Dusit Thani Pattaya

The lush interior garden that climbs the walls and curls into every sunlit corner of the bright, massive lobby at Dusit Thani Pattaya is a good indication of what to expect in the rest of the hotel. That's to say, this hotel has a tranquil, secluded atmosphere with a strong emphasis on natural beauty, one that matches the hotel’s lovely surroundings. Public interiors are sharp, with lots of marble, furniture that utilizes both classic silhouettes and modern patterns, and a blend of bright colors and sober neutral hues. Still, while much of the hotel lives up to its luxury claims, the rooms are a bit dowdy and disappointing for this caliber of hotel. The many international families who stay here are attracted by the hotel’s two big outdoor pools, as well as the free children’s club, playground, and kiddie pool. The crowds of American and European couples who join them are often found either at the beach or hotel spa: an understandable choice considering the wide range of relaxing services available in the hotel's seven treatment rooms. 

This Dusit Thani is a fine choice for those looking to be near the hustle and bustle of Pattaya, but away from the seedier elements found in town. The beachside hotel is only an eight-minute walk to the restaurants on Beach Road for dining options and buzz. Heading south along the coast, one passes various local attractions along the way -- like the Teddy Bear Museum or the Alcazar Cabaret, both of which are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Walking inland leads to Tiffany’s Show, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and farther along is Art in Paradise, an interactive art museum that's popular with families. Central Center Pattaya, one of the area's many shopping malls, is about a 12-minute walk. The town itself can be a bit dodgy, with lots of go-go bars and massage parlors all around, but most of that is at a remove from the Dusit Thani. In fact, Walking Street -- one of the town's more legendary nightlife areas -- will require a nearly 20-minute cab ride to reach. Pattaya is popular with weekend travelers from Bangkok, which is at least two hours away by car and home to two major international airports. Otherwise, the closest way in and out by air is Utapao International Airport, which is a 50-minute drive away.

The 457 rooms here range widely in terms of type and available amenities, yet the style is variable. Many rooms -- like the Deluxe Rooms that we visited -- are done in bland white and beige tones plus traditional dark wood furniture that's a little worn. When combined with details like goldenrod carpeting, bare walls, and gaudy accents, the effect in these rooms is less than fresh. Higher-category rooms include handsome marble surfaces and a bit more style from silk floral accent panels or sharp hardwood floors in some.All rooms feature up-to-date amenities like minibars, air-conditioning, safes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players. Rooms also include balconies, the majority of which face the pools or the sea. Upgraded categories offer various extra perks like private check-in, free laundry services, and daily fresh fruit and water. In general, bathrooms are bright and compact, and most include shower/tub combos, scales, and plenty of counter space. The decor remains as unimaginative here as elsewhere -- there’s little beyond simple beige tiling and mirrors with gold trim. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. While this part of Pattaya stays mostly quiet, helping to eliminate most traffic noise in rooms, some guests have noted nearing noise from neighboring rooms.

Families are in luck as there are plenty of services available for the young ones, which isn't always the case at hotels in Pattaya. Kid-friendly features include a free children’s club, playground, and kiddie pool. This is in addition to the two large outdoor pools, one of which features lovely little pillar fountains that periodically spray water into the pool. The pool deck is quite spacious, with various canopies covering the day beds that are scattered around. The beach is small relative to the hotel's size, and some of it is rocky and unswimmable. The area meant for swimming is shallow and tranquil, though, and a few rows of lounge chairs are arranged on the sand and neighboring grassy tiers. The elegant spa here offers a comprehensive menu of spa services that range from various beauty treatments to massages, body wraps, and a sauna -- all of it is a bit pricey, but that’s not unusual for the area. The fitness center here is impressive, and feels more like a gym. It's roomy and bright, with tons of modern cardio and weight equipment and extras like yoga mats, medicine balls, and flat-screen TVs. There are also few tennis courts outside for more fitness options. The breakfast buffet isn't free at the hotel, but there are plenty of options and food gets generally solid marks. Peak Restaurant serves Chinese fare and is open for breakfast onwards, though more of an international variety is found at Cascades Restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner. There’s also Italian fare at Bay Restaurant. For beverages, the lobby lounge offers well-made cocktails, though they can be pricey. The Club Lounge is available for those staying in higher category rooms and serves various snacks and drinks throughout the day. Various shops on-site might be a good place to start shopping for trinkets before moving on to the large shopping malls near the hotel. There are a number of meeting rooms and conference facilities here, as well as a proper business center. Wi-Fi is free and functional, and self-parking is free here too.