Amari Pattaya

The 20-story Amari Pattaya is a luxury hotel that shares amenities with its upper-middle-range sister property, Amari Garden, next door. Some simply call them the ocean wing and the garden wing. Amari Pattaya is the newer and sleeker hotel, with a range of amenities that appeals to both tourists and business travelers. The hotel's design is modern and the entire property is well-designed. The atmosphere is generally relaxed yet elegant, though there are often weddings on-site, which can disrupt guests' access to certain areas.

The Amari Pattaya has an excellent location at the north end of Beach Road, meaning it's a bit quieter than other areas yet still within easy walking distance of ample restaurants and bars. It's also across the street from popular (and crowded) Pattaya Beach. Jomtien beach is generally less populated and a 25-minute drive away. Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is the closest international airport, and it’ll take about 90 minutes to get to by car.

The Amari Ocean has 297 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering ocean, pool, or city views. Rooms are modern, spacious, and stylish. Some rooms have furnished balconies. Small sitting areas, work desks, and closets with safes are standard, as are flat-screen TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Decent-sized bathrooms have small showers and separate bathtubs -- some jetted -- but some are open-plan, which can be a privacy issue for some. All come with hairdryers, toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. Some rooms are showing a bit of minor wear.

The Amari Pattaya has quality facilities, but they're shared with the Amari Garden next door. In addition to Pattaya Beach being across the street, there are three attractive pools in tropical settings. One is long enough to swim laps, while the others have a whirlpool and waterslides. All three have plenty of cushioned loungers and umbrellas. The Breeze Spa is an elegant space offering a variety of massage and beauty treatments, plus there's a hair salon. The fitness center is well-equipped with cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and meeting and event spaces are available.

The buffet-style Essence restaurant is well-reviewed and has seating in a solarium setting, as well as outside. The Mantra Restaurant and Bar is sleek and exotic. It receives rave reviews for its cuisine, extensive selection of wine, and Sunday brunch. Multiple bars include Tavern by the Sea, which is a casual sports bar with flat-screen TVs, pool tables, and darts. Lastly, the hotel offers club-level guests the Horizon Club, which is an executive style lounge with work stations, all-day refreshments, and gorgeous views of the sea from the nineteenth floor.