Serene Sands Health Resort

Where do I start? I was visiting Australia, staying in a four-beds-to-a-small-room hostel. I wanted to make a trip to Thailand, and I found Serene Sands, a four-star resort that cost exactly what my four-bed room was costing me in Australia! It was like arriving in an oasis after walking through a desert. What a contrast! I was given a room with a balcony, a big walk-in closet, a window, a big, firm, very comfy bed, a TV, DVD player, and a fridge. The ensuite bathroom was covered in floor-to-ceiling solid stone tile. This alone was a beautiful thing; I love solid stone and real wood, of which the furnishings in the room are made. I had never, not in my life, stayed in a nicer place. Beautiful muted beige floor tiles, flawless build and finish quality in the hotel (I guessed it was built under the supervision of someone who had an eye for detail such as I do, a long-time veteran of the construction industry, and I was right). The Scottish owners made me feel like friend and family, and I extended my stay until I had been there for months. I only left to continue my odyssey to Central America. The Thai food is five-star, expertly prepared, the Thai food, hot or cold, having whatever level of heat you prefer, and the Western food is a fun and interesting Thai interpretation of some traditional Western dishes, and of course, more stick-to-your ribs than the standard Thai food, which I think is the healthiest food on Earth. The air conditioning worked flawlessly, easily managing my room temperature down to ridiculously cold (I tried it, I'm an A/C installation manager). The mini-bar in the room has all the usual necessities and luxuries, in case you get a craving for something, like a chocolate bar, chips, or a drink and it's 3 am! The pool is salty, but just like taking a bath in a tub of artificial tears, it doesn't irritate your eyes when you open them underwater, a really refreshing change as swimming pools go. Deep azure tiles soak up the sun's warmth and release it well into the night. Coconuts hang in easy reach of the short palm trees, if you like fresh coconut juice and meat, by the beach cabanas, (Called the Love Shacks!) which are also air conditioned, and provide an intimacy, privacy, and proximity to the beach I have never seen in another resort. If you could fall out of the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the bay, you would land on a ten-foot strip of sand before you were wading in the water at high tide. Solid curtains protect whatever level of privacy you might need from the relatively deserted beach. The resort is situated on a quiet residential street, with a lot on one side that is almost entirely covered in tropical foliage, and a lot on the other side that is a seemingly deserted house evidently only used occasionally by a travelling owner. It is far enough outside of the city core to be extremely quiet, but close enough that a quick cab ride gets you to the shopping, night life, or golf that you may be here for. I didn't bother to leave that often; preferring to write, surf the net, and enjoy the surrounds most of the time. What more can I say? Even when the place is full it feels like you have all the breathing room you need, and it doesn't seem to attract the wrong kind of guests, so it is fun and interesting to interact with whoever may feel like doing so. I found the free mini-gym to have exactly what I needed for vacation fitness (you know, stave off the guilt of all that relaxation, LOL) and that the surrounding neighborhoods felt like just typical non-unfriendly Thai places, not crime-ridden ghettos that you didn't want to walk past. I felt safe the times I walked from the hotel to a 7/11 or went for a jog around the area. In short, a great place, a great value, with a great location and great people. CONS: They don't have a chain of these places around the world.

If you are looking for relaxation in pleasant and peaceful surroundings Serene Sands is the place, child friendly as well. Although some distance from Pattaya central the Resort provides transportation at a reasonable cost with a freeTuktuk to the local business area. The variety and quality of meals excellent, prices good. Staff could not be any more obliging or helpful. I highly recommend Serene Sands and will certainly use again.

Hotel is good but not in center of pattaya. It is nice for family vacation who prefer some place private and very calm.

Area surrounding resort is not too appealing but once you enter the resort you are pleasantly surprised, gardens are very well laid out and rooms are furnished to a high level. Resort should of offered a two way service in and out of town as it is a fair distance and taxi fares can become expensive if fequently used

hotel staff was friendly and accomodating, but if someone wants to visit the city, this is not the hotel to stay. The hotel transporttion is sporatic and only during certain hours. A taxi is necessary for most trips to the city, which is quite far away.

very clean. very nice service. very good view. If you go to Pattaya for having a rest, you should stay here. The hotel has quite nice view and good service. But If you go to Pattaya for enjoying night or something, you'd better choice another places. because it's too far from hat pattaya and hat jomtien and the other place in center of pattaya. They offer the shuttle service that is from hotel to the center of Pattaya. But there are nothing near this hotel..:( but I love this place. and I wanna stay again here, if I go to Pattaya again.

Not only an hotel; A style life! If you want to be Zen at the end go there (Including Zen music in the garden)