Lavender Lanna Hotel // Powerboys

[shepsel]

The Lavender Lanna Hotel & Powerboys has been open a couple of months, and the owners have seemed to have poured tons of money into advertising and promotion of this gay-themed hotel and cabaret show. I know that new establishments have growing pains and it takes time to get out the kinks to get the place to run efficiently.

I have been to both Powerboys, and have used some of the spa services that is offered, and I am wondering if anyone else has had any positive, negative or neutral positions about the place. For example I went for some esthetic services in the spa, and I had to have the person stop because it seemed that he did not know what he was doing, and he was extremely slow. I returned a few weeks later after voicing a complaint to the management, and they assured me that everything was "fixed" and the spa is running perfectly. Apparently that was not the case, and I decided that I would not return--even though I thought it would have been nice to have spa services available for men.

The Cabaret Show at Powerboys is creative with interesting costumes, but I found the boys are very simple looking, nothing special and they mostly all look around eighteen years old or less. Most of them speak little or no English to communicate with the western clientele.

I toured some of the rooms at the hotel--and thought that they looked tacky at best. It was the Sri Tokyo hotel before, and the beds seem to be the same ones--mostly single beds--give me a break--two single beds in a gay themed hotel, yet they have a few queen sized ones, so they advertised, and the decor is anything but tasteful.

The Lavender Sky Restaurant is a nice indoor/outdoor achievement, and has quite an impressive view especially in the evening, but I have been reluctant to try the food because of my negative experiences there before.

I am wondering if any TV members have any comments, positive, neutral, or negative on this new establishment in CM.

Are they pouring money into a black hole? Or, will this place succeed?

[Oogleman]

I have seen about a dozen reviews of the place on other forums and all were very positive except one.

The other weekend i know for a fact the hotel was full. So i think its doing pretty well.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

it would have been nice to have spa services available for men.

All spas in town have services for men.

In fact, almost half the customers at spas are men. So I suggest you change your approach and just ask a recommendation for a good spa; they will have excellent treatments for you.

[PeaceBlondie]

Reminder: Lavender Lanna is a ThaiVisa sponsor.

[cmone123]

Reminder: Lavender Lanna is a ThaiVisa sponsor.

Not being gay, and having my thoughts about the quoted comment (wich says a lot about Thaivisa's policy...), I think the Lavender Lanna is a great addition to Chiang Mai. I visited both Powerboys and the skybar and they will surely attract a lot of people (and therefore money...) to Chiang Mai.

Keep up the good work guys!

[wimpy]

Reminder: Lavender Lanna is a ThaiVisa sponsor.

And?

[Paagai]

Reminder: Lavender Lanna is a ThaiVisa sponsor.

My vote still goes to the Red Lion Best Gay bar in town Well, Kevin's said before you should never under estimate the power of the Pink Pound!

We'd better post quickly as I suspect this thread may not be around for long before following another one on the same subject: Another Gay Scandal Brewing.........

There is also an updated thread on the scandal running here: Gay Natee Files Complaint against Bar......

PB: In an earlier thread you said you'd give the place six months. Clock is ticking, grand opening party is next weekend, your prognosis now?

Edited November 14, 2009 by Paagai

[LavenderLanna]

As a new business, we always appreciate constructive feedback, and we work to steadily improve our services and out staff.

We are now finished with our renovations and remodel and are very happy with the results. You can visit our website at lavenderlannahotelcm.com to see the photos of our remodeled and upgraded rooms and our new facilities.

We have been very fortunate in that we have had an outstanding start to the High Season and with the overwhemingly positive reception we have had to our new outlets and our new rooms. Lavender Lanna Hotel offers comfortable rooms at a very good price which includes access to a very wide range of facilities and services that are of interest to gay men and friends from all walks of like.

Currently, we offer 38 renovated rooms with queen size beds and 24 budget rooms with queen size beds, and we have 42 rooms with twin beds (twin beds are greatly preferred by our very loyal Thai clientle). 99% of our gay guests stay in our newly renovated rooms (Lavender Deluxe Plus, Lavender Deluxe, and Lavender Superior) with big beds.

In our renovated rooms, we have added all high quality new queen beds, new linens and pillows, new TVs, new air-cons, new sofas and/or chairs, all new branded materials including towels, and have made improvements to the existing fixtures and added other decorative touches. In the Lavender Deluxe and Lavender Deluxe Plus rooms, we have added in-room safes, robes and slippers, DVD players, hot pots, and more. Our room amenities include an epxanded minibar, satellite TV, free local phone calls, 24-hour room service, and free Thai-Continental breakfast buffet. We don't offer 5-star rooms, but we do offer comfortable rooms at a very good price (1150 baht to 1850 baht with budget rooms at 950 baht).

What sets us apart for our gay clientle is the host of services and facilities we offer including a big nightclub, a roof top restaurant and lounge, a hair salon and massage, a pool with steam room, a fitness room, a 24-hour lobby restaurant, a tour desk, and free shuttles to area gay bars and saunas. No other gay hotel in Thailand (or in most of the world) can match our many services and outlets, especially at our low price.

Power Boys Chiang Mai is another major attraction of the hotel offering free high-quality Cabaret shows twice each night and a large number of cute male dancers (all over 18 and very poular with most of customers). This is a very upscale venue with an extensive cocktail and drinks list and offers a very fun night of entertainment for almost anyone gay or straight (although better suited for gay-friendly people comfortable in adult entertainment settings). This bar is open from 9pm until 2am daily. Our managers in that facility, Khun Kai and Khun Winnee, do a fantastic job in creating a very exciting and very professional entertainment venue. Stop by and have a drink with one of them and judge the venue for yourself.

Our business has been exceptionally good in all of our venues with over 30 customers using our salon and massage services every day,

Power Boys performing above projections with nice crowds every night, and our hotel with over 60% occupancy rate for November and very solid bookings for the rest of the High Season. We have also been getting tremendously positive feedback from many of our guests with many opting to extend their stay or to book again. We think we have a product that the greatest majority of our customers really like. We feel very fortunate for that and greatly appreciate the loyal clientle we are starting to build so early in our business startup.

Last, we have recently opened Lavender Sky Restaurant and Lounge on our rooftop which offers incredible views of all of Chiang Mai from our lower garden deck and our upper deck (which feels as if you are floating among the clouds). This facility also offers a stylish cocktail and party room and several other upscale dining areas. Our Chef, Yai Muren, has put together a good European menu using mostly local sourcing, and we will add a Thai menu next week. This restaurant is a great new dining experience for Chiang Mai with the views, the beautiful garden settings, and the trendy indoor areas and is a great place for a romatic dinner, late-night drinks with friends, or a party of any sort. We hope all of Chiang Mai will visit us at Lavender Sky (just not all at once!).

We are happy to introduce ourselves to the larger CM and TV community and hope to see you at one of our venues at some time in the future. We realize we offer a specialized service in most of our facilities (although Lavender Sky is a great venue for anyone), and we also know that no matter how hard we try that we won't always be able to please everyone as tastes and expectations vary greatly, but we will always do our best to offer a great product, to be receptive to good feedback, and to take care of our customers as best we can.

Lavender Lanna Hotel

[Paagai]

The comments will depend greatly on who you ask. I know a few people who've stayed there, all visiting sex tourists, who think the place is wonderful. Local opinions among my ex-pat colleagues are much more reserved, another Gay venue is welcome, especially somewhere upmarket where they've clearly spent some money, but among those who know CM well, there are many who think the location and the OTT promotion are mistakes. Then there's the local Thai's, gay and straight, who are largely aghast at the whole in your face concept - it's just not the Thai way.

I've been there several times now. Power Boys was OK, the Cabaret show was boring (but that's just me), it looked OK, though the dodgy sound system made the lip syncing look odd. The staff, though plentiful, were poorly trained and swarming like fly's to the point of being annoying (especially in the bathroom). As to anything else, this is not the right forum to comment on the more sexual aspects of the place but they were quite mediocre compared with elsewhere. I understand it can get quite raunchy round the pool in the afternoon and some of the massage staff are available to provide other services. As to the food: it will be a very long time before I go and eat there again, nuff said.

A few 100 M away from this hotel is an outdoor Thai style bar with gay customers and pleasing staff. Sitting there on a wooden stool banging glasses with a few fun local guys over a plate of fried rice and a few Leo's would be an altogether more enjoyable experience, and not because it's cheaper.

I won't be staying here since I already live in CM (though they do have hourly rooms available for pool/spa users ). But, as someone who's stayed in hundreds of hotels, it's lack of King Sized beds would mean it would never make it onto my list elsewhere.

One thing that clearly isn't working for Lavender is the staff and management. If you only employ Cute young gay guys, especially the bitchy, queeny types, and then go out partying and having fun with them every night, you will never command enough respect from your staff to be able to manage them effectively. This shows very clearly in the service, attitude and behaviour of the staff. For a money spinner they should have brought in the TV cameras and made a reality TV show; with all those gay mega egos it would have been hilarious and an instant smash hit. Sadly, as a proffesional 3 star (or do they claim 4?) hotel it falls way short.

As to the OTT advertising and websites PLEASE GUYS - buy your copywriter a Thesauraus and look up a few alternatives for Cute

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Our managers in that facility, Khun Kai and Khun Winnee, do a fantastic

Oh dear, I guess I'm out of the closet now.

Can I just say I wish the venture the best of luck, while hoping that someone would attempt something similar for straights. (Then again, I suppose you could argue that just about every Ab Ob Nuad place would fit that bill.. Still, I don't like the atmosphere and general vibe of those places. Like Paagai, I like small informal cheap and cheerful places.

(I can't believe we're all still in such agreement near the end of the first page of a gay related topic. )

Edited November 14, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[KevinHunt]

My vote still goes to the Red Lion Best Gay bar in town Well, Kevin's said before you should never under estimate the power of the Pink Pound!

Whilst it may be true that we don't under-estimate the power of the Pink Pound, we also don't under-estimate the power of any other coloured pound, dollar, Riyal, or Schekel. Our doors are open to everyone (except Riff Raff, of course), so referring to The Red Lion as being a Gay bar (best or not) could be a bit confusing. It is an English Pub & Restaurant, without any predjudices.I must admit to be being a little bit colour-predjudiced though -  I can't stand green.

[PattayaMale]

I've been there several times now. Power Boys was OK, the Cabaret show was boring (but that's just me), it looked OK, though the dodgy sound system made the lip syncing look odd. The staff, though plentiful, were poorly trained and swarming like fly's to the point of being annoying (especially in the bathroom). As to anything else, this is not the right forum to comment on the more sexual aspects of the place but they were quite mediocre compared with elsewhere. I understand it can get quite raunchy round the pool in the afternoon and some of the massage staff are available to provide other services. As to the food: it will be a very long time before I go and eat there again, nuff said.

I am surprised that anyone who does not feel a place is up to par would continue to go there "several" times.

Where is the Red Lion?

[jefbel]

"Most of them speak little or no English to communicate with the western clientele."

If they visit your "homeland", do you speak Thai with them?

Always think about that!

[jackr]

Stroll on...

[Paagai]

I am surprised that anyone who does not feel a place is up to par would continue to go there "several" times.

Suprised, why? I ate there ONCE, there won't be a second time until I get consistent reports that food has improved, everything I'm hearing from other visitors is still quite the opposite.

Power Boys is on the CM bar circuit; of course we go there sparodically when out with a group. Between us we know most of the staff and it can be fun and sociable. Yes, I have some criticisms but put these in the context of how much advertising propodanda there's been, and how it's presented as being perfect. If you make such forthright claims expect to be challenged when you don't deliver what you've promised .

In a pretentious place like Lavender, who boast about the quality of their product, I expect well trained staff and service befitting that type of venue. By contrast, when I'm sitting on that wooden stool in the place down the road, I have no expectations of anything, so there is nothing much to criticise.

As someone living here I know what to expect from PBs and that's fine. If I'd bought a plane ticket to visit their venues, based on their promotional information, I would be disapointed. Other's may be more forgiving, or not actually care provided their sexual requirements were met.

Anyway, I'm sure those nice guys down at Lavender will read this and take on board the various criticisms. There is nothing I've written that will come as any suprise to them (or that I haven't told them in person).

I have seen about a dozen reviews of the place on other forums and all were very positive except one.

What forums were these? Do you mean reputable travel sites, like Tripadvisor, or some of those sleazy gay porn sites where the sex tourists exchange stories about their various holiday encounters and fantasies?

The other weekend i know for a fact the hotel was full. So i think its doing pretty well.

No suprise there, they fill all their cheaper rooms with Thai's - I think the promotional price is only 450 Bt so it's not suprising they are full. So much for an exclusive gay hotel Edited November 14, 2009 by Paagai

[WinnieTheKhwai]

So.. is there double pricing?

Not that this would be particularly remarkable; even international chains such as the Best Western try this.

[hmficc]

My vote still goes to the Red Lion Best Gay bar in town Well, Kevin's said before you should never under estimate the power of the Pink Pound!

Whilst it may be true that we don't under-estimate the power of the Pink Pound, we also don't under-estimate the power of any other coloured pound, dollar, Riyal, or Schekel. Our doors are open to everyone (except Riff Raff, of course), so referring to The Red Lion as being a Gay bar (best or not) could be a bit confusing. It is an English Pub & Restaurant, without any predjudices.I must admit to be being a little bit colour-predjudiced though - I can't stand green.

Little England can go Pound it!

[NancyL]

I wish the Lavender Lanna all the best. They've obviously pumped some money into the hotel, nightclub and their promotion. Their website is well done and reflects a business that has clearly developed a plan, identifying their target market and fulfilling needs of their market. As a former marketing professional, I appreciate that. It's something that's often very lacking in Thai business.

Like others, I'm pleasantly surprised that the comments on this thread have remained constructive, with many suggestions that the LL mgt could take to heart.

I also appreciate the LL managements response to the thread and their comments that the nightclub offers a "very fun night of entertainment for almost anyone gay or straight". Hubby and I enjoy a night out and a well-done gay nightclub show certainly would be of interest. Actually, we haven't found too many "straight" night club shows here! The closest was the entertainment at the recent Zonta benefit party.

We enjoy an occasional drink at the Garden Bar of the Lotus Hotel. It's a very pretty setting and the staff is always welcoming, even to an older straight couple. I wish I could say the same about the pretty gay bar very close to LL on Huey Kaew. Hubby and I went there one evening and were pretty much asked to leave. Well not directly, but a staffer who spoke English as a first language said we'd like it better at the Lemon Tree down the street! That was before we'd even attempted to order. Now every time we walk past Hubby points it out as the place where I was thrown out of the bar! The LL posting on this thread leads me to believe I won't be thrown out, at least not before I get rowdy!

[cmdream]

Guess RED LION is off my list now !

[cmdream]

Would it possible to list the gay places in Chiang Mai ? Thanks.

[elektrified]

Would it possible to list the gay places in Chiang Mai ? Thanks.

Are you serious? What does "gay places" mean? Businesses that are owned and/or run by gays? Gay bars?

[Paagai]

Would it possible to list the gay places in Chiang Mai ? Thanks.

With around 60 different gay venues in Cm it would be a long list! Try googling "Chiang Mai Gay", or something similar, and you'll find several websites. In my opinion, probably the most up to date is Radchada.com, or their new website gayinchiangmai.com which includes a full map of where all the gay venues are located. It also includes a list of the places that have closed which helps as many websites about Chiang Mai are a long way out of date.

Hope that helps! BTW it doesn't include the Red Lion but does include another English PUB and restuarant which is very popular with gay ex-pats and their friends.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Paagai

[Paagai]

Would it possible to list the gay places in Chiang Mai ? Thanks.

Are you serious? What does "gay places" mean? Businesses that are owned and/or run by gays? Gay bars?

I can only think of one "Gay Place" - the Park of Nimanheminda Road.......... Ooooops, sorry that was meant to be a gay secret

[PeaceBlondie]

Posts defaming a sponsor have ben removed.

[Loaded]

My vote still goes to the Red Lion Best Gay bar in town Well, Kevin's said before you should never under estimate the power of the Pink Pound!

The Pink Lion?

[Ulysses G.]

Reminder: Lavender Lanna is a ThaiVisa sponsor.

My vote still goes to the Red Lion Best Gay bar in town

They say that the proprietor is quite a hunk - especially in his tight tennis gear!

[peteinCM]

In forums like these, one must always be aware that there are various agendas at stake when posters comment on businesses and one should really check out a venue for yourself rather than relying on postings from some posters, especially when there seems to be a certain vehemence to the postings.

I know one poster on this thread owns a competing business with one of the Lavender businesses and that he has been kicked off a number of gay forums for bashing this business to the point of being OTT.

Another negative poster has a BF who works at Lavender. The poster wants the BF to stay home and not work. The BF wants to work and earn money for himself and loves working at Lavender. Now I guess the BF has a new tactic--try to ruin the owner's buisness so the BF cannot work there.

My understanding is that this business is majority Thai-owned and that the interests who own it certainly will not let it fail. They also have powerful friends up and down the line (never to be underestimated in Thailand). I also understand (rightly or wrongly) that the business is already making money. It is certainly busier than most other gay businesses in CM. One just has to go into Power Boys to see that or to try to park on any weekend night when the overflow parking area is always being utilized. I understand from one of the Thai managers that they are also developing a very large and loyal Thai clientle in the massage and in the nightclub (and so many expats always underestimate the local Thai market in gay business venues). And this is a business complex with most businesses that have only been open for six weeks!

I like this place (well Power Boys and the lobby restaurant is all I've used so far). But, I like a lot of places others don't like and vice versa. See for yourself if you are interested in gay venues. And take the postings on both ends of the spectrum with a grain of salt.

[orang37]

They say that the proprietor is quite a hunk - especially in his tight tennis gear!

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun UG,

Let me re-assure you that every female Orang (and many males ?) would choose you any day over that alternative who has already admitted here (on TV) that he has at least one "black ball."

best, ~o:37;

[lannarebirth]

"Whatever going down, it's all good".

[Ulysses G.]

They say that the proprietor is quite a hunk - especially in his tight tennis gear!

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun UG,

Let me re-assure you that every female Orang (and many males ?) would choose you any day over that alternative who has already admitted here (on TV) that he has at least one "black ball."

best, ~o:37;

Thank you. I have always had a way with non-human species.