At 2,500 baht a night...is it worth it?

[travelerjim]

Sawatdee Friends,

Several days ago, I posted an announcement that the NEW Sansuk Guesthouse will be opening April 1st and they are now taking bookings...and since that posting,
I am concerned....at 2,500 baht per night ...is it worth it ?

from my recent posting:

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... hp?t=11042 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11042) .

------------------

"The Sansuk Sauna is already open and is fast becoming a popular place for a sauna,
relaxation and restaurant for many Thais and Farangs alike in South Pattaya...
located midway between South Pattaya and Jomtien Beach.

http://www.sansukpattaya.com/ .
http://www.sansukpattaya.com/guesthouse.php
http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=sansukopen .
http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=sansuksuccess .
http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=sansuk2 .

Room reservations & bookings are now being taken for the NEW Sansuk Guesthouse.

Room Reservation & Rates (from the Sansuk website)...

"We are accepting bookings from the beginning of April 2007.

Double rooms are 2,500 Baht a night which includes breakfast and free entry to the Sauna Complex.

Our guests may be able to use the swimming pool and have a drink around the pool before the Sauna Complex opens at 3pm. Sauna opening times are under review."

----------------

Quite frankly, I am concerned that the rate which they have set ...
"Double rooms are 2,500 Baht a night which includes breakfast and free entry to the Sauna Complex."
is too high when considering their competition and the fact that this is "low season" in Thailand.

In looking at their website, I do not see if they have a lift/elevator in the new guest house...and do not see any photos of the rooms or guest house layout...the website shows only the layout of the beautiful new sauna.

I also remember when the owners - Punya and friends - first opened Sansuk Sauna, they had set the rates for Thais to enter same as Farang rates of 180 baht...But, they soon found out that that was a "no go" and quickly they revised the rates for "anyone" : ages 20-25 - FREE entry ; ages 26-30 - 90 baht; ages 31-90 - 180 baht ...and over 90 FREE entry :-)

In looking around Pattaya....at hotels and their "low season" summer promotions....I have recently seen these:

Poseidon Hotel:

The Poseidon Hotel has a Summer Special of 14 nights ...loaded with extras - all for
24,855 baht ..which computes to 1,775 baht for 14 nights ...and includes much more.

http://www.poseidon-pattaya.com/e-spezial.htm .

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... hp?t=10825 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10825) .

Le Cafe Royale:

The Le Cafe Royale has a Summer Special too : a sort of buy one - get one free promotion :
(the room rates - Standard room from 1,100 baht night ( 550 baht nightly when getting "buy one get one free")...another example: an Executive Suite is 2,700 baht nightly ...which when one considers "buy one get one free" - is 1,350 baht nightly for an Executive Suite at Le Cafe Royale...other rooms are available:

http://www.caferoyale-pattaya.com/rooms

http://www.caferoyale-pattaya.com/special .

http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/fo ... hp?t=10689 (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10689) .

"Stay at Le Cafe Royale Hotel during the months of July and August 2007 and for every night booked in any room at our standard rate you will receive an additional night absolutely free!

For example, book 4 nights get 4 free, book 7 nights get 7 free, book 10 nights get 10 free, and so on"

Avalon Beach Resort Hotel - Dongtan Beach:

Each day I walk past the newer and beautiful Avalon Beach Resort Hotel - along Dongtan Beach, across fro the gay chairs - beach section, and in looking at their website I find that their Superior Room internet rate is 2,800 baht and includes all taxes and free buffet breakfast each morning...and the hotel is a short 10 baht bus ride to the soi leading to the Sansuk Sauna...and also is located right across from the beach with easy access to the chairs and it has a beautiful swimming pool with deck chairs to take in the sun :-)

http://www.avalonbeachresort.com/ .

* Room rates are net inclusive of breakfast, 10% service charge, and 7% VAT


* Cash, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted only
* Sorry, no personal pet is allowed
* For reservation Tel:+66 3830 3999 Fax:+66 3830 3990
* Email: info@avalonbeachresort.com


Superior Room (internet rate of 2,800 baht)
тАв Individual Control Air-Condition
тАв 29тАЭ Sony Flat Screen TV
тАв Cable TV Programs
тАв DVD/VCD Player
тАв Large Bathtub
тАв Mini-Bar Refrigerator
тАв Hairdryer
тАв 24-Hour Room Service
тАв Coffee & Tea Making
тАв Safe Deposit Box
тАв Sandals
тАв Telephone Direct Dial
тАв Bathtub With Hot & Cold Water
тАв Private Balcony With Table & Chairs
тАв Wired & Wireless Internet (Charge)
тАв Bathroom Telephone
тАв Sprinkler & Smoke Detector In Room

The Room Club Hotel - Dongtan Beach - Pattaya

http://www.room-club.com/ .
http://www.room-club.com/Hotel-Info/Room-Rates.htm .
http://www.room-club.com/Rooms/Standard-Suites.htm .
http://www.room-club.com/Hotel-Info/Location.htm .

Beautiful Standard Suite rooms overlooking Dongtan Beach start at 2,000 baht nightly..
from their website:

"Room-Club Hotel, it's not a club !, just the gayest boutique hotel and Bar on Jomtien Beach !

We have by far the best location and the trendiest rooms within all Pattaya. The Hotel name might be stupid but you are too if you don't come along to check us out.....

The Roof Terrace is open now!!

Come enjoy a Traditional Thai Massage & Spa under the sun. Feel the ocean breeze and enjoy your cocktail in total privacy ...

Located on Dongtan Beach, the perfect place for all Gay Men !..."

The NEW Don Plaza Pattaya Hotel - in Sunee Plaza
from the owners of Clubber Restaurant - Great food :-)
...and Club located in the heart of Sunee Plaza...

ALL NEW:

Opening soon...with rates from 1,250 baht to 1,850 baht nightly for a Suite...including
Room Type: Suite
32m┬▓ Suite, King Size Bed, 2 TV, DVD Player, High speed Internet, Breakfast
Facilities: Radio, Tv, Air Conditioning, Phone, MiniBar

Largest Suite is 38 sq meters in size at 1,850 baht nightly.

additional "unique"....options you may choose include: (look at the "All Inclusive Special)...

"Breakfast" - Continental Breakfast at our Restaurant or Roomservice for your Guest's 100.00 baht daily

"All Inclusive" - All you can eat and drink....
Continental Breakfast and Dinner in our Clubber Restaurant or Roomservice and all local Drinks.
("Minibar are not included") 800.00 Baht daily

Rent a Motor Bike Full automatic, 100ccm Per day 200 Baht per day

Website:
http://don-plaza-pattaya.com/dpen/# .

I am sure fellow Sawatdee Forum posters know of many other fine hotels and guesthouses where 2,500 baht or less in nightly rates would get you a very nice room with many amenities.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I personally do think the Sansuk Guesthouse is "overpriced" at 2,500 baht nightly...even when it includes free access to the sauna and pool, and breakfast...

I do wish them well and much success in their Grand Opening of the Sansuk Guesthouse...just maybe they will be super successful in the specialized gay guest house with sauna marketplace which they have targeted with their investment baht.

From reports and postings about the New Sansuk Sauna, they seem to already have in the making - a winner on their hands..having taken the risk of trying to tap into the gay marketplace in Pattaya for a Sauna.

They also are good listeners and learners...as evidenced by their installation of an elevator/lift in their Howards Hotel
http://www.howards-pattaya.net/ . on Soi VC near Sunee Plaza....and their tailoring the entry fees to attract those ages 20-30 and over 90 :-) ...Again - NO mention that I have read from their website of a lift/elevator in either the Sansuk Sauna or Sansuk Guesthouse.

I do wish them well and much success...I would estimate Owner/Manager Punya and friends have invested many, many hundreds of thousands of baht in developing their New Sansuk Sauna & Guesthouse... and with the right marketing, promotions, guesthouse hospitality and good customer service, success should be theirs!

Just one concerned man's opinion....
I believe in "capitalism and free enterprise" and I do hope they are right and I am wrong.

TJ

I agree the price is WAY too high for the location for gay men.
A sauna is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there!
They could probably fill up at 1500 baht. 2500 for Pattaya, just silly.

(Jo-king.)

Without seeing the rooms there is no way I would pay that...IF...I were inclined to pay 2,500 baht\nt.

I come to Thailand for two-or-three months at a time. During that time, I might want to visit a sauna once or twice--For the sauna...period...not for cruising--What for?... Num are thicker than elephant hair every where you look.

It might be nice to stay at Sansuk if I were in Pattaya for a short stay or for the first couple nights of a long stay--But I know a nice little gay-friendly guest house, right in the thick of things, that offers all the amenities I need and, after all; I'm only in the room long enough to clean up and sleep: I don't go on holiday to sit around a hotel\room or to try to impress others with how much money I throw around. I can stay at the guest house for 15,000 THB\month--4,200\wk. and the staff treats me like visiting royalty! (Go ahead & say it, "Which I am.")

Sansuk Sauna: 7 wk's* = 132,500 (*Because I'll stay a week in Bangkok.)
XGuest House: 7 wks* = 27,000

Now, what could I possibly do with 105,500 bhat? Maybe, stay another month in Thailand?
So the good news is; when you call to book a room, I won't be taking up a space that might, otherwise; be yours.

Enjoy!
[/google]

[bobby-old]

Don't know the quality of the rooms but for me the location isn't good. Either I would want to stay near the beach or in the city. If price were 500 bt I would consider. Only been to the sauna 1 time and the place seems fine. But living there doesn't seem attractive. Better to visit the sauna as a part of the route from the beach to the city.

[catawampuscat]

While I wouldn't reserve a room at Don Plaza for the April 1 opening date just yet, one has to wonder if this hotel is
priced right and in the right location. I don't recall the prices but remember they are much higher than at Howards
and without a pool and all the loose chicken running around the soi, it might be a gamble. Time will tell.. :cat:

[travelerjim]

While I wouldn't reserve a room at Don Plaza for the April 1 opening date just yet, one has to wonder if this hotel is
priced right and in the right location. I don't recall the prices but remember they are much higher than at Howards
and without a pool and all the loose chicken running around the soi, it might be a gamble. Time will tell.. :cat:

Cat,

I agree that the new hotel now under construction may also be a bit "overpriced" ...as you say "only time will tell".

Their rooms are priced from 1,250 baht...for a 32 sq meters room.

If one booked the 1,250 baht room then added their unique 800 baht per day option ...
for "All you can Eat & Drink" from the Clubber Club and Restaurant"..
that would be total of 2,050 baht per day - which is still about 500 baht less than Sansuk Sauna & Guesthouse
is charging for their standard suite room with breakfast and sauna entrance.

Here is what I had posted above about the new Don Plaza Hotel in Sunee Plaza:

The NEW Don Plaza Pattaya Hotel - in Sunee Plaza
from the owners of Clubber Restaurant - Great food :-)
...and Club located in the heart of Sunee Plaza...

ALL NEW:

Opening soon...with rates from 1,250 baht to 1,850 baht nightly for a Suite...including
Room Type: Suite
32m┬▓ Suite, King Size Bed, 2 TV, DVD Player, High speed Internet, Breakfast
Facilities: Radio, Tv, Air Conditioning, Phone, MiniBar

Largest Suite is 38 sq meters in size at 1,850 baht nightly.

additional "unique"....options you may choose include: (look at the "All Inclusive Special)...

"Breakfast" - Continental Breakfast at our Restaurant or Room service for your Guest's 100.00 baht daily

"All Inclusive" - All you can eat and drink....
Continental Breakfast and Dinner in our Clubber Restaurant or Room service and all local Drinks.
("Minibar are not included") 800.00 Baht daily

Rent a Motor Bike Full automatic, 100ccm Per day 200 Baht per day

Website:
http://don-plaza-pattaya.com/dpen/# .

TJ

[Dboy]

1500bt is reasonable for this place, given the location, styling, etc. I assume the pricing is meant to filter out the cheap-charlie crowd and add some exclusiveness to the place. Who knows, the demographic may be there but I suspect not. For 1500bt I'd go, for 2500bt I wouldn't. And that opinion is coming from someone who *is* inclined to spend at that level from time to time (I enjoy the Siam Heritage Hotel in Bangkok, which seems comparable to this property). I also enjoy Penthouse, which is in the same price range as well.

Dboy

The idea of a staying at a sauna is not one that would interest me and even if I did I find the price to be on the high side. As for the Don Plaza while I wish them the best, staying in the area would put one under constant scruitny or even if they weren't it would feel like someone watching you at all times. Wonder what the security will be there? If there is no reception and everyone has their own key then the chance for police to show up at any time is greater as I am sure someone will abuse the guest age limit.

[bucknaway]

I don't think I would stay there... If I am in Pattaya for 2 or so days, I would want to be where the action is. The sauna may be fun but when I am tired of that I want to go where the people are.

I wouldnt pay b 2500 to stay outside town or outside the beach area. I think he might struggle in low season with his rooms,but also might in High season too. Still good luck to Punya and wish him all the best.
Crikey i wouldnt stay in a hotel right smack bang on Sunee plaza, new or not. Too many Police knocking on your door looking for boys. And not a nice place to live.

Too many Police knocking on your door looking for boysIndeed - they have to have some fun as well