Can you help me pick between these 2 accommodations?
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Oct 30, 2012 11:33 PM Last Post By: Foot_Is_Grey
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Can you help me pick between these 2 accommodations?
Both rooms i negotiated to rent for 9000/baht/month, in high season, both are double bedrooms, both are in patong, equal distance from the beach, they are similar in many ways, except one is a condo, and the other a private room at a backpacker hostel. Both have free internet, fan, (i don't use AC), the condo has a balcony, but the street view is nicer at the hostel, The condo has a deposit, the hostel not. Both have ensuite bathroom. The condo has seperate utility fee, but since i don't use AC, that shouldn't matter much. The hostel price is inclusive of utilities. Both places are near 24hour minimarts. The condo is managed by some Italian rental office place, and rents out dozens of properties around phuket. The hostel is run by an expat with a rooftop bar/restaurant, but has assured me the room is quiet. It seems like the condo would be the better choice, but i just want to double check i am not missing something. Which do you think?http://cheapcharlies.slowboat.org/rates.shtml
http://phuketrenthouse.com/5707/patong-condo-apartment-near-beach-1-bedroom-furnished
1
Wow, so it IS rocket science after all!I mean, if you get 20 replies and it's 10 for condo and 10 for hostel, where's your next decision-maker thread going to be? I hope you're not an airline pilot.
They both look pretty dreary - how long will you stay? At least the condo is new, but it looks like a prison block - and are you sure the building is finished? They may well have one ready and are still banging away in the others, so that might be worth checking out before you decide.
The hostel looks like it's got everything covered - even with a cafe - and if he says it's quiet then it probably is?
I can't decide!
3
for me, that would be a no brainer. didn't look at site, but the hostel.1. no deposit, don't ever expect that returned here, especially short term tourist
2. utilities included. depending on rate. 10 baht a unit, it adds up very quick. their cost is 4 baht a unit.
3. the view, when relaxing and people watching in comfort, store bought munchies, bev, and toilet close
4. rooftop thing has definitely got to be a plus, should always be a breeze.
4
Yes i am also leaning toward the hostel, even though the rooftop bar may be noisy, the owner has said my room is quiet, but i like the idea of going up there and watching a sunset, or as you said take a breeze, but i wouldnt like it if there is loud music, or drunkerds, up there. I am surprised to hear the deposit is returned, how can they justify that?5
I am surprised to hear the deposit is returned,
You really meant to say "Isn't" returned.
They don't have to justify it - they know you're leaving and there's nothing you can do, but it's only a small minority of farang real estate agents who don't refund. Most give it back, less the fee for professional cleaning, and of course less any damage you do that needs to be repaired or replaced. Sadly, the worst offenders are Thai landlords - it's just a Thai thing that they simply HATE giving money back, and they just make one excuse after another until you give up.
Cheap Charlies has noisy band stuff going on almost every night - I don't think the place is big enough to escape the racket, especially in a concrete block building like it is. Even if you don't hear the music, you'll probably FEEL it - maybe not the sort of boom-boom you'd prefer!
6
Yes i also had similar concerns about Cheap Charlies, but the farang manager has assured me the room I want is quiet. If he says its quiet, i will hold him to that. Maybe the room is on the 1st floor, or ground floor, furthest away from the roof, and therefore quitest, i don't know. I asked twice about noise, and twice he said it's quiet.7
the farang manager has assured me the room I want is quiet. If he says its quiet, i will hold him to that.How will you "hold him to that'? He's established, working the system, and you're a visitor. Your best bet is stay in the room for a week or more, and decide whether it suits you. It might be noisy a couple of times a week or a month, which you could put up with, or avoid.
Hope it works out!
8
Well if its just a couple nights a week, and between 11pm-2am, i can arrange to go out during that period to avoid the music, drunks on the roof. However if it's a nightly ruckus, and taking up a large portion of the evening, i don't think it's going to work.I would have loved to try out the place, for a week, or a few days, but then I lose the monthly deal I get, its 450/day, since I'm staying a month, I negotiated it down to 300/day. So, if I prepay, i have to stay there 1 month, no matter what I think of the place.
9
I would never book into a backpackers hostel and pay a months rent upfront just because its cheaper! You obviously have your doubts so go and stay a couple of nites and pay normal rates. If you enjoy it there and wish to stay longer then you can negotiate a cheaper price. Patong does not attract a lot of backpackers and as such it would not surprise me if this hostel is relatively quiet due to the small number of people staying there. The fact he is willing to negoiate an atractive monthly rate also suggests this.ADVERTISEMENT
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