I am dreadfully sorry to be that newbie... but.... Despite searching, looking and reading, I am struggling to find out the membership process/how to use the forum efficiently, despite the title of this sub forum. I have clicked on threads that include links to the very pages I (think) I seek; yet every link ends in a 'dead' page, telling me the original page no longer exists, or that I do not have permission to view etc.  Back when televisions were black and white and I had yet to discover the world of ladyboys, I was a member of the Pattaya Addicts forum. If I remember correctly, you had to post 50 times to have another part of the forum open up to you. I am not sure what the system is here: I see posts mentioning 5 and some say 50 posts for a similar thing, yet other posts mention 'trusted members' and there is even merry talk of a far flung advanced member's section. Would someone be kind enough to give a brief explanation or point me to a workable link I might read, so that I might understand the processes/expectations better? I am already finding great information, but given I'll be in BKK in August I'd obviously love to be able to get as much information as I can before then. [I am also aware that in my earliest moments on the forum, and under a deluge of information, trying to take everything in, I may have read and forgotten the information I seek, those things that age sometimes does to a man - I don't think so, but sincere apologies if that's the case] Finally, if there is an initial post count, be it 5 or 50 or more, which opens up the forum - how are posts 'counted' i.e. is it only threads created/started? I ask because on my profile it states I have 1 post, though I have written 4 or 5. I am aware that newbie's posts require approval, so maybe the mods are just busy - though if I am doing something wrong I'd appreciate the heads up. Many thanks for your time reading this (and to anyone who replies) - it really is genuinely appreciated. And thanks for all the great contributors - I hope to be able to offer more to the forum during and post-August.

@Denbosch1971, your experience mirrors mine. I was shocked at the indifference to customer service, as in virtually every other hotel I've stayed at in LOS the service has been impeccable. At the Mercure I asked for extra towels ("yes sir"), extra clothes hangers ("coming right up"), early cleaning ("she'll be there at 10am"), extra bottled water ("will 4 bottles be ok?"), etc. Last stay I left a coat in the cab I took from the airport to the hotel. The next morning the hotel concierge tracked down the cab and got my coat returned by that evening. Same level of service at the former Majestic Grande and at JW Marriott. Even Citrus Suites Soi 6 was very good about honoring my various requests.  @SAGuy has a point. The Thai and Filipina staff are very service oriented.

Thanks for writing this report @Denbosch1971 this sort of info is invaluable for the other BMs. No hotel in the known universe starts cleaning at rooms at 4 p.m. as it means guests couldn't check in at 2 p.m. What a daft answer! After living in DXB for a long time, you get to understand why most customer service and hospitality jobs are performed by Filippinas and never Indians! The saving grace is that the room looks big and pretty nice, so not a total disaster. SAG

I think it's good to give some more insights on this hotel, after my first impression above  I've never stayed in a hotel with such a lousy and non-cooperative management! Some of my questions below: Q: Is it possible to have an additional towel? Their answer: No, we provide max. 2 towels. Q: Is it possible to make up my room sometime between 9am and 3pm? Their answer: No, we only start at 4pm.(The next 3 days room was made up around 9.30am, 1.30pm and 6pm ??). Q: Can you then at least provide me some clean and dry towels in the morning, so I can take a shower. Their answer: Sure, no problem. Every day 10am sir. (The first day I got them at 10.45am, after that agreement is forgotten). For me it's clear by now. The Indian guys in the staff here for sure have qualities, but service management or hospitality in general are not among them  Ah well ... like my openings statement above: It was a gamble. A one-time experience, that's crystal clear now 

Bruce Willis says your board name totally rocks.