One of the hotels that stood out the most in downtown Pattaya, a hotel right at the center opposite Pattaya Beach atop Central Pattaya shopping mall, Hilton Pattaya. From the clean white room, the well-renowned view, and the Hilton’s level of service, is this hotel worth a stay on your visit to Pattaya City?
Why Hilton Pattaya?
Dear Travellers,
It was rainy season, with rain forecasted on most days of the week during our trip to Pattaya, so the first question upon booking a hotel room was, where should we stay? After a little consideration, our criteria are as follows: A room that we are happy to spend most of our time in, a location near the beach, but also with some indoor activities nearby, and a stay that is more than just another regular stay.
With those criteria in mind, Hilton Pattaya appears to be the best match we could find at the time. Therefore, our accommodation for a highly likely rainy Pattaya vacation was set. For more on how we plan the trip and what our day looks like, visit How we spend our days in Pattaya during the rainy season.
The Hotel’s View
This topic takes priority as it was arguably one of the most mentioned and, what we would say is the highlight of the Hotel, the impeccable view of Pattaya Beach.
Our room is on the left side of the building, towards the beach, pointing in the direction of the Pattaya City sign on Phratamnak Mountain: a view from a standard room at the Hilton Pattaya. Different room types are available, facing the other direction of North Pattaya Beach, or one that is pointed directly towards the ocean, offering a view from both sides.
The Room
A white room is one that often works well as the most simply picturesque of rooms; there is, however, a downside to it. We found that it also often has the most easily noticeable wear and tear marks when observed closely in real life.
Our room at the Hilton Pattaya was no different; however, we would still say that it is a well-maintained interior. Apart from the usual scratches and marks on the tables and nightstands, we did not find any concerning stains on the white couch or any other spots.
The Layout
Room type: King Hilton Deluxe – Ocean View
A straightforward layout, the toilet, shower and bathtub to the right, a king bed facing towards the view outside the big sliding glass door, a 360-degree rotatable round couch, and a working table and TV on the left. On the other side of the wall is a glass panel in the middle, spanning the room, designed to appear to connect to the bathroom vanity glass.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is spacious, with the toilet and shower thoughtfully separated. Overall, it was very clean, with only a few minor details—such as the sink faucet head and a handful of corners—that could have been maintained a little better, though these were not particularly noticeable during our stay and certainly would not be troubling for many.
The lighting throughout the bathroom, especially in the shower area, is somewhat dim, but the water pressure is excellent, making for an otherwise comfortable experience. For those who prefer showering in the dark, this could be the perfect choice of lighting.
The Breakfast
During our stay, the dedicated breakfast venue was under renovation, which, although unfortunate for us, is certainly beneficial for future stays. For the duration of the renovation, the breakfast venue is switched to the big event/conference hall instead, a location which is not much of a let down with its large glass window pane and spacious layout.
The breakfast still retains a good variety, both Thai and international selections, with some made-fresh stations like noodles and eggs. The taste we would describe as standard for a morning buffet, with the exception of some Thai-style desserts, which we find to be of our liking, and quite unusual for them to be available at a hotel breakfast.
Location and Accessibility
The Hotel is situated directly opposite Pattaya Beach. A short walk across the road leads you to the public beach, which is mostly empty in May. For those who are seeking a place in Thailand specifically for the beach, we recommend visiting Samui Island for a more private experience.
Connected directly below the hotel with direct access is Central Pattaya, the city’s largest shopping mall, and a part of the reason why we chose this property over the others, as we were staying in Pattaya during the rainy season.
Around the hotel are popular places like Pattaya Night Bazaar Market, a wide selection of cafes along the Beach Rd, and massages that surround the city.
For Hilton Members & Lounge Access
For loyal customers of Hilton, especially those who have attained the gold status or higher, a stay at the property becomes more attractive. Booking directly with the hotel will also provide you with a highly likely chance of being upgraded to a better room. Usually, one of the executive rooms.
With a free upgrade to executive room types upon availability, a dedicated check-in area is available on the upper floor of the hotel, where drinks and small snacks are served while you wait for your room.
For Hilton Members & Lounge Access
In the same area, complimentary afternoon tea and evening cocktails will be served during the afternoon and evening hours, respectively.
The space becomes a place to enjoy small snacks, drinks, and selections of beers and alcoholic beverages, also perfect for those on a business trip or remote workers.
Additionally, there is also an option for a more private breakfast experience, as you can opt to choose to have breakfast in the lounge or together with the other guests at the main breakfast hall.
Do note that the breakfast at the lounge will have a smaller variety than the main space; however, you will enjoy made-to-order selections and a better seating area on the high floor.
For those who choose the main breakfast space, you will be welcomed and appreciated as a loyal customer, with staff checking upon your experience and also offering special drink options and dessert.
We tried both options during our stay, and would say that they are both good options. We recommend visiting both locations and deciding afterwards based on your preference.
Horizon Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
A notable mention to the restaurant & bar on the top of Hilton Pattaya. A spot to enjoy a drink while looking down at the impeccable view of the city
The food is of a standard hotel restaurant quality, both in taste and quality, with the expected higher pricing. We recommend coming here to enjoy a few drinks and snacks during the sunset.
Facilities
Pool area with a view of Pattaya Beach on the 16th floor, same as the lobby area, which may not be the best choice, as it is a little awkward walking past the lobby area to get to the pool.
There is also a small fitness area with good quality equipment.
Our Score & Summary
Review Summary: Hilton Pattaya
Style of review: City-Center, Beach
Do note that under this criterion, our evaluation will assume public transportation as the default form of transportation, depending on what the city has to offer. The criteria will also be set for the beach, which will take into consideration factors like beach access, a spot for relaxation, facilities, etc.
Our scoring has also taken into account the price point: ~6,000 THB per night (standard room type)
* Prices are subject to change according to the season, the number of guests, room type, etc.
Our recommendation: Subjective Choice
An accommodation we would recommend during the rainy season, but you can still be selective and explore other options around the area.
*Hand-Picked → 1, Preferred Choice → 2, Selective Choice → 3, Subjective Choice → 4
The hotels that fall into these ratings are all satisfactory experiences; the categories capture how far they exceeded our satisfaction level, and are not a ranking that implies which hotel is good or bad. The rating is highly reliant on our preferences and personal experience.
Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
Overall atmosphere:
Room type: King Hilton Deluxe – Ocean View
- Very Clean 8.5/10
- Location 8/10
- Convenience of the stay 8/10
- Ambience 7/10
- Concept 7/10
Additional scoring:
Shopping mall access+
Hilton Pattaya is, for us, a hotel experience you expect for the price you pay. A standard level of stay without a surprising element. Being in a beach city like Pattaya, the benefit of being on top of a shopping mall is subjective to personal preferences. Recommendable, especially for those who are members of the Hilton.
Regardless, for a city hotel, it is conveniently located, being in the center of Pattaya Beach, and would function well as a hotel base to explore the city. For an alternative choice, best for families, we recommend Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya.
If Bangkok is next on your itinerary, we recommend a stay at The Okura Prestige Bangkok.
Hope you will enjoy your stay,
Travel Tegami