Siam Bayshore

Turning off a busy street, the thick greenery and flowering bushes that adorn the driveway to the Siam Bayshore certainly suggest the entrance to a natural oasis. Exploring deeper into the resort, this feeling of seclusion isn't lost thanks to lush grounds filled with dense flora, koi ponds, and numerous palm trees. The check-in area too is hushed and serene, outfitted with sleek and contemporary furnishings in crisp whites, plus teak and gold accents. An airy atrium lobby also brims with plant life, as well as a water feature statue, bamboo furnishings, and a white baby grand piano. The property's modern buildings are divided between Ocean and Tropical wings, with most nestled among the dense verdant gardens. With so much greenery, there are a few inevitable bugs, and a canal that runs through the resort can produce an unpleasant smell when levels are low. Guests are a mixture of vacationing couples and families with kids, while a small on-site conference center also means the occasional business groups.

The hotel is located toward the southern end of the resort city of Pattaya, just a couple minutes' stroll from the ever-bustling Walking Street -- the resort's red light and main entertainment district. The hotel's small sandy beach is across the road next to the Bali Hai Pier, while the start of the main long stretch of Pattaya Beach is about a 10-minute walk from here. The CentralFestival Pattaya Beach -- a seven-floor shopping mall with over 370 outlets plus a cinema and bowling alley -- is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from here, while the family-friendly Pattaya Park with a roller coaster and waterslides is about a 10-minute drive away. Utapao Pattaya Airport is around an hour's drive from the hotel, while Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is about two hours.

The 280 pleasant rooms combine wooden floors with patterned fabrics, floral motifs, and a mixture of bamboo, rattan, and teak furnishings to create traditionally styled interiors with a tropical feel. Suites tend to be less restrained, adding ornate antique furniture and elaborate Asian artworks. The Tropical Deluxe Rooms are the most modern and up-date, while the other room categories could use a refresh. All rooms open to furnished balconies or terraces with garden or sea views. Solid amenities include well-stocked minibars, stereo systems, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels; Wi-Fi is also available free of charge, though it can be spotty. Bathrooms are straightforward and well-maintained, equipped with shower/tub combos, telephones, and aromatic toiletries. While the rooms farther back in the gardens are exceptionally peaceful, those overlooking the street can be prone to noise. 

The Siam Bayshore's main restaurant is the bright and modern Sunrise Sunset, which is open 24 hours and serves an extensive breakfast buffet of both Eastern and Western dishes (often but not always included in the room rate). Several other on-site eateries include one featuring Thai cooking and an open-air terrace, and another set overlooking a koi pond in the garden. There's also a beachside barbecue buffet open for dinner every evening. Room service is available.The main pool is surrounded by palm trees and features a central whirlpool section, as well as a kids' splash pool with waterslide. The second pool is located just across the road and overlooks the hotel's beach. Most guests skip this beach and head to the larger Pattaya Beach, about a 10-minute walk away. The Lotus Spa is small but offers Thai massages in pretty wood-accented treatment rooms surrounded by greenery. Also available are a small fitness room with limited equipment and six tennis courts, plus a playground for children. The hotel has ample meeting and event space, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout, but guests report it can be patchy.