9 hours ago, Lucky said:

I stayed once at the Raya and didn't really like it. I didn't know about the breakfast offering, which is fine since I like a big western buffet. LeMeridien has a pretty good mix of western and Asian foods.

I didn’t like Raya either and would not return.  Cheap but poor quality.  

12 hours ago, floridarob said:

You didn't tag me, hoping I'd miss it??

No, I just did not master how to tag yet

8 hours ago, captainmick said:

I didn’t like Raya either and would not return.  Cheap but poor quality.  

Obviously your meaning of "cheap" is not aligning with mine. Chances  are, "poor quality" is misaligned too. 

My friends have made their booking and paid RM8 extra (about 62 Baht) for breakfast for two. I think it's a good deal overall. Thanks to everyone who provided constructive feedback.

57 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Obviously your meaning of "cheap" is not aligning with mine. Chances  are, "poor quality" is misaligned too. 

Everything is subjective… like Bangkok vs Pattaya.

7 minutes ago, Enchanted_Elixir said:

Everything is subjective… like Bangkok vs Pattaya.

Dead vs alive...very subjective in Pattaya.

4 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

Dead vs alive...very subjective in Pattaya.

Not sure who's rubbing off on you more, my sarcasm or one of @Olddaddy personalities 😏

6 minutes ago, floridarob said:

Not sure who's rubbing off on you more, my sarcasm or one of @Olddaddy personalities 😏

Neither. It's number 69 from X-boys. 😉

7 minutes ago, mauRICE said:

Neither. It's number 69 from X-boys. 😉

Pattaya: changing lives one personality at a time...

1 hour ago, floridarob said:

Pattaya: changing lives one personality at a time...

Actually, I was last in Pattaya in 2020! I have no idea who number 69 is or if there is a number 69. 😅 Pattaya is my least favourite Thai city but you guys are tempting me to give it another shot with your updates. I also get live reports when I chat on cam with Thai friends and can see quite clearly what's happening on the beach, the city, the nightlife venues, etc, not to mention the social media overload. Plus we've got direct flights from KUL to UTP three times a week...

I think the Raya offers good value for money. Although I've noticed before that the rooms are sometimes considerably more expensive than comparable hotels in the area, and sometimes lower. So, as always, compare current prices between hotels.

I found the beds too hard. I slept very poorly the first night. The next morning I asked reception for an extra mattress topper, which they arranged for me in no time, and then the hard-bed issue was solved.

I was very disappointed with breakfast. But if, as mentioned in this thread, it's only an extra $3 per night, it's worth considering. I personally don't like Asian breakfasts, so I always opt for the Western options. And those were limited. I remember that the breakfast buffet closed quite early, though I don't remember the exact time.

2 hours ago, emiel1981 said:

I think the Raya offers good value for money. Although I've noticed before that the rooms are sometimes considerably more expensive than comparable hotels in the area, and sometimes lower. So, as always, compare current prices between hotels.

I found the beds too hard. I slept very poorly the first night. The next morning I asked reception for an extra mattress topper, which they arranged for me in no time, and then the hard-bed issue was solved.

I was very disappointed with breakfast. But if, as mentioned in this thread, it's only an extra $3 per night, it's worth considering. I personally don't like Asian breakfasts, so I always opt for the Western options. And those were limited. I remember that the breakfast buffet closed quite early, though I don't remember the exact time.

Did they charge your for the mattress topper? I asked for an extra pillow and they said 30 bhat. 

18 hours ago, BangkokDreamer said:

Did they charge your for the mattress topper? I asked for an extra pillow and they said 30 bhat. 

They didn't charge me anything extra. 

IMHO breakfast at Raya is nothing special served in a depressing white room. Go to Starbucks or to Foodland instead.

6 hours ago, Enchanted_Elixir said:

IMHO breakfast at Raya is nothing special served in a depressing white room. Go to Starbucks or to Foodland instead.

Foodland  yes, Starbucks,  No!

35 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Foodland  yes, Starbucks,  No!

Everything is subjective 🤷‍♂️

21 minutes ago, Enchanted_Elixir said:

Everything is subjective 🤷‍♂️

Indeed, my hatred of Starbucks  is quite irrational! Apart from their poor coffee......

4 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Foodland  yes, Starbucks,  No!

Agreed on Starbucks. I think I've been in one three or four times my entire life and always because somebody else wanted to go there. I usually support the independents in Thailand. Good and inexpensive coffee, breads and cakes supplied by local bakeries and stay-at-home mums seeking some income and, because of their relative small size, these cafes are a great way to make new friends with both the Thai and foreign regulars.

Never been to the restaurant in Foodland and can't comment but many forum members seem to like it.

Since I'm not big coffee drinker I was in Starbucks only once in my entire life. But occasion was special - forum member had several hours layover in my city, we met on occasion and he invited me there. 

Only good thing about starbucks is the free wifi if and when needed during the day which is not that often, I don't mind their cheesecakes so will have some when using the wifi

I prefer Starbucks.

6 hours ago, Lucky said:

I prefer Starbucks.

Perhaps you don't drink coffee?

The Raya is my favourite hotel in this neighbourhood.

I also like Le Méridien, but this is more expensive as it is part of the Marriot group.