Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya

Housed in a 25-floor, glassy high-rise building that soars above downtown Pattaya, the Siam@Siam Design Hotel is a bright boutique-inspired property with a fresh, cosmopolitan vibe. Here, the always-hip industrial warehouse look is in full effect. High ceilings feature colorful exposed beams and the front desk is encased in sleek sheet metal. Colorful glass paneling in the lobby lounge and lots of natural light keep the public areas feeling playful, as do quirky design details -- like elevators with painted fingers pointing up or down, and DIY-looking bottle chandeliers in the hallways. The hotel bar happy hour guarantees a daily swarm of young professional types buzzing over craft cocktails at the appropriately-named Car Bar -- where casual meals can be had inside of a deconstructed minivan. By day, the same group of international travelers can be found lounging at the rooftop pool, surrounded on all sides by spectacular panoramic views of Pattaya. Families on vacation from the U.S. and Europe are also attracted to the hotel for its kid-friendly perks, like a children’s pool, two themed on-site restaurants, and babysitting services. 

Siam@Siam Design Hotel is located in north-central Pattaya, within walking distance of various eateries and attractions. Central Center Pattaya, a massive shopping mall, is across the street, and the interactive art museum Art in Paradise is just a five-minute walk away. The kid-friendly Teddy Bear Museum is also five minutes away on foot. Nearby popular dining options include Mantra Restaurant and Bar, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. A bit farther south are Pattayanis Greek Taverna, Madras Darbar, and Restaurant Casa Pascal -- all are under a 15-minute drive away. Walking Street is popular nightlife spot and is also within a 15-minute taxi ride of the hotel, but beware -- Pattaya has its share of sex-oriented go-go clubs, cheap bars, and massage parlors -- all are a conspicuous sight in that part of town. Pattaya's floating market is just under 30 minutes away in a car -- on the way you’ll pass Underwater World Pattaya. Utapao International Airport is about an hour away by car, though plenty of folks drive down from Bangkok, which is at least two hours away by car depending on traffic.

The 268 simple rooms here match the bright and playful design motif found in the rest of the hotel. Decor includes colorful throw rugs, paintings inspired by Klee and Chagall on the ceiling, and leafy-looking room dividers. Furniture comes in dark wood-veneer finishes and has clean, simple lines. Bright colors are used sparingly and pop against darker cobalt blue and light wood-laminate floors. Leisure Class Rooms -- the hotel's higher-category units -- have seating areas, while Youth Class Rooms are set up with single beds to accommodate groups and/or families. Standard amenities include minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, electric kettles, free WI-Fi, and safes. Most rooms also have relatively spacious balconies, many with hammocks, fake grass flooring, and vast city views. Bathrooms here are gray-toned, clean, and chic, with walk-in rainfall showers and large black granite vanities with plenty of counter space. Comforting extras include bathrobes and slippers, as well as black-out drapes. It's worth noting, however, that travelers may want to bring ear plugs as rooms on lower floors do pick up traffic noise due to the city-center location.

The hotel’s themed eateries -- with various scattered knick-knacks and playful color schemes -- sound at first reminiscent of Hard Rock Cafe-style kitsch, but in practice the design comes off as light and tasteful. At Big Fish, mini-sails are strung along the ceilings and walls are painted a perfect sea-blue. The restaurant serves daily international buffets with plenty of fresh seafood options and live cooking stations. The breakfast buffet isn't free, but nevertheless includes a typically Westernized selection of eggs, fruits, breads, and hot foods. Happy hours are offered at all restaurants and bars and even better -- the quality of the cocktails at auto-themed Car Bar make it one of the more popular options in town for a drink. The fitness center here is large and bright, with a series of modern machines available for circuit workouts, as well as ample towels and free weights. The rooftop pool, in contrast, is perhaps too small for swimming laps, but it’s clean and well-maintained. More pleasing are the stunning views of Pattaya from here and the pool on the floor below, where guests can also enjoy poolside cocktails from the comfort of their giant lounge chairs. There's also a kids' pool, and babysitting services can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free and functional everywhere in the hotel, and the property also has seven meeting rooms and a small business center with a couple of desktop computers. Both self-parking and valet are free, though the parking garage can be a bit tight to navigate.