Pattaya is a popular beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand, just 150km southeast of Bangkok. Once a quiet fishing village, Pattaya transformed into a lively coastal town in the early 1980s and has since become one of Thailand’s most popular vacation spots. Often labelled as ‘Sin City’, Pattaya offers much more than just that reputation, making it a very interesting tourist destination in Thailand. For us, it was the town of foot massages, great food and heavenly smiles.
Thai hospitality
There is something about Thai people that instantly warms your heart. The welcome we received at our check-in was genuine and attentive and made us feel instantly comfortable. During our stay, all our encounters with the staff at Somerset Pattaya were very pleasant, personable and friendly.
The Somerset Pattaya is relatively new and has been open since 2022. Conveniently located in the heart of Pattaya, opposite Central Pattaya mall and close to the beach, it was easy for us to explore the town.
Good news for pet owners: the Somerset Pattaya is a pet-friendly hotel with designated floors for families who’d like to bring their fur friends – small ones under 12kg are welcome to enjoy a holiday with their paw parents!
Pools with a view
The Somerset Pattaya boasts not just one, but two stunning pool levels! At the level on the 23rd floor, you will find the infinity pool, offering stunning views of the town and the sea. Lounge chairs are conveniently placed in the shallow end of the pool, and they all offer a great view over Pattaya and the ocean. The pool bar sells nice drinks and fresh coconuts, to cool down with. One level up next to the Sky Lounge restaurant is the place where kids can enjoy themselves at the waterpark. Our daughter tried out the slides and absolutely loved them, describing them as ‘ace’. We thought the cabanas, also with a stunning view, were very nice to hang out, but they are often occupied, so make sure to go there early.
Rooms
We stayed at a two-bedroom apartment spread out over 80sqm which was spacious, modern, and equipped with a well-equipped kitchen, two good sized bathrooms, a living area with a four-seater dining table, smart television and a master bedroom with a balcony. One of the best features is the amazing views from the windows in the bedrooms and the living room. Simply stunning!
I had an in-room massage in the afternoon and if you have never tried a Thai massage, this is your chance. The stretching involved in Thai massage can help improve range of motion, enhances blood flow and promotes overall well-being. Weary at first, I dutifully followed the therapist’s guidance, and my body twisted into assisted yoga postures, I had never imagined possible. I was amazed though at how relaxed I felt afterwards. Definitely a need-to-book when you’re at Somerset Pattaya!
International cuisines
The Sky Lounge with an à la carte menu is located next to the waterpark on the 24th floor and it is challenging to divide your attention between the delicious courses they serve there and the views from the restaurant, overlooking the ocean, Pattaya, and the hills in the distance. On our first day, we thoroughly enjoyed a lunch with shrimp satay, pork curry, stir fried seafood, sea bass and Tom Kha scallop soup. While the shrimp satay and fish were very tasty, my personal favourite was the soup.
The Sea to Serve restaurant serves a nice breakfast buffet. Our daughter’s favourite by far was the waffles and pancakes station, while her parents enjoyed the noodle soup, the fresh salads and the omelettes.
Things to do for families in Pattaya
Away from the hustle and bustle of Pattaya, there are quite a few opportunities for families to enjoy a great day out, like Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom, a trip to Koh Larn island, or the Sanctuary of Truth, a hybrid of a temple and a castle. We took our teenager to the family friendly cabaret at Tiffany’s Show, which was very entertaining. There are a lot of jet skis, banana boats, and parasailing activities on the beach as well.
What stood out to us about Somerset Pattaya is its prime location right in the heart of Pattaya. Yet, the moment you step inside the Somerset, you’re transported to a peaceful oasis where exceptional Thai hospitality awaits with beautiful rooms, great dining options, and an inviting ambiance that makes you feel truly at home. The hotel also offers a well-equipped gym, a kids club and a free shuttle service, which conveniently brought us to the north end of town.
Somerset Pattaya is located at 528 Moo 10, Pattaya 2 Road, Nongprue, Banglamung
We were invited by the Ascott group to stay at the Somerset Pattaya. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
