Intercontinental Pattaya, n00bie questions

[itsatarp]

I am considering booking this hotel for a few days. Should be just this property as it's one of just a few luxury hotels where I could stay for "free" by burning points earned through work.

 

A few questions:

 

- Obviously, one reason to go to Pattaya is to have fun and party. But I'm not 20 anymore and wouldn't want to stay in the center of the action. According to Google, this hotel is on a hill 2 km away from the entertainment district. Do you guys think that makes it quiet and far enough away from the action?

I am aware of things such as Tripadvisor but I think the people here might have a better idea than random tourists posting on TA.

 

- Is the hotel guest friendly?

 

- For my preferred dates, there's actually a convenient flight going right into U-Tapao. I obviously assume taxis will be available at the airport. But having read about a so-called Thai taxi mafia, I wonder if it's better to arrange for other transportation such as grab or a private limo?

[Jip99]

Pattaya is no place for a deep thinker.

 

 

 

Best check whether you can use your beer tokens to sign in guests...cost me 800 Baht a time at the Montien over 12 years ago.

[Here It Is]

We took a taxi from U-Tapao and obviously picked the wrong cab. As we pulled out of the car park shots were fired from a rival gang and the windscreen was shattered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KittenKong]

The Intercon is in a very quiet and pleasant location, next door to the Royal Cliff. Probably the nicest part of Pattaya/Jomtien.

But there is NO public transport there at all apart from the taxis who park up outside all day waiting for a fare. That gives you an idea of how much they expect to earn from doing just one trip. And it's a very long walk to the Bahtbus route, though quite a nice walk. The hotel may have a shuttle to town, but it probably doesnt run very often.

In theory the online taxi apps will send you a car, but I wonder if there might not be problems with those drivers who hang around outside.

Getting back to there should not be an issue, but if you just hail a cab or Bahtbus to take you there they will not use a meter. So an online app may be your best bet for getting home also.

Perhaps your points could be spent in other hotels nearer the centre?

[poanoi]

2 km is too far away, it might be that the 'hill' is pratamnak hill,

which is a good place and it aint so far as 2 km away from walking street,

you can then take a songtaew pickup taxi shuttle to WS for 10 baht.

 

whatever you order, taxi or otherwise, make sure to agree on a price

before taking the offer, dont be shy to get the price confirmed a couple of times

just to drive home the point.

 

not a problem to stay in a hotel right on WS imo, you will find out during

night if it was any noise, in which case just take another hotel

[itsatarp]

Thanks for all the replies. Didn't expect so many in such a short time.

 

1 hour ago, The manic said:

You worry too much. 

 

Probably haha.

 

To defend myself: Pattaya is not what I'd consider my typical vacation destination. But it kinda makes sense given I'll be without crew over NYE for probably the first time ever. So I figure, I still wanna have a bit of party so why not Pattaya which happens to be one of the few places in Thailand with award nights availability over NYE.

 

I'm still a bit of on the fence about it, though. Having some fun there, sure. But I would neither enjoy nor stomach five days of 24/7 partying.

 

59 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

In theory the online taxi apps will send you a car, but I wonder if there might not be problems with those drivers who hang around outside.

Perhaps your points could be spent in other hotels nearer the centre?

As written above, limited availability of point redemption opportunities over NYE is an issue. And honestly, I'm not really willing to spend my points on some random Holiday Inn when I need just 40% more points to stay in the shiny, newly renovated Intercontinental.

 

Your suggestions on the taxi situation are appreciated. I've been to Thailand but never to party destinations like Patong or Pattaya. I've had only good experiences with Uber but it seems that's a thing of the past in the area. Hopefully, Grab or other alternatives will work just as well...

[champers]

The Holiday Inn in Pattaya is on the beachfront in a quiet area, but only 5 minutes by very cheap baht bus to where the action is. If Holiday Inn is an option in Pattaya, I would seriously consider it; it has a good reputation. Location, location.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Rc2702]

Maybe check the balcony heights before making a decision. Best not to dive in.

[champers]

31 minutes ago, Rc2702 said:

Maybe check the balcony heights before making a decision. Best not to dive in.

Mmm. One tonight where I live, from floor 20 down to 5 and landed a metre from the pool. Sadly a fatality and heart wrenching to hear the distress of those staying with him.

[KittenKong]

And honestly, I'm not really willing to spend my points on some random Holiday Inn when I need just 40% more points to stay in the shiny, newly renovated Intercontinental.

The "random" Holiday Inn here also has a fairly new wing. And other better hotels are available nearby that are all in more convenient locations than the Intercon. But the Intercon is fine if you dont care about the transport issues (though apparently you do).

If you said precisely which brands you can use your points with you might get a better recommendation. I think I've been to all the decent ones here.

[siam2007]

On 5/2/2018 at 8:39 AM, KittenKong said:

The "random" Holiday Inn here also has a fairly new wing. And other better hotels are available nearby that are all in more convenient locations than the Intercon. But the Intercon is fine if you dont care about the transport issues (though apparently you do).

If you said precisely which brands you can use your points with you might get a better recommendation. I think I've been to all the decent ones here.

 

If the OP wants to party, the HI is certainly the better option locationwise, he could even walk to Soi 6 if that is where he wants his parties to happen. No doubt the I-CON is nicer, but locationwise not recommended for someone coming to this "beautiful family destination" to party. And I seriously doubt (and know ppl who stayed at HI in PTY and learned it the hard way) the any IHG property can be considered guest-friendly.

If guest friendliness is essential to the OP, he should choose a Thai-owned chain and spend his precious IHG points at an other place (BKK maybe?)