Pattaya Centre Hotel on Soi 12 near Beach Road has had some positive but mostly negative reviews. I had heard that it went through recent ownership or management change and the rooms were remodelled. Since I thought there might have been some positive changes and I liked its location, I decided to give it a try. Instead of booking through their Internet site, I e-mailed them to ask for a better rate. They responded with the following rates: Standard Room 942 baht; Superior Room 1,060 baht; Junior Suite 1,295 baht; and Panorama Suite 1,648 baht. These rates did not include breakfast which is included in their Internet rates.

The Panorama Suite is large and it includes a balcony that overlooks the ocean. My room had NOT undergone any remodel. I was disappointed with its appearance. The room looked a bit worn.

Since the Panorama Suites face the ocean, the winds really whip against the building. It woke me up a couple of times during the night when I thought the balcony sliding glass door was going to bust open from all the shaking by the wind.

Since I was paying for one of their best rooms, you would have thought that the TV would have had a remote control. I inquired at the front desk and I was told that some rooms have TV remotes and others didn't. Mine didn't and there was nothing that they could do about it. I didn't argue since they had a very poor selection of English language channels (two that I could find). The hotel must use a satellite since the reception was terrible. Every four minutes or less, the TV would have nothing but static for five to ten seconds.

One of the biggest gripes about this hotel from others was that the hotel staff was surly. I've got to echo those same comments. The front desk, however, is no more or less friendly than those at the Nana Hotel in Bangkok.

There was one thing that really pissed me off about my hotel room. . . the uneven floor in the bathroom. There was a 1 1/2 inch step in the middle of the bathroom floor. I think they put in the 1 1/2 inch step to contain any overflow of water from the shower or toilet, but I was constantly stubbing my toe or stumbling over it. It was a real hazard for me during the middle of night when I had to piss.

This hotel does cater to tour groups from China. The tour groups are their "bread and butter" since it guarantees occupancy so the hotel has no real incentive to improve. I also noticed groups of Germans (Germans are everywhere in Pattaya), Arabs, Hindus, and Vietnamese staying here. It seems most were families and not the usual single men.

There are a few positive things about the hotel:

It is guest friendly with no extra charge for an overnight guest, but they do check ID.

Nice swimming pool.

Close to Walking Street.

In conclusion, I wouldn't stay here again. In hindsight, I should have checked out after the first night and checked in at the Eastiny Inn. For the lower price and better kept rooms, the Eastiny Inn is a much better deal although the noise from the beer bars can get annoying.

(Review based upon a visit in May 2002)

Absolute dump.

I stayed there one time after booking a room through one of the agencies at Bangkok Airport, think I paid 1,600 Baht.

My room was filthy, dirty brown carpet, the ashtray contained orange peel and cigarette ash, and the first towel I took down had a big brown shit coloured stain on it.

I would have complained, but I had queued for about 20 minutes for the lift as a big coach party had just arrived.

The bastards charged 500 baht joiner fee as well.

Most definately not worth using again.