Garden Sea View Resort

The good part is the location. From the main street of Soi 14, there are four 7-Eleven choices and a big C mart? Some restaurants are within walking distance. There are big pools, though with little to no shade, and the beach is fairly clean with a good view of the wooden castle. Despite how old everything is, we slept well. The fridge is cold enough to chill drinks or even freeze them, and it easily beats the fridges at the 4 stars hotels we’ve visited. The place has passed its prime. We booked three rooms, and they were old, with mold in the showers, curtains, and balconies. The elevator only goes to the lobby, so you have to walk down two more floors to reach the pool, which is half shaded. The staff weren’t very friendly or up to Thai standards. When my keys didn’t work, they simply took them and handed me a new one without even apologizing, among other things.

The pool was spacious and clean, and the bedroom itself was large. Breakfast was good too. But our city-view room came without basic bathroom items like a robe, toothbrush, or toothpaste, and the bathroom wasn't hygienic. They also have a lot of rules and charge you even if a single pamphlet or signboard in the room is missing.

The beach is nearby, and the nicer rooms look pretty. Still, for what we paid, we wouldn't stay here again. The food was dull and had very few choices, especially for kids, though there's a 7 eleven close by. Reception staff spoke very limited English and came across as unwelcoming.

If you're mainly after the hotel and the beaches, this is one of the better places. The property itself was good. Pattaya nightlife is a different story, since the location isn't convenient for that, and I couldn't find Indian food nearby. I stayed two days and was the only Indian guest I saw, with mostly Russian and European guests around. They charged 50 baht for extra water, which adds to the budget when water is a basic need.