Just back from my stay at the FS in Pattaya. Thanks for the posted advice.

Transportation: Bell Transport was the best option. On the way down, they picked me up ten minutes earlier than expected, but they run their service very well. Luggage transfers, getting on the second bus and getting to the hotel were all handled seamlessly. Going from Pattaya to the airport was just as smooth. I did ask at the hotel about having them arrange transportation. The cheapest option was 2750 Baht. Bell was 275 Baht, and that included my having a second suitcase, for which there was a slight upcharge.

The Hotel: It's actually a pretty nice hotel. The pool area is well maintained and staffed. I was upgraded to a room by the pool, with a pretty good size private seating area outside, a large comfortable bed in an otherwise small room and a huge spa bath area overlooking a private courtyard. The room was very relaxing. Breakfast at the restaurant was included because I was Plat, and it was quite an international spread. It's not quite as much as the hotels in Bangkok, but it was still more than enough. The staff bent over backwards to do as much as possible for the guests. They allowed a 5:00 pm check out. I really cannot say enough good things about the hotel.

Pattaya: Except that it's in Pattaya. I'm glad I went, having never actually been to this part of Pattaya. It's gritty. It's filthy. It's seedy. It's an experience everyone should have once in life. Two and a half days was enough time to experience it. I took a walk on the boardwalk first thing in the morning and was greeted by professionals who hadn't successfully found business contracts the night before. Walking Street is unique, but not for the timid. The word "grizzled" kept popping in my head as I passed other people in this area.

You walk on this filthy beach, seeing poverty that shouldn't exist in a country as relatively wealthy and established as Thailand, cross a busy street and pass McDonalds, Swenson's, Burger King, a Buffet and signs for Benihana. Somewhere in the midst of this commercialism there is a slight opening to a courtyard. You walk through that and you are suddenly in this beautiful pool area at the Marriott. It's a total escape from everything else around it. That can be cool or scary, depending on your expectations and comfort level. I thought it was awesome.