Best Boutique Hotels in Pattaya, Chonburi Province

This 18-room boutique hotel has a fun and funky Miami Art Decor theme. It has an incredibly central location in the middle of Beach Road, right across from the sand. Stylish rooms and suites feature high-end amenities as well as small balconies with sea and sunset views. Overall, this a great upscale option, though it's also more expensive than most -- the nearby Hard Rock Hotel is cheaper and has a bigger pool. But with 320 rooms, it doesn't offer the intimate experience that the Wave Hotel does.

The three-pearl Le Viman Resort is a boutique-style property with 17 tastefully decorated rooms, located in Pattaya's Phra Tamnak Hill. Not much is within walking distance of the residential setting -- it's a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride to Walking Street's nightlife or the beach -- but most guests come here to unplug from city chaos. Modern, apartment-style rooms have kitchenettes and balconies or terraces. There are two pools and hot tubs, and a fitness facility to boot, but no food service. Free Wi-Fi is available. Guests looking to stay closer to the beach at a similar price point can investigate The Seasons Pattaya, but it's less charming and intimate.

The four-pearl Rabbit Resort offers landscaped gardens and boutique-style accommodation across a mostly pedestrian road from Dongtan Beach. Guests can choose from traditional rooms in the 100 year-old main house or individual cottages. All 49 rooms are colorful and have been designed with authentic Thai accents, including Thai artwork and hand-carved furniture. Many bathrooms sport rainfall showers. There are both an adults-only and child-friendly pools available and a free breakfast is served in the hotel's beachside restaurant daily. Free Wi-Fi and on-site parking are available, and the hotel provides a tranquil resort-like escape in what can often feel like a hectic, wild town.

The eclectic design, modern furnishings, and business-friendly perks -- like a rooftop pool and bar, daily happy hours, and a sunny fitness center -- make the four-pearl Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya a popular choice for corporate travelers from all over the world. The 268 rooms are spacious and have more personality than the competition -- with funky, artsy details -- and features include air-conditioning, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. A kiddie pool and two playfully themed on-site restaurants including a daily buffet earn the hotel points with families too, and the beach is only a five-minute walk from the property. For a more intimate boutique alternative, the Wave Hotel is just across from the beach and has tons of style. It's closer to Walking Street nightlife, though rates will be higher.

The 72-room Hotel Baraquda Pattaya - MGallery by Sofitel is a luxury boutique with a nautical theme. While not along the water, the hotel is a quick four-minute walk to the beach and near ample restaurants and bars. The hotel has a striking, funky contemporary design throughout. Stylish rooms are air-conditioned, and equipped with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes, while upgraded rooms add espresso machines and whirlpool tubs. Quality on-site features include an outdoor pool, lovely spa, well-equipped fitness center, and tiny play area for kids. A restaurant and cafe receive good reviews, and the rooftop lounge is particularly recommended. Travelers who would prefer to be along the beach and a bit removed from the action may prefer the similarly priced Royal Cliff Beach Hotel.

The upscale, 77-room Nova Gold Hotel Pattaya is a good value for central Pattaya, and is just a 10-minute walk to Pattaya Beach. Contemporary, basic rooms have balconies plus walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, and most have separate tubs and desktop computers. The small, shaded outdoor pool and hot tub are open all day, and an affiliated off-site restaurant, serving all meals, is less than a five-minute walk away. Freebies include Wi-Fi, an area shuttle, and garage parking. Guests desiring more amenities should consider the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, with its on-site restaurants, full-service spa, and extensive fitness center.

The 56-room, mid-range Penthouse Hotel has an adult theme geared toward bachelors, couples, and partiers, enhanced by the fact that Walking Street and nightlife are close by. The hotel has two small pools, one with slides, and the Kitten Club is the name of a go-go bar downstairs and signs in the hotel indicate “kittens” and “accredited guests” are free to join regular-paying hotel guests. Rooms are dim and colorful, many outfitted with round jetted bathtubs, mirrors on the ceilings, dance poles, and swings. All rates include breakfast, and the cafe receives positive reviews for its Thai and international dishes. For a more conservative hotel that's also near the action, consider the Beverly Plaza Hotel.