Did Pattaya once and I really enjoyed the Marriott Resort there but that was it. Taxi's seem non-existent and the "Songthaew" (where you ride in the back of a pick up truck) are a scam. They are supposed to have low set prices of 10 baht but end up charging a lot more (50 baht) just to take you a few blocks. The nightlife in Pattaya is a sex wonderland for straight people and the beach is far from prestine.
The public bus is a very inexpensive way to get there and does not take that much longer than private car. Not too much different than a Greyhound. But either way the 2-3 hours can be draining.
In Bangkok, don't rule out Babylon. It is huge and relatively inexpensive to enter and lay out by the pool and drink or visit their comfortable sit down restaurant which is a decent value and tasty as well.
There are so many places to see in Bangkok and things are so spread out you will only be able to hit just a few sites.
Be sure to have something in writting to back up that rate you have. $6 does not sound right but I bet the hotel can be over $200 during peak times.