Thailand, Pattaya Bay, Pattaya Dusit Resort Review

Overall Rating

My husband and I have just honeymooned in Pattaya, Thailand at the Dusit Resort Hotel and I have to say we have had an absolutely wonderful time. I heavily rely on other peoples reviews when I want to book holidays, so I want to give as much helpful info as possible.

The Dusit is wonderful. Not cheap to eat or drink in but high quality. Rooms are a bit dated, as others have said but a very good size, clean, good bathrooms and towels, drinking water and toiletries are changed daily, even toothbrushes and they bring fresh fruit to your room daily, even leaving a flower on your pillow. We had a superior sea view room and it was quite a view. TVs have 3 movie channels so you can usually find a film to watch if you want a night in. Quite reasonable room service if you come in, as we did, at 1:30 in the morning, with the munchies.

You may have heard there is building works on at the moment. They will not affect your holiday and are not that bad at all. Do use it as an excuse to ask for a room upgrade or something as we did. Honeymooners get a bottle of champagne on arrival too! Staff are amazingly friendly there, as is true all over the resort.

They have a big pool and the lagoon pool, they supply you with 2 towels at the poolside, one for you and one to lie on. The Dusit is up the quiet end of Pattaya beach so you can avoid the going's on of Walking Street and the infamous go go bars if you want.

All write ups of Pattaya will go on about the lady boys and the Thai girl go go bars. Go with an open mind as Thailand does manage these industries very well and you will not feel threatened or bothered by it at all. On the contrary, it is an interesting culture to see. Husbands and partners will not be approached unless they have left the other half at home! It takes a while to get used to bartering and they will try it on.

There is much advice I could give but the best is talk to other holiday makers when you're there. We got so much advice passed on by those that had been there a week already and everyone is so friendly. Don't let the Baht buses rip you off, 10 baht (about 8p) per person is all they charge. When you hail one just jump straight on the back and ring the bell when you're ready to get off. Give them the 10 baht or 20 if you feel you've gone quite a way and leave. The minute you negotiate with the driver, they see you coming and rip you off! Be firm in shops as well, they will ask for outrageous prices at first. Stick to your guns and ask for a fair price. Walking away if you're not happy is always a good way of forcing them to accept your price.

There are many good day trips. About 3 different ways to see and ride elephants. We recommend going to Non Nooch village as you get to see many other things, as well as ride an elephant and see an elephant show, like hold a tiger cub and have a photo with an orangutan. Bangkok day out is fabulous too, long boat up the Bangkok river.

Thai people are great but the Indian's along the front selling custom made suits get in your face a bit. They'll try to shake your hand but tell them you're not interested and walk on. We were told the cheap custom suits were bad quality so be careful, if you want one made, find a good place. We can recommend Paul's on 2nd Street.

I could say so much more but just go, have a great time and make friends, the rest will become obvious! By the way, in May it never goes under about 34 degrees, even in the evening, so that Dusit air conditioning was excellent.