Patong Beach Hotel

The Patong Beach Hotel is colorful and fun, with a youthful vibe and authentic Thai atmosphere. The hotel is located on the busy Patong strip, with motorbikes whizzing by and plenty of shops, restaurants, and food stalls right outside the front door. Bangla Road and its legendary nightlife are within a short walk, and plenty of guests stay out late, making the mornings a time of quiet recovery. There are plenty of spots to pull up a sunbed and stretch out with a book and a fruity cocktail, especially the smaller pool, surrounded by tropical plants and palms, with Buddha watching over the proceedings. This is a city hotel, with bars, a disco, the beach, and a neighboring Sizzler steakhouse for those who miss the food of home. But the decor makes the place. Rooms are a riot of lavender, fucshia, gold, and vibrant Thai brocades, and romantic dinners for two can be set up in the garden. The hotel may be older and a little worn around the edges, but so is Patong, and the hotel’s version of Thai luxe is young, lush, exotic, and exciting.

The Patong Beach Hotel is in a great location, just across the road from the center of Patong Beach and the Andaman Sea, a three-minute walk. Guests on higher hotel floors have splendid sea views. The hotel is located in the heart of the city, with lots of traffic, shops, restaurants, and markets. Nightlife lovers will love this place, just steps from the Bangla Road clubs and bars, and 15 minutes from the one-of-a-kind Sphinx Theater. The airport is 28 miles from the hotel.

Rooms at the Patong Beach Hotel are distinct, filled with vibrant colors and luxe Thai fabrics. There are two wings, the older Siam and Sunset. Rooms in the Sunset wing show less wear and tear, but the fantastic, funky decor makes both wings charming and fun. Artwork is quirky, and the Sunset Wing’s four-poster beds are romantic. Bathrooms are all modern and decadent, with showers and hot tubs or freestanding tubs by sliding doors that open into the bedroom. Rooms come with furnished private balconies, flat-screen TVs, minibars, laptop safes, fridges, and coffeemakers. Adjoining and non-smoking rooms are available. Higher floors are quieter.

The Patong Beach Hotel has two pools: a large, lagoon-style family pool with palm islands, sunbeds, umbrellas, and a kids' area; and a smaller pool, sheltered by a picturesque brick wall, surrounded by tropical plants, watchful statues, and wall reliefs that give it a secluded feeling. The fitness center is small but modern and pretty, with touches of wood and natural light. The hotel has a buffet restaurant, coffee shop, and several bars, all with a chill Thai vibe and free-flowing fruity cocktails. The Banana Pub offers live music and pool tables; the Banana discotheque is a funky, Thai-inflected extravaganza.