hilton disco

[dtaai-maai]

Been in there a dozen times and hated it. Maybe I'm too integrated now into Thai society

A dozen visits? Blimey, richard, it takes you a while to make your mind up!

[richard]

SJ

Cambodians


DM

Got dragged there by visitors who thought it safer than venturing out and about

[kendo]

I can understand for local expats, same same on the border of shite, i think it's o.k when we are in town we will go and dance and meet up with friends, for us it's just going back to old times.
The disco does not have anything to do with the hotel my wife used to work in reception and we met in the disco, at weekends we have tryied to blag our way in but i would rather spare the bullshit, and pay rather than some two bit security gaurd that thinks he can have some authority over me, i am a proud lad and that is not goinng to happen..

The more Thai oreantated establishments are great, if you are in with Thai's, i would not really recommend new toursts, first timers go there un less thay are very savey.

SJ...
When we come back we will show you our best dance moves if you will show us yours and dont forget that shell suit..
Kendo.

[Chas]

Just to be clear, the Hilton Club has two entrances . .one from the street through the HH Brewing Co setup and the other from the Hotel colonnade side which also leads to the parking garage. Both are setup to charge you when there is a cover charge in effect.

It has always seemed fairly safe as the complex was built to Western Standards. ..wide double doors, three ways out that I know of ( probably more in service area, sprinklers, windows to break out, etc. Havent made a complete check but I always look for the exits in these places on the rare occasions when I enter. (DJ Station in Bkk is worse than Santika if that is possible. Narrow crowded soi to begin with, one main entrance, packed to overflowing, several floors. . .I found myself there a couple of weeks ago and that was absolutely the last time!)

The ONLY good thing about the Hilton is that it has a proper dance floor, though if you get up to dance when it is crowded, you lose your table and drinks! The band is usually crap I agree, though they have had really excellent bands in the past. Spot on covers and good musicians. The last good band I remember was a "reggae" outfit which opened with a couple of the best sets of reggae I have heard. Once people started dancing, though, they switched to their crap pop stuff. Never figured that out.

Like Kendo, for me it is a place to meet friends from the old days and with a bunch of friends it can be a fun night out.

One of the posters here was right about the bar girls and the crazy farangs ( especially the type who find it amusing to simulate sexual activity with the bar girls on the dance floor)but it is definitely not a katoey hangout. I have never seen more than one or two there ( possibly three) in all these years and they are far less offensive than the above mentioned farangs. IMHO

[Wanderlust]

Chas,
That pretty much sums it up for me as well. It works well for the tourists and I'm sure rakes in the money as well - when i first came to Hua Hin it was the place that a lot of the expats went to after their favourite bar(s) as they had a cracking band then, but once that band left they never really seemed to find another one as good, and the clientele also changed and more Thais started going there - nothing against that as such, but it was the younger aggressive Thais and there was often trouble there for a while. Can't remember if that was before or after they started charging but it might be connected, but I had some good times there before. Drop in very occasionally now but the music is crap and the prices high so no reason to linger.

[hhfarang]

Been there twice when other people wanted to go... too loud for an old fart like me!

[Chas]

HHfarang, I wont ever go in without foam earplugs. The DJ hikes the volume with every set ( the louder it is the more "sanuk" right?)

With the earplugs, the decibel level is bearable, but the band still sucks unfortunately. And this seems to be the universal opinion oddly enough. You often have the spectacle of a full dance floor with people boogieing to the DJ beats suddenly emptying when the band takes the stage. ( Vote with your dancing feet!)

[Super Joe]

Despite what we locals think of it and the music, it is a nightclub in a 5 star hotel with live band that a lot in there like (we think its cack) air-con, all the fire exits, proper bogs, waitress girls serving you where you stand etc. It's effectively free to get in as you get 2 drinks vouchers.
The prices are not expensive in there taking this into account, they are in line with any other club in a 5 star hotel in the centre of town, most of which don't have around 100-150 girls all smiling at you ready to chat you etc.
You can't compare the prices to 'some' of the Bintabaht bars where you get bit by mossies, nearest fan is 12 foot away, one toilet for men and ladies (no paper, running water, last cleaned in Septmber 2006), sitting under an asbestos roof, same crappy music, out of date beers etc etc.
But hey, I love these bars they are my second home, rather them like than than all shiny and new.

SJ

[DaveT]

Hi BB,

It wasn't me that got clobbered for drinks but another farang in there.

That was the first time I was in there and it was the first thing I saw when I squeezed my way to the bar. That first visit lasted about 3 minutes - I just turned round and walked out on seeing this.

10 minutes and you got hit for a bunch of drinks They must be watching that hotel entrance and tracking you to the bar - then listening carefully. Either that or the bar staff are less than honest.

There's a separate entrance from the hotel side, hence you don't have to go through the main door where I guess you have to pay.

The only potential plus side is that you can run a tab on your room number.

Neither privilege of staying at the Hilton sounds like much of a privilege.

[DaveT]

I agree with most of what you say Chas.

But as a resident (last time I was in there anyway) if you show your room key to the "security" you get in free.

I totally agree that the crazy, boozed up farangs are far worse than the ladyboys. The limited time I spent in there, the 5 or 6 lady boys were really well behaved and just having fun. They were chatting normally and having a laugh with the sober farangs.

Many of the boozed up farangs however were just dreadful. The atmosphere was such that it was obvious a brawl was inevitable. This was early 2008.

I'll be back in HH 2 or 3 times this year and will probably stay at the Hilton, though the last 3 times I've been it's been the Marriott. There was a big price differential, even though I have a gold card - Hilton was around 10,000 baht a night for an Exec room whereas Marriott was about 8k for a ground floor beachfront room. There's no Exec lounge in Marriott, but apart from that it's a far better hotel, friendlier staff and quieter!!

Just to be clear, the Hilton Club has two entrances . .one from the street through the HH Brewing Co setup and the other from the Hotel colonnade side which also leads to the parking garage. Both are setup to charge you when there is a cover charge in effect.

It has always seemed fairly safe as the complex was built to Western Standards. ..wide double doors, three ways out that I know of ( probably more in service area, sprinklers, windows to break out, etc. Havent made a complete check but I always look for the exits in these places on the rare occasions when I enter. (DJ Station in Bkk is worse than Santika if that is possible. Narrow crowded soi to begin with, one main entrance, packed to overflowing, several floors. . .I found myself there a couple of weeks ago and that was absolutely the last time!)

The ONLY good thing about the Hilton is that it has a proper dance floor, though if you get up to dance when it is crowded, you lose your table and drinks! The band is usually crap I agree, though they have had really excellent bands in the past. Spot on covers and good musicians. The last good band I remember was a "reggae" outfit which opened with a couple of the best sets of reggae I have heard. Once people started dancing, though, they switched to their crap pop stuff. Never figured that out.

Like Kendo, for me it is a place to meet friends from the old days and with a bunch of friends it can be a fun night out.

One of the posters here was right about the bar girls and the crazy farangs ( especially the type who find it amusing to simulate sexual activity with the bar girls on the dance floor)but it is definitely not a katoey hangout. I have never seen more than one or two there ( possibly three) in all these years and they are far less offensive than the above mentioned farangs. IMHO

[Chas]

Dave, I have never had a room at the Hilton and never seen a guest show the room key to get in so this is an interesting bit of info.

Have to agree with you about the Marriott! I know many of the staff there very well and they are exceptional. There is a real dedication to service at the Marriott though you do meet some nice staff at the Hilton ( I belong to their health club.)

[DaveT]

Dave, I have never had a room at the Hilton and never seen a guest show the room key to get in so this is an interesting bit of info.

Have to agree with you about the Marriott! I know many of the staff there very well and they are exceptional. There is a real dedication to service at the Marriott though you do meet some nice staff at the Hilton ( I belong to their health club.)

Chas, free entry for residents was definitely there last time I stayed there, which was Feb 08 if my memory serves me correctly.

The Marriott is better staff-wise, though I was there in November 08 for 9 nights and the standard of service has dropped a little. But the girls are great, have such a laugh with them. It's just a more relaxed atmosphere generally than Hilton. The only downside is that it's a tuk tuk to get into town, but no big deal.

A bit off topic I guess as we're talking about hotels now, but I haven't stayed at Sofitel. Might give that a try some time.

[Super Joe]

Sofitel is well stuffy, they come down for dinner in suits and that, it's like a library in there shhhhhh. Marriott is much better, friendly and relaxed IMO.
Never stayed in either I should add but mates have and spent some time in there with them and definately recommend Marriott. Don't they have a free shuttle bus into town ?

SJ

[DaveT]

Sofitel is well stuffy, they come down for dinner in suits and that, it's like a library in there shhhhhh. Marriott is much better, friendly and relaxed IMO.
Never stayed in either I should add but mates have and spent some time in there with them and definately recommend Marriott. Don't they have a free shuttle bus into town ?

SJ

Hi SJ,

I'm not aware of a free shuttle bus. A tuk tuk is only 80 baht (obviously that's priced so you give them 100) but I find it useful to get to know the security guys outside who call the tuk tuk for you. That way if you come back later with some company you get the thumbs up and a smile . .

Sounds like I should give Sofitel and miss then. I go to Hua Hin so as not to have to wear a suit!!

I guess the Hyatt is the other main hotel. Not stayed there either, too far out of town for a start.

[Super Joe]

Hi Dave, Hyatt is a lot further out and a lot pricier.
Not 100% about the shuttle bus at Marriott, you'd need to check that one out, it's only about 10 mins walk from town though.

Definately the choice when friends come out, its so relaxed in there.

Enjoy,

SJ