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tokyobelle
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Okay, you may need to humor me here, but I have some concerns.
My friend and I are two women in our late twenties and would probably be what you call flashpackers-we have good jobs but we also enjoy a good value.
Essentially, we want a clean, comfortable room-we're not looking for frills, or deluxe items. We'd like it to be safe, relaxing, and clean. That's about it. So far, we've decided upon Moon Huts in Samui, Lamphu House in BKK, and still looking at some other options in Chiang Mai-including Parami Guest House. Essentially, we're looking at about 400-700 Baht per night, and we were fine with this until we realized that this is still less than $20 per night and well...
We live in Tokyo (the land of the $10 beer), so maybe we've been here too long but we're starting to panic that we're not paying enough. I know we could spend Tokyo style prices and stay in the 4-5 star hotels, but we don't want to do that-we'd be happy with simple value. We're actually trying to save money by going to Thailand as opposed to spending the summer in Tokyo (really).
So really, what's a fair amount to expect to pay in these places for basic, clean, safe rooms?
#1 Posted: 9/7/2006 - 22:35
somtam2000
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Hi tokyobelle -- so what you're saying is you feel like you are not paying enough... it is definetly time to leave Tokyo!
For pricing purposes, we clasify a "flashpacker" as somebody who is budgetting 600B-1500B per night on accommodation -- I know that is a big range, but there is a huge variation in price across the country.
I'd say if you wanted an average guide -- look at 600-800B a night for bottom end flashpacker adequacy, and 1,000-1,500 for pretty smart affairs -- especially once you're out of the big cities like Bangkok (where the prices are a little inflated).
#2 Posted: 9/7/2006 - 23:06
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tokyobelle
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Thanks, that definitely helps. Yes, I've paid $20 for a cocktail (from the same hotel bar as Lost in Translation) and $200 for a pair of pants, but I'm also paid in yen and I get lots of other perks from my employer, so I don't hurt for cash in the world's most expensive city. Although the prices do hurt sometimes. If anyone has ever led the life of a backpacker in this city though, I am seriously in awe of you...
So while we can afford to upgrade (and may do so at some point), would 400-600B or the upper backpacker group get us something clean and basic in Bangkok, Samui and Chiang Mai? I know there's exceptions and such, but just as general rule of thumb?
#3 Posted: 10/7/2006 - 13:05
neeners
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At 400 baht (low peak rate), Moon Hut's standard fan bungalow is a pretty good value. The huts are fairly new, there are screens on the windows so you can leave your window open at night without the fear of getting eaten alive by mosquitos and the bathroom is clean.
#4 Posted: 10/7/2006 - 19:42
exacto
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belle,
the price range you've listed will get you a good, clean fan room in places like chiang mai and samui and even bangkok. if you want air-con, you can expect to pay 200 to 300 baht more per night.
to give you some examples, we stayed at the thai cozy hotel in bangkok (khao san road area) and the ps guesthouse (sukhumvit soi 8) on this trip. both were about 900 baht per night and both were quite good. in chiang mai, we stayed at cm blue house for just 250 baht for a fan room and it was super clean and fantastic.
you can read the listings on the site here to get an idea of what those places offer and read the reviews we added too if you like. in any case, don't worry. the price range you are seeing gets you a good place to stay. cheers.
#5 Posted: 10/7/2006 - 21:00
neeners
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...and with the money you saved on those cheap but great value accomodations, you can go crazy shopping in Bangkok's many markets ;)
#6 Posted: 11/7/2006 - 00:40
tokyobelle
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...and with the money you saved on those cheap but great value accomodations, you can go crazy shopping in Bangkok's many markets ;)
My thinking exactly. You're a mindreader. : ) Thanks everyone for your words of reassurance and for letting me know I won't have to hide from those pesky student loan people when I return. ;)
#7 Posted: 11/7/2006 - 09:44
EmjayReet
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Hi TokyoBelle
You might want to check out www.julieguesthouse.com We are staying there in December and it is really cheap but have spoken with some other travellers who say that it is a great place to stay. We are paying about 200baht for the night but have a hot shower, a private toilet and am told it is really clean!
Worth having a look!
#8 Posted: 11/7/2006 - 12:32
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