Первые впечатления First Impressions

We rested at Sandalay Resort Pattaya in the second half of November. There are some additions to previous reviews.
Hotel. Geometrically, the building is divided into 2 halves, separated by elevator shafts. From the windows of one half (western) you can see the sea, and from the other half (numbering rooms more than X30), because of these elevators, you can’t see it. But it should be noted that the sea is visible only from the balconies of 4-6 floors. Below, trees interfere.
In addition, one side of the building (northern) overlooks a nearby high-rise hotel with powerful air conditioners, and the sun does not peek through the windows.
So, if you have a “standard” with a sea view, then try to check into rooms 423.523, 623. In all other rooms, the declared “amenities” will remain on paper. Of the suites - the following rooms: X10, X20, X21, X22, respectively, on the 4.5 and 6 floors.

Sometimes mosquitoes were caught on the street and in the room, but the bites are most likely from the numerous midges near the pool and on the coast.
There are no complaints about the staff. If something was not reported by the maids during the day, they will instantly correct it at any time of the day by calling. Guests can be brought freely around the clock even to the pool, even to the room. At the reception there is a computer for the needs (free of charge) of vacationers. For breakfast, if you come from the sea, coupons are not always required.
There are more than 60 channels on TV, 3-4 channels in Russian (RTR-Planeta sometimes disappears). A lot of local advertising - you can visually view on these channels all the features of the proposed excursions, as well as information about shopping in the city.
Beach. Along the entire Beach Road, including in front of the hotel, boats for trips to the islands stand almost close to each other until noon. Therefore, swimming is not comfortable. But there are several fenced areas for swimming, the closest to the hotel is 70 meters to the right. The coastline is narrow, on it close to each other in the morning they place sun loungers (cloth chairs) under umbrellas. There are plenty of free places. Pay 30 baht in the morning and go back and forth all day. But sunbathing normally on these chairs is impossible: neither lie down nor stretch out. The sea is transparent only to a depth of a meter. Due to closely growing trees, leaves, fruits, seeds constantly float in the water. Well, traces of tourists also remain: during low tides, there are a lot of people who want to walk along the bottom several tens of meters from the shore with drinks and snacks.

Shopping. In the large shopping centers Festival, Lotus, Big C, both expensive goods and the same textiles / souvenirs are sold, as well as on the streets. Only in street markets can you bargain significantly. The largest selection (and cheaper, albeit at a fixed price) is in the center of Lukdod (at the end of North Street). You can order a free taxi there at the reception or by phone from your room (only one way). Walk to it for 30-40 minutes. On the streets in the free sale in a large selection of goods that are not quite allowed in our area: handcuffs, brass knuckles, knives with a throw-out blade, etc.
On the North there is the only Herbal pharmacy in the city - preparations from local vegetation. The salespeople at this pharmacy can explain everything in Russian. The same preparations in other places are more expensive, and raise doubts about the authenticity.
Some prices: beer 330/500ml - 25-40/45-70 baht; hard cheese - from 800 baht / kg; pineapple from 25 baht / piece; plain water 35-40 baht per 5l; magnets - 100 baht for 3 pieces;
Excursions. We went with Tez for free: a survey of the city, as well as to the crocodiles (in the same place with the park of stones). On both - a mandatory check-in to the jewelers (both factories are located on Severnaya Street), so the return to the hotel is at 15-16 hours. On the local Bounty-style island - Koh Chang - they bought a tour (with an overnight stay) on the street (cheaper than in Tez as much as 2.000 baht). Along the way, we found out that one company, “Margo”, conducts an excursion to this island, and all street agencies, as well as some tour operators, sell it, but prices vary by hundreds of baht. Therefore, there is no point in rushing. Koh Chang is the second largest island after Phuket, but it has just begun to be ennobled. The beach at the hotel where we spent the night is not equipped: there are several benches with tables and ropes tied to tree trunks for those who want to jump into the water. True, the water is knee-deep there. Those who wish for a fee (up to 1000 b) go swimming with elephants for 3 hours during the day. Who went - then they washed and spat for a long time... The program of this excursion includes a check-in (when leaving the city) to the monkeys, where they can be fed and filmed. But it should be borne in mind that the one-way trip takes about 4 hours. On the way back, we managed to watch 2 movies in the minibus (all excursion minibuses are equipped with a DVD with a screen).

Massage. Salons every 10 meters, or even more often. Having actually visited a dozen of them, we concluded that the differences in the perception of one's own body are insignificant. It all depends on the experience of the masseuse and her fingers. Prices: for feet and Thai - 100-250 baht, with oil - 250-350 baht. All are 1 hour long. Although the names are different, but each type of massage includes the treatment of the entire body (with the exception of the head).
The airport. When leaving, Duty Free does not differ in choice, the prices there are higher than ours. Other retail outlets on the same floor of the port, like ours at airports, have the entire city assortment of goods, but at a triple price.