By: Andy Burrows
While in many of Thailand’s less commercially developed holiday centres visitors are happy to eat at the same places as the locals, Pattaya attracts holidaymakers who are often less ambitious and in search of some traces of familiarity where food and drink are concerned.
Fortunately, Pattaya has a wealth of venues that are tourist friendly including those owned by Thais keen to cash in on the steady influx of annual visitors and those owned by expats hoping to attract other expats and grab something of the tourist trade also.
Most hotels offer breakfast as part of the price of a room for the night and while they generally have facilities for providing lunch and dinner, many visitors are out and about during the daytime and will need to find somewhere on their travels that can satisfy their food needs.
There are plenty of venues open for lunch and visitors can choose from either Thai or western food. In the latter category, eateries that stand out include the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 with its fine selection of typically English fare and Pat’s restaurant on soi 3 offering similar grub. Between them, customers can expect to find fish and chips, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch up for grabs.
For fast food, Subway has a branch of its famous sandwich chain situated on Pattaya Klang road and offers its typical selection of Americanised fare, while the City Grill restaurant on Walking street covers all the usual bread and meat combinations such as hot dogs and hamburgers. For food of a similar ilk with that little bit extra, Bob's BBQ & Grill is sure to please with its ribs, burgers and steaks.
Dinner time sees a greater selection of eateries, with many restaurants restricting themselves to evening trade only. Thai food vendors begin to line the streets once the sun has set, dishing up cheap yet authentic Thai cuisine from their mobile food carts. It’s possible to eat for less than 50 baht at these places, although the roadside setting won’t win any awards for being romantic or serene.
To enjoy Thai food in a restaurant setting yet at a reasonable price, try Somsak on soi 1 or Baan Thai on Central road where traditional fare with an haute cuisine edge can be enjoyed at higher prices than the former. Dinner with entertainment can be found at Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village and PIC Kitchen on soi 5.
When it’s got to be something familiar or something that is not spicy, then its time to try one of Pattaya’s many international restaurants. Establishments in this category include those serving the cuisines of England, France, Belgium, Germany and Japan. For spicy food of a different nature, there are also Indian and Mexican eateries.
Italian food is popular in Pattaya, as anywhere else in the world, and Duilio's on Central road and Little Italy situated on the opposite side from Royal Garden Plaza are the among the best places to enjoy a plate of pasta or a pizza. For something from France, check out Au Bon Coin on soi 5 and Mon Ami Pierrot on Walking street; both delivering high quality, authentic French cuisine. Belgian food is best enjoyed at either Klein Vlaanderen on the Pattaya 2nd or Patrick's Belgian at the Diana Arcade.
Go Japanese at either Yamato on soi Yamato or at either of the city’s Daidomon branches (Big C and Royal Garden Plaza), with the former being the best option in terms of authenticity. For nan bread, samosas and milky curries, head to Sher E Punjab on Beach road or Ali Baba on Central road, while tacos and chili are sure to be found on the menus of Mexican establishments Blue Parrot on soi 2 and Tequila Reef on soi 7.
After dinner, a cool alcoholic beverage is appealing and Pattaya has plenty of drinking venues on offer. Unfortunately, the main drinking zone, situated around Walking street, has a reputation as a haven for sex tourists and the kind of establishments that cater to them. If this is not your scene, there are still bars in the same area where visitors can drink and socialise without this kind of distraction.
Falling into the aforementioned category are venues such as the Bamboo Bar and Kilkenny’s Irish pub on Walking street; Hard Rock Café, Hopf Brew House and Rosie O'Grady's on Beach road; and Shenanigans and the Queen Victoria Inn in the Pattaya 2nd road area.
Of course, there are some visitors who will want to avoid any chance of wandering into seedy areas and for them the safety of hotel bars is perhaps the best option. The big hotels all have their own bars, many of them attractively furnished and offering quality wines and spirits as opposed to locally brewed beverages.
The Sheraton in Pattaya Hill, All Seasons on Pattaya 2nd road, Marriot on Beach road and Royal Orchid Resort in North Pattaya are just some of the establishments with bar facilities. Customers need not be guests of the hotel to drink at these bars. It’s also worth considering that these hotels all have excellent in-house restaurants which are open to guests and non-guests alike. The standard of food is exceptionally high and both Thai and international cuisine are available. Non-residents should consider booking ahead, especially in high season.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Showing posts with label Pattaya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pattaya. Show all posts
2007/10/23
Where To Relex For Holiday In Pattaya Thailand
The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.
What do you do after a few days in Bangkok to get away from the traffic, pollution, noise and crowds of people? Head for one of the many resorts of Thailand. They provide a haven for you to completely relax in and forget the troubles of the outside world.
In Pattaya, there are a number of resorts that probably do that, but one that we're sure about is the hotel Resort on Dongtan Beach, Jomtien Pattaya . Its large grounds provide wooded areas, a private beach and various recreational facilities so that there are plenty of options available for any visitor to relax and enjoy themselves. The site is large enough so that sounds from the outside world never make it inside the resort to distract one from the pursuit of peace and relaxation.
If your pattaya facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important pattaya information slip by you.
Our own stay, on a recent weekend, left us rejuvenated and ready to face the world again after indulging in as many of the resort's facilities as we could. After settling into our luxurious room on the main level of the hotel (which included a beautiful ocean view looking south down the beach) we first started with a workout in the fitness club.
This well-equipped club had everything we needed, including treadmills, exercise bikes, free weights and machines to get a good workout. This was followed by a visit to the steam room for some further cleansing of the body before we left the club. This is a great way to relieve tension and get in the frame of mind to enjoy the weekend and we heartily recommend it. We visited the health club each day we were at the resort so that our regular weekly exercise schedule didn't suffer a bit even though we weren't in the city. And, if you'd like to learn something new during your stay you can try one of the classes that are offered on a regular basis.
Of course, after a day of working out and swimming next to the clean ocean air of Pattaya, you'll develop a healthy appetite and you're in the right place for being hungry. There are three different dining outlets in the resort that offer three distinct dining experiences. For a more relaxed, casual type of meal try the Cascade Cafe which has recently been remodeled along with the main lobby. Here you'll find a great buffet breakfast along with an international, Thai and Chinese ala carte menu.
http://www.rabbitresort.com/
What do you do after a few days in Bangkok to get away from the traffic, pollution, noise and crowds of people? Head for one of the many resorts of Thailand. They provide a haven for you to completely relax in and forget the troubles of the outside world.
In Pattaya, there are a number of resorts that probably do that, but one that we're sure about is the hotel Resort on Dongtan Beach, Jomtien Pattaya . Its large grounds provide wooded areas, a private beach and various recreational facilities so that there are plenty of options available for any visitor to relax and enjoy themselves. The site is large enough so that sounds from the outside world never make it inside the resort to distract one from the pursuit of peace and relaxation.
If your pattaya facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important pattaya information slip by you.
Our own stay, on a recent weekend, left us rejuvenated and ready to face the world again after indulging in as many of the resort's facilities as we could. After settling into our luxurious room on the main level of the hotel (which included a beautiful ocean view looking south down the beach) we first started with a workout in the fitness club.
This well-equipped club had everything we needed, including treadmills, exercise bikes, free weights and machines to get a good workout. This was followed by a visit to the steam room for some further cleansing of the body before we left the club. This is a great way to relieve tension and get in the frame of mind to enjoy the weekend and we heartily recommend it. We visited the health club each day we were at the resort so that our regular weekly exercise schedule didn't suffer a bit even though we weren't in the city. And, if you'd like to learn something new during your stay you can try one of the classes that are offered on a regular basis.
Of course, after a day of working out and swimming next to the clean ocean air of Pattaya, you'll develop a healthy appetite and you're in the right place for being hungry. There are three different dining outlets in the resort that offer three distinct dining experiences. For a more relaxed, casual type of meal try the Cascade Cafe which has recently been remodeled along with the main lobby. Here you'll find a great buffet breakfast along with an international, Thai and Chinese ala carte menu.
http://www.rabbitresort.com/
Pattaya - enjoying the city's bar and restaurant scene
While in many of Thailand’s less commercially developed holiday centres visitors are happy to eat at the same places as the locals, Pattaya attracts holidaymakers who are often less ambitious and in search of some traces of familiarity where food and drink are concerned.
Fortunately, Pattaya has a wealth of venues that are tourist friendly including those owned by Thais keen to cash in on the steady influx of annual visitors and those owned by expats hoping to attract other expats and grab something of the tourist trade also.
Most hotels offer breakfast as part of the price of a room for the night and while they generally have facilities for providing lunch and dinner, many visitors are out and about during the daytime and will need to find somewhere on their travels that can satisfy their food needs.
There are plenty of venues open for lunch and visitors can choose from either Thai or western food. In the latter category, eateries that stand out include the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 with its fine selection of typically English fare and Pat’s restaurant on soi 3 offering similar grub. Guide to quality Pattaya restaurants Between them, customers can expect to find fish and chips, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch up for grabs.
For fast food, Subway has a branch of its famous sandwich chain situated on Pattaya Klang road and offers its typical selection of Americanised fare, while the City Grill restaurant on Walking street covers all the usual bread and meat combinations such as hot dogs and hamburgers. For food of a similar ilk with that little bit extra, Bob's BBQ & Grill is sure to please with its ribs, burgers and steaks.
Dinner time sees a greater selection of eateries, with many restaurants restricting themselves to evening trade only. Thai food vendors begin to line the streets once the sun has set, dishing up cheap yet authentic Thai cuisine from their mobile food carts. It’s possible to eat for less than 50 baht at these places, although the roadside setting won’t win any awards for being romantic or serene.
To enjoy Thai food in a restaurant setting yet at a reasonable price, try Somsak on soi 1 or Baan Thai on Central road where traditional fare with an haute cuisine edge can be enjoyed at higher prices than the former. Dinner with entertainment can be found at Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village and PIC Kitchen on soi 5.
When it’s got to be something familiar or something that is not spicy, then its time to try one of Pattaya’s many international restaurants. Establishments in this category include those serving the cuisines of England, France, Belgium, Germany and Japan. For spicy food of a different nature, there are also Indian and Mexican eateries.
Italian food is popular in Pattaya, as anywhere else in the world, and Duilio's on Central road and Little Italy situated on the opposite side from Royal Garden Plaza are the among the best places to enjoy a plate of pasta or a pizza. For something from France, check out Au Bon Coin on soi 5 and Mon Ami Pierrot on Walking street; both delivering high quality, authentic French cuisine. Belgian food is best enjoyed at either Klein Vlaanderen on the Pattaya 2nd or Patrick's Belgian at the Diana Arcade.
Go Japanese at either Yamato on soi Yamato or at either of the city’s Daidomon branches (Big C and Royal Garden Plaza), with the former being the best option in terms of authenticity. For nan bread, samosas and milky curries, head to Sher E Punjab on Beach road or Ali Baba on Central road, while tacos and chili are sure to be found on the menus of Mexican establishments Blue Parrot on soi 2 and Tequila Reef on soi 7.
After dinner, a cool alcoholic beverage is appealing and Pattaya has plenty of drinking venues on offer. Unfortunately, the main drinking zone, situated around Walking street, has a reputation as a haven for sex tourists and the kind of establishments that cater to them. If this is not your scene, there are still bars in the same area where visitors can drink and socialise without this kind of distraction.
Falling into the aforementioned category are venues such as the Bamboo Bar and Kilkenny’s Irish pub on Walking street; Hard Rock Café, Hopf Brew House and Rosie O'Grady's on Beach road; and Shenanigans and the Queen Victoria Inn in the Pattaya 2nd road area. Pattaya bar scene
Of course, there are some visitors who will want to avoid any chance of wandering into seedy areas and for them the safety of hotel bars is perhaps the best option. The big hotels all have their own bars, many of them attractively furnished and offering quality wines and spirits as opposed to locally brewed beverages.
The Sheraton in Pattaya Hill, All Seasons on Pattaya 2nd road, Marriot on Beach road and Royal Orchid Resort in North Pattaya are just some of the establishments with bar facilities. Customers need not be guests of the hotel to drink at these bars. It’s also worth considering that these hotels all have excellent in-house restaurants which are open to guests and non-guests alike. The standard of food is exceptionally high and both Thai and international cuisine are available. Non-residents should consider booking ahead, especially in high season.
http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/331197?articleid=331197
Fortunately, Pattaya has a wealth of venues that are tourist friendly including those owned by Thais keen to cash in on the steady influx of annual visitors and those owned by expats hoping to attract other expats and grab something of the tourist trade also.
Most hotels offer breakfast as part of the price of a room for the night and while they generally have facilities for providing lunch and dinner, many visitors are out and about during the daytime and will need to find somewhere on their travels that can satisfy their food needs.
There are plenty of venues open for lunch and visitors can choose from either Thai or western food. In the latter category, eateries that stand out include the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 with its fine selection of typically English fare and Pat’s restaurant on soi 3 offering similar grub. Guide to quality Pattaya restaurants Between them, customers can expect to find fish and chips, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch up for grabs.
For fast food, Subway has a branch of its famous sandwich chain situated on Pattaya Klang road and offers its typical selection of Americanised fare, while the City Grill restaurant on Walking street covers all the usual bread and meat combinations such as hot dogs and hamburgers. For food of a similar ilk with that little bit extra, Bob's BBQ & Grill is sure to please with its ribs, burgers and steaks.
Dinner time sees a greater selection of eateries, with many restaurants restricting themselves to evening trade only. Thai food vendors begin to line the streets once the sun has set, dishing up cheap yet authentic Thai cuisine from their mobile food carts. It’s possible to eat for less than 50 baht at these places, although the roadside setting won’t win any awards for being romantic or serene.
To enjoy Thai food in a restaurant setting yet at a reasonable price, try Somsak on soi 1 or Baan Thai on Central road where traditional fare with an haute cuisine edge can be enjoyed at higher prices than the former. Dinner with entertainment can be found at Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village and PIC Kitchen on soi 5.
When it’s got to be something familiar or something that is not spicy, then its time to try one of Pattaya’s many international restaurants. Establishments in this category include those serving the cuisines of England, France, Belgium, Germany and Japan. For spicy food of a different nature, there are also Indian and Mexican eateries.
Italian food is popular in Pattaya, as anywhere else in the world, and Duilio's on Central road and Little Italy situated on the opposite side from Royal Garden Plaza are the among the best places to enjoy a plate of pasta or a pizza. For something from France, check out Au Bon Coin on soi 5 and Mon Ami Pierrot on Walking street; both delivering high quality, authentic French cuisine. Belgian food is best enjoyed at either Klein Vlaanderen on the Pattaya 2nd or Patrick's Belgian at the Diana Arcade.
Go Japanese at either Yamato on soi Yamato or at either of the city’s Daidomon branches (Big C and Royal Garden Plaza), with the former being the best option in terms of authenticity. For nan bread, samosas and milky curries, head to Sher E Punjab on Beach road or Ali Baba on Central road, while tacos and chili are sure to be found on the menus of Mexican establishments Blue Parrot on soi 2 and Tequila Reef on soi 7.
After dinner, a cool alcoholic beverage is appealing and Pattaya has plenty of drinking venues on offer. Unfortunately, the main drinking zone, situated around Walking street, has a reputation as a haven for sex tourists and the kind of establishments that cater to them. If this is not your scene, there are still bars in the same area where visitors can drink and socialise without this kind of distraction.
Falling into the aforementioned category are venues such as the Bamboo Bar and Kilkenny’s Irish pub on Walking street; Hard Rock Café, Hopf Brew House and Rosie O'Grady's on Beach road; and Shenanigans and the Queen Victoria Inn in the Pattaya 2nd road area. Pattaya bar scene
Of course, there are some visitors who will want to avoid any chance of wandering into seedy areas and for them the safety of hotel bars is perhaps the best option. The big hotels all have their own bars, many of them attractively furnished and offering quality wines and spirits as opposed to locally brewed beverages.
The Sheraton in Pattaya Hill, All Seasons on Pattaya 2nd road, Marriot on Beach road and Royal Orchid Resort in North Pattaya are just some of the establishments with bar facilities. Customers need not be guests of the hotel to drink at these bars. It’s also worth considering that these hotels all have excellent in-house restaurants which are open to guests and non-guests alike. The standard of food is exceptionally high and both Thai and international cuisine are available. Non-residents should consider booking ahead, especially in high season.
http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/331197?articleid=331197
2007/09/06
The Gay Guide to Pattaya by Night
Andy Burrows
Notorious for its thriving sex industry, Pattaya has long attracted those in search of a good time. We’ve all seen the t-shirts claiming ‘good guys go to heaven and bad guys go to Pattaya’, but what is it that attracts so many members of the gay community to this commercialised beach resort? The answer is, of course, Pattaya’s naughty nightlife.
Pattaya has cashed in on the gay scene in recent years with numerous bars catering to a gay clientele, not to mention the enormously popular cabaret shows performed by kathoey, transwomen who are also commonly referred to as ladyboys. These unique performances add a touch of Moulin Rouge to the otherwise largely unglamorous resort and make for a memorable spectacle for the many gay men who come here specifically for the ladyboys.
First-time gay and lesbian visitors are often overwhelmed by Pattaya nightlife and its large area devoted solely to gay entertainment - Pattayaland soi 3. Lined with male go-go bars and nightclubs packing in a largely western crowd, the neon-lit district attracts equal numbers of curious tourists and punters looking to pay for sexual services.
Each bar has a number of staff at the entrance whose job it is to attract customers. In addition, the streets are lined with ‘freelancers’ whose presence multiplies by the end of the evening. Men and women walking around Pattayaland at night, also known as Boyz Town, should be ready to encounter friendly yet persistent representatives of the gay venues.
As with girlie bars in Thailand, inside Pattaya gay bars foreigners are made to feel welcome by staff that readily spark up friendly conversation with customers. The male-oriented gay bars are run by mainly young Thai guys whose feminine and petite nature often appeal to western tastes. Customers at these bars are under no obligation to do anything more than have a drink, but if they do like the look of one of the boys working, it is easy enough to agree on a price for any additional services.
Popular favourite Pattaya gay bars on Pattayaland soi 3 are Boyz Boyz Boyz, attracting both foreigners and locals with its dance floor and nightly shows, and the Throb/Splash nightclub opposite Le Café Royal, a popular ‘gay’ hotel. For happy hour, head for Panorama, a large and lively gay bar in the heart of the Boyz Town district.
“I’m amazed at how relaxed the atmosphere is in many of Pattayland’s gay bars”, says Hank, a first-time gay visitor from the Netherlands. “Of course, you have your regular pick-up joints, but many of the bars here offer more than just friendly guys”, he adds.
Not all gay visitors to Pattaya come here from the sex industry mind you, with many enjoying the cabaret shows and go-go bar performances along with their partners. The popular cabaret shows in Pattaya such as Alcazar and Tiffany’s are a hit with all types of visitors and are highly rated for their ornately costumed and often bear-breasted kathoey dancers.
The lesbian scene is more discreet, with a lack of venues devoted to women looking for women. Nevertheless, most of the bars welcome lesbians and there are many prostitutes who are happy to service women. Just like men, lesbian women can enjoy the go-go bars though they should expect to be in the minority. Thai tom girls, or dee, mostly take on a male appearance and can also be found in many of the regular, heterosexual bars and clubs around town.
Megan, a 30-year-old lesbian from Brisbane says the lesbian scene in Pattaya is healthy enough. “Anyone can walk into any bar and watch one of the shows or enjoy the company of the pretty Thai girls”, she says. “Many of the girls at the bars prefer the company of a farang female”, she adds.
There is however inevitably a seedy side to Pattaya’s gay and lesbian scene, with many gay tourists rejecting the entertainment on offer here. Even worse, a fare share of tourists end up getting ripped off while enjoying the bar scene. The Pattaya authorities have tried to clean up and contain the entertainment areas in recent years with some success, but as with all sex industry hubs, Pattayaland has its downsides.
Despite its controversial nature, the raunchy nightlife scene on offer in Pattaya remains a melting pot for gay and lesbian visitors, and a good income earner for the many gay and straight Thais who work the scene.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-gay-guide-to-pattaya-by-night-185157.html
Notorious for its thriving sex industry, Pattaya has long attracted those in search of a good time. We’ve all seen the t-shirts claiming ‘good guys go to heaven and bad guys go to Pattaya’, but what is it that attracts so many members of the gay community to this commercialised beach resort? The answer is, of course, Pattaya’s naughty nightlife.
Pattaya has cashed in on the gay scene in recent years with numerous bars catering to a gay clientele, not to mention the enormously popular cabaret shows performed by kathoey, transwomen who are also commonly referred to as ladyboys. These unique performances add a touch of Moulin Rouge to the otherwise largely unglamorous resort and make for a memorable spectacle for the many gay men who come here specifically for the ladyboys.
First-time gay and lesbian visitors are often overwhelmed by Pattaya nightlife and its large area devoted solely to gay entertainment - Pattayaland soi 3. Lined with male go-go bars and nightclubs packing in a largely western crowd, the neon-lit district attracts equal numbers of curious tourists and punters looking to pay for sexual services.
Each bar has a number of staff at the entrance whose job it is to attract customers. In addition, the streets are lined with ‘freelancers’ whose presence multiplies by the end of the evening. Men and women walking around Pattayaland at night, also known as Boyz Town, should be ready to encounter friendly yet persistent representatives of the gay venues.
As with girlie bars in Thailand, inside Pattaya gay bars foreigners are made to feel welcome by staff that readily spark up friendly conversation with customers. The male-oriented gay bars are run by mainly young Thai guys whose feminine and petite nature often appeal to western tastes. Customers at these bars are under no obligation to do anything more than have a drink, but if they do like the look of one of the boys working, it is easy enough to agree on a price for any additional services.
Popular favourite Pattaya gay bars on Pattayaland soi 3 are Boyz Boyz Boyz, attracting both foreigners and locals with its dance floor and nightly shows, and the Throb/Splash nightclub opposite Le Café Royal, a popular ‘gay’ hotel. For happy hour, head for Panorama, a large and lively gay bar in the heart of the Boyz Town district.
“I’m amazed at how relaxed the atmosphere is in many of Pattayland’s gay bars”, says Hank, a first-time gay visitor from the Netherlands. “Of course, you have your regular pick-up joints, but many of the bars here offer more than just friendly guys”, he adds.
Not all gay visitors to Pattaya come here from the sex industry mind you, with many enjoying the cabaret shows and go-go bar performances along with their partners. The popular cabaret shows in Pattaya such as Alcazar and Tiffany’s are a hit with all types of visitors and are highly rated for their ornately costumed and often bear-breasted kathoey dancers.
The lesbian scene is more discreet, with a lack of venues devoted to women looking for women. Nevertheless, most of the bars welcome lesbians and there are many prostitutes who are happy to service women. Just like men, lesbian women can enjoy the go-go bars though they should expect to be in the minority. Thai tom girls, or dee, mostly take on a male appearance and can also be found in many of the regular, heterosexual bars and clubs around town.
Megan, a 30-year-old lesbian from Brisbane says the lesbian scene in Pattaya is healthy enough. “Anyone can walk into any bar and watch one of the shows or enjoy the company of the pretty Thai girls”, she says. “Many of the girls at the bars prefer the company of a farang female”, she adds.
There is however inevitably a seedy side to Pattaya’s gay and lesbian scene, with many gay tourists rejecting the entertainment on offer here. Even worse, a fare share of tourists end up getting ripped off while enjoying the bar scene. The Pattaya authorities have tried to clean up and contain the entertainment areas in recent years with some success, but as with all sex industry hubs, Pattayaland has its downsides.
Despite its controversial nature, the raunchy nightlife scene on offer in Pattaya remains a melting pot for gay and lesbian visitors, and a good income earner for the many gay and straight Thais who work the scene.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-gay-guide-to-pattaya-by-night-185157.html
2007/09/03
Hotels In Pattaya, Thailand
You have decided to visit Asia for your next vacation and have decided to go to Pattaya, Thailand. Your flight is booked but you are still looking for a hotel. But, how do you decide which hotel to stay at?
Your decision should be based on what you plan to do while you are Pattaya. Will you be spending most of your time sightseeing, shopping or enjoying the nightlife? Most likely you will be enjoying the nightlife and will want to be located in the heart of it.
There are three main areas in Pattaya - North, South, and Central and all three have their plusses and minuses. Getting a hotel in any of the three will boil down to a personal preference.
North Pattaya is in the Soi 2 area or even a little further North called Naklua. Most of the tourists here are from Europe and the nightlife is adequate but not spectacular. I rarely go to the Naklua area but I do enjoy the Soi 2 nightlife area.
South Pattaya is very good and includes the area around the infamous Walking Street. There are many hotels available from Soi 13 to Walking Street and also along the side streets between 2nd Road and Walking Street. Many are small pubs with a handful of rooms above the bar.
To me, Central Pattaya is where to stay. The location is perfect as I can walk or catch a baht bus to anywhere in a matter of minutes. Beach Road, 2nd Road or even down to Soi Buakhao are perfect locations as long as the hotel is between Central Road and Soi 13.
Most of the hotels in Pattaya are in the 2 - 4 star range with the occasional 5 star (Marriott) but a 2 - 4 star in Pattaya is definitely a cut above similar hotels in the states. I prefer the smaller, pub places that have a handful of rooms upstairs. Most are owned by a couple and really do their best to make your stay a great one.
Do your research, and look for a discount Pattaya hotel, and enjoy your stay in the Land of Smiles. It won't be hard to find your Asian hotel in Pattaya at all.
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/hotels-in-pattaya-thailand-76599.html
2007/08/13
Pattaya travel guide - top 10 recommendations
With its large expatriate community and diverse attractions, Pattaya has gained a reputation as one of Thailand's leading international communities. Its other reputation as Bangkok's playground and the capital of the sex industry, it attracts a very specific sort of tourist. No matter what your reasons for visiting, you'll find an exhausting list of attractions, theme parks and entertainment to keep you busy while you're here. In Pattaya gay travellers are also welcome and made to feel comfortable. Thailand is very tolerant of gay activities, Pattaya is no exception.
Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm The Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm is a great place to take in some of the indigenous plant and animal life of Thailand. More than 1,000 crocodiles are kept and bred on the grounds and there are some elephants and rare albino bears. Elephant shows are held every day, as is the crocodile roundup. The grounds also have some beautiful landscaping, most outstanding of which is the bonsai garden. The park can be reached via a 15-minute drive from Pattaya city centre.
Ripley's Believe It or Not This one-of-a-kind museum is located on the third floor of the Royal Garden Plaza building in Pattaya. The facility contains over 300 unusual exhibits exploring the whole gamut of weird and unexplained phenomena. Some of the more popular attractions include the Infinity Maze, an immersive, walk-through sound and light show that tests the limits of perception; and the Haunted Adventure, a resurrection of an old real-life mystery set at the Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company and brought to life with live actors, special effects and animatronics. Despite its emphasis on the odd, Ripley's is Pattaya's most outstanding museum and a definite must-see.
Sriracha Tiger Zoo North of the city of Pattaya, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo can be found off Route 3241 via a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The subjects of this facility can be found in a variety of circumstances including in their natural surroundings as well as more interactive settings. Visitors will have the opportunity to bottle-feed young cubs as well as have their picture taken with them. The zoo is home to several other species including crocodiles, elephants and scorpions. Some of the more outlandish shows include elephants playing basketball and a woman wrestling a crocodile.
Mini Siam One of Pattaya's most well-known sites for tourists is Mini Siam, a 1:25 scale replication of some of Thailand's most popular sites from across the country. There are 80 buildings in the park representing periods throughout Thailand's history. Don Muang Airport is on-site, as is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok and the Temple of Phimai in Nakorn Ratchisima. The best time to visit is after dark, when the exhibits are illuminated and take on a new life.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Anyone who wishes to visit the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden can catch a shuttle bus that departs from in front of the Nipa Lodge Hotel in downtown Pattaya. This park covers more than 600 acres and hosts a broad spectrum of exhibits dedicated to Thai culture and history. The grounds include a cactus garden, an orchid nursery and a lake with canoes that can be hired. The arts and culture centre hosts daily exhibitions of Thai dance, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and elephant shows. There's also a zoo on-site and accommodation for overnight stays. Wat Yansangwararam Pattaya is not as well known for its temples and ancient architecture as Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Even so, the Yansangwararam is a temple worth checking out while in the area. It's located a few miles south of Pattaya and was built in 1988 to commemorate the 42nd year of King Bhumibol's reign. On-site is a lake with Chinese pavilions and a building that houses several art exhibits and antiques of Chinese origin. The temple itself sits at the apex of a flight of 299 stairs hemmed in by snakes.
Pattaya Elephant Village Visitors who want to get an up close look at the iconic Thai elephant can do so at the Pattaya Elephant Village. These animals have served the country in a variety of roles over the centuries, spanning war times and more recently, teak harvesting. The elephants in the village are protected and perform daily educational and entertaining feats showcasing their forestry and football skills. Visitors can also ride the elephants into the forest and listen to English language explanations of this beast's history in Thailand.
Pattaya Beach While it may be saturated with visitors and a little polluted, Pattaya's beachfront property continues to be its greatest draw. Visitors come to enjoy the beach in any number of ways, whether it's a walk on the tree-lined promenade; a relaxed seafood dish eaten on an outdoor veranda or simply a laid-back afternoon spent on a deckchair. Charter boats head out to some of the nearby islands where further exploration and snorkelling is available. There's not too much actual swimming in the water, though it's bustling with jet-skis, banana boats and motor boats.
Amusement parks The constant flux of tourists through Pattaya has given way to a variety of amusement parks. Pattaya Water Park is a huge facility with water slides, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and a children's wading pool. Staggering towers at the Pattaya Park Resort and Amusement Park are capped by revolving restaurants with impressive views of the city and sea. The Funny Land Amusement Park has all sorts of carnival and theme-park style rides including a roller coaster and a pendulum Viking ship. Asia's largest aquarium is also located in Pattaya--Underwater World, with an impressive walking tunnel allowing visitors to walk in among the aquatic life.
Nightlife and gay activities Anyone visiting Pattaya will at some point be confronted with the city's notoriety as a part of the sex industry. While it's true that sex tourism is in full force in the go-go bars along Walking street, it's easy to find more family-oriented locations across town where you can get a bite to eat or relax in the evening. There are a couple of Irish pubs, an English pub and a blues bar where tourists can enjoy a relaxed evening without the risqué atmosphere. On the whole, the nightlife in Pattaya spans all interests and there's something for everyone to enjoy. Pattaya is also a popular gay destination. Gay Pattaya is centred on Boyztown and is very welcoming. Gay travellers feel very comfortable in Pattaya and have plenty of options for fun.
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