Ripple and Flow at Meliá Pattaya Hotel

Pattaya… is one of the most well-known locations for beach travel in Thailand, and its proximity to Bangkok has long since made it the ideal getaway for weekend vacationers. The vibrant hustle and bustle are integral to Pattaya’s zany charm, but there was once a time when there was nothing in Pattaya beyond the gentle sounds of waves crashing against the shore. Tranquil, right? Seeing nothing past where the bright blue sky meets the turquoise of the ocean is the making of every beach bum’s ideal vacation.

Perhaps nobody knows this desire for a serene holiday better than Meliá Pattaya Hotel. Tucked away only one street behind the famed Pattaya Beach, Meliá is far enough from the flamboyant nightlife oozing out of Pattaya’s crevices but still close enough that the sand and salty air feel tangible.

We left for Pattaya on a day when the wind came to a standstill. The cool, false winter we had been experiencing in Bangkok had packed its bags and headed (presumably) to spread chill elsewhere. As the grand arching doors welcomed us into Meliá Pattaya, the blistering heat immediately dissipated. What stood out immediately was how the reception area felt like it was designed to flow. The seating area, as I waited to check in, was no different from an isle. A sentiment enhanced by the murals hanging behind the check-in desks, painted in varying hues of blue and green, resembling the waves of the ocean. Even the welcome drinks were a deep shade of sapphire. This was a motif that would be repeated throughout the property.

As we exited the elevator into the hallway leading to the rooms, I was struck by the low ceilings and dim lighting. Looking down, the carpet underneath my feet revisited the theme of the waves from earlier—it felt like I was walking on water (or wading through shallow waves). If the rest of the hotel flirted playfully with the ocean leitmotif, it came to fruition in the room. The deluxe room is one of several room options in this 243-key property. With choices between a double bed or two single beds, the room is both spacious and comfortable. The mural of the waves, both behind the bed and by the sofa, submerges you into a sea of calm.

This is further enhanced by the pillows on the sofa, in accents of sea green and deep blue. My favourite detail, however, was the pendant lamp hanging beside the bed. With the ocean mural as a backdrop, it served as a beautiful centrepiece that brought to mind sparkling shards of sea glass.

Every inch of the room exuded stylish comfort. I was delighted to discover the whimsical box of colour pencils, in red, green, and blue, on the nightstand. Sitting on the sofa against the window, I looked out and down towards the still waters of the pool. It truly felt like an oasis in the heart of Pattaya city.

I am familiar with constantly stepping out of hotels to find dining options, so when the opportunity arose to sample the offerings at Meliá, I was ecstatic. Meliá Pattaya has four dining outlets to choose from, and each brings something different to the table. On the evening of our arrival, our first stop was dinner at LAY Beach Club. Located across the street from Meliá, it is a short walk from the hotel premises and opens directly onto Pattaya Beach. If walking is not your speed, the hotel provides a buggy to take you there.

With wooden floorings, bamboo chairs, and the same splashes of cerulean blue found inside Meliá, LAY Beach Club makes it evident this is a place to leave your worries at the door. An in-house DJ spins tunes, and a jacuzzi looking out to the beach gives LAY Beach Club an endless summer holiday energy. LAY takes menu inspiration from the sea. Different crustaceans and sea creatures are the stars of the plate, while still keeping the offerings light and breezy. At 8 PM, we were wowed by a fireman show as three professionals spun, swung, and willed sparks of fire to applause from those at the club. The performers even wove their way through the crowd to let the patrons try!

After such an exciting night, breakfast the next morning was at Sanehh Sarae, Meliá’s all-day dining outlet. With a view that overlooks the pool, the restaurant is cosy and welcoming. Breakfast is an elaborate affair. Dishes come from several corners of the world, fit for every traveller. The dedicated bread station caught our attention immediately. Sourdough, baguettes, coconut cake, and croissants, oh my! My undisputed favourite from the breakfast spread was the Spanish omelette.

For lunch, we were welcomed into DEN—Meliá’s Japanese restaurant. A quaint bonsai greets you at the entrance. DEN feels like taking a trip to Japanese harbours from the Mediterranean coast. Not your average Japanese restaurant, DEN blends Nikkei, Peruvian, Thai, and Japanese cuisines for a menu that is thoughtfully crafted and carefully curated. Selections range from ramen and udon to traditional sashimi and sushi sets. There is even a Japanese cheesecake on the dessert menu with a twist. (The twist? A healthy topping of matcha powder.)

The showstopper residing on the topmost floor of Meliá Pattaya is YITONG Restaurant & Sky Bar, their Chinese restaurant. With a stunning view of Pattaya’s skyline and an ocean stretching for miles, YITONG turns its culinary prowess to Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. Options range from indoor and outdoor seating to their Sky Bar, where you can enjoy the sunset hours.

DEN also doubles as a dining establishment for Sanehh Sarae in the evenings, which is where I returned for dinner. Having only sampled Sanehh Sarae’s breakfast offerings, I was curious as to what their all-day dining menu would look like. The cuisine is a balance between Western and Thai-style comfort cooking. From familiar pasta dishes to Thai classics, every dish on this menu is familiar. Sanehh Sarae’s all-day dining also has a kids’ menu, which offers child-friendly versions of the Western favourites from the menu.

Although Pattaya is the city that never sleeps, there is plenty to do at Meliá Pattaya without ever leaving the premises. I would be remiss if I did not mention the pool itself. Easily accessible from the hotel’s lobby, the verdant canopy of green above provides shade over the pool while you make laps. If you’re looking to simply laze around, the pool has little alcoves with plenty of pillows so you can either doze off or crack open a book like I did, poolside. For families, there is plenty of entertainment for the children, including Meliá’s own kids’ club—Kidsdom. Open from 9 AM to 6 PM, children can enjoy an indoor slide leading directly into a ball pit and a cordoned-off pool with floats, kickboards, and water slides.

The fitness centre, located by the YHI Spa, is unique in that every window gives a different view thanks to the L-shape of the hotel. I was surprised to find they even had a small sauna so you can really sweat out those toxins after an intense workout, or a casual walk on the treadmill while looking out at Pattaya, whichever you prefer. YHI Spa is the oasis within the oasis. From traditional massages and facials to wellness therapies, YHI provides a relaxation experience catered to you. Using only HARNN products, you have the choice between five essential oils if you opt for a traditional oil massage. The aroma of the oils is enough to whisk you away onto a plane of relaxation before the massage even begins.

Managing a hotel is no easy feat. Keeping it running like a well-oiled machine and ensuring the happiness of the guests are tasks that go hand in hand. During my stay, I had the pleasure of meeting the General Manager of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Javier Gimeno, as he checked in on guests during breakfast at Sanehh Sarae. Despite a tight schedule, he was kind enough to answer some of my questions.