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Thailand's Grand Hotels May Not Be So Grand

By: Larry Westfall


Posted Friday, January 01, 2010

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It is very convenient to book your Thailand hotel online, but you have to be very careful about which hotel you choose. Thailand likes to use numerous superlatives in their hotel names which may or may not be true. You may want to visit one of the beautiful islands in the Land of Smiles, and book a beach resort only to find out it is not much of a resort nor is it on the beach.

The Grand Executive Boutique Suites may deceive you into thinking that this place is really something special when it is just another run of the mill hotel. Using terms like "spa", "green", "eco-friendly", and "boutique" are the latest buzz words that many hotels tend to use. These may just be words used to tempt you to go to their hotel.

Photos can also be deceiving. You may think that the hotel has an Olympic size swimming pool and when you arrive you find out it is smaller than a backyard pool. Your best bet is to read reviews on the hotel's web site along with independent reviews. They usually post both positive and negative reviews and this can provide a good indication on the quality of the hotel.

City-based forums can also be a wealth of information. There are Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket forums with up-to-date honest reviews and you can post questions and get straight answers. Hotel pricing can be a bit deceptive also. Ensure you check what you are getting for that discount price. Usually the first price listed is for the smallest room and it may not come with air conditioning.

To have a great holiday in Thailand will require a bit of research, but it will be worth it in the long run. The more time spent doing your homework will almost guarantee that you are not surprised when you arrive at your Thailand hotel. Research, ask questions, read reviews, and make your reservation through a secure web site. If it all goes according to plan, your Grand Hotel in Thailand will really be grand.

Larry Westfall is a retired expat living in Thailand and spends his free time with his metal detector at Thailand's beaches.

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