Royal Palace Hotel Pattaya

At 7am, porters were putting towels out for the German and Russian guests. This hotel doesn't like the British. When I went to check in, the double room with pool view I'd booked wasn't available, and the same thing happened to two other guests while I was there. Breakfast was repetitive and only warm, although there was a microwave. The toaster and coffee machine were extremely slow. I went to reception to ask for a coke and got shouted at: “WAIT WAIT, STAND OVER THERE.” I went back to my sun lounger and didn't try buying anything there again.

The pool is a real highlight, with pleasant surroundings and a waterfall feature. It looks like they've recently put some effort into the area. The hotel is in a useful location, well priced, and has a massive car park. Housekeeping is fantastic, the bed linen is good quality, and the balconies look across the bay. I've stayed here many times, both alone and with my family of five, and we still haven't found anywhere in Pattaya that suits us better. The building is a bit dated, and the front desk can sometimes be inattentive. Concierge service is hit and miss too, sometimes they notice you, other times they seem to be asleep. I've seen some customers be rude and abrupt with staff, though, and I appreciate the Thai smile and the extra effort from people who give it. The Wi-Fi has been a weak point across the decades I've stayed here. It's fine for basic use, but not for running an office. There are no room safes, but reception has plenty of proper strong boxes for free. I trust those more than the cheap little safes screwed onto flimsy shelves. We'll be back.

I didn't try the breakfast, but the pool was large and clean. I'd come back: it's an inexpensive hotel in central Pattaya, close to the action while still quiet, with spacious rooms. They're not the newest, though not as old as you might expect, and they're extremely clean with no odd smell. The staff are working hard to bring the place back to life. The lobby isn't at its best, but it has the feel of an 80s-90s five-star hotel lobby. If you want a cheap, quiet stay with a big room, give it a try.

For the price, especially if you get a discount, this is excellent value. The building's a little old, but the location is excellent, the balcony views are amazing, and the pool is a great place to unwind on hot days. The rooms are nice, though they'll probably need an upgrade in the future. I don't use the hair dryer, but it looks like it's from the late '80s. The place was probably super posh in its day. I'm very happy with my choice and would try to come back if the price is right.