Jomtien Garden Hotel & Resort, Pattaya

Jomtien Garden Hotel & Resort, Pattaya

Jomtien is part of Pattaya, or is it? In my book it is, it's just a very short ride from Pattaya away and it's located at a much nicer beach than Pattaya. Actually, when travelling with my family I prefer Jomtien beach over Pattaya since I think it's nicer and quieter than Pattaya and as already mentioned, in my opinion the beach is superior.

This place has it all; The Jomtien Garden Hotel & Resort is just 10 minutes south of the main city, located close to a multitude of shopping malls, restaurants and tourist spots. On site, you will find two swimming pools, a tennis court, pool table, tropical garden, children’s playground and massage facilities. Internet access is offered to all guests. For dining, there are a number of restaurants serving local and international dishes. There are also a number of bars, as well as private banquet and karaoke rooms. Room service is available 24 hours.

The good news is that all of this comes at an affordable price and they have 192 rooms with plenty of different room options, most likely they will have your desired room set up.

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Villa

Deluxe room

Guest room

Guest room

Deluxe room

Bann Pantai Resort, Chaam

Bann Pantai Resort, Chaam

Perfect for a weekend getaway, this resort is located in the beach town of Cha-am just a two hour drive from Bangkok. This boutique property is located right on the beach, only a few steps from the water and near Narathip road that leads into Chaam, just hang a left once you reach the beach.

It's well maintained, brand new boutique resort and the only one of it's kind on the beach stretch. Parking is not far from the rooms and if you are looking for a beach holiday without the tourists that usually come with it, Bannpantai Resort is Cha-am could be your answer.

The hotel is in a medium price range.

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Guest room

Deluxe room

Balcony overlooking the pool

Swimming pool

Hotel exterior

Jamahkiri Spa & Resort, Koh Tao

Jamahkiri Spa & Resort, Koh Tao

This luxury resort is located at the far end of the Koh Tao dive site that I know by the name of Ao Leuk and almost opposite Shark island or Red Rock. The nearest beach is Sai Daeng Beach.

This South part of Koh Tao is offering a lovely and beautifully quiet location and the resort offers not only a picturesque location but excellent amenities as well . It's well known for it's Spa treatments and they're part of the resort experience, something that can only be highly recommended to participate in.

The resort lays claim to being the only property on the island to now offer clean water all year round, with the desalination system in place. Jamahkiri Spa & Resort makes for the perfect destination for a honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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Guest room

Guest room

Swimming pool

View from a balcony

Beach front

Mom Tri's Villa Royale Hotel, Kata Beach, Phuket

Mom Tri's Villa Royale Hotel, Kata Beach, Phuket

This hotel ranks high on the fave hotels on Phuket and was on top spot last year on Trip Advisor.

It's conveniently located between Kata beach and Kata Noi, built into the rocks and with only 35 rooms it's near perfect. The guest rooms are decorated in distinct Thai style and sit amongst landscaped gardens, all with sea views and complimentary wireless access.

You can easily access the beach with it's white sand and the water beyond via the resort's private walkway.

Mom Luang Tridhosyuth Devakul aka Mom Tri is a renowned architect and is related to the Thai royal family.

Mom Tri's kitchen is also well known all over Phuket and the innovative menu features Thai, European and fusion cuisine. You can choose to dine on the covered patio, open-air garden terraces or the salas and Mom Tri's also includes an award-winning wine cellar.

If you want a nice place with breathtaking views over Phuket's Kata beach, Mom Tri's Villa Royale is the place for you. Just keep in mind that it ain't the cheapest place on the island but well worth it.

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Beach wing suite

Balcony terrace

Royale Suite

Royal Suite bedroom

Restaurant

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, Pattaya

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort, Pattaya

This recently opened resort of the Centara chain in Pattaya is high on my list of places to stay at in Pattaya, especially with children!

Besides a spectacular architectural design, looking in from the ocean, and having 555 rooms at your service, the main attraction is are the 5 differrent pools and the "Lost World" theme throughout the resort which features an extensive water park including swimming pools, children's pool, infinity pool, lap pool, lazy river, waterslide and waterfalls and other aquatic activities in the water park. All free to access by guests!

The pools as seen from a hotel window, your kids will leave this place with tears in their eyes! It will get me excited, that's for sure!

The resort is located on the Northern end of Pattaya you are on Naklua and Wong Amat Beach on 230 meters of fine sandy beach.

There are family rooms and lots of children activities in the resort; a large extensive kids club and a daily activity programincluding an indoor Cam Safari and games rooms for 3 to 9 years old while teenagers have a separate E Zone games room. A Pattaya dream come true!

All in all a fantastic deal if you visit Pattaya with your children.

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Camille

Kata Beach Resort & Spa, Kata Beach, Phuket

Kata Beach Resort & Spa, Kata Beach, Phuket

Although I haven't stayed here yet, I had the opportunity to visit the Kata beach Resort on a couple of times, the last time very recently when I was in Phuket last month, December 2009, for a PADI Course Director update and we had the meeting in one of their conference rooms. Some friends of mine have also stayed at this hotel, which gave me the opportunity to check out some of their rooms.

It is  very nice, big and luxurious and is set amidst lush tropical gardens and overlooks the Andaman Sea. The resort is only 15 minute drive away from Phuket town, and the popular Patong Beach. You can enjoy a range of Asian Western and Mediterranean dishes at one of the four restaurants. The location creates a peaceful and exotic atmosphere for total relaxation away from the crowd although you're still very conveniently at the easy going Southern corner of Kata.

The swimming pool is really nice and offers a great view over Kata Bay.

Facilities at the resort include boutique, baggage handling, car rental, salon, currency exchange, and an on-call doctor.

A great and quiet location with a medium ranged price tag.

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Deluxe room

Superior room

Restaurant

Swimming pool

Swimming pool aerial view

Case E Mare, Kata Beach, Phuket

Case E Mare, Kata Beach, Phuket

This week I stayed one night in Phuket for work, to be more precise for a PADI Course Director update and a friend recommended the Casa E Mare in Kata Beach, since it was near the hotel that the seminar was at.

It's an Italian owned and run hotel/restaurant/ice cream parlour and it has a nice and quiet location, just a few minutes walk away from Kata beach, one of the more relaxed and quiet beaches on Phuket.

The Italian cold cuts on display looked fantastic but unfortunately I didn't get the time the try them out.

The rooms are simple, straightforward and affordable but are very nicely laid out and cosy and they have all the minimum requirements a room needs.

If you need to spend time in Phuket and don't need to be near the ocean, and you like a nice and family atmosphere, this is the place to be.

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Booking by Hotels Combined

Downstairs restaurant and pool table

Some great cold cuts at display

My room