Pattaya/jomtien

[Kinrara]

Hi

New to this site, hope I've posted ok, coming to Thailand in January, haven't been to Pattaya/Jomtien before, hearing mixed reports on Pattaya! The accommodation we are going to be staying in is called the Hill Beach Hotel, which I believe consists of apartments on the beach between Pattaya and Jomtien, basic but cheap. Can anyone give me any info on the beach there, Hill Beach Hotel, places to eat, trips etc.

Regards

[Jockstar]

Hi Kinrara and welcome to the site. Glad you could make it over from BE. I'm sure the locals down Patters way will help you out.

[Top Cat]

Hi

New to this site, hope I've posted ok, coming to Thailand in January, haven't been to Pattaya/Jomtien before, hearing mixed reports on Pattaya! The accommodation we are going to be staying in is called the Hill Beach Hotel, which I believe consists of apartments on the beach between Pattaya and Jomtien, basic but cheap. Can anyone give me any info on the beach there, Hill Beach Hotel, places to eat, trips etc.

Regards

Hi Kinara

Sorry to answer a question with a question. BUT

1. Are you a single guy or guys looking for fun in the sun?

2. Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a girlfriend?

3, Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a wife/partner and kids in tow?

If your answer is No. 1 then you have probably made one of the best choices in your partying life.

If 2. or 3. then you can still have a good time assuming you are flexible and broadminded.

But more info. will make a BIG difference.

Chok dee kap.

Top_Cat

[Kinrara]

Hi

New to this site, hope I've posted ok, coming to Thailand in January, haven't been to Pattaya/Jomtien before, hearing mixed reports on Pattaya! The accommodation we are going to be staying in is called the Hill Beach Hotel, which I believe consists of apartments on the beach between Pattaya and Jomtien, basic but cheap. Can anyone give me any info on the beach there, Hill Beach Hotel, places to eat, trips etc.

Regards

Hi Kinara

Sorry to answer a question with a question. BUT

1. Are you a single guy or guys looking for fun in the sun?

2. Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a girlfriend?

3, Are you going to Pattaya/Jomtien with a wife/partner and kids in tow?

If your answer is No. 1 then you have probably made one of the best choices in your partying life.

If 2. or 3. then you can still have a good time assuming you are flexible and broadminded.

But more info. will make a BIG difference.

Chok dee kap.

Top_Cat

Hi Top Cat

Sorry for not giving enough info! Going with my husband, no kids, in our 40's, broadminded and do quite a bit of travelling, living at the moment in Goa. Have been to Bangkok and Koh Samui before, looking for nice scenery, beach, good bars and restaurants, I understand that the Hill Beach Hotel is on the point between Pattaya and Jomtien, just wanted info on our accommodation, beach, restaurants/bars and surrounding area please.

Regards

Kinrara

[philliphn]

I suggest that you go to Hua Hinn! It has a better beach.

I think that you will like the ambience in Hua Hinn much better.

[Kinrara]

I suggest that you go to Hua Hinn! It has a better beach.

I think that you will like the ambience in Hua Hinn much better.

Hi philliphn

Thanks for your reply, have decided to visit Pattaya/Jomtien for just a week from 8th Jan, we are in Thailand till 30th Jan. Your recommendation, Hau Hinn, can you tell me what transport would get us there from Pattaya, and have you any accommodation recommendations?

Regards

Kinrara

[Top Cat]

Hi Kinrara

Although not married myself I know a couple from the UK who are roughly in your age group. They have holidayed in Thailand visiting Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Initially they were dubious about Pattaya but have grown to like it to such an extent that they bought a 2 bed condo in the Jomtien area and plan to retire there. They mostly socialise in Pattaya and just don’t bother with the girly bars and have found other venues that suit them fine.

Of course whether this would work for yourselves or not remains to be seen!!

I have tried to locate your hotel but the best I could come up with was an address on Jomtien Beach Road, so I cant help you on its exact location or what its like. Jomtien is quieter than Pattaya, so its probably the best choice for yourselves.

Obviously as you know by now Pattaya comes in for a huge amount of criticism, some of it is justified, some of it not.

Its simple really you either like Pattaya or hate the place and there's only one way to find out!! If you walk from Jomtien to Pattaya, on Threppaya Road, there is an arch over the road defining the boundary(?) between Pattaya and Jomtien, it reads:

“Welcome to Pattaya the Extreme City”. Enough said.

I have broken your post down into headings, each with three items to consider and hopefully other BM’s can add to this:

1. Scenery (Where??!!)

I wouldn’t describe Pattaya or Jomtien as scenic, although I think it looks pretty nice when the sun sets in the evening, assuming your looking out to sea.

Instead of specific scenery try the Sanctuary of Truth, Big Buddha statue or Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.

2. Beaches

I find Pattaya beach usually grotty, Jomtien a bit better. Although they do have “good days” when they look OK.

My favourite is to charter a speed boat (or you could take the ferry from Bali Hi pier) and go to Koh Larn which is just off the coast and has plenty of beaches that are better then Pattaya or Jomtien.

3. Bars

Well if its girly bars you are spoilt for choice!!

Assuming its not then there’s the Blues Factory (assuming you like blues music), Pig & Whistle and Shenanigans.

4. Restaurants

Too numerous. You could try Indian By Nature, Bruno’s and Mantra to name but a few.

I must point out that this not an exhaustive list, just a few places to maybe try, and I have no vested interests in any of the above establishments.

Where are they located and how do you get to them? Your trip would be over by the time that was all explained!!

I think the best way is to get settled in and orientated at your hotel then do a bit of a search on the web and sort things from there.

Travelling around is easy enough, with the baht buses, and there are plenty of threads on here explaining how they operate.

Enjoy your trip.

T.C.

[Kinrara]

Hi Kinrara

Although not married myself I know a couple from the UK who are roughly in your age group. They have holidayed in Thailand visiting Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

Initially they were dubious about Pattaya but have grown to like it to such an extent that they bought a 2 bed condo in the Jomtien area and plan to retire there. They mostly socialise in Pattaya and just don't bother with the girly bars and have found other venues that suit them fine.

Of course whether this would work for yourselves or not remains to be seen!!

I have tried to locate your hotel but the best I could come up with was an address on Jomtien Beach Road, so I cant help you on its exact location or what its like. Jomtien is quieter than Pattaya, so its probably the best choice for yourselves.

Obviously as you know by now Pattaya comes in for a huge amount of criticism, some of it is justified, some of it not.

Its simple really you either like Pattaya or hate the place and there's only one way to find out!! If you walk from Jomtien to Pattaya, on Threppaya Road, there is an arch over the road defining the boundary(?) between Pattaya and Jomtien, it reads:

"Welcome to Pattaya the Extreme City". Enough said.

I have broken your post down into headings, each with three items to consider and hopefully other BM's can add to this:

1. Scenery (Where??!!)

I wouldn't describe Pattaya or Jomtien as scenic, although I think it looks pretty nice when the sun sets in the evening, assuming your looking out to sea.

Instead of specific scenery try the Sanctuary of Truth, Big Buddha statue or Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.

2. Beaches

I find Pattaya beach usually grotty, Jomtien a bit better. Although they do have "good days" when they look OK.

My favourite is to charter a speed boat (or you could take the ferry from Bali Hi pier) and go to Koh Larn which is just off the coast and has plenty of beaches that are better then Pattaya or Jomtien.

3. Bars

Well if its girly bars you are spoilt for choice!!

Assuming its not then there's the Blues Factory (assuming you like blues music), Pig & Whistle and Shenanigans.

4. Restaurants

Too numerous. You could try Indian By Nature, Bruno's and Mantra to name but a few.

I must point out that this not an exhaustive list, just a few places to maybe try, and I have no vested interests in any of the above establishments.

Where are they located and how do you get to them? Your trip would be over by the time that was all explained!!

I think the best way is to get settled in and orientated at your hotel then do a bit of a search on the web and sort things from there.

Travelling around is easy enough, with the baht buses, and there are plenty of threads on here explaining how they operate.

Enjoy your trip.

T.C.

Hi TC

Thanks very much for spending time in replying. My husband and I have decided to come to Thailand for 3 weeks, we will stay in Pattaya/Jomtien area for the first week and see how it goes, we might be surprised, like your friends and love it and want to stay longer. We live in Goa, another place you either love or hate!

Think it might also be nice to see a bit more of Thailand ie your suggestion Hua Hin. Sorry, more questons, how far is Hau Hin from Pattaya, what transport would get us there, can you recommend any accommodation in Hau Hin. I have heard that different parts of Thailand have different rainy seasons, are we safe coming in January to these areas?

Many thanks for your time

Kinrara

[Cuban]

Think it might also be nice to see a bit more of Thailand ie your suggestion Hua Hin. Sorry, more questons, how far is Hau Hin from Pattaya, what transport would get us there, can you recommend any accommodation in Hau Hin. I have heard that different parts of Thailand have different rainy seasons, are we safe coming in January to these areas?

Hi K,

Hua Hin is roughly on the other side of the Bay Of Bangkok from Pattaya, there are various options to get you from A to B depending on your budget from using local buses which will cost you a few hundred Baht (?) to personal helicopter which would considerably more. I suggest mini van or meter taxi (agree a fixed fee do not use the meter), this would probably be in the region of 2,000 - 4,000 Baht. Personally I drive here so I have no direct experiance of using public transport like this. The journey from Pattaya to HH will take about four hours depending on the time of day, aim to avoid Bangkok during the 4pm - 7pm period as the traffic is busy and you will be quite bored at the speed of the changing scenery.

Accomodation: I don't know what the price range of the "Hill Beach Hotel" in Pattaya is so it is difficult to suggest a matching hotel in HH. The best I have stayed in there is the Sofitel, a very nice location. If HH hotels are too expensive for your budget consider the beach resort of Cha-Am, spread along a nice beach there are a broad rang of prices availible there.

This map will help you understand the distances and place names.

Janurary is in the middle of Thai "cool" season for this section of the country, you might get some rain but it will be a short burst and the streets will be drying off within the hour. Daytime 30-32 evening 18-20 degrees.