If you’ve been searching for hotels in Pattaya and come across terms like joiner policy, joiners, and joiner fees, this article explains what they mean, how they work, and when they affect you.
These are all terms commonly associated with guest friendly hotels, which in Pattaya generally means hotels that allow unregistered guests or visitors free of charge and are mostly popular with singles who visit Pattaya for nightlife and sometimes invite girls they meet back to their hotel room.
I’ve had a list of verified guest friendly hotels in Pattaya on this site since 2014. It’s a list I built and keep updated by emailing hotels to ask about their joiner policies, and here I share what I’ve learned about Pattaya hotel joiner policies along the way.
Joiner Policy
All hotels in Pattaya have a joiner policy of some sort; it sets out the terms and conditions under which joiners are allowed.
A joiner is anyone who is not registered as a guest at the hotel. They are typically someone who visits you or who you invite back to your room.
Most hotels in Pattaya allow joiners, although some charge a “joiner fee” for any visitor or guest who was not registered at check-in.
Hotels in Pattaya that allow joiners free of charge are usually called guest friendly hotels, but are also known as joiner friendly, joiner free, and girl friendly hotels.
Free Joiner Terms and Conditions
Maximum number of joiners allowed: Most guest friendly hotels in Pattaya allow one joiner free of charge when you’re staying in a standard double room with a capacity for two adults. At some hotels, the limit is one joiner per day, while others allow multiple joiners per day, provided you only bring them back one at a time.
When a hotel allows more than one joiner, it will normally charge a joiner fee for additional joiners. For example, you may be charged if you exceed the hotel’s one-joiner-per-day limit or bring two joiners back at the same time.
Room capacity: Although it ultimately depends on the hotel’s joiner policy and shouldn’t be assumed, some hotels have told me in response to my enquiries that they allow joiners up to the maximum occupancy of the room. For example, if you book a triple room with a capacity for three adults, they may allow you to bring two joiners back at the same time.
Minimum age of joiners: This varies from one hotel to the next. Through email correspondence, I can tell you that it’s between 18 and 21 years old.
Joiners must report to the hotel front desk: Most hotels in Pattaya will insist that your joiner/guest report to the front desk with their ID card or passport. Of course, you will find some hotels don’t always enforce this, and the Classroom Hotel is one that even provides a private entrance if you wish to use it.
Other conditions: These are rare, as most hotels in Pattaya have very relaxed joiner policies, but some may request that your guest leave at a specified time or not enter or use public areas and facilities.
Why Do Hotels Charge a Joiner Fee?
It’s generally to cover the costs of having an extra person in the room, such as administration, electricity, water, towels, and cleaning. On the other hand, it’s reasonable to speculate that some hotels, particularly family-oriented ones, charge a joiner fee to discourage guests from bringing back unregistered visitors while not banning them completely.
How to Check a Hotel’s Joiner Policy
Very few hotels mention on their website that they allow joiners free of charge, so you often end up searching for up-to-date lists, recommendations on forums, or even mentions in hotel reviews.
These can be useful places to start, and you’ll soon build a picture of which hotels are the most popular guest friendly hotels too. But to be certain of a hotel’s current joiner policy, you should contact the hotel yourself, preferably by email, so you have their response in writing.
That’s how I verify and keep my list of guest friendly hotels in Pattaya updated, and even if only for peace of mind, I recommend you do the same.
If you’re looking for guest friendly hotels because you’re visiting Pattaya for the nightlife, check out this first-timer’s guide to Pattaya girls and nightlife.