2. Posted

    2 hours ago, mangatanga said:

    You guys are making me want to switch out of the Dynasty Grande, I booked myself for 7 days starting next Friday.

     

    My only concern with Citrus is the extra joiner fees (per my correspondence with the Citrus staff) I don’t feel like paying more for my third guest.... possibly more guests. Which will likely be a nightly occurrence...

     

    What was your experience with that?

     

    No idea about Citrus but I always tbought Dynasty Grande charged extra for 3rd or more guest(s) but maybe others can confirm.

  5. Posted

    42 minutes ago, Thanks said:

    The owner, a really nice guy from Texas in his early 60s, said they broke even the first year already. Highlighted the quality of the food and the food ingredients and that there weren't any other authentic tex-mex restaurants around.

    They must have lots of fixed / overhead costs but seemingly they are still profitable even at way less than 50% capacity utilization rate, even on weekends. Said that regular / returning guests would make up lion share of his business, compensating for not so many "typical" soi 4 tourists. The US embassy isn't that far away either (don't know if they are also doing deliveries there) and they are surrounded by 10 hotels. The Hilton DoubleTree Ploenchit (ex Majestic Grande) down the alley looks almost finished and should open in Q2 / 2019. Also, the Marriott, where many Americans stay, is also basically just around the corner. Americans just love Tex-Mex!

    They have pool billiard tables at the Mexican, always popular in Bangkok.

    Staff is nice and look after their guests.

    The ambiance in general and the Mexican themed furnishings are also good IMO.

    Didn't try much food there but the bar is well stocked and their spirits I think are the real deal and they don't cheat with quantity either. As Youngone and mardhi said, it ain't cheap though...

    Anyway, I would give it a shot when you're craving for something authentic US style in Texmexkok.

    I walked past the location one afternoon maybe 2 months ago after stop at Villa supermarket. I was surprised they are still going.  Have to say though that wooden entrance door is awesome. Need to find wood shop able to make similar for my house.

    Thanks reacted to this

  6. Posted

    On 7/11/2018 at 6:57 PM, debacle17 said:

    Ok guys, thanks for the replies.

    I will have a big bag with me, but I prefer bus over taxi and could use the saved baht for an extra ST, lol. It will be early in the day and it isn't worth to pay 800-1,000 Baht more to save 30-60 mins.

    If my hotel (haven't booked yet) in Pattaya is close to normal bus station, I will get this (from Ekkamai), otherwise I will use the Bell bus.

     

    The bus station in Pattaya while in the city is not on the 'strip'. I can't think of anything worse than walking it even without a suitcase.  Just use the baht bus for probably 20-50b to get to your hotel. The bus from Ekamai is fine and safe. Allow 2-3 hours though. Ive never done it any quicker (aside from a car direct). 

    Thanks reacted to this

  7. Posted

    58 minutes ago, flipflops said:

    Pricing on Qatar is acceptable but the route adds about 10 hours of travel time. Qatar looks great for UK / Euro flyers though.

    I checked seatguru.com and it lists economy seats on Asiana A380-800 at 18.9 inches. The Cathay Pacific 777-300ER is 18.5. However, the kicker is this seat map shows Cathay Pacific in the 9 across and not the new 10 across configuration. Makes you wonder what the seat width is @ 10 across.

     

    Search on youtube for cathay pacific 10 across seats. Bound to be some reviews.

  9. Posted

    While Cathay is my favourite overall airline, it has to be said it is not because of the legroom in economy. Its terrible. Seat comfortable but space is poor. Great if your small but not ideal for western frame.  No idea though about Asiana as comparison as never flown them.

     

    Cathay scores highly for me in air crew, cabin crew, aircraft, premium classes. Economy doesn't make the grade.

    flipflops and Geronimo42 reacted to this

  11. Posted

    hi BMs

     

    Planning a trip to LOS in the last quarter of the year

     

     

    can anyone advise if they have the experience of bringing 2 ladyboys to Cozy, any joiner fee for the 3rd person ?

     

     

    Would it make any difference if I take a bigger room ? Was considering a long time threesome with either Ying, Cindy, Job, Sara/Lisa or ice or the next cute ladyboy from CIB

     

    attachicon.gifcozy.jpg

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Just read that description. All rooms that have a balcony (6th floor) are smoking rooms. None are non smoking. Just small observation if it is important.

     

    I always just book direct via email on hotel website. I got an early impression that is what they prefer and have always found them very amenable but I've personally never taken back 2 LB's at same time but I'm sure plenty have. You may find extra towels maybe an issue once the room maids have finished for the day but again it's just an impression. . Again no idea what 3rd party sites offer but direct I get breakfast included(2 people) in the rate.

  12. Posted

    IF it' still there, the Black Swan in Soi 19 maybe worth a look. No idea other than the roast I had there circa 2 or 3 years ago was very good. Given it's just off the main Sukhumvit - prices maybe lower than others. It's just a gut feeling but probably worth doing some googling. Huntsman pub maybe another option and frequently does bring 4 pay for 2 deals - even on key days. Thanksgiving dinner was something like 800b head that way, assuming 4 people. Not cheap but better than 1600b head otherwise.

  13. Posted

    There is a good low priced hotel right in front. Perfect

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

     

    Yup. Cozy at ten. Ticks all my boxes for one or two night stays and just 1400/1600b night including a mediocre breakfast but at least coffee is decent.

  14. Posted

    I had dinner at Galeria on the rooftop which presumably is same as bar area. We were the only people there circa 2030. The food was fine -just main course selection of nibble food. Stifling hot outside the air con area but that could have been due to hot season more than anything. While there was nothing wrong with the food I've not been back. Worth try but don't have high expectations of it. Lebua it ain't.

  17. Posted

    Is this the park plaza on soi 18 ? is it guest friendly ? Looking like a nice hotel for a good price.

     

    No it is on the main Asoke Road between Sukhumvit and Rama 4 roads. It is on the even side of the street, so in theory it is soi 14, but I think there is already a soi 14 Soi 16 is across the busy dual carriageway. Never stepped foot inside but driven past numerous times.

  18. Posted

    I'm pretty sure as a multiple hundred time user of Don Muang airport that this only affects people using the free road. The expressway above it has its own ramp that comes out by the cargo terminal as indicated in the article. If anyone knows anymore feel free to correct my understanding, but if using the toll way, it appears nothing much if anything will change.

    lb_beginner and Boomerang reacted to this

  19. Posted

    The problem is not getting to the airport at that time, its easy 20-30 mins, it is getting through Immigration that maybe the headache. 4.30am is time, i'd leave. Hopefully immigration is light on queues and plenty time for coffee. On numerous flights out of Don Muang I came very close to missing flights in the past purely because of bottle necks at Immigration.

    sornierob reacted to this

  22. Posted

    I know people who have stayed at paradiso and Cosy @Ten - both in front of CIB. The consensus seems to be Cosy at Ten is better and it is where I stay whenever they have rooms available. However I have not stayed at Paradiso. 6th floor rooms have balcony as well. lower floors do not.

     

    http://www.cozyatten.com/

     

    The booking engine on the website is not live but they come back with reply quickly.

    deprince77 reacted to this

  23. Posted

    Hi all,

     

    Can you advise what the WiFi was like here, I ask as I'll be making lots of facetime/line video calls to the UK, so want to make sure the WiFi is up to scratch (I was thinking of iCheckinn soi7 but heard the WiFi is not that great).

     

    Thanks for any assistance or further recommendations.

     

    Mattski

    I never use WiFi in hotels preferring 4G on my phone. They deffo have it but no idea of speed. I do remember my GF once shouting out from bathroom "fucking WiFi". That indicates to me she weren't so impressed.

    lbfan and wfkiwi69 reacted to this

  24. Posted

    I should add that the rate included breakfast. Not sure if that applies through Agoda though as I just call/email hotel. Breakfast is nothing to get excited about. Best bit is the decent boncafe coffee. It's served until about 10.30am from memory. You get paper token on that morning and breakfast has basic or premium. Premium adds sausages and ham. As I say pretty basic by any measure.

  25. Posted · Edited by mardhi

    Unfortunately you still have to do the 90 day reporting, though supposedly you can send a reporting form instead of travelling to the nearest immigration post, but forms have a way of never getting there (as some have said), and then you're in deep doo-doo. (or Bribeland).

     

    For half a million, the services don't justify the price IMO. The primary advantage seems that it does obviate the need to get another visa every year, but renewal for the usual retirement visa is more or less automatic after the first one anyway. I have many friends who do it this way (vs the 5 year option), all in their 60s and 70s with no sweat. (and you have the same option to do the renewal by mail.) Seems more like a money making gimmick to me. Now if they'd do away with that fucking 90 day reporting requirement....

     

    If you are under 50 (which I am), it is about the only viable option aside from annual work permit extension that allows you to stay here. The extras are just nice to have IMHO. I bought the 5 year visa essentially and have little/no need for the perks.

     

    Edit, Just as an aside, couple days ago coming back from Laos, the Laos officer when I left was very interested in the gold visa sticker as he'd never seen one before. The Thai officer claimed she knew all about it - then had to go and ask a colleague what to do with it. Got my 364day permission to stay eventually but for sure they are not common knowledge even among visa officers at the various borders. I believe there are only something like 5000 of said visa been issued. So they are very rare.

    Youngone reacted to this
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