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I can only say that I stayed at the Azalea Parkview Hotel, and I found it to be excellent for my needs. I don't have any experience of other hotels, I'm afraid.

Hi Jimmy, mate. Yeah, it's a good deal because I reckon it's actually more comfortable than a taxi for a fraction of the price. As long as you don't mind the cold. Then again, most of us came from the cold, so we should be able to handle it! Now where did I put me coat?!

@ its getting colder and colder here now BC I need that cooler aircon to warm Up 😂😂😂 . I forgot to say the layout of the bus is very good not too many people even when full . Ps it’s cold ,wet and grey in the midlands at the start of a new week ☺️

The last time I visited England was almost springtime, and all the locals were beginning to get the summer clothes out. I was walking around in gloves, scarf, and bobble hat with a thick coat. People were looking at me as if I was mad! Body adjusts, I suppose. Those buses look full size but only have 20-odd passengers, even when full. If only all Thailand buses were like that! I'm hoping to try out a similar service from Bangkok City in the next few weeks. Might be fun! Don't work too hard!

Cheers, BB. They could do with a food service like on the trains. I was hungry by the time I arrived, that's for sure!

If only someone would sponsor me, Paul. Then I could afford a taxi all the way to Hua Hin! Although, actually, this bus is probably more comfortable than an average taxi! 👍

Cheers, Alain. Yes, much nicer. Hard to believe it's the same company that runs them! 👍

I was recently on the same style of bus from Swampy to Pattaya 😊

@jeffrussell488 Yes, Jeff, same buses. Just a shame they don't offer these from Pattaya North to Ekkamai. I'd be happy to pay a premium if they did!

@ also a shame they don't do the Swampy/ Pattaya route every half hour as I've never seen an empty seat. If tourists knew that if the next bus was full and the wait for the next bus was only 30 minutes then the user rate would easily double. No idea why they're missing a trick there, then again Thai logic.

@jeffrussell488 I sometimes have to book a day in advance to use that service. It's even more difficult to get the VIP Bus from Pattaya to Hua Hin and back as there's only one bus a day. I'm guessing the problem is not enough new buses. Same as the trains here, they never have enough budget to modernise transport fleets. But I agree they would pay for themselves in no time!

Pleasure. On this route the buses are good quality. Much better than on some other routes! Enjoy Hua Hin!

From arrivals, take a lift or escalator down to level 1 and head out of gate 4. There's now two pick-up points A and B. They're next to each other, so you can pick either. It's only a few minutes from arrivals.

@ thank you so much

Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video. As to the choice between bus or train, it kind of depends. If I was going straight from Suvanabhumi Airport, I'd choose the bus that starts from there. From Bangkok city, the choice is really minivans and taxis. I don't like minivan, so if I wasn't in a rush, I'd take the train. Trains are cheap and give you time to take in the views. I'm a big fan of trains for the feeling of adventure. Only if I was needing to arrive quickly would I take a taxi. Hope this helps!

Grab taxi app is available in app store and play store. I think it's pretty intuitive to use, but you will need a thai mobile number. They've improved the grab pick up point at Suvarnabhumi Airport since this update. There's now 2 pick up points next to each other (A and B) and it's certainly eased some of the overcrowding because there's more space and more grab staff to help.

Thanks, Jeff. It just shows how one or two small chance events can shape the rest of our lives. I never dreamed I'd be a teacher in Thailand or stay here as long as this. But if you take any opportunities given, that's what can happen! I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, part 2 is pinned at the top of the comments now. Thanks again!

Hiya SG! Made a pleasant change for there to be something interesting in the fridge at last! And my two greatest loves at breakfast, decent coffee and real bread. I could have tried it all, but as you say, it's not that healthy. Will do a few more hotels as I return to full fitness. Off to Hua Hin in a couple of days. Hope to see you over there! Cheers, mate!

Nice of you to say so! 🍻 👏

Many thanks, Cheryl. Maybe one day? I've stayed in some nice hotels in Canada when skiing in Banff! ❄️ 👍

Always a pleasure 🙏 ☺️

Hey, Jimmy! I really wanted to sleep in the top bunk despite having the king size bed available! Breakfast was a real highlight. I like my scrambled and anywhere with good coffee and bread gets my vote! I did smile when I saw the Asian size protection available to buy in the room. It's almost as if they knew I was coming.... Hope the double bubble went well. A few more days ticked off. Catch you later, mate!

Thanks, Keith. Anything more than the 27th floor and I get vertigo!

Always a pleasure 👍

It's not the only place they've been caught hanging around. I'm reliably informed 🤫

Thanks, Mark. It seems my reputation as a blagger went before me! The switch in the bathroom was actually the control for making the shower blind go up and down. I thought it was the cover for another socket! No harm done, except to my pride! Pushing the camera record button seems to bring out the 'extra stupid' in me! 😃 😃

Thanks, David. I should say that I went during Chinese New Year and it was certainly high season prices and busy. But I don't disagree with your comment really. So many other places that might be cheaper. Always worth shopping around! Thanks for your comment 👍

Cheers, BB. I think they saw me coming in as the sad single and gave me the party room just to rub it in! Extensive breakfast for sure, but brown sauce, dunno about that one. 5 star really they should pop out to the 7 eleven and buy it if it's not readily available! I can't imagine Bangkok before the BTS. I used to use it every day. Wouldn't survive without it! 👍

Thanks. I agree completely. And note just at this hotel. It's certainly still high season prices. Hopefully there will be better value to be had after Chinese New Year has finished!

Thanks, Phil. I certainly didn't want or need a room with bunk beds in the window! I think they should have mentioned the fact that they were giving me a family room when I checked in. The staff were generally ok, but I got the impression as it is a big hotel, they aren't really looking out for individual customers. In reception it was very busy, but I would have expected them to notice I was walking with crutches and offered assistance. I really rated the location and the choices at breakfast. Overall, I tend to agree, at those high season prices, there's likely to be better value found elsewhere!

Cheers, PFI. Certainly my favourite thing about this hotel is being able to walk to the BTS without getting sunburnt or wet! Great location for the skytrain!

Despite any rumours to the contrary, there was no bunk up with Mr Egg 555! It's a bit cheaper outside of high season. Bit unfortunate that I chose Chinese new year to try it out. Couldn't believe how busy breakfast was at 6.30am! But, agreed, it's never going to be cheap and I'm.sure people will have their own favourites for less! Thanks, Toby!

@@balloonchaser That breakfast looked really nice. As you said very busy and CN NY. Great review. 5*??

@tobyprice1092 I've never really understood what gets hotels a 5 star rating in Thailand tbh. Yes, they've got all the facilities. And the breakfast was well above average, in my opinion. But overall, was it any better than the 4 star hotel I reviewed last week? For me, I'd say not. And the staff were more attentive in last week's hotel also. So if I was handing out the ratings I'd say 4 star!

Many thanks for your positive feedback! And also for the top tip about using a Firestick. I know a few people who bring them on their travels to Thailand. I'm sure it's Emmerdale they're watching, because watching Premier League football would probably not be 100% legal (and all my friends are law abiding citizens!)

​@balloonchaser i don't think Rupert Murdoch would mind 😂

Thanks, David. Yes, I'd say the main attraction is the close proximity to the BTS Skytrain station via the shopping centre. That shopping centre has loads of food outlets and coffee shops so it appeals to me. It also has a really good cinema on the top floor. I used to live in On Nut so I know the area well. It's far enough away from worst of the hustle and bustle, but still close to everything if you need it!

Thanks, Anders! I did think I'd somehow walked into the wrong room when I saw the bunk beds. Although equally I was tempted to sleep in one of them just for the fun of it! The food was good throughout the stay to be honest. Dinner was meant to be a bar snack, but it certainly did the trick. Cheers, for the positive feedback and support!

BC cleary said it was for a family.

@PREPFORIT Find me another 5☆hotel with Bunk Beds🙂. Cheers mate👍

Yes, there immigration counters at the station itself, and you can buy the visa there. And please note that they weren't accepting online evisas, certainly at the time I went!

Many thanks! Yes, I went shortly after they opened the line extension and new station at Khamsavath. I purchased my Laos visa when I arrived for $40 US.

Maybe they just forgot mine!

I believe you can put one suitcase under the bus. However, if it's oversized or you have more than one case, they are likely to ask you to pay more. If in doubt, check at the bus station is my best advice!

Understand what you mean by sterile. Believe it or not, I was propositioned in the hotel by a departing lady of a certain age. I used my foot as a polite excuse, only to be told, "Never mind, I do all the work!" The answer was still "no". Only in Thailand?

@ excellent, in Thailand every man hansum.

Thanks, Steve. Apologies, I didn't ask that question on this trip. But I did see a guy meet a friend near reception and then take her to his room without any questions being asked. I'll make sure it's on my list of questions in my future hotel reviews. Thanks for the suggestion. 👍

I passed on your question to the hotel and they replied as follows: Our Hotel is guest friendly, should you stay only 1 person, there is no additional charge for second person. However, for the third person, we will charge at THB 1,400 THB/night

At lobby I carried my bag, and I'm not supposed to put any weight on that foot. But on a carpeted floor in the room I moved around for the purposes of making this video. I have another week before the next x ray and I hope the doctor will tell me I don't need to boot anymore. Thanks.

@@balloonchaser Get well soon. Take care.

@Rav-pv2en Many thanks. 👍

Many thanks for the positive feedback! I'm hoping foot is well on the mend. Back for a scan next week. You must be a real expert on hotels with that amount of experience. I wonder if they would polish my "ski boot" for me if I checked in there. It would be amusing to see the reaction 🤣 😂

I used the KTMB app Origin station is KL Sentral Destination is Gemas and then Gemas to JB Sentral Finally JB SENTRAL to woodlands ciq So you need to book 3 separate trains, making sure you pick the best times to coordinate them.

Thanks, Mark! The third coffee came immediately I stopped filming! Those carpets will certainly never show any stains. I felt nauseous just looking at them! I could have made a whole video about Nick. Best member of staff I've encountered at any hotel I've reviewed!🏅 🥈

Many thanks. And you make a very fair point. Soi 1 is definitely not a great soi unless you need the hospital. There's so much competition that they are going to need more than that to maintain their price model. I guess as part of a worldwide brand they will figure it out. I'd return if it was on soi 11, but probably not as it's on soi 1.

Thanks, Anders. Interesting comparisons with other hotels. I wonder how much pull they think the brand name has. But certainly no more than Hilton. The medical tourism market could be huge and obviously, Bumrungrad is a massive hospital. But other than that, Soi 1 is a fairly lacklustre soi. Be fascinating to see if they can compete at their current price point.

​@@balloonchaserDo you book directly with a hotel or do you use a third party agent like Agoda? Cheers.

@andersfant4997 Hi Anders. For this one, I booked direct with the hotel as it was cheaper than either Agoda or Trip (my usual choice of apps).

I get better service with the ski boot on. I'm thinking of making it a permanent fixture! 😃

@@balloonchaser bejesus, comments like that you'll have every tom, dick and harry copying you. I'm gonna open a ski boot shop Buakhao.

Thanks, PFI. As I said, I was pretty disappointed with the check-in. Fortunately, Nick was the superhero without the cape! He checked up on me several times during my stay. In fact, at one point, I thought he might be stalking me 😃 But in a good way 👍

Many thanks, SG! I did think of you when I did what's in the fridge this week. And I thought who's at the door might be a suitable replacement. She rang the bell bang on cue! Don't suppose that will happen every week!! But at least it got me out and about. I'm getting quite adept at hobbling around in my ski boot now! Best regards to you and yours! 👍

Thanks, Ric. I think it's easy to underestimate just how big medical tourism is (and will be) in Thailand and this hotel is perfectly placed to serve that market. I thought 350 baht was ok for the breakfast. They were also doing a 450+ baht deal for 2 I later found out, which is even better. I guess it's possible people stuff their pockets, but I just prefer to stuff my face! 😃

Cheers, BB. Wasn't sure if the carpet was puke proof or someone had just returned from a big night out! I'm guessing it's guest friendly, although I didn't put it to the test. I blame my bad foot...! That at the dodgy face. I did want to try the pool, but forget the speedos!

Many thanks for your comment and good wishes. Appreciate it! I've been to Bumrungrad before as well. Bit pricey unless you're fully covered by insurance, but regarded by many as the best hospital in Thailand. I was looking at the Citrus Hotel on Soi 11. I've also stayed at the one on Soi 13. I presume they are the same ownership. Wasn't aware of the one on Soi 6. Maybe one for the future!

Many thanks, Jimmy. Yes, that one member of staff kept tabs on me for my whole stay, which was really thoughtful of him. He was forever coming to ask if everything was ok. I hope his bosses see the video and commend him! Breakfast was nice and fresh. All the food was hot at 7.30.... can't vouch whether it would still be hot by your normal arrival time, mate! It's probably an indication that you have more fun on the previous night. I'm early to bed with a cocoa and a good book these days! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Thanks, David. I think they should provide a level of service which meets the needs of their customers. It's funny that in almost every other hotel I've ever been to they try (sometimes almost forcibly) to help you carry your bags even when you don't need it. On the one occasion when I did need it, nobody took any notice! I'm not sure if the carpet design is meant to hide the stains if someone were to vomit on it, or is actual meant to induce the same effect! Either way we actually agree on this one. Not to my taste for a corridor!

This is such a ridiculous comment. This hotel is literally next to one the biggest and most well known hospitals in Southeast Asia.

Seems like a very nice hotel. They should be bending over backwards to assist anyone who needs assistance.

@@MyNewUA-camAccount Many thanks for your comment. I'm sure most people would agree with you 100%. 👍

I don't know the exact history, but I know my Thai friends don't consider their own sausages as a breakfast food, and they think hotdog sausages are better than pork breakfast sausages! I never take the Thai chipolata sausages from hotel buffets because they are invariably awful!