Overview: Settled on the quiet beachfront between Jomtien and Bang Saray beaches, this boutique hotel offers a more intimate and down-to-earth atmosphere than other luxurious offerings in Pattaya. It’s also packed with the U brand’s signature services: 24-hour stay from check-in time and whenever/wherever breakfast service.

 

Rooms: Designed by Be Gray, the architecture firm behind the famous Casa Lapin cafes in Bangkok, U Pattaya takes its concept from the surrounding fishermen’s villages. All 54 rooms (19 villas and 25 rooms under seven types, including two bedrooms) are filled with modern rustic charm in the form of rock-piled walls, vintage lanterns, bamboo ceilings, boat ropes and hanging beams with sheer curtains. Each unit consists of a bath tub, some of which come in an alfresco setting. The Beachfront Pool Villa has a sunken pool facing the ocean.

 

Facilities: Eco-friendly materials are everywhere, as in the thatched roofs of the leaf-shaped garden villas. Instead of an elevator, a large circular staircase at the entrance leads guests to their rooms in the three-story building. Hanging fishnets line the wooden walkway to U Spa. There’s also a 45-meter swimming pool right by the beach. Adrenaline junkies can get their morning run on the treadmill at the beachfront gym. The clean, rockfree stretch of beach is also great for sea swimming.

 

Dining: The only restaurant, Papillon, is decorated with thatched ceilings and hanging seats. This all-day dining venue is focused on French cuisine with some classic Thai dishes like fried rice with crab meat and green curry, along with pastas. Highlights include the bouillabaisse (clear saffron soup with fresh seafood, B680) and beef cheek vol-au-vent (braised beef cheek with white wine cream mushroom sauce, B550). The second floor is home to La Vela, a laid-back rooftop bar that’s a little reminiscent of Sri Panwa’s amazing Baba Nest. At night, they also serve classic and modern cocktails around the pool, which lights up with LED stars.

 

Rave: The rustic design is both chic and romantic for couples who want a quick trip out of Bangkok. The beach, too, is rather quieter than other parts of Pattaya. Every corner is Instagram-worthy.

 

Rant: Some room types are too small like the pool-access villa. And the garden view villa room’s terrace lacks privacy. But the hi-so pool villas have plenty of private space. The location is far from the city center (about 20km)—no nightlife, guys. But the delicious seafood joints at nearby Bang Saray make up for that.

 

Rates: Starts at B3,599 for Superior Garden View, B4,399 for Superior Seaview, B5,599 for Garden Villa, B7,599 for Pool Access, B9,599 for Pool Villa, B13,599 for Two Bedroom Pool Villa, B15,599 for Beachfront Pool Villa.