A fine Tuesday, I'm onboard Air Asia flight to Bangkok. I was invited as a hosted buyer to the Pan-Asia Forum in Pattaya from 26-28 June 2012. Till date, I've not attended such badly organised trade event. A very bad experience and I doubt I will come to their event in future.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, we were not greeted by anyone at the only exit after immigration clearance and was told by other hotel reps where they standing. I went to Gate 4 and saw them, we have total 12 buyers from Singapore. There were 2 reps unfortunately none follow us for the transfer to Pattaya. So, 10 buyers into one combi. The journey to Pattaya should take less then 2hrs or at 2hrs. But, we took 3hrs to arrived our hotel. We were stopped half way to refill the petrol and the driver drives really slow.
Cos of the tiring ride, we've already in a cranky mood. Another disappointment when we arrived at Royal Cliff Hotel, no one greet us, welcome us and no sign or banner to mention about this event at the hotel. We gave to pull our own luggages, check-in by ourselves and after everyone has left to their rooms, I saw the lady staff came with the welcome drinks and towels. This first bad impression of Royal Cliff has given me.
The Royal Cliff Grand Hotel, the main sponsor fir the accommodation for this event, is one of the region’s flagship properties and a member of the prestigious collection, Great Hotels of the World.
All the buyers were staying at Mini-Suite (Seaview) at Beach Hotel. Nice and cosy suite, I had great view from my balcony. There is free LAN-cable for Internet but chargeable at B600 (24hrs) if you want the Wi-Fi access. I forgotten highlight to the hotel, no matter how Eco-friendly a hotel can be, we do not share slippers in the room. I had a worn slippers in my room. It was placed nicely at the luggage corner and obviously worn with the black stain on both ends. I can't imagine the hotel expected us to share when we don't event the previous person who wears the slipper has any skin diseases.
Not all are negative comments. Here are the good ones. The room service is good, 24hrs service, the price is cheap, and the food is great! I ordered room service for two days bcos the food is nicer then the hosted meals. Now I start their Tom-Yum Kung...the prawns were so fresh~
Pan Asia Forum has done 4 successful events in the past but I was surprised there isn't any hotel site inspections arranged throughout the whole event. Our main purpose is to see hotels and to convince our groups why they should choose Pattaya for their meetings or conferences.
I'm really glad we made own arrangement for the site inspection at Hilton Pattaya. Otherwise I wouldn't there is such a trendy and beautiful hotel in the city of Pattaya.
The hotel lobby is located on 17th floor. Spacious, Stylish, Woody, Unique and Luxury... these are the words pop in my mind when came out of the lift. I really the designs and the resort feel at the lounger next to the pool, makes you forgotten you are in a city.
Best of all, there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel area and the rooms. This is important to many people like us who are tech-savvy. We can't leave without for minute.
Beautiful Deluxe Executive Room that comes with club lounge service and breakfast for 2.
This is Deluxe Executive Plus..same inclusive but with more space, additional hall plus outdoor bathtub.. Really sexy and cool!
The Executive Lounge which you get enjoy light snacks, beverages, networking and good view of the city from the full length windows.
For those who meeting groups who are in search for a new venue, this is the ideal place to choose. Beautiful set-up and they can accommodate from a good 15 persons for an exclusive boardroom meeting to 700 delegates for a grand event.
We took a ride with the DOS of Hilton Pattaya to the grand dinner place. It was held at Nook Nooch Village and I assure you, the dinner is not grand at all. It's buffet style and the food menu is like the tourist menu. The cultural dance shows and the lighting of the lanterns are plus bonus to replace the lousy dinner we had.
Some information on Pattaya
Pattaya, Thailand’s first beach resort, is undergoing a renaissance. With a major public-private sector effort under way to redesign and rebuild the resort into a family, fun, events–driven, and MICE destination.
Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya, is a symbol of the tremendous growth in the Thai tourism industry. Thailand’s first beach resort to attract international visitors, it has grown over the last three decades from a small fishing village into a world famous resort city.
Easily accessible from Bangkok, especially Suvarnabhumi International Airport, by a fast, modern motorway, it boasts a world-class convention centre, a wide range of accommodation options, over 300 restaurants, three large, modern shopping malls, and a broad range of activities from water-sports to go-kart racing.
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