queentraveller

James A in regards to Koh Samet island is there much to do there or cause travelling with a big group is it better to do daytrip to Coral Island istead?

queentraveller

Hi Guys,
Can anybody help am travelling with a large group and was thinking of Pattaya because I have been to phuket many times. But am sceptical cause of red light district and we are travelling with children. Was thinking of staying at the Centara Grand Mirage which is far from walking street, but really how visible is the red light area? We dont want to go to real quiet area, but some vibracity would be good. Any thoughts re Hua hin is it really that quiet or are there real chic bars and restaurants this might be a better option.any ideas please???

Kathie

I think Hua Hin is a much better option. There are lively bars and restaurants, but also family-friendly resorts. With children, consider the Hyatt - beautiful grounds and pools, lots for the youngsters.

shanek

Pattaya is really one big "red light district" and tends to be that way 24/7.

You can get away from it by staying at the upmarket hotels and shopping arcades, but around the beacfront it will be in your face most of the time, it is not confined to walking street. There are pockets of "sin" all over.

At least in Phuket, there are quieter beach area's.

Having said that, Jomtein beach, over the headland from Pattaya, is more family friendly but far less attractive than places like Kata Beach on Phuket.

I think you will find enough in Hua Hin to keep you entertained. However, the beach is a pleasant city style beach rather than a tropical paradise.

Smeagol

The hyatt in HH is lovely, especially the regency rooms, which were renovated at the end of last year. it's not in the heart of town, but it's a very short tuk tuk ride away. We only stayed at the intercontinental last time die to the renovations taking place at the Hyatt, next time we will be back ton the Hyatt.

Kalil_Daoud

I agree with the above 3 posts. We were pleasantly surprised that Hua Hin is a great place ... they have everything you need: 5 star properties, good family restaurants & adult-themed pubs, scenic vistas, historic sites, ponies to rent & ride at the beach, etc. Our photos are posted at Flickr.com as stated above.

queentraveller

HI has anybody stayed at the Centara Grand Resort in Karon Beach and the Laguna Beach Resort in Bang Tao beach thinking of diverting from Hua Hin to Phuket instead what do you think? 5 families with 12 kids so we need something to entertain the kids.....

rhkkmk

i have to stick up for pattaya a bit... yes it is another sex city, but it is very easy to avoid that... stay up on the hill overlooking to ocean or in jontiem at the beach..

lovely restaurants scattered around too

i also love HH

khunwilko

My over view of Pattaya is here......


http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rally-like.cfm


It is a few years old now but I think most of it is pretty accurate.
The place is much maligned, but I think the problems lie more with the maligners than the malignee.......

shanek

We visited Pattaya a few years ago after reading Wilko's post.

Most of what he says is true, but it is still our least favorite of all the Thai beach destinations that we have been to. I dont think that the problem lay with us, it is just that Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Hua Hin, Phi Phi and Ko Lanta all offer varying degrees of the same in a far more attractive enviroment.

BillT

We visited Pattaya some years back and I must say we enjoyed our stay there. We stayed at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort (the Grand property - they have several at this resort). It was one of the best resorts we have visited, 5 star all the way. And I agree with Bob you can avoid all the sex stuff. Not the best beach of course- but for us we are not beach bums so that was not an issue.

khunwilko

Very near the beginning of that post I wrote....

"Visually, the beaches in Pattaya are not up to much compared to elsewhere in Thailand; it’s a very urban environment."

I think anyone going to Pattaya thinking of it primarily as a beach destination is destined for dissapointment.