Cape Dara Resort

Towering 26 stories over the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, this modern, tranquil hotel's tall glass doors add to the grandeur of its spacious, airy lobby. A shimmering gold mosaic sculpture hangs over the entryway, creating a luxe effect that's enhanced by the sharp slatted-wood ceilings and walls once inside. The space feels sleek and high-class at the same time, while walls of windows open on all sides to rows of shrubbery and an open-air lounge with attractive wicker and rattan contemporary seating. Ming Xing is a refined and elegant dining spot that has a special-occasion vibe, while other venues are a bit more casual, with open-air floor plans, Thai carvings, and beautiful water views. At the upscale spa, water-view treatment rooms exude a mint and coconut aroma. Couples make up the majority of the guests, as the atmosphere skews romantic, but the kid-friendly amenities and large suites draw families too.

The Cape Dara Resort is surrounded by popular restaurants and luxury hotels on a private beach in a quiet, residential area of North Pattaya. Central Pattaya, which is home to Tiffany’s Show -- a popular drag cabaret -- and Art in Paradise -- a family-friendly museum -- are about a 15-minute walk, or a five-minute drive, from the resort; Pattaya Beach and Alcazar Cabaret are a five-minute drive away as well. Central Festival shopping center is 10-minutes away by car. The more lively nightlife areas of Pattaya will also require a car ride to reach, as they are at the south end of town. Expect a trip to take 10 minutes depending on traffic to reach Walking Street. The nearest airport is Utapao Pattaya Airport, a 50-minute drive from the hotel, though other major airports are located in Bangkok, which is two hours away by road. 

The 264 rooms at the Cape Dara resort, all of which have furnished balconies and sea views, are starkly modern and airy, with purple-toned furnishings and  turquoise accents standing out against the gray-and-brown color palette. Furniture includes day beds, natural wood lamps, and light wood veneer desks. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of natural light, while wood floors and area rugs add some coziness to the slightly austere minimalism. Rooms range from Deluxe to Suites and the Top Star Compound, a villa which has five bedrooms, a kitchen and dining room, two living rooms, and a private pool. Junior Family Rooms have separate living rooms, and Family Suites have two bedrooms, including kids' rooms and game consoles. Dara Beachfront Rooms have hot tubs on the balconies, and other rooms have private pools, personal butlers, and access to the Dara Club Lounge. All rooms come with air-conditioning, free bottled water, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and pillow menus. Some rooms have minibars, while others have mini-fridges. Stylish bathrooms have gray-and-white floor-to-ceiling tile, with glassed-in showers and separate soaking tubs. Magnifying mirrors and toiletries are provided in most bathrooms, while Suites have jetted tubs and upscale Bulgari toiletries.

Two blue-tile infinity pools offer exceptional gulf views in addition to kids' pools and poolside bars, which serve small plates of snacks -- they are stylish but laid-back places to cool off. A private beach area on Pattaya Bay is available as well, but it has very little seating and is somewhat rocky.

On-site restaurant cuisine ranges from pastries, cakes, and coffee to fine-dining Cantonese to a la carte Asian and European cuisines. Room service operates 24 hours a day, and an international breakfast buffet is included in some room packages. A steam room and sauna, as well as massages and a hair salon, are available at Luminous Spa, while the fitness center has a wide range of cardio and weight machines, plus free weights. Computers are provided in the business center.

Guests in beachfront rooms and suites have access to the Dara Club Lounge, with a choice of breakfast venue, a free cocktail hour, and all-day free coffee, cookies, and tea. The resort has a free kids' club, with activities like drawing, painting, and origami, and a convenience store that sells clothing, snacks, and sundries. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but guests have complained that the signal is slow.