Long Beach in Pattaya is perfect in many ways.
Its a great location as most attractions are within 15 mins away.
They have a private beach and a decent size swimming pool just off the beach.
Their Gym is well equipped and great place to get Thai massage / oil massage
in open under a huge tree or in sun as per your choice.
The property is pretty large having almost 19 floors and room size are large with power shower as well bath tubs in each room. Not to mention a great sea view from most rooms.
It has superb room service at reasonable prices with multi cuisine served by well mannered staff. Vegetarians may have very limited choice though. The breakfast is a huge spread but again not the best for vegetarians who have to settle for salads baked beans potato wedges or fruits with decent choice of breads.
In the evening if its not a high tide i highly recommend beach walks as one can see Pattaya city's skyline with beautiful lights and peaceful atmosphere. I would much rather stay here than on city center where there is no peace and privacy at such pocket friendly rates with almost like 3 star plus facilities.
If in Pattaya for the first time one should see the Alcazar show or Tiffany show, Ripley's believe it or not on Beach Rd at Mike plaza is worth every penny spent, Nong Nuch Village with the shows there is a great half a day spent with lunch , artificial floating market is just ok ok but one must take para gliding , para sailing and a visit to Coral Island.
On the 2nd beach Rd is a big mall called Big C mall which has all reasonable priced items under one roof however for high end one should go to Central which is on main Beach Rd itself.
Places to eat. There is ample choice of Indian, Thai , Sea food, Italian restaurants all over not to mention so many Russian restaurants sprung up like mushrooms due to huge influx of tourism from Russia.
My favorite restaurant is :
Peters bakery in soi 12 of in naklua
Pattaya's Best Panino's on Soi 12 in Naklua
Panino's Restaurant, which is also called Peter's Bakery, is the Looking Glass's number one rated restaurant in the Pattaya area. Its owner, Peter, is from Belgium. Not only is Peter a master chief, he also has a Thai sidekick. This place makes amazing food and all fresh so please go and relax there with a drink or fresh juice and dont ask him to hurry on his food as he likes to cook with his proper timing for each dish in perfection.
New Bombay Palace on walking street and S& P on Grand Mall building are also good to suit your palate. Hard Rock caffe is a neat hangout right outside Hard rock Hotel on beach rd itself. Excellent food too.
Pattaya is best traveled on a rented motor bike for a day or a open share van taxi which cost from 20 bhat to 40 bhat depending on distance per person. One may also hire this open van taxi on exclusive basis for a whole day.
Buying a mobile chip for Bhat 99 from any 7 - 11 store which are open 24 hours is a good idea in Thailand. It cost only 5 bhat a min and one can be connected all times. This can also be bought as at airport from AIS and Dtac mobile company in Thailand having their counter there.
To get to Pattaya from airport is pretty easy by bus or a taxi which must not cost more than Bhat 2000 all the way to your hotel all inclusive.
I always book my room through www.agoda.com as there are no hidden charges.
Enjoy in Pattaya !
Sanjay