Originally Posted by
BKKLEE
Spent the past long Thai (Constitution Day) holiday weekend at the newly opened Hilton Pattaya
Parking:- although parking is done within the Central Pattaya Plaza, no designated places for folks staying at the Hilton could be found (although there were designated places for others)
Checkin:- done on the 16th floor. Although a "Gold" member had to fight for Executive Lounge access first being told that Executive floor upgrade not available (checked on this issue before we drove up from Bangkok and knew they were) so no lounge access, but after a 10-minute debate finally got Exec Lounge access without a room upgrade.
Rooms:- only saw our standard deluxe and deluxe plus rooms but all seemed to be a standard 46SM. Although rooms look to have "hip" decoration, they are not very functional. Office chair on light wooden floors without any plexiglass will mar up like the Hilton in KL within weeks. Easy chair is built for someone no taller then 5-ft! No idea which light switches work which lights. Small balcony without a table and/or chairs. Overall, the room made me feel clostrophobic.
Executive Lounge:- located on the 33rd floor with access by a seperate key card (but same color as room key so you need to seperate the keys to know which one is room/floor and which one is EL) kept at 19C, which I know was not set by the Thai staff as they'd set it at 35C. Felt the icey chill was to drive folks out of the lounge, which it managed to do to me and others as staff took no notice of requests to make it a bit warmer! Although more then 100+ seating, never saw more then 10. The oval chairs, like the room chair, is built for midgets. Outside balcony seating for no more then 10.
Pool:- no deeper then 1.2M. Lounge chairs/beds for no more then 30 people (in a property with over 300 rooms; so say 600 people, that's totally insufficient)
Carpets:- again, "hip" look with cool salmon colors. Already starting to fray and the staff must use toothbrishes to clean the stains on a daily basis.
Noise:- music coming from in front of Pattaya Plaza until 4AM. Construction noise throughout the day.
Overall Opinion:- we stayed the previous weekend (Thai Kings birthday) at the Marriott Pattaya in a renovated Terrace room. I've been going to this Marriott before it was a Marriott (then Royal Gardens - like the one in Hua Hin). I preferred the Marriott and on our next trip to Pattaya for the Superbowl we'll be returning to the Marriott, hands down!
Sorry for the late report, but here goes.
Check In :- Dropped off by taxi at front doors, the concierge asked our name and immediately realised we were Diamond and whisked us up to the 16th floor to check us in where we were met by Sophia (Executive Floor Manager) who promptly told us that we had been upgraded to the executive floor with a room with an outside tub on the balcony (requested by myself via e-mail).
Room :- I have to agree with all of BKKLEE's comments, the room was very easy on the eye but not very practical with very poor storage for clothing,suitcases,etc.
The first night the noise coming from Soi 8 lasted until 3am and was ridiculously loud, so we contacted the Executive Lounge to ask to be downgraded to a room on the left hand side of the building away from the noise, Sophia was excellent and moved us to a Deluxe room but we were still allowed access to Executive Lounge. I have to say the Deluxe room is as good as the Executive floor rooms although the balconies are small but no noise so would certainly recomend a room on the left side of the building.
Executive Lounge :- The staff were really friendly and attentative, the snacks were very average and the drinks didn't really flow, the outdoor seating area was nice, but again the design was more for style than practicality.
Pool :- Not very big at all, very cold. The loungers on the upper deck were very good for sunbathing and get the sun until 2pm on the afternoon, after 2pm you can also catch the sun on the loungers in the Drift bar on the 16th floor.
Overall Opinion :- I normally stay at the Dusit Thani and although it is not as stylish as the Hilton, taking everything into account I think that Hilton would need to have a good offer on for me to book there again as the Dusit can be 50% cheaper, the rooms are very good, and the pools are a great deal better.