Last month I wrote about my first three months of the year, where I noted I had been away for Easter. I now want to spend some time detailing our trip to Thailand.
For this year’s Easter break, we wanted to go away for a beach holiday while keeping costs to a minimum. We eventually opted for Pattaya because of the sheer range of flight options to Bangkok and the easy 1.5-hour transfer.
I used a combination of miles and cash with Thai Airways for the flights. For our accommodation, we stayed at two different Accor hotels: the Movenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya and the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G. These stays were essentially free as I used reward points via my HSBC EveryMile card, as I’ve previously set out in my HK Credit Card Stack.
Flights
We chose Thai Airways over budget airlines because once luggage and seat selection were taken into consideration, there wasn't much difference in price. Thai is currently operating older 777-300s, but they offer a good seat pitch and a comfortable 3-3-3 configuration, which is a welcome relief compared to other airlines moving to 3-4-3.
The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system was old but fine for a short flight. They also provided good food and drinks, which is always nice to break the flight up. Despite traveling during the peak holiday period, check-ins at HKG and BKK were swift, and security and immigration at both airports were efficient.
Transfer
For our ground transport, we used Kim Pattaya. They were easy to communicate with via email and WhatsApp. They offered a range of transfer options, and we settled on a van; it was spacious, though the ride itself was a bit bumpy. Our pickups were smooth with little traffic in either direction. One important note: we paid the drivers in cash, and both claimed not to have any change, so make sure you have the exact change ready.
Movenpick
The first hotel we stayed in was the Movenpick in Jomtien Na, which is considered a 5-star hotel. We had a sea-facing executive room. The area was very quiet and located near the marina with little going on nearby, although the marina was pleasant and featured a small night market.
The hotel was a good size with the usual resort facilities, including a pool, gym, and kids' room. We did find the room a bit dated, although it was a good size. We had lounge access, which included evening cocktails and snacks. The hotel had access to a private beach shared with other hotels and condos along the beach strip. As it was a private beach, there were no hawkers.
The swimming pool was big, with water slides and toys for the kids. The gym was decent but a bit dated, containing all the necessary machines, a Smith machine, and a rack with weights up to 40kg. The spa was a third party (Let's Relax), so we had to pay directly, but rates were reasonable chain prices. The kids' club was small but had activities my kids enjoyed. The clientele was mainly local Thai and Russian. Overall, it was a nice hotel but a bit quiet for our liking, with not much to do in the evenings beyond walks on the beach or to the marina.
Pullman
Our second hotel was the Pullman G, located on the North side of Pattaya. It was much smaller and had very friendly staff. While the rooms were smaller and more dated than the Movenpick, they were comfortable. The kids' club and gym were actually bigger here, though we didn't use those facilities this time.
Because it is a public beach, there are hawkers providing cheap massages, jet skis, and drinks. It is also close to a local street with shops and restaurants. The lounge was very nice, serving bubbles at breakfast and in the evening. The evening cocktails were pretty much a full dinner spread. Although the Pullman was significantly cheaper than the Movenpick, we preferred it because there was more to do. They also ran an hourly shuttle to the shopping mall, whereas the Movenpick only ran one a day and was further away. The clientele was a bit more mixed; not as many Thais, but still lots of Russians.
Diving
I managed to do two days of diving: one day in Samae San and one in Pattaya. Samae San was closer to the Movenpick but still a 1-hour drive away, followed by a short boat ride. Both days of diving were very good. While visibility wasn't the greatest, there was plenty to see. Highlights included giant sea turtles, big puffer fish, sea crabs, spotted rays, parrot fish, and a wreck dive. For such a highly congested place, I was quite surprised by the quality of the sea life and the good condition of the corals.
Getting Away
After my first three months back to work it was good to have a proper break. Not a holiday where I would be dealing with emails before everyone got up and after everyone went to bed, but a proper chilled break where I was able to spend quality time with my kids.
This was my first holiday being back at work, but this time it genuinely felt like a proper holiday.
Other Points
Cash is king. Apart from the airport, shopping malls, and the hotels, cash was needed for everything. Some places accepted credit cards but added a 3% charge. I tried using PromptPay (which should technically work with HK FPS), but it failed every time. Also, Thai ATMs charge for foreign-issued cards, so I was glad I had brought THB in cash with us.
Summing Up
This was a perfect low-stress, easy, and relaxing holiday. While Phuket remains very popular, Pattaya shouldn't be ruled out considering the flight options and ease of access. If you avoid staying in Central Pattaya, you get some very nice beaches and good family-friendly options.