Basically after starting to settle down in the first place we stayed in (Bally's Studio located just on Soy 20), we were in a way forced to moved out so our entire team could live under one roof. It was a poorly thought out plan as you will see why.
Our move was to Soy 3 and to a hotel called Unico Leela. Soy 3 is labeled a business district by many. Much to our dismay this so called business district is more of a sleaze street than anything else. More on that later.
Anyways, we checked out at 12pm (1st March '08-Saturday) and was chauffeured by our Reporting Manager's (Yes, the RM is very rich person) personal driver to the hotel. It was pretty exciting at first because I was expecting better/luxurious facilities than a normal service apartment. Boy was I ever wrong...
The first thing that bumped me out was the bitchy receptionist. Not so much as greeting us upon our arrival. And what's worst... no rooms to accomodate us. And we had to wait for almost an hour to be able to get access to one. Then it gets even better, she was practically pissed off by our very humble inquiries on rooms and facilities. What the hell? If she's gonna be like this to guests, might as well get other jobs. Obviously the service line ain't for her.
Anyways... I was led to a room for inspection. Initially we asked for twin share room. But the room first showed to me had 3 beds. And a lot of space. But the downside to it is that it's extremely run down, and smelled of cigarettes. Carpet was torn up here and there... it looked like a mess... Initially I mistakenly thought that they showed me the wrong room (Due to the 3 beds), and re-confirmed. They bell boy led me back to the lobby. Apparently later I found out that they mistook me for rejecting the room. I would say thank God for that, I sure hell won't wanna pay that much amount to be living in a rat hole.
Later another room was prepared and we settled in... and it's 60% the space we had in our previous stay. Which was extremely disappointing and killed the mood completely.
My goal was to search out ways of handling the laundry. The hotel does provide laundry service. But I wasn't sure how theirs worked and they charge a bomb for it. So I was off to inquire from the receptionist again on how to go about with laundry, not surprisingly she acted all bitchy again and directed me to call the laundry number. What the hell. How the hell am I supposed to make inquiries if the laundry person doesn't even speak English.
Anyways, went out for a stroll in the business district and to grab lunch at around 3pm.
Soy 3. a 1-way busy road.
This direction, headed to Nana station main road. At night, lots of sex workers would hang around.
Soy 3 is also where the middle eastern people reside. So naturally you will see lots of restaurants offering cuisines that reflect their culture.
Chilled lamb
I wanted to search for a decent laundry place. Though they offer more affordable prices than tht hotel, their operation hours just don't suite.
Finally got a chance to stroll inside Nana square.
Sad to say... that it's run down. And practically deserted.
Lunch at a restaurant called Chok Dee. Offers Hong Kong dim sum (Bad ones) and Bak Kut Teh (also Bad one)
Self explanatory. Later that night we watched a movie (27 dresses) at Central World. It was a very disappointing movie (1/5) and did not help lighten up my spirits in any way. Pork Burger @ McDs for dinner and that basically summed up the entire non-productive day.
Central World cinema. VERY VERY BIG. Which spans nearly 2 1/2 floors! Very interesting experience. Before the movie starts, the audience have to stand up for a 1 minute tribute to the King. Interesting experience overall. ;-)
Lots of people flock this cinema.On the upcoming weeks, we suffered staying at that crappy place. Paid a bomb for our in-hotel laundry service (Cost me over 2000 Baht just for 4 sessions. 6 pieces of clothing per session). Endured countless roaches prowling in our room and even on my bed!!!
Despite various complains and supposed action taken by the management (Particularly the roach infestation), there just wasn't any difference. But the receptionist was a little more polite than her usual self after our initial complains. They even sent up fruit baskets to us and refills throughout our stay.
We checked out on the 19th (Day 28, flew back to Malaysia for 5 days). Upon our return, we moved back to our old place! Which was absolutely, positively, FABULOUS!
Bye-Bye Unico Leela, no thanks to your crappy services. Once is enough to leave a lifetime of bad after taste.
Some comparison between Bally's Studios and Unico Leela:
In Bally's we stayed in an Executive Suite. so did we in Unico Leela.
| Features | Bally's Studio | Unico Leela |
| Rates (per month) | Size 32-39 sq.m Rates[Baht] 2,500/Daily 38,000/Monthly. Bally's may be more expensive on a per-night stay basis. But monthly wise, it's far cheaper than Unico Leela's. | 1,700 nett per night. Although we had the half monthly rates going on, so it was cheaper. It's around 1,500 Baht |
| Fridge, Sink in room | Yes | Fridge-Yes (Tiny one) Sink-No (Bathroom's) |
| Internet access in room | Yes | No. Instead you are either stuck with their Internet stations downstairs (Which cost 50 Baht for 15 minutes) or endure the countless mosquitoes on your butt while surfing with free wi-fi connectivity. |
| TV + DVD player in room | Yes and with good variety of cable channels. | No. Just a TV. And so limited channels to watch |
| Roaches | HELL NO. | What the hell… YES! Grr… |
| Swimming pool | Yes | Err… Yes… But just next to a smelly monsoon drain. |
| Gym | Yes | No |
| Breakfast variey | Not so good. But healthy. | Slightly better. But oily as heck. |
| Transportation accessibility | Good | Good |
| Laundry | Good, efficient, and cheap! | Expensive as hell and unreliable. |
| Staff | Very friendly and efficient | Looks as though they're having PMS every day. |
| Overall experience | VERY SATISFIFED | Bye-bye. |
There you have it. An overall comparison. But just to be fair. It wouldn't be right to undermine Unico Leela all the way. If you do indeed have only few days stay, and that every where else is full and they offer good prices that period, go for it. It all depends on various circumstance anyway.
But long term stay is a definite NO-NO.
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