INTERCONTINENTAL PATTAYA RESORT (*****L): One of the top 5 most-booked resorts in Pattaya South, 3.2 km from Jomtien Beach, and 8.1 km from Koh Larn (Coral Island), this strategic location in the most exclusive area has an exceptional bonus: it totally made
us forget that we were in Pattaya! Though there is a complimentary shuttle bus, those staying at InterContinental Pattaya Resort can skip the once infamous downtown (which is changing a lot, much upgraded since the last five years and the post-COVID 19 tourist policy), and enjoy this little Paradise after a two-hour maximum taxi or comfy shuttle bus ride from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. So did we, completely changing our mind regarding this destination. Seen from this country-club-like resort, Pattaya can be glamourous! A beachfront hideaway, the 156 rooms InterContinental Pattaya Resort (featuring two 125 and 210 sq.m private Beachfront Pool-Villas) boasts three awesome lagoon-style swimming pools, a totally private beach area. Set on a breezy, forested cliff, among lush gardens, it features stunning views of the ocean. We could see the whole of Pattaya Bay, and the Gulf of Siam with its small islands: protected by the government, their ecosystem remains intact. A few of them -like the enchanting Koh Phai- can be visited using the hotel speedboat (at a fee). They are the closest clear-azure water beaches to Bangkok. Koh Larn is ideal for an affordable excursion, departing from the 5-minute taxi ride Bali Hai pier. Koh Larn has 6 main beaches (with toilet, shower, and basic BBQ seafood restaurants); the most picturesque is Tien Beach. Don't miss it during your stay. Though the bliss lobby of the hotel, enlighted by an awesome sea view, was quite crowded the day of our arrival, there was immediately some reception staff to take care of us, and too us to check-in voluptuously in the Club InterContinental Lounge. IHG improved its lounges a lot during the last decade. Sometimes beating their best competitors (Ritz-Carlton, Sofitel...) in term of quality. The Club-InterContinental Pattaya had been launched after the resort rebranded from Sheraton in 2017 and, after experiencing many lounges around the world, we re-discovered, after two or three pre-COVID stays, the extravagant bonuses of this very unique “Paradise in Paradise” where nothing changed since those two dreadful pandemic years. We have been escorted to the same Junior Suite Club Access Oceanfront which we occupied during our last visit, in 2019. A preferred accommodation, it has to be booked one week or two in advance. Housed in individual pavilions among the lushly gardens and the pools, it is very private, exclusive, spacious with a 77 sq.m room plus a 12 sq.m panoramic outdoor “sala” (Siamese-style veranda). Snug as a bug in a rug in our home away from home, we enjoyed the privacy of this sensuous, plush lodging, with a trendy Thai design. The bathroom is as practical as fancy, with a large tub. Bedding is a signature by InterContinental: supremely comfortable, as always. Soft like a cloud. There is free high-speed WiFi, a large flat-screen Smart TV with a DVD player. And tea/coffee making facilities, which we never used: preferring the rich espresso enjoyed surrounded by our delicious hostesses at the nearby club lounge... The way from our pavilion to the lobby was winding, with many picturesque staircases across the gardens. Golf carts can be used to ferry quickly and easily to/from the pavilions and rooms. We would globally say that few resorts in Pattaya offer such a high quality of accommodation. Even the neighboring Royal Cliff, which we always compared with a “luxury lodging factory”. InterContinental Pattaya provides a boutique feeling in a chain resort. Very
much absorbed by the Club Lounge, where the staff catered us
deliciously from morning until night, we skipped the restaurants
during our previous stay. It was time to enjoy some fine dining, as
things changed a bit. Particularly at the beachside. We were fans of
the “Sensational BBQ Night”, with myriads of grilles seabass, crabs,
rock lobsters.... There is now a new, very successful Moo Ka Ta on the beach concept: a combined Korean barbecue and a Japanese or Chinese hot pot. The Thai version uses charcoal. Moo means pork, but the Moo Ka Ta, which we enjoyed at the beach at sunset, was much richer, using prime quality ingredients. That was both a gourmet and funny experience. The staff was super friendly and helpful, as this was our first experience with Moo Ka Ta. Yet still nostalgic with the grilled lobster.... ...But there is no possible frustration at InterContinental Pattaya Resort. We had a lavish Grilled Phuket Lobster with a succulent cheese sauce for dinner, the next day, at Infiniti Mediterranean restaurant. Even better than the beach, the restaurant has a large panoramic terrace with a breathtaking view over the Bay of Pattaya. The sight is so romantic. Ideal. Dreamed! Oh, yes: it serves amazing cocktails and mocktails... INTERCONTINENTAL PATTAYA RESORT: 437 Phra Tamnak Road , Chonburi, Pattaya , 20150 , Thailand PHONE: +66 38 259888 E-MAIL: icpattaya@ihg.com AVANI PATTAYA RESORT (*****): An oasis of luxury and nature in the heart of Pattaya, the Avani Pattaya Resort is much more than a five star hotel: this is somehow an attraction. Actually
you won't miss the place: a twin-engines red plane just crashed in its
wall. For fun, of course: it has been cemented above the main entrance
of the The
happy few will certainly like to have a Garden Terrace room,
with direct access to this Eden. We stayed in one of them, and felt
like
so far away from bustling Pattaya that we did love the place at first
sight.
Those deluxe rooms have just been totally refurbished according to the "back
to nature" concept which characterizes
the properties of the Avani group of hotels. No more wall-to-wall
carpet; but a nicely
polished parquet floor, with a smooth carpet only on the bed area. Wood
again in the splendid bathroom, where steel is scarcely used, and
conventional
tiles are changed to green Chiang Mai style enamel. Wood, last but not
least, on the wall panels. This creates a warm sensation: quite unique
compared with more conventional five star hotels in the Kingdom. Also unique were the orchids decorating our room: they remained in a pot, as cut flowers are not part of the eco philosophy of the Avani Pattaya Resort. If you are travelling with kids, that kind of room is ideal: you can relax in the room or at the terrace, letting children wandering in the gardens or swim at the pool (the largest in the center of Pattaya) equipped with a Jacuzzi and Gazebo for open-air traditional Thai massage. A little cheaper, though definitely great, are the Seaview rooms. We tried of them also. If this is your first trip in Pattaya, maybe you would prefer it to the Garden Terrace: the view over the Gulf of Siam is breathtaking. We could see the fishing boats and ferries sailing back and forth the nearby Coral Islands. At sunset we relaxed with a drink on the broad and comfortable long chairs installed on our balcony (let's rather call it "terrace" !), and experienced a very romantic feeling. Can South Pattaya and its bars be that close ? You would never believe it, indeed, with such a living postcard being displayed for your eyes only. The Thai concept of the hotel extends to the breakfast: while listening to traditional Siamese music softly peeping from loudspeakers, we enjoyed delicious noodle soups, steamed vegetables, or fried soy bean paste. More international course are also available: this is the unique place in Thailand where we have been served Beef Wellington (definitely palatable) for breakfast ! The Avani Pattaya Resort has appealing restaurants (much more if we consider the neighbouring Plaza). In its premise are the Garden Café (an informal coffee shop) open 24 hours, and a nightly BBQ Buffet. The Benihana is located in the Plaza: this is a Japanese-American Steakhouse, with its Kabuki sushi-bar. The way they prepare Japanese food is a show in itself. As distracting, indeed, as the "Ripley's Believe It or Not" museum. One of only two in South East Asia (the other one located on the Peak in Hong Kong), displaying some world records, strange objects, and pictures of Barnum style monsters. Worth the visit. Last but not least, the Avani Pattaya Resort is also very much recommended for its SPA & Fitness Club. Five star, its 2,000 sq.m facilities mean life fitness (tread mills, steppers, bikes, rowers...), cybex (VR single station, free weights...), aerobic studio and top luxurious SPA with sauna. Hotel guests will need to pay extras for herbal steam, indoor Jacuzzi, massage and aromatheraphy. Packages are available for complete SPA treatments. There are also two floodlit tennis courts, with Wimbledon artificial grass. The hotel operates a kids club. Golf packages are also available: as there are plenty of greens all around. Thai
style service: which means
both courteous and efficient. AVANI
PATTAYA RESORT & SPA: 218/2-4 M.10 Beach Road,
Pattaya 20260 DUSIT
THANI PATTAYA (*****): One of the best hotels in
own, the
Dusit Thani Pattaya offers to his guests a much upgraded comfort since
a recent complete refurbishment revamped all the rooms.
Ours was number 830: a very distinguished Dusic
Club Sea View King Room. The Dusit Thani Pattaya is a hotel for upper class tourists. Nevertheless, businessmen would like it very much also: The Club Rooms are equipped with a large desk. Many plugs all around (for computer and Internet), and of course WiFi: we were able to work in our bed, at the desk, and even on the terrace. Just like in western palace hotels, the Dusit Thani Pattaya has large cloakrooms: which makes long stay easier. Other rooms, though smaller, are enjoyable. Tastefully designed, they are all equipped with amenities like XL screen TV, minibar and a nice bathroom with hair dryer. Rate is variable, depending on the season, with many money saving promotions and packages. Service is courteous and anticipating. When coming back from having breakfast, we were sure the maid already made up our room. Service always tend to be slightly more "relaxed" upcountry; but here, actually, it is as perfect as in Bangkok. When it comes to the resort, the hotel is the rival of the Royal Cliff: it offers much greenery, a nice beach, and two pools. The Lagoon Pool being the most sophisticated, with whirlpool and bar; while the quiet Chaba Pool is ideal for sportsmen. The latter will like the Fitness Centre: one of the most complete in Pattaya, with sauna and steambath, equipped with Californian work out equipments and offering aerobics lessons. Good restaurants also: we had a fine dinner in the very exclusive Peak restaurant, offering modern Chinese cuisine complemented by a romantic view of the whole Pattaya Bay. We can recommend palatable specialities like the Jelly Fish (we loved both its taste and unique texture), the delicious "Shark Fin Soup", the steamed "Pla Ka Pong" (sea-bass, with a lot of garlic), and the chef's signature: the "Drunken Chicken", marinated in Chinese wine. The place is both chic and affordable: this is where the remarkable Exclusive Breakfast caters guests of the Dusit Club. Part
of the DUSIT
GROUP OF HOTELS DUSIT
THANI PATTAYA: 240/2 Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya City,
Chonburi 20150
THE
ROYAL CLIFF BEACH RESORT (****): This multi awarded
complex, founded
in 1973 and still on a permanent extension, has been voted "PATA Best
Resort
Hotel Asia/Pacific" for 8 consecutive years. There is actually a Royal
Cliff legend. May be not only because of its The Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, a huge, crowded though much enjoyable four star hotel, is the heart of the resort. Now targetting upper market package tourists, it offers 545 large and comfortable rooms: most of them are suites. From the tailor shop till the Children Paradise (its staff takes care of your kids free of charge !), this comes most complete. Published rates go from THB 4,200 for a Superior Room, till THB 17,000 for a two bedroom Theme Suite. Its main lobby -certainly the largest in Pattaya- is connected to the more personalized and much intimate Royal Cliff Terrace. This is where we stayed with our two children. We received a 2 bedrooms Family Suite: which was actually matching our tastes and needs. Our large and elegant appartment, nicely furnished in the tropical style, with light tones of white and pink colour, came with two balconies/solarium. The view over the bay is dramatic. This is also the favourite place for honeymooners. We loved it at first sight. There is a direct lift access to the beach. We like very much the Royal Cliff Grand. This condominium style tower was erected in 1992. Its large lobby remains quiet and reflects the supreme intimacy of the 382 luxurious rooms and suites. All of them have most lovely large black marble bathrooms, with separate walk-in showers. There are 19 floors: booking a room on a upper floor allows a view over the off shore coral islands, from spacious balconies equiped with sunloungers and a shower. The supreme distinction stands at the Royal Wing. This five star deluxe super exclusive all suites hotel was built in 1986 to please the happy few. We still remember our stay there, five years ago: the walls of our suites were covered with raw silk, orchids were blooming in our large sitting room decorated with Thai handicrafts, and our personal buttler remained at our permanent disposal round the clock. It seems that nothing has changed. Maybe did it even improve ? This is a place where guests like to come back to. The Royal Wing gets private pools and beach, with reserved sun-loungers. Presidential Suite guests enjoy a personal "sala" (pavillion) at the beach side: with buttler ! All Royal Wing happy guests are provided iced hand-towels at regular interval. Service is superlative, indeed. Being suite guests, we have been given permanent access to the Cliff Club. There are the most beautiful pools: multi-level, with Jacuzzi and waterfalls, they are the best alternative to the sea which, as everybody knows, still need some improvement in term of cleaness. This is why the Royal Cliff Beach Resort is very active in term of "green policy": water is filtered and recycled. Same goes with paper. The gardeners only use biodegradable natural compost (tea leaves, eggshells, etc.). The Royal Cliff Beach Resort has 8 restaurants (excluding the pool and beach bars, offering light snacks): it goes from the classical Coffee Shop (excellent breakfast), to the more sophisticated and trendy Rossini tratoria style Italian restaurant, or to the much reputed gourmet Benjarong serving a high level quality of French specialties. Those two restaurants are considered the best in Pattaya. They have a unique choice of vintage wines. Last but not least, the resort displays all kinds of activities: it goes from 3 holes practice golf course to cruising on the resort catamaran. Thanks to the very entertaining management, it is impossible to feel bored even one second: some guests would never drop by the 5 kilometers away Pattaya. THE ROYAL CLIFF BEACH RESORT : 353 Phra Tamnuk Rd, Pattaya, Cholburi 20150 PHONE: +66 (0) 38250.421 FACSIMILE: +66 (0) 38250511, +66 (0) 38250.513 E-MAIL: info@royalcliff.com THE BEST LUXURY HOTELS IN
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Royal
Garden Plaza, which is the most fashionable shopping mall
in town and adjacent to the hotel. The hotels all wood and rattan sala
Thai style lobby creates an amazing contrast with the American concept
of the plaza. Just like, when entering from the opposite Beach Road,
this
is a most pleasant feeling to leave the crowd and, after getting
through
a Bali style gate controlled by a vigilant security, to enter a secret
garden planted with coconut and tropical trees, orchids and jasmine,
waterways
and ponds. 
This superior category of
accommodation is worth the stay. Huge,
ritzy
with smartly designed furniture, it has with the InterContinental
Pattaya Resort the largest
bathrooms
in town: equipped with a very glamourous oval tub reflected by gold
framed
mirrors, with a separate shower cabin, they match any European
palace-hotel.
Plush and expensive fabrics, tapestries, wood panels, items and
furniture:
all reflect astral themes. Stars for the superstition; but also stars
for
the comfort and service ! From four when we inspected it, the Dusit
Thani
Pattaya just won a fifth one, indeed. Just like if comfort inside the
room
wouldn't be sufficient for the distinguished guests, it was also
extended
outside: on the wide individual terraces, all equipped with shower. We
spend much time there: installed on our sunbeds, enjoying the unique
panorama
over one of the most beautiful bay in Thailand. We are in North
Pattaya,
and this is the best location to fully enjoy a complete and dramatic
view
over this popular beach resort. 
splendid
location on the Pattaya Hills: overlooking the most beautiful bay in
the
region, with a preserved and wild environment all around, the resort is
only a five minutes drive from the bustling "South Pattaya".
Nor
only because of its rich and famous guests: from the Thai royal family
till Roger Moore, kings, singers and movie stars stay nowhere else but
here. The actual reputation of the Royal Cliff rather comes from its
ability
to accommodate a wide range of travellers: the resort offers different
levels of services and comfort, ranking from four till five star deluxe.