Not sure if Rome Boutique Hotel has undergone a sudden change or not, but checking in (24 January, 2013) for a 3 night stay I was followed by a family with 2 young children. Definitely a surprise for a hotel promoting itself as 100% gay. The young woman that showed me to my room also advised that the mini-bar, previously marketed as free and included in the room rate was, in fact, not free.
•Electronic entry-key-card system and DVD player in every room....Not in my double deluxe room.
When I inquired of the front desk, the same young lady that showed me my room, whether the hotel had just undergone management changes, she did not seem to know the answer. When I outright asked if this was a gay hotel, she smiled and said "No, not a gay hotel."
I had to do a double take and make sure I was not at the wrong hotel, that by some freak of science had all of my check-in and personal information when I arrived. Nope. Same Rome Boutique Hotel that is marketed here, on a number of other gay accommdation hotel sites and in the local Thai GLBT publications such as Out, Max and Thai Puan.
This type of bait and switch marketing taking advantage of GLBT travellers who wish to patronize GLBT businesses is shameful. If the hotel has changed it management, it should notify those already booked of such a change so that other arrangements can be made.
Rome Boutique Hotel in Pattaya is NOT a gay hotel. Furthermore, the way the young woman somewhat guiggled and looked away when asked the question, it has not even made this traveller feel it is even gay-friendly.
I can only imagine what the balance of my paid-for visit will surprise me with.