In May 2023, I checked into the King Bed Lagoon Access room at Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach. Set along Tawanron Beach (nicknamed “Sunset Beach”) within Na Jomtien on beachfront land consisting of mature, landscaped gardens with century-old trees, the 204-room property is located between holiday destination Jomtien and fishing village Bang Saray. The resort is a 20-minute drive away from Pattaya’s key attractions and shopping areas (including Pattaya’s famed nightlife districts), while Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is less than two hours away.
Some of Pattaya’s attractions include the famed Walking Street for the essential food, drink and nightlife experience; the architecturally stunning Sanctuary of Truth and impressive Big Buddha Temple; the beautiful Nong Nooch Tropical Garden; and the Pattaya Floating Market.
Opening its doors just months ago in January 2023, the launch marks the introduction of Hyatt’s Andaz brand in Thailand. Notable nearby hotels include Pullman Pattaya Hotel G, Hilton Pattaya and InterContinental Pattaya.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Lush beachfront sanctuary with Panpuri Spa in Pattaya.
The must-dos (if any): Have breakfast at Village Square, go for a spa treatment at Panpuri Wellness Harbor, take a dip in the beachfront pool, enjoy the sunset from Fish Club, enjoy water activities at the beach.
ANDAZ PATTAYA JOMTIEN BEACH
Designed by Thai architecture firm A49 (who conceived Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, Pullman Bangkok King Power and InterContinental Hua Hin) and interior design company PIA (behind The Athenee Hotel, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, Banyan Tree Krabi and Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park), the beachfront resort is a spiritual sibling of Andaz Bali in many ways, sharing many similarities such as the barrier-free and open-design Village Square near the reception area which comprises multiple dining concepts encircling a central green space, which in this case is the resort’s own organic garden; the incorporation of locally sourced materials, influences and artworks into the resort’s design; the multiple swimming pools and dedicated kids’ entertainment space; as well as the spreading of the resort’s rooms and suites in low-rise buildings across different clusters of lush, verdant courts.
The resort has partnered with Thai wellness brand Pañpuri to offer the Pañpuri Wellness Harbor for guests’ wellness spa treatment needs. During my visit, I opted for the Panpuri Signature Aromatic Massage, which was a combination of the usual essential oil and kneading-style massage with flashes of a more stretch-based and rigorous Thai massage. The treatment involved me being folded, pulled and Auntie Anne-d at parts, and I will admit I gasped audibly when my therapist pushed my leg across my body and my glutes screamed. What eucalyptus oil Dr Stretch crossover magic.
The resort offers three different outdoor swimming pools – a relatively private lap pool in the Water Court; a free-form pool in the Lagoon Court with a water slide and jacuzzi pods for families which is conveniently located next to the Sanuk Sanuk kids’ club; and a beachfront infinity pool near seafood restaurant Fish Club for your sun worship and sunset appreciation purposes. The resort offers direct access to the private and clean Tawanron Beach where you can partake in beach activities such as paddle boating and kayaking. I attempted both and am pleased to report that I managed to mastered the valuable skill of changing directions using my paddle whilst in a kayak, although regrettably I fared less well during my paddle boat efforts due to my sheer inability to maintain my balance whilst standing. In the end, the best I could manage was kneel paddling, and when I came back to shore I am certain my face involuntarily twisted into a green-eyed scowl when a lady hopped on and proceeded to confidently paddle circles around the waters with poise and grace.
Elsewhere, the fitness centre is equipped with Technogym equipment and a multi-purpose yoga room (the venue where I took a private Thai boxing class and wore myself out in just 15 minutes after all the roundhouse kicks and crosses), while the locker room offers a jacuzzi, sauna and steam facilities.
KING BED LAGOON ACCESS
Offering direct access to the Lagoon Pool, the 50sqm King Bed Lagoon Access features a king bed, a sofa seating area, a dining space with pantry and minibar, a walk-in closet as well as a spacious bathroom and separate, standalone toilet. The pantry is stocked with Nespresso coffee and Chai Dim tea-making facilities, while the minibar of chocolates and beverages (sodas, juices etc) is complimentary for guests save for the bottles of Andaz Pattaya-branded Hazy IPA.
The spacious bathroom features double vanities, a windowside round bathtub which overlooks the lagoon for your soapy exhibitionist tendencies (and manual blinds if you are of a more chaste persuasion), helpfully-positioned power points for hairdryer use and a beautiful red-tiled enclosed rainfall shower with distinct buttons for activating the rainfall shower and showerhead respectively (you can switch both on for maximum jolly aquatic frolic). In keeping with the resort’s Panpuri spa collaboration, the bathroom is stocked with Panpuri Andaman Sails-scented amenities.
The room offers access to the Lagoon Pool via a terrace which is furnished with a drying rack, outdoor table and daybed. In a fortuitous turn, my room happened to be conveniently located near one of the Lagoon Pool’s two jacuzzi jet pods.
DINING
Breakfast is served at two of Village Square’s spaces, Italian restaurant La Cucina and Thai concept Wok Wok, both of which offer indoor and terrace seating. Guests get to enjoy a semi-buffet (think eggs, pastries, salads, fruits, juices and cold cuts) alongside an a la minute selection including Breakfast Noodle Soup (choice of noodle, fish pork or chicken meat balls), Grilled Pork Bowl (soy glazed pork belly, poached egg), Phad Ka Prao (spicy stir fried seafood, holy basil, steamed rice), Phad Se-iew (Wok fried, chicken or pork, kale, egg, flat noodles), Matcha Green Tea Waffle (berries, coconut ice cream, Rayong honey) and Tofu & Veggies Green Curry (tofu, broccoli, kale, shiitake, carrots). My favourite was the Thai Omelette (prawn or pork, fried rice), a fluffy blanket from heaven that was a wondrous treat for the morning, and I will admit I had multiple helpings from the selection of iced beverages, which included a delicious Iced Thai Milk Tea as well as the cafe-esque Iced Coconut Coffee. For busier periods, breakfast is presented as a full self-service buffet with dishes such as Luffa with Eggs, Stir Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Clear Soup with Egg Tofu and Minced Pork.
While I did not get to try the trattoria-style La Cucina’s pastas and pizzas during my stay, I did dine at Wok Wok, with highlights including the prawn bisque-esque Tom Yam Goong (spicy & sour soup, tiger prawns, straw mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal, coriander, lime), the delectable Gaeng Som Goong Cha-Om (Ayuttaya river prawn Red curry, Thai herb omelette, cauliflower, green beans) and the moreish Kra Prao Moo Krob (crispy pork belly, Thai hot basil, garlic, chili).
Aside from La Cucina and Wok Wok, Village Square’s third concept is steak restaurant Village Butcher which specialises in grass-fed beef and boutique-farmed meats. Their Alaskan Crab Cake (pan fried, crab salad, sriracha aioli, chives) was positively stuffed with crab goodness – at parts I almost thought I was enjoying juicy, sweet lobster – while the Spanish Premium Octopus Char Roasted (spicy chorizo, chickpeas, roasted red peppers) was a pleasurable chew. When we came to the mains, the BBQ Marinated Pork Ribs was the meal’s only misfire, being fairly arid and joyless a journey, but the tender Australian Black Angus Sirloin (250g) and sweet Corn Ribs (butter, paprika) ended the meal on a happy note. For dessert, the restaurant offers both western choices such as Rum Baba (passion fruit sauce, orange ice-cream) as well as Thai options such as Khao Ya Ku (warm pandan pudding, coconut, ginko nuts, mung bean) and the colourful Kanom Ko (glutinous rice dumplings, coconut milk soup, sesame seeds).
A popular destination for its stunning sunset views, beachfront poolside concept Fish Club serves seafood dishes paired with refreshing cocktails, including a range of Thai tiki tipples such as “Wan Sabai” (Chalong Bay tropical sweet Thai basil rum, lime juice, Thai sweet basil, syrup, soda), One Night (Phraya Golden rum, Pampero Blanco, lime juice, apple, pears, mojito syrup, ginger ale) and Zombie (Issan rum, Mekhong, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, passionfruit, soda), all of which are presented in visually striking tiki glasses. With the past 24hrs prior to my visit being an alcohol-free situation due to special Thai laws in force that weekend, I needed a good and stiff drink and the Negroni (Tanqueray gin, Campari, sweet vermouth) certainly delivered.
For dinner, the comforting and oceanically-charged Seafood Soup (bouillabaisse, brioche bread) started the sunset meal on a great note, with the savoury Satay Prawn (grilled local prawn, peanut sauce, coconut cream, prawn crackers), Spicy Squid (char-grilled local squid, seafood sauce) and Catch of the Day – Seabass being highlights.
Rounding up the list of F&B concepts are the lobby lounge-style Teak Lounge at the Raintree Court near the reception area as well as the soon-to-open traditional Thai teahouse Ruen Thai which is housed in a dramatic red double-storey building near the beach.
CONCLUSION
Having visited Andaz Bali last year, I must say that it often felt like I was treading very similar waters, but on its own merits the resort offers beautiful and well designed guest rooms, a confident F&B programme as well as plenty of activities to occupy your schedule, thus minimising the need for you to look elsewhere for food and entertainment.
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach
345, Moo 3, Na Jomtien Sub-District, Sattahip
Pattaya, CB 20250
Thailand
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