353 Phra Tamnuk Road, (part of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group), Pattaya, Thailand | (888) 240-0568
Luxury all-suite hotel with many former VIP guests
Immaculately presented interiors in gold and marble
Spacious suites with sea-view terraces or balconies
Marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and roomy showers
Large freeform swimming pool with butlers and sea views
Excellent facilities for younger guests, from toddlers to teens
Two private beaches exclusively for guests' use
Deluxe spa with sauna, steam room, and massage
Reliable and free Wi-Fi throughout
Some areas look a bit dated
10-minute drive from town center and sights (pro for some)
Bath products are not designer brand
The 85-suite Royal Wing Suites & Spa is the flagship and most luxurious property of a group of four hotels that occupy a 64-acre area in south Pattaya. Rooms are spacious and stylish, all with sea-view balconies, marble bathrooms, whirlpool tubs, and high-end amenities. Dining, health, and leisure facilities are also all first-class, and guests can also access amenities across the complex. The enclave can feel a little isolated and far from bustling Pattaya's sights and sounds, which is a 10-minute drive away, but travelers will be hard-pressed to find a better luxury option anywhere in the region.
Scene
Immaculately presented luxury hotel with refined ambience and decor
As one pulls up under the triangular portico that marks the entrance to the Royal Wing Suites & Spa, it's clear that everything here is polished and pristine, from the circle of manicured flora to spotless glass doorways. Stepping inside, the lobby -- a hushed and airy space characterized by gold detailing, white columns, and shimmering marble -- is no less refined. Wraparound glass paneling provides wide vistas over the sea, while teak furnishings, hand-woven carpets, and silk cushions complete the uncompromisingly high-end interiors. This all-suite hotel is the flagship of a group of four upscale properties of the same chain that occupy a private 64-acre estate, each offering a different take on luxury -- the Royal Wing Suites & Spa represents the "ultimate luxury" option. Sister properties are The Royal Cliff Beach Terrace ("exotic luxury"), Royal Cliff Beach Hotel ("casual luxury"), and Royal Cliff Grand Hotel ("formal luxury"). This is indeed one of the most luxurious hotels in the region, welcoming well-heeled vacationers and even royalty from all over the world, as well as renowned international stars from the arenas of music and sport.
Location
Seafront setting in quieter south Pattaya neighborhood, a 10-minute drive from the town center
The hotel is
located overlooking the Gulf of Thailand on a piece of headland in the
southwest of the popular tourist town of Pattaya. The area surrounding the
hotel is largely residential, with a few restaurants and local shops dotted
around, but it's certainly away from the hustle and bustle of Pattaya's main
drag. Few of Pattaya's main attractions are within walking distance of the
hotel, though the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) is just next
door. Pattaya Park, a family-friendly destination with a roller coaster and
waterslides, is about a 10-minute drive, as is the town's busy center
including popular Walking Street -- the red light and entertainment area of the
city. Utapao Pattaya Airport is around an hour's drive from the hotel, while
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is an hour-and-a-half away.
Rooms
Thai-style suites with whirlpool tubs and sea-view balconies
With just 85 suites, the hotel has surprisingly few rooms for a resort-style hotel of this ilk, providing guests here with a more intimate experience. All suites are spacious and have between one and three bedrooms. Decor is Thai-inspired, with fresh and breezy styling that combines teak and marble flooring, traditional art and craftwork, and smart contemporary pieces. All suites open to balconies or terraces with twin loungers and sea views, as well as separate living areas. Amenities are all suitably upscale, including high-end stereo systems, excellent free Wi-Fi, 42-inch HD TVs with Internet connectivity (and room service booking functionality), minibars, tea/coffee facilities, and fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Marble-clad bathrooms really shine, featuring whirlpool tubs, spacious walk-in rainfall showers, and quality (though not designer) toiletries. Presidential Heritage Suites and Presidential Platinum Suites also feature kitchens and dining areas; in addition, guests of these suites get reserved sun loungers and access to a beachside "sala" with whirlpool tubs overlooking the sea.
Features
Two private beaches and facilities for younger guests of all ages
Breakfast is served purely a la carte, and offers a wide selection of cooked-to-order items in the alfresco Terrace restaurant (though it's not included in the standard rate). The Caprice restaurant provides a fine-dining menu with a romantic vibe, while the poolside La Ronda is open for lunch and snacks -- including homemade ice cream. There's also a tasting club for wine enthusiasts and a cookery school for those wanting to learn to cook Thai food.While guests can use any of seven pools spread around the four-hotel group, the hotel's freeform sea-view pool is particularly chic and has attentive pool butlers (though it lacks the drama of the infinity-edge pool at sister Royal Cliff Beach Hotel). The hotel is also the only resort in Pattaya with two private beaches exclusively for guests' use. There's also the deluxe Cliff Spa complete with saunas, steam rooms, whirlpool tubs, and of course massage and body treatments. Facilities for younger guests (from toddlers to teens) are also extremely comprehensive, ranging from educational activities for the little ones to pool and video game lounges for young adults.