A Big Adventure

As a sort of catch up here are reviews of the hotels that we have stayed in so far on the journey. These are our views and as such should not be taken as comprehensive, before booking any hotel do your own checking, I suggest using http://www.tripadvisor.com/ which we have found to be a very helpful website, also please take your time to add your reviews to Trip Advisor as it helps your fellow travelers.

RS Seaside Hotel, Jomtien Beach Road, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand.
We were due to stay in this hotel for a month; we choose it for two reasons
It was one of the, if not, the cheapest we could find on the Internet back in the UK and it also had a pool. Of course things conspired against us and the protesters shut the airport leaving us to come in a week late and overland via Singapore and Malaysia. As expected the rooms we had booked and paid for had been re-let. Apparently they assumed as we had not turned up we had cancelled even though we had paid in full upfront, so they quickly saw the money signs and sold the rooms again.

I was on my best but most strident behavior as I told the desk person that not only had we paid for the rooms, but that they had no right to re-rent them as they accepted our money and they had better sort out two rooms PDQ! – First I was told we could have our rooms in 4 hours but after 28 hours on a coach we all wanted a shower and to change our clothes, so again I was firm and 30 minutes later we were in!

OK that’s the negative stuff over.

Here’s the deal, if you are on a budget and you want a clean, small hotel, with pool, 10 yards from the beach and in an easy position to get to and from central Pattaya (just a 20 baht bus ride away) this is a good choice, it also has free WiFi in the reception area however with more than a couple of people on at the same time you may struggle to get connected.

The rooms were a lot better than expected, a very good size, good comfortable large beds, nice bathroom, balcony, the cleaning was always well done, nicely made bed and plenty of towels.
The desk staff were always friendly and helpful.

The pool sadly was freezing cold but no worries as the beach is literally just outside the door and the water is lovely and warm.

There is a small potential downside in that most baht buses stop about 50 yards away – but it really is only a 1-minute walk. It would appear that the end of the line for 9 out of 10 baht buses is opposite the small tourist police station on the beach.
There are lots of good local food and drink places, a 7 Eleven next door, plenty of beach hawkers offering great quality food, massages, and drinks just across the road.
It’s a fabulous area, cleaner and quieter than Pattaya, but a short bus journey away. A lot less in your face than Pattaya, better for families by far. Pattaya of course is better for single guys on the prowl!

Our favorite bar was Tequila Sunrise just around the corner on Soi 15. With friendly welcoming staff and two free pool tables. And you can order food from the Thai place next door to eat in the bar – much cheaper than in town and really good quality.
All in all a very good value hotel in a nice area.