Pattaya Hotel Reviews
Jomtien Beach...A small part of Pattaya but away from the maddening crowds. Check out ''Kaffa" Restaurant next to KFC at the end of the beach!
Pattaya is a bustling resort, there was plenty to see and do for us as a family. We spent some time on the beach (but do not expect the beach to match those of Phuket or Koh Samui). Plenty of shopping and too many good restaurants to count. Our daughters loved shopping in the Royal Garden Mall, Festival Mall and the Mike Shopping Plaza. I would also recomend Nang Nual Restaurant at the end of walking street for excellent sea food. We visited the Tiffany transvestite cabaret which was well done and a good show and make a visit to Pattaya Park (Water Park) which was OK but looking a little tired. Overall a good destination and we enjoyed it as a family, however the nightlife and bars may be a little too in your face for some.
Pattaya is a seaside resort with two characters. Shopping daytime and beach. Nightime it shows it''s sleazy side with girlie bars etc. Jomtien(South) and Wongamat(North) beaches are best. Pattaya beach is inclined to be dirty.
Tropical gardens near the hotel on Highway 3 is a terrific visit and value. For family or just one adult, well done and well maintained. A great introduction to Thailand and its environment.
Transportation around Pattaya is very easy as there are scores of public mini-type buses that can take you up and down the beach for 10 baht. For water sports I highly recommend hiring one of the many speedboats parked on the beach (about 600 baht per person) to one of the outer islands where the water is crystal clear. Pattaya beach itself is quite dirty.
Pattaya is not a place to visit unless you like a cheap (and slightly sleezy) environment. If you are British it would be akin to Blackpool. If you are from USA it''s Atlantic City.....you get the picture! Having said that, the golf is great (subject to droughts) and the value for money is excellent but that applies to most of Thailand! Thailand as a country is beautiful and long may it remain a haven for people who know how tom relax and enjoy themselves.
We have two children ages 6 and 9 and were looking for things to do with them that would keep us away from the "lively nightlife" Pattaya is known for. We found enough to keep us busy after a lazy day at the hotel pool or beach. Things to do are go-kart driving on Thep Prasit Road, Mini golf on Tappraya Road, visit the Ripley''s Museum at the Royal Garden Plaza (next to the Marriott Hotel). Lots of places to eat at the Royal Garden Plaza. There are plenty of water activities to choose from and our children loved the jet skis. There is shopping at the Outlet Mall on Sukhumvit Road next to the Tesco/Lotus store. On our way back to Bangkok we stopped at the Tiger Zoo in Sriracha. It is a big place and we rushed through it in an hour but really needed more time if we wanted to see all the shows. It was a nice way to break up the 2 1/2 hour drive back to Bangkok.
If you intend to do lots of shopping, stay in the South/Central Pattaya area. You can practially walk the entire street shops. If you prefer a quiter retreat, Jomtien beach would be a better option. Taxis (tuk-tuk) from Central Pattaya to Jomtien can cost about THB100 per couple.
Spent 1 week in Pattaya, basically to party a bit, and spend the rest of the time gathering sunshine at the pool. You can walk to most destinations such as Walking Street, but taxi is usually the way to go, especially on a hot day. Taxis will cost you between 10 - 20 baht, but most drivers will ask between 40 - 70 baht....this is where your bargaining skills can be sharpened...a few malls to see, lots of local food to try, and a few western fastfood outlets too (McDonald''s and Starbucks, Burger King...The McDonald''s in Pattaya actually looks and tastes better than what we have here in North America).<br> <br> Many motorcycle rentals, good for a quick jump to Jomtien Beach a few miles away, you can go parasailing, or just relax on the beach. Nightlife is fantastic, especially for the single guy, tons of beer bars and gogo bars, especially in the Walking Street area. It''s a bit of everything for everyone....everyone should at least see it once in their life, there''s nothing else like Pattaya.
Pattaya is like any tourist resort, full of people trying to sell you things - do bargain. But lots to do, for all ages. Recommend Tiger Zoo, rent a speed boat for the day and go fishing, parasailing, island trip etc...
Location is superb next to beach. Walk along the road for 10-15 mins to city centre. The children enjoyed the ''Ripley''s believe it or Not'' in Royal Garden Plaza Mall (10 mins walk away or 2 mins by ''minibus'' from Montien). Internet, 24 hrs supermarkets and restaurants all within 5-10 mins walk.
Pattaya is normally not the first choice for our trips out of Bangkok. It is loud, dirty and filled up with disgusting Bars and their custommers. If I will spent a family vacation, I wouln''t go there with kids. If you are looking for cheap shopping don''t buy at the stalls or try to bargain 50% off. If you have the possibility, go for shopping to Bangkok to the Suan Lum Nightmarket at Rama IV or go down to Jomtien, where you also can find T- Shirts, souvernirs and all that things.<br><br>In Jomtien there are some nice Restaurants to and you can go there with your kids, cause there are not that girlie bars as in Pattaya. If you like clean water and white beaches make a trip to Kho Lan, a little island opposite of Pattaya. Go there, to the backside of the island and you will never believe that you are near Pattaya. If you have a car, take your kids to Sri Racha to the tiger zoo. This is a real nice place for the whole family, where you can spent easy a whole day. Or go to Chonburi Marina, there you can join the Dolphin show and if you like you can swim together with the Dolphins. This trip takes 45 min. by car.
We had dinner in PIC Kitchen which was introduced by some guide books, the interior decoration of the restaurant is fantastic but the quality of food is not up to scale.
I know the area very well and love it. However I deeply dislike Pataya town, and much recommend any property further east of town, starting with the area named Jomtien. Beaches also get cleaner and less frequented. But if one saves to purchase an air ticket from Europe to the beer bars, fine by me.
Visited many restaurants, enjoyed them all. Wonderful massages, especially for my suffering feet and legs. Anyone who doesn''t enjoy Pattaya and the wonderful hospitality of the Thai people is seriously disturbed. I am 60 years old and a little slow because of nerve damage in my feet and the Thai people, both men and women treated my like royalty everywhere (except for an occasional hothead, but that''s to be expected in any large group. I just left hime with a kind word and went on to enjoy the friendliness of the overwhelming majority of Thai people).
We mostly stayed in the Jomtien Beach area and walked to eat at various local restaurants. We went to see the Alcazar cabaret show, which was a new experience for us. The tour company made it easy by having a small bus pick us up at our hotel and return us back there afterwards. We once took the local "baht bus" into Pattaya town.
Booking golf via the hotel is expensive and I would suggest people check out the internet before arriving at the hotel. I was paying about 2500 baht per person (Siam Country Club) for transport, green and caddy fees for 18 holes. At Liam Chabang International, the fees rose to about 3500 baht per person. In addition, tips for the caddy are 100-200 baht (they expect 200). I had my own clubs, so it would be more if you don''t bring your own.
Beaches of Pattaya is ok, but don''t go into the water. The Lobster Pot restaurant is highly recommended for the seafood platter.
Nice location and with available taxi service, you can be golfing, shopping, eating or just enjoying the many events around Pattaya. Personally, I am happy just relaxing at the Hotel. This last visit, I was able to get a nice suit tailored on site and had a memorable experience. Local dining can be a memorable experience with such resturants as Sam Pan and the Sugar Hut. I am already looking forward to my next trip.
It was excellent, Pattaya is like heaven, the clear water beach, water sports and nice restaurants. Do visit the Cabbaret Show in Pattaya. It''s one mind blowing show.