ratchada

Hyatt Place is quite nice and pretty reasonably priced, as Hyatts go. I used it as my one-night quarantine hotel back in Dec. 2021 when that was a thing.

I've stayed at the Sheraton twice (once alone and once w/family in tow), and countless times at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit across the way, and I far prefer the Westin. It's smaller, the recently updated rooms are much more modern than the rooms I've stayed in at the Sheraton (if they have renovated rooms, I haven't been in them), and the friendliness and general service-oriented attitude of the staff at the Westin is always memorable to me. The Westin is almost always less expensive, too, and I'm Marriott Titanium and always get a great upgrade there. One more thing, if you like using the lounge for a free dinner once in a while, there's no contest...the Westin buffet has you taken care of, as opposed to the random (and server-delivered), intermittent hors d'oeuvres you get during happy hour at the Sheraton. The Westin gets extra points for almost always having something (pizza, etc.) in the lounge at happy hour that my very picky eater grandson will be happy with.

Can confirm from personal experience (Dec 2021 for St. Regis and Dec 2022 for Waldorf Astoria) that there are no restrictions on guests whatsoever (I'm talking two girls each time at each hotel).

All of the major corporate hotels in the Sukhumvit area (Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Hilton) are girl friendly, I've never even had them asked for girls' IDs (like some smaller independent hotels do). Actually the only time I've ever encountered anything approaching "non-girl-friendliness" in Thailand was in Pattaya, of all places, where a hotel wanted extra money for bringing in two (as opposed to one) girls. At least I had the foresight to insist on an extra towel for the extra charge, haha.

Fixed-price taxi is now $12 from the queue at the airport. I wouldn't consider any other option. Sit in a tuk tuk in traffic for up to an hour breathing in exhaust fumes for a $10 savings? No thanks.

The human body is a self-cleaning machine. All "detox" drinks, foods, spas, etc., are bullshit with absolutely no basis in science.

All day today, clicking on various topics and specific pages within some topics, I've encountered the following error message: http://www.bangkok-addicts.com/forum/topic/7539-is-this-fantasy-possible/page-3?do=findComment&comment=94955

I think it would be easier to make a list of those hotels that WON'T let you bring in two girls. In my experience (14 years)--and keep in mind that for me, two girls is the rule, rather than the exception--I've NEVER been refused or charged by a hotel for bringing in two, or even three girls. Exactly once in Pattaya I was charged a joiner fee specifically for the second girl (sorry, can't remember the name of the hotel)...but that's it. So I would say that most hotels have no problem with two girls.

Thanks!

Pattaya Addicts Forum seems to be broken...I've tried logging in on several different browsers, and this is what I see every time. Any ideas?

Haven't been in there in years, but in my recollection food was always pretty decent in there. Back in 2006 and prior, they had girls you could barfine! Times change, haha.

I also recommend you take advantage of the Cambodian eVisa; do everything online for $25 US, and you'll breeze through the airport on arrival, and not get a page in your passport eaten up with a huge ugly visa...you just print out the visa they e-mail you twice, and give them one copy when you arrive, one when you leave. Most modern and civilized visa in SEAsia.

Wrong direction if you're looking to save money. For BKK-SRP you're stuck with Bangkok Airways, ridiculously expensive. As a long-time veteran traveler to Cambodia (usually from Thailand), I recommend you fly Air Asia from BKK to PNH (about US $150 RT). Then take a bus (about $12 one-way) to Siem Reap, about 6 hours, decent roads too. Plan on about 3 days there, then take the bus back to Phnom Penh. You can also take a bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville if you want to hit the beach. Phnom Penh itself is not for everyone...not too much tourist stuff to see, but it's cheap enough and some decent restaurants, and a healthy bar scene...just don't expect Pattaya or even BKK...but lots of fun can be had, for $40 LT as opposed to around $70 in BKK.

Muggings in BKK are almost non-existent. Bangkok is without a doubt the SAFEST city of 10 million on this sorry-ass earth of ours. Seriously...of course, you must use common sense and keep your wits about you, but I regularly walk Sukhumvit at 3-4 am stumbling drunk, with 5-6k baht in my pocket, as well as a $600 USD cellphone and often a $700 USD camera in a bag as well...I have never felt the least bit threatened or in danger. There is NO big city in the US (or pretty much any other country) I would dare try that in... As long as you are not an asshole, and don't start shit with Thai guys (or douchebag farangs--you know, the bald head, heavily tattooed variety, usually hailing from the British Isles, ahem, ahem--you will be safe.

I always walk my girls from Cowboy back to Town Lodge unless they're wearing high heels or one of us is too drunk, haha. Never had any complaints.