These Pattaya beauties bring the colour, comfort, and charm. Already visited Phuket, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai? Fans of excellent design (and equally excellent swimming pools) will want to know about the best boutique hotels in Pattaya for dream vacations. Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand’s east coast, just two hours drive from Bangkok, has long been a hot spot for sun, sea and sand. But first, a little intro on the area itself. The region’s sleepy fishing villages and idyllic beaches became known as an R&R location for US and Allied soldiers engaged in the Vietnam war. Previously all the action happened around central Pattaya and the crescent-shaped 3.5km-long Pattaya Beach. Pattaya remains an international favourite with big brand hotels, glitzy shopping malls, a variety of entertainment options, including theme parks, excellent golf courses, and those beaches and related water sports. When people now refer to Pattaya, they often include the four neighbouring beach destinations immediately south of Pattaya City.

Lk Pavilion Executive Serviced Apartment

These are Pratamnak, Jomtien, Na Jomtien and the most southerly at 21km from Pattaya City, Bang Saray. Take a look at some of our favourites below. With accolades in several national design awards, Cross Pattaya Oceanphere (formerly X2 Pattaya Oceanphere) is in the southern Pattaya region of Bang Saray and less than a kilometre from the nearest beach. Much of Pattaya’s newer tourism infrastructure can be found in these four southern regions. The sleek design-led resort is great for couples, friends or families who want a weekend escape or extended break in one of Pattaya’s authentic and less-developed regions. Cross Oceanphere comprises 59 one-, two-, and four-bedroom private pool villas, each uniquely designed to catch the prevailing ocean breeze. Each villa has spacious living areas, bathrooms, a kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor sala, a terrace, and a private pool. Villa configurations ensure privacy and create a safe environment for children to run around and play.

Head to Ocean Bistro for the free-flow Champagne breakfast and all-day dining.

Lazing in your villa plunge pool is compelling at any time of day. A functional fitness centre is also available. The onsite spa with tailored massage and beauty treatments is a must. Head to Ocean Bistro for the free-flow Champagne breakfast and all-day dining. Chili Blue, the pool bar, serves refreshing daytime drinks and stunning sunset cocktails, overseen by resident mixologists. Third floor of the reception building hosts the resort’s infinity pool for those perfect sunset and district views. At Cross Pattaya Oceanphere you have luxury and local character joining to create a uniquely desirable destination. Bang Saray Beach and village is renowned for its seafood shacks, with the catch coming straight from the central pier. Located in the middle of Pattaya City’s Beach Road and beside the fab Central Festival shopping and entertainment mall, the Art Deco 18-room Wave hotel is ideally situated for all the central action. Designed with playful intent, the four-storey building oozes 1930s Miami Beach glamour with its ice-cream colour pastels by day and vibrant neon by night.

From the breezy lobby through to the restaurant, out to the pool terrace and rooms, all public and private spaces are outfitted with captivating design and seaside comfort. They even have a hot pink 1940s Cadillac parked out front for those insta moments. Their Sunset guest rooms burst with seaside freshness under a palette of Tiffany blue combined with black and white upholstery and touches of Art Deco flair. Twilight Rooms with king-size four-poster canopy beds, ocean views, extra-large open-plan black mosaic and white marble bathrooms are the ultimate romantic escape. In keeping with the hotel’s South Beach theme, the ground floor Cadillac Café & Bar, with its exuberant décor, features American comfort foods, select European fare, Latin delights and Asian favourites, all with a gourmet twist. The unabashedly flashy, fabulous, flirty and hard-to-miss Wave hotel is owned and operated by the Sukosol family, who also run the highly acclaimed The Siam in Bangkok.