The Monttra Pattaya

I stayed longer and eventually walked around the bend, past the yacht club, to the popular beach on the other side. It reminded me of Phuket, with mostly Russian speakers, rented umbrellas along the shore, and peddlers. I saw more trash in the water there. The adjoining streets had some beautifully designed restaurants, and I love the Thai aesthetic, but the area felt much more commercial and pretentious, not necessarily because of the local businesses. It took me out of my relaxed zone. Seeing the contrast was useful, though. When I returned, the guard checked that I was staying at the resort. At first that felt offputting, but I was glad they don't let just anyone wander in, and it felt safer. This was exactly the peaceful break I needed after two weeks in Bangkok. I was in Thailand waiting for a conference and wanted a beach escape near the capital, something like Chiang Mai’s Panviman. This resort is smaller than Panviman, but it's right by the water, with a gorgeous green shoreline. There are only 23 units, so I never had to share the small but lovely infinity pool. It has a natural, retreat-like feel that reminded me of Esalen, where I go for the “cheap seat” weekend at $500, and of meditation retreats I've attended. I was looking for plants and wildlife, not to be waited on constantly, and it felt like a blessing. I loved spotting birds: a spotted owlet, whose borrow is in a tree by the pool, a bright yellow Oriole, Asian Fairy bluebird, Lineated Barbet, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Eurasian Hoopoe, and others. Geckos and tokay calls filled the nights. Squirrels, from light golden to black, leapt through the trees. Heaven for me. The Thai hospitality felt unobtrusive. For example, when I was reclining under a tree, a staff member brought over a pillow for my back. As a solo POC woman traveler, I felt comfortable and wasn't bothered. I like being on my own, and this place suited me well. There’s no spa or similar facility on site, since it’s a smaller resort. A few minutes' walk away, I found some cool beachside cafes. Morning high tide was perfect for swimming. Pattaya gets a bad name for unclear water, but according to the AI, that may be more about geography than pollution. Coming from California, the visibility seemed similar. Swimming early also meant I avoided the inflatable motorboats and sailboats that ended up parked in the bay later in the morning. The kitchen hours didn't match the website. I don't know if that was temporary, and I also had language challenges because I don't know Thai. Dinner ended at 5 PM every day, which is early. Luckily, I could order different food from Grab or meet friends for dinner outside the resort. There are lots of spots to sit, watch the water and birds, or meditate, and I enjoyed going between the pool and ocean. The wifi was good enough to stream media, though I didn't try work calls. The Weather app made it look terribly hot, but by the ocean the breeze made it feel cooler. A 2 inch memory foam topper would make the beds much softer.

The staff were lovely, with warm smiles and great service, and the food was good, especially the Thai dishes. Breakfast was amazing. I visited in November, when the weather was breezy and really pleasant. There are so many shaded, green places to sit by the sea, read, or nap, and the view is unbelievably photogenic. Such a peaceful spot for a relaxing vacation. We loved our time here and will definitely return.

We usually book villas, but my partner wanted to try Monttra, and we were glad we did. The quiet setting and gorgeous views are far from Pattaya's usual madness. Our room had a lovely sea view, and the food was amazing. They welcomed us with a drink and a snack at lunchtime, which was just right. There’s a sailing school too, so it’s a great spot if sailing is your thing.

The greenery, clean beach, and beautiful room made this feel like a little paradise, far from the crowds and usual Pattaya atmosphere. For a moment, I honestly thought I was in Bali. The sunrises and sunsets were incredible, and I left feeling relaxed and recharged. So glad I found this place, and I’ll be back. ✨