Try Areca lodge on Soi Diana its an excellent hotel with execllent service, good quality rooms, two swimming pools and a gym, no lady fees and the room rates include 2 breakfats per day. It is reasonably priced and better quaility than the cheapy hotels. If you join Pattaya Sports club about 700 Bhat you will get a discount on the room rate.
http://www.arecalodge.com/
Normally don't need to worry too much about booking before travelling to Thailand, and since you are on a package for the first few days you can just go round and have a look at a few of the hotels and make your mind up when you are there. On the other hand I'm not sure on present availability since the tsunami may have caused tourists to divert to Pattya instead of going to Phuket.