Going to Thailand in high season and staying at a high end hotel? Read this

[KeithAmbrose]

Thanks. I don't spend 4 months travelling, or I would stay at more modest hotels. I am staying at the Copa in Pattaya, which is certainly modest, recommended by Vinapu, as being convenient for boys! I can put up with the house for 3 nights. So far, I only book hotels that I can cancel, though that is often more expensive. I am in Bangkok 3rd November, hoping to meet up with some members from Gayguides forum!

I do use booking.co, and my main complaint is that to get price, they take money some days before, even though cancellation is 24 hrs. With Meridien and Dusit I book direct. Usually terms are the same. Also, I get hotelscheme points.

[KeithAmbrose]

*put up with noise...... damn predictive text!

[Dodger]

My daughter and son-in-law were here recently on holiday and we rented 3 different 4 star hotels during our romps around Thailand.

First of all, I don't know who gives out "stars" in Thailand but none that we stayed at would rank 4 star in the West. Most were 3 star at best. Secondly, we've stayed at each of the hotels before and the prices were almost double what they charged pre-covid.

I avoided hotels all together before I retired here by renting a studio which I furnished myself on a one year lease instead. This provided me with many benefits including lowering the total annual cost when compared to staying at hotels when I was residing in Thailand twice a year for 3 month stays. I negotiated a one year lease for 42,000 baht/year which then allowed me to leave my clothes and other supplies in the studio when I returned home versus hauling suitcases all over the place.

Securing a one year lease also allowed me to obtain a "Residency Certificate" from Immigration which then allowed me to purchase my own motorbike, open a bank account, and get a Thai drivers license.

For the last 10 years prior to retirement I traveled to-and-from Thailand with only a backpack. And when I arrived at my studio in PTY all I had to do was turn the key and everything I needed was there waiting for me. Well, not exactly everything. The boy who I arranged to see during my arrival night came a bit later...

[Jun]

I avoided hotels all together before I retired here by renting a studio which I furnished myself on a one year lease instead.

This works if you're intending to spend all of your holidays in one location. When travelling around, hotels become more interesting.

However, I definitely see the appeal of a base in Thailand.

[Dodger]

This works if you're intending to spend all of your holidays in one location. When travelling around, hotels become more interesting.

Actually it worked our great even when I traveled while on holiday...which I did extensively.

Rarely did I stay in hotels during my travels as I preferred staying in small room rentals (love shacks) instead which every village has. The type of traveling I did involved a backpack...crumpled up road atlas...portable camcorder...and no plan that was carved in stone which provided me the type of adventure I was looking for, and the lodging costs were peanuts.

[Gaybutton]

small room rentals (love shacks) instead which every village has.

Some of those "love shacks" are every bit as nice as good hotel rooms. Sometimes even much better - and at a fraction of the price.