mrfreeze

http://www.pimsleur.com/learn-thai

At $120USD it seems good value for 16 hours / 30 lessons.

And 10% discount for trying a free lesson.

Hooters has taken over where The Golden Bar was on Soi 4 near Nana Hotel car park as well as the place on Soi 15.

I hate to see places like this taking over local places.

Has anyone been?

Never been, but sat across in Hillary 4 and watched some of the girls there.. some are hot hot hot.

But as I said in another thread I prefer a bar with a bit of character than a "sparkly new" place and the ability to have a "take away" is also a bonus  :D

Also I did not travel to go and eat food I could have back home etc.

Yes in the past I would stick to stuff I knew but now I have ventured out and tried Thai food I prefer that than western food.

I once was stucked behind 3 air planes full of Chinese people  ..... , after that i buy my fast lane ticket online..well worth the 400 baht!!

Thats where you should also remember there is a 2nd Immigration area and pop along and see what the line is like there.

If it looks like it will take too long to get through then use the fast track card, if it is a short wait then save the card for next time.

Finally booked flights 16 Nov - 26 Nov.

Hooters sucks.....

The reason being ?

It's not my style of place when in BKK, but I see the appeal of it to some.

I would rather a cheaper meal and drink at one of the beer bars along Soi 4 where the girls can be touched.

I was surprised at first to see Climax in the list but then realised that it was the army carrying out the raids with the boys in brown in attendance.

I would think the boys in brown would not want to jeopardise any of the large donations they receive now and again or the goodwill they have with the H group.

My current plan is 17th - 26 Nov.

Small possibility of moving the dates forward a week.

was also wondering if any knows where American football is showing , I'll be their when it football season !

At a guess Hooters might show it.

Good call with Gulliver's bar SmithZac, are you coming along Mr Freeze? what do you think of Gulliver's?

I'd rather go there, than chance going to Hilary 1 and it's closed.

 

So Gulliver's bar 6 Dec 6pm ?

I have loose plans to be in BKK November rather than December though 3-10 Dec is my 3rd option on dates.

Never been to Gullivers.... maybe I should go there one day  :D

You could check the websites or facebook pages of The Game (Sukhumvit Road)  / The Australian Bar (Soi 11) /The Kiwi (Soi 8) and The Sport Corner (Soi 20).

A quick look at the Kiwi Facebook page and they are showing UFC 202 AUG 21, 2016 9:00am Diaz vs. Mcgregor

Hope the above is helpful enough for you to find a bar to watch what you want.

It would be interesting see if arrival time and day has any major effect on the lines etc. - Is there a particular time when there is very few International flights arriving.

When I arrive around 8:40PM I have always found the immigration line long and wait from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

When the flight has been delayed due to weather around that time the wait has been longer.

My last 2 arrivals were approx. 5:30PM a 50 minute delay on the scheduled time and the line was non existent, had my pick of immigration officers to stamp the passport.

The last flight also was approx. 60% capacity so not a lot of people to race to the Immigration counter :D 

One arrival was around 10PM and used the closest immigration area near Gate D ?? and had to wait, as I walked down to get my bag I walked past the usual Immigration counters I go through and there was no one waiting at all.

I have just read this thread

 

http://www.bangkok-addicts.com/forum/topic/6094-hillary-1/

 

Which says that Hilary 1 is closing down, so for anyone wo wants to meet up on 

December 6th, what bar is best to meet in around 6pm.

 

Smithzac any ideas?

Anyone else fancy a few games of pool and a laugh, where do you suggest?

Hillary 1 may or may not be closed at the time.

It was still open earlier this month with the demolition etc. of the surrounding bars going on.

If it happens to be closed at the time then consider Hillary 2 as a meeting point.

Bar 4 or Rest Hub would also be good choices.

Recently stayed at Four Points Soi 15 in an Executive Suite.

As a SPG Platinum guest I used a Suite Night award on a 1 night stay and the 2 night stay was upgraded (first time upgrade ever at FP) to the Executive Suite from a Deluxe room.

The one night stay I had room 616 and the 2 night stay room 416.

It appeared that 616 had a slightly larger bathroom area around the Jacuzzi.

I did not get to experience the Jacuzzi in 616 due to late arrival and other things happening.

The Jacuzzi in 416 I did experience but must say it was a little confusing as to how to start the damn thing.

On the left of the tub is a chrome button / knob and when pressed the Jacuzzi starts.

And when I did get it started I could not get it to stop it appeared I pressed the button too far and it was stuck on and the fitting was loose too so I was unsure if it was meant to be turned or not.

So I thought run the water out and see what happens......

Well as the water drained and the jets became exposed water went everywhere   :wacko:

In the end it did stop and the button I had pressed to make it start was still fully pressed in.

Now I scared to try one again in case it happens again  :lol:

I have thought about the fast track option for the gate to immigration buggy ride before but after 9+ hours of sitting on a plane I want to stretch the legs.

Something a lot of people do not realise is there is 2 immigration areas.

If one is busy walk along to the next and see if there is a line up.

One trip I was "stuck" waiting and once through walked to the other end for baggage collection to see the other immigration area totally vacant of passengers.

If you are flying business / first class then you should be given a fast track card on the aircraft and if not showing your boarding pass should be sufficient.

Obviously if you have the fast track card and there is no waiting keep it and use it for next time.

took me about 15 minutes to get through immigration on my last trip to bangkok

 

the one before that i was the only person in line when i walked up

 

is that worth $100?  your time must be very valuable

My last 2 arrivals around 5:15pm-5:30pm (delayed flight 4:40pm scheduled) I have had one person standing in front at any of the immigration counters.

On Wednesday my bag was first out as well, took me by surprise and had me checking twice to see if it really was it  :lol:

Other arrivals I have had anywhere from 20 minute wait to around an hour.

Thank you, mrfreeze. I am looking at several hotels at the moment on that side of Sukhumvit. I stayed in the Landmark twice last year and really liked it. I am staying there again this year for the beginning of my trip. I just wanted to be close to Soi Cowboy at the end of the trip for no real reason other than to try out another hotel. I am also looking at the Westin, Four Points, and Grand Swiss. I can upgrade to suite type rooms at those places (maybe not the Westin) for roughly the same price as the Sofitel.

 

I'm sure all of them are fine. I just want a suite for my last 4 days.

If looking at one of the SPG properties (Westin, Four Points, Sheraton Grande) then click the hotels website and then check under the offers page where you will usually find better rates than off their main page.

You can pick up a 3 night stay for cheaper than their lowest pre paid rate advertised.

The stay 4 pay 3 is not as good value as the stay 3 pay 2 rate.

Does anyone have a guess on what the chances are to get upgraded at the Sofitel if I am a first time customer booking the lowest class of room that they offer? I'm pretty sure it is zero, but I thought I would ask.

 

I apologize for straying a bit from the original topic.

I say the chances are 0 but it would not hurt to ask.

If you are talking about the Sheraton across the street, I remember they have a similar round bathtub in their suite (they called it something like Roman suite).

 

About the hotel benefits, I was a platinum member of SPG but not anymore. Now, I am diamond member of Hilton and platinum with Accor. Their benefits are very similar. Basically, you get free upgrade when you reach gold. Have access to the lounge even you book the cheapest room when you reach platinum/diamond.

 

The lower floor rooms in Sofitel are mainly used by the airlines crews or package travelers. They are not the nicest. Don't be shy to ask for a free upgrade if they put you there next time.

Yes the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is the one I was talking about.

I usually get upgraded to the Grande Suite or Luxury Suite there.

The Theme suites are above them so booking a Suite I wonder if I would be upgraded to one, I am happy to book the cheapest room though and spend the money saved on other activities.

I am also Diamond with Hilton through a status match but the SPG properties are just so convenient in BKK and here at home too, plus it is fairly easy to get Platinum with SPG bouncing between the properties or booking multiple rooms.

The Jacuzzi at Sofitel looks good.

The aLoft has a large outdoor one too.

LOL, I did not pay for the imperial suite. I usually book Prestige suite and Sofitel upgrade me to their Opera suite with a indoor round bathtub (see picture below). That was the room I stayed for a few times but recently, Sofitel keep upgrading me to their best suites! 

I wish Sheraton had a tub like the Sofitel, a deep tub is good for some relaxing fun  :P

But as I'm Platinum staus with SPG stay at Sheraton Grande, Westin, Four Points etc. as the benefits are very good.

I have stayed at the Sofitel a couple of times and like it except when on a low floor.

I only have a couple of things to add.

1: Try the local food

2: Go have a Thai BBQ

3: Don't just stay in BKK, fly to Krabi and go visit the beaches and Islands.

Cheers mrfreeze, really appreciate your input and will take your advice. I have been a regular on Punter Planet in Aus for quite some time but haven't punted or posted due to external commitments for a little while. Was looking at Dr BJ's starting from  the threads on PP and then Dr BJ's own website but have read a few of your posts and bow to your knowledge.

I totally forgot about PP hahaha I must log in and see whats been happening.

Dr BJ was also one of the first places I found out about and thought it would be great.... then I found other places cheaper and better service from further reading on various sites and just walking in and getting a blowie  :D

Yeah, thanks a lot for the great advice Mr Freeze, really appreciate it! Glad to know that the 4 Points if girl friendly and may have to quickly check out Hooters, just to see if any of the girls fancy some after work fun!

I've only had one visit to Hooters in Soi 15 and did not see anything of interest but that was 9 months ago.

You would have to be at the top of your game to get one I think but I have read reports of the girls hooking up with guys after work to go drink / party so it is possible.

First time BA viewer, first post. Will be in Bangkok in next couple of weeks (solo) and from these reviews i think I'll book Four Points. Am long time SPG member so all should be good. Looking forward to some fun nights at Dr BJ's. Thanks for your help fella's

As an SPG member you know about the SPG Hot Escapes website and also the current double / triple points promo ?

Four Points is currently on the Hot Escapes deal for bookings by Saturday midnight and stays within the next 6 weeks.

Also in my opinion there are better places than Dr BJ's in the area and also cheaper.

Have a read of the this thread http://www.bangkok-addicts.com/forum/topic/3819-best-bj-bar-in-bangkok/

I'm thinking of staying at the Four Points, can anyone confirm it's girl friendly? It's a shame they don't have the Beer Vault pub downstairs anymore, used to love that place!

 

Otherwise great advice about the Four Points from Mr Freeze above.

Yes it is girl friendly though I have never had the girl leave id at reception.

Last trip had a friend come stay, she arrived early evening and waited in the lobby area for me to come down from the room and we went straight back up.

Had a drink at Ambar - free drinks for the ladies that night and no issue.

Previously walked in late one night with 2 girls and walked straight to the room as well.

Unfortunately I was too drunk that night to perform and too hung over the next morning too  :(

And just remembered taking another girl back multiple times one week with no issue either.

I am not a fan of Hooters so never drop in there but the Drunken Leprechaun I do like to sit and have a Magners pear cider (when they have it) and the half roast chicken and mash.

The Westin has smoking and non smoking rooms.

Also for a cheaper option there is Four Points and aLoft.

All 3 it is best to book on their through their own web site - you get free WiFi and they have a best rate guarantee where if a cheaper rate is found on line let them know and if verified the beat it.

If booking one of them it is also best to look at the offers page as cheaper deals can be found.

I have stayed many times at Four Points and it is my favourite budget hotel in the SPG group of properties.

I have also stayed at aLoft, The Westin and Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

I have not stayed at Majestic Grande so can not compare it to Four Points but I will say what I like about the Four Points.

1: Location - slightly closer to Cowboy than Nana and can easily walk between the 2 and also the BTS.

2: Price - deals can be had by looking at the spghotescapes promo page and also the hotels offers page.

3: Room - small room but comfortable and has a deep bath for bath time fun with a guest. The bed is not too soft or too hard

4: Food - you have a choice of the restaurant downstairs, Drunken Lephrecauin, Hooters and the Pool bar.

They also have events on most nights http://www.fourpointsbangkoksukhumvit.com/en/fourpointsbuzz

Join the free SPG reward program and book with their website and get free WiFi, gain points for staying to redeem for later stays

The only thing I did not like about Four Points is one trip I had a room directly below the roof top pool and they had a party on that I could hear until 2am one night.

Every other stay I have not had an issue.