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-   -   Royal Cliff Pattaya (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/royal-cliff-pattaya-348481/)

996tt Aug 15th, 2003 11:08 PM

Royal Cliff Pattaya
 
I'll be staying in this hotel for 5 nights. Has anyone been there? Any suggestions?

JamesA Aug 16th, 2003 12:19 AM

You are in for a treat! It's an award winning hotel. There are various sections to the whole resort complex, great dining, lots of choices, nice pools and lazing areas. At night it is an array of lights, very nice indeed.
You are about 5 minutes from pattaya Park if you want a change from the hotel pools. Pattaya Park has a maze of 'swimways' and pools, not deep, you wan walk/swim tour way around, they have water spounts, slides, fountains, cheap food, massage on the beach, costs B 100($2.50) for a day. If you fancy something amazing you can para-glide from the top of Pattaya Tower in same location.
For restaurants you are 7-8 minutes from the seafront at Jomtien which has about 2 kms of restaurants/cafes. Nong Nual ( drivers will know it ) is highly popular especially with Thais from bangkok for its seafood. Mass array of seafood dishes and very cheap, Nong Nual is a small chain of Seafood restaurants, it's not high class but service and food is brilliant.
Horseshoe Point is a resort with hore-riding about 15-20 from the Royal Cliff. Nong Nuak Park has Butterfly and Orchid Farms, Elephant display, lake, restaurant, nice for an afternoon tour. Underwaterworld is interesting but a little pricey on local standards of B 280 ($6.50) entrance. Mini Siam in Pattaya is a must, it is Thailand in miniture.
Do go to see Tiffany's or Alczar (or both ), these are famous Vegas style shows in huge 600-1,000 seat theatres in Pattaya, performed by transexuals/etc but nothing sleezy, good shows, packed at weekends.
You can take a dinner cruise and show on boats in Pattaya bay ( they look like the dinner boats in Hong Kong ). Day trips to Koh Larn and other smaller islands.
'Ruen Thai' in Pattaya is a large open plan Thai restaurant with Sala style houses where you eat and watch Thai classic Dance, Thai music performers and other cultural items. Food very good and reasonable in price. If you want some American food/atmosphere go to the Hard Rock Hotel, great bars and good atmosphere.
There are lots of eco-adventure tours, golf courses, sports venues. Shopping in Pattaya is very cheap. Drink/food prices mostly cheaper than other places.
Transport to/from Royal Cliff is cheap., local Sonthaews ( Toyota/Isuzu pick-ups with seating at the back ) are cheap and available 24/7, the hotel can also provide air-con cars/limos if you want. The Thai Market at the Royal Cliff is a good place to eat.
You'll have agreat time whether you want quiet or busy!

veronica4 Aug 16th, 2003 05:28 PM

Is this place any good because you say it is in Pattaya? How does it compare with Phuket for a vacation in December.

JamesA Aug 17th, 2003 07:13 PM

The Royal Cliff as I have mentioned is an excellent resort. Some prefer Phuket and others prefer Samui, others prefer Pattaya. The Royal Cliff is over the hill from Pattaya proper and is closer to Jomtien beach area. Very nice resort indeed and perhaps a little expensive but still good value for the high standards and good facilioties. If you want a more natural Thai style resort the Rabbit Resort and Jomtien is great, a little further is Sunset Beach that has lots of beachside small hotels, bungalows and resorts. It's about one and half hours by road from Bangkok.

996tt Aug 17th, 2003 10:23 PM

Thank you JamesA I appreciate your response. Can you believe this Pattaya trip is only going to cost me around $200 US? Three meals included and a tour guide. I can't wait

Andrea_expat Apr 22nd, 2004 09:34 PM

James - thanks for the excellent tips - I'm going on a last-minute trip to Hua Hin and Pattaya and your posts are now the basis of my trip plan!

I just thought I'd let you know the one activity you recommended I'm particularly looking forward to (read carefully):

"Horseshoe Point is a resort with hore-riding about 15-20 from the Royal Cliff." :)

JamesA Apr 23rd, 2004 12:53 PM

Wow...yes...I see what you mean...maybe that should go down as a Fodor's TYPO Classic !!!!!!
I was in Pattaya and Jomtien for Chrismas and Hua Hin for New year, also was down at Jomtien/Pattaya over Songkran and zoomed thru Hua Hin a few weeks back, ask all you need. You are better getting hotel at Jomtien beach which is 15-20 minutes south of Pattaya, Grand Palace Jomtien is a typical high rise hotel but for around the $30-50 it is good value. I can give you tips for Thai dancing/restaurant at Ruen Thai, Nong Nual Restaurant at Jomtien for great cheap seafood, you can get boats to some offshore places for snorkeling , remember Pattaya/Jomtien have endless activities and sightseeing, Hua Hin on the opposite side of the Gulf is the 'opposite', after 10 pm the nightlife is watching the traffic light change(if it's working!!!!!)
If you want a 'smooth' hassle free journey between the 2 contact Image Cars at Jomtien ( the have website sorry don't know URL ), they will take you in comfort to Hua hin in about 4hrs 30, you can also get a local car+driver, expect to pay around B 3,000 ( $75) but if thats say 4 of you it's a lot easier that having to bus etc via Bangkok. Best show in Pattaya is Tiffany's, mega Vegas production.

Don't forget your horse whip!


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