hey bros

i've been thinking about hitting pattaya for the first time
currently doing some homework and would like recommendations on the following:

1. transportation:
a) which airport to land?
b) which airline? (from singapore?)
c) and additional 'fees' at the airport?
d) airport transfers (to hotel) cost effective method

2. hotel:
a) looking for a iconic hotel / resort that everybody would know (easily recognizable by all taxi drivers)
b) hotel /resort with kick-ass pool and r/r facilities
c) wg friendly
d) single / dual occupancy rates (advice)

3. personal interest
a) how long to stay (first time) before it gets old
b) must do activity / must go establishment
c) sanitary places to eat (fine with any cuisine as long as they are hygienic)
d) places to exchange currency (i typically avoid airports since they have the worse rates, would prefer shopping centres and dodgy street vendors)

any advice would be greatly appreciated
currently debating if i should or not

thanks in advance

...bump...

can really use the info bros...

I've never been to Pattaya, but a quick google search on wikitravel should yield you info on Transport to Pattaya.

and since Pattaya is a mongering destination, it is highly unlikely that any hotel is not WG-friendly.

But be warned that these 2 months are not a good time to go to BKK.

Ok I will give you MY opinion, forget Pattaya its a sleazy dump.

I made the mistake of spending 7 days here last Christmas. I would suggest hitting Bangkok and do a 2 or 3 day side trip and see if its your sort of place as lots of people on here like it there so its a personal thing.
A taxi cost around 1500 Baht each way (I sure you can get it cheaper) or there are Mini vans that go from Victory monument for around 150 baht (I am not certain on this cost) but do bear in mind that the protesters are set up around here so might not be an option unless they have moved, a quick check on google will tell you what you need to know about this

All hotels in Pattaya are girl friendly but book for 2 people as some will charge extra if you bring a girl back. Search the web as I found a site somewhere that listed what hotel allowed guests with out additional costs

I suggest you ignore mrfasts comment regarding it being a bad time to visit Thailand I was there for 8 days (the whole first week of the protests) and it was great, never saw more than 3 protesters walking at one time. The streets were quiet but the bars & Nana plaza was business as usual. I got 4 star hotel 500m from my permanent home in Bangkok (Nana Plaza) for HK$360 including breakfast, Bar girls long time for HK$670 MSOG, Heineken HK$20 during the day and HK$30 at night.
I was also there during protest the year before and it was the same, I am heading to Hong Kong & Shenzhen again in May and I am going via Bangkok this time and will spend a couple of weeks there.

regarding changing currency I can only help in Bangkok, go to Vazu (think that's its name) under the Nana station, best exchange rates ever, every time I change money you always get .2 to .3 more does not sound like much but if you are changing a couple of 000 it does add up

hey bros

i've been thinking about hitting pattaya for the first time
currently doing some homework and would like recommendations on the following:

1. transportation:
a) which airport to land?
It depends on the airline.  But both have bus links to Pattaya.  Just go to the bus bay at arrivals and find your bus
b) which airline? (from singapore?)
You might want to try AirAsia.  The eye-candy flight attendants in their skin-tight tailored red suits is a nice bonus
c) and additional 'fees' at the airport?
I don't remember any.  Double-check though
d) airport transfers (to hotel) cost effective method
Many bus lines will go direct to the hotel.  For returning you can book in advance and get a reservation and a pickup at your hotel.  I used Bell Travel service
2. hotel:
a) looking for a iconic hotel / resort that everybody would know (easily recognizable by all taxi drivers)
It depends upon what part of Pattaya you want to be close to.  I stayed at Pattaya Bay Resort
b) hotel /resort with kick-ass pool and r/r facilities
Pool is on the roof, with pool-side dining.  Thai and Western breakfasts so you and your date will be happy
c) wg friendly
Not just friendly - downright welcoming.  They served her with the same respect as they did me.  Lots of guys having breakkie with their overnighters.  If you don't have a breakfast date, you'll look so lonely
d) single / dual occupancy rates (advice)
I don't think that they do single.  And when I arrived they asked just me? (for giving breakfast coupons).  I said I hadn't found my GF yet, and they smiled and gave me doubles.  An extra girl (with towels and breakfast) was 500 more.

As far as cost, Agoda was cheaper than their counter rates.  When I went down to extend my stay (I liked it there) they told me to go upstairs and book on agoda as I would get a cheaper rate.  By the time I was back downstairs again, they had the faxed booking.


3. personal interest
a) how long to stay (first time) before it gets old
Sex gets old?  I'd say 10 years...
b) must do activity / must go establishment
Walking St, Soi 6, Beer Bars, Insomnia, Temple on the mountain.  NOT jet ski's - they'll rip you off
c) sanitary places to eat (fine with any cuisine as long as they are hygienic)
Pretty much all the places appeared to be sanitary.  I'm a street food person.  I didn't have a problem with anything.  I like to go native when travelling, so didn't try any of the western places
d) places to exchange currency (i typically avoid airports since they have the worse rates, would prefer shopping centres and dodgy street vendors)
Don't bring much cash.  Use ATM's - they're everywhere (including the airport)
any advice would be greatly appreciated
currently debating if i should or not
It's paradise man.  Paradise.

[ Last edited by  yazoo at 5-2-2014 20:26 ]

love to hear from other bro's with their recommendations

What about the beaches in Pattaya - are they nice or better to go to Koh Lan for the day?

I did not go to see the beach's but the main one did not entice me to go for a swim or even put my toe in the water, there was a lot of rubbish floating/washed up on the beach but having said that there were a lot of people sunbathing/paddling and swimming.

i don't normally 'bump' old threads, especially my own
heading over the bangkok this weekend
and thought i'd put a shout out to anyone who'd like to hang out
this is my first visit and wouldn't mind some local guidance

fyi: i'm an easy going fella

cheers!

instead of having to keep bumping this thread over the last few months, why don't you ask this question in a travel forum instead ? …  i'm sure you'd get a far better response there !