Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Amari Nova Platinum, Pattaya

Amari Nova Platinum, Pattaya

Is located very conveniently on Pratamnal Road which is just a few minutes walking distance from famous Walking Street and near the road leading to Jomtien.

More importantly for me was the location near the Bali Hai pier, where the dive shop is located that I used for my wreck dive trips to Pattaya but also the close proximity to all other locations that I use for diving makes it very convenient.

The hotel has been freshly renovated in 2008 and is slightly more expensive than the average 1.000,-THB per night room that can be had in Pattaya. The Amari Nova Platinum starts around 2.000,-THB per night pending on special offers that can make the room slightly cheaper. Breakfast is not included though! On a recent stay in May 2010 the rooms were around 1.200,-THB per night + 10% service charge + 7% tax.

This Pattaya hotel has 78 guestrooms, featuring a 32” flatscreen television, a DVD player, free wireless Internet access and an array of modern facilities. Guests will enjoy a tropical garden, a large swimming pool, a jacuzzi and waterslide. The hotel offers all-day dining at Zia Restaurant, serving a great selection of delicious Mediterranean and Asian favourites. The pool bar also provides guests with refreshing tropical drinks and snacks.

I can recommend this hotel for your stays in Pattaya and the latest update after my stay in October 2009 is that there is construction under way which will see more rooms. That construction is almost finished, a new building has been completed already and by August 2010 a third building should be completed, where each room will have it's own PC.

Great location and excellent value.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

Entrance

Swimming Pool

Lobby


Standard room

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Diamond Plaza, Surat Thani town

Diamond Plaza, Surat Thani town

Whenever we travel to the main land and we end up in Surat Thani for a night, we stay at this hotel, near the center of Surat Thani town.

The Diamond Plaza is fairly no nonsense hotel, but it has clean rooms, over 400 deluxe and suite guestrooms and they have wifi on most floors. Very convenient.

Their American breakfast is nothing special but has the basics but there's a wide selection of Asian breaky food.

The hotel further supports a gym and a swimming pool and is very popular during the week for business meetings and in the weekends for weddings.

Excellent value for money but not very charming.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined





Friday, July 25, 2008

Centara Kata Resort, Phuket

Centara Kata Resort, Phuket

My family and me stayed a few times in this resort during our almost yearly Phuket holidays and although it has no beach location, we really liked a lot. We prefer quiet Kata Beach over busy Patong in Phuket, so that made it also an easy choice. Since we always visit Phuket during their rainy season, the Resort has very good deals during that time frame! You may also want to check out the Centara Karon Resort by the same Centara Chain.

The Resort has a big pool with a slide and Jacuzzi's, which the children loved a lot and the breakfast is very good as well, with a good mix between Thai (Asian) and Western food.
We stayed in Deluxe rooms with baby cots and there was still plenty of room and we also stayed in the Family Suites, which was excellent. The children slept in the living room and we in the 'masters' bedroom.

Centara Kata Resort Phuket is located in the tranquil heart of Kata Beach, set in its own tropical gardens. Centara Kata Resort is functional and tastefully decorated in contemporary style, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Centara Kata Resort offers 158 large guestrooms, suites and apartments, all of which have a private balcony or terrace overlooking the pool areas or the garden. Centara Kata Resort also provides a restaurant and bar for fine dining and a drink. Recreational facilities at Centara Kata Resort include three magnificent pools and sundecks, a small spa and fitness room.
The resort comprises 158 rooms and suites spread out in a cluster of 2 and 3 storey low-rise buildings. All units are very spacious, comfortable, functional and tastefully decorated in traditional Thai and contemporary style architecture to create a family friendly resort.

If you travel with children, I can highly recommend this Resort in quiet and relaxed Kata Beach.
Prices range drastically from season to season as everything and everywhere in Phuket does, during low season it's very affordable but in high season it's priced in the medium range.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

The pool

The slide at the big pool

The restaurant overlooking the big pool

Deluxe room


Family suite

Friday, July 11, 2008

Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel, Udon Thani

Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel, Udon Thani

Is one of those classic hotels that breath that 'old style' grandeur. Also, once in Udon, there's not that much choice and the Charoensri is conveniently located in the thickst of it all, next to a big shopping mall with cafes, restaurants and various shops.
It's located in absolutely the middle of downtown Udon.

One of the other nice features of this hotel is that it's reasonably cheap for what it offers, big enough rooms with all amenities.

The Charoensri offers 234 Deluxe rooms and 18 Senior suites for very reasonable rates.

All rooms are air-conditioned and are equipped with individual thermostat controls.
Baby sitting service is available - We take good care of important little guest with kind and gentle care and Baby cots are available free of charge.
Charoensri Complex Shopping Mall - The mall, the largest one of the northeastern, is only one minute walk from the hotel with over 200 shops, Robinson Department store, Food center, Major Cineplex & Major Bowl.
Television Entertainment - The hotel provides you with a wide range of local and satellite channels.

During a trip earlier this year we went to Udon Thani and had a grand time there.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda




Friday, June 27, 2008

City Lodge, Sukhumvit, Soi 19, Bangkok

City Lodge, Sukhumvit, Soi 19, Bangkok

Is one of two City Lodge's on Sukhumvit, one in Soi 9 and this one on Soi 19.

I've stayed in this superior hotel in the heart of Bangkok's Sukhumvit area, City Lodge Soi 19, on Sukhumvit Soi 19 which has a very convenient location offering within walking distance both ‘Asok’ BTS skytrain and ‘Sukhumvit’ MRTA Subway stations, almost on the hotels door step.

In the middle of Bangkok's most exciting commercial, embassy, shopping, dining and entertainment district, this Bangkok city centre hotel enables guests to explore the vibrant city and its multiple options – all within easy reach.

City Lodge Soi 19 provides well-appointed guest rooms with modern amenities and personalised service for a relaxing stay. The hotel offers great dining at La Gritta Italian Restaurant with superb authentic Italian delicacies.

The hotel offers 23 Superior rooms of approx. 30 square meters, 5 Deluxe rooms of approx. 36 square meters and 6 Deluxe corner rooms of approx. 45 square meters.

City Lodge Soi 19 is fully equipped for a comfortable stay and offers;

-Broadband internet access
-Room service
-Medical service (on call)
-Laundry and pressing
-Currency exchange
-Limousine service
-Parking

This medium ranged hotel offers excellent location and good rooms.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda



Tuesday, June 24, 2008

List of recommended Thailand hotels

List of recommended Thailand hotels

This is a growing list of recommended hotels throughout Thailand. Having lived on Koh Samui since the end of 1999, I feel that I can give an honest and true report on many hotels around Thailand that I visited ever since.

It's not just a recommendation but also a reason why I like it or recommend it, like those many times I get asked about accommodation around Thailand.

For booking purposes, I use the following sites;

Hotels Combined since they give you the best deals from various search engines combined and without a big effort you get the best deal(s) available on either Koh Samui or Thailand.

Agoda, since they have good rates, a wide choice and have easy to use websites . They also have an excellent reward programs.

Another program to look at with favorable rates is the R24 site also known as Sawasdee dot com.

More booking sites may be added in due time.

This list, that will keep growing over time, are the hotels that I recommend, click on each link for more information and booking links.
Each hotel link will have various links for reservations and rates so you can compare prices;

Bangkok hotels;

Amari Don Muang, Don Muang airport
Bandara Suites Hotel, Silom
Best Western Plus 20 Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 20
Centric Ratchada, Ratchadapisek/Din Deang
Chaleena Hotel, Ramkanghaeng Uni/Sports stadium
City Lodge, Sukhumvit Soi 19
Convenient Resort, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport
Dynasty Inn Grande, Sukhumvit Soi 6
Feung Nakorn Balcony, near Ratchadamnoen Klang Road
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21, Sukhumvit Soi 19
Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 22
Lebua at State Tower, Silom Riverside
Legacy Suites, Sukhumvit Soi 29
Mystic Place, Saphan Kwai
Paragon Inn, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport
Regency Park Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 22
S31 Sukhumvit Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 31
Silver Gold Garden Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport
Sofitel Bangkok, Sukhumvit 13-15
Thong Ta Resort and Spa, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport
Twin Towers Hotel, Rama VI road, Pratunam/Siam
Windsor Suites Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 20
Xen Suites, Chaeng Wattana near Don Muang


Chaam Hotels;

Bann Pantai Resort


Chiang Mai Hotels;


Hat Yai hotels;

Aloha Hotel 
The Color Hotel
Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel
Novotel Centara


Hua Hin hotels;

Imperial Hua Hin Beach Resort


Khanom hotels (Nakhon Si Thammarat);

Le Petit St Tropez, Soi Phuyaikhem
Supar Royal Beach Hotel, Khanom, Nai Phao Bay


Khao Lak hotels;



Koh Lanta, Krabi hotels;

Ananda Lanta Resort, Klong Dao Beach
Baan Lanta Resort and Spa, Baan Kan Tiang Bay and Beach
Narima, Baan Kan Tiang Bay
Pimalai Resort & Spa, Baan Kan Tiang Bay and Beach
Royal Resort & Spa, Klong Dao Beach
The Heart Inn, Saladan
Twin Bay Resort, Kow Kwang beach


Koh Phangan hotels;

B52 Beach Resort, Bantai near Thongsala
Beck's Resort, Nai Wok Beach near Thong Sala
Haad Son Resort, Haad Son
Haad Yao Bay View Resort, Haad Yao Beach
Milky Bay Resort, Ao Ban Tai
Panviman Resort, Thong Nai Pan beach
Rasananda Resort, Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach
Salad Buri Resort & Spa, Haad Salad
Sea Garden 2, Haad Chao Phao
Seetanu Bungalows, Haad Chao Phao
Tharathip Resort, Wok Tom Bay near Thongsala


Koh Phi Phi hotels;

Holiday Inn Resort, Laem Tong Beach


Koh Tao hotels;

Charm Churee Villa Rustic Resort, Jansom Bay
Dusit Buncha Resort, near Mango Bay
Amari Nova Suites, North Pattaya
Hilton, Central Pattaya, Beach Road
Jomtien Garden Hotel & Resort, Jomtien beach
LK Metropole, Central Pattaya, Soi Metropole
Sawasdee Sea View Hotel, Central Pattaya, Soi 10
Sea Me Spring Too, Central Pattaya, Soi 10/Beach Road


Phuket hotels;

Airport Resort & Spa, Airport area
Baan Kata Maytha, Kata
Baan Suay, Karon
Blue Carina Inn Hotel, Wichit
Casa E Mare, Kata beach
Centara Karon Resort, Karon beach
Centara Kata Resort, Kata beach
Kaew Samui Resort, Surat Thani outskirts
Naraya Riverside Resort, Surat Thani outskirts
Sabye D, Surat Thani town, across the river
Wangtai, Surat Thani town


Udon Thani hotels;

Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel

Legacy Suites, Bangkok

Legacy Suites, Bangkok

Set in the heart of the city, Legacy Suites, a trendy serviced apartment, from where the comfort of home meets the convenience of city living

We stayed here on our January trip to Bangkok and Isaan and we loved it here. Beautifully arranged suites with extra children beds at no cost. The suites have a kitchen, big flat screen TV with DVD player and nice bath room.

This cozy serviced apartment offers 108 units of studios and suites, in soothing earth tones and contemporary style. Rooms have been designed with comfort and convenience in mind, and as such have been equipped with all the modern amenities including WiFi Internet connectivity expected from today's business and leisure traveler.

The location is excellent, on Sukhumvit Soi 29, with the Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain Station just minutes down the road. Asoke BTS SkyTrain Station and the Sukhumvit MRT Subway Station are also near by and within easy reach is the ultra-chic Emporium Shopping Center and adjacent to that a wonderful little oasis of green, Benjasiri Park.

Their facilities include;
24-hour reception, maintenance and security services
Non-smoking rooms on request
Daily housekeeping services
Laundry and dry cleaning services
Business Center services
Internet stations
Gym
Landscaped outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi
Children's swimming pool
Tennis court
Ten Sui Japanese Restaurant and Bar
Room Service
Babysitting services
Basement and ground level car parks
CCTV surveillance system, smoke detectors and sprinklers
Limousine and tour services

All in all an excellent deal in the down town area of Bangkok, starting at around 2.000,-Baht.

Booking by Hotels Combined

Booking by Agoda

Welcome to this new blog

Welcome to this new blog

This blog will be about hotels that I recommend throughout Thailand. I've been living in Thailand since 1999 and during my various travels throughout the Kingdom, I visited plenty of cities and came across some good hotels.

This first hand information I'd like to share with you.

Slowly I'll start posting, adding more and more hotel information over time. It'll be a work in progress.

In the meantime, please visit my other blogs, my Samui hotel recommendations, my Samui weather blog and my dive blog.

Hope you enjoy this blog and that you may be able to find good information and book some good hotels here!

Camille