Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya and Hard Rock Cafe, who hasn't heard of them? Even if you've never been there, you must have heard of their fame. Not only is it a luxury hotel on the beach in Pattaya, but it is also a hotel where many celebrities have stayed or performed concerts.
When I informed my companion that I had been invited by the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya to experience a stay and review their rock-and-roll-themed establishment, she nearly shrieked with excitement.
This trip took place in mid-June. While rain had begun to fall in other areas, Pattaya remained relatively sunny, with only occasional cloudy spells. We traveled from Bangkok to Pattaya by van and then walked around, taking in the sights until we reached our hotel.
The Hard Rock Hotel is located in the heart of Pattaya. The front of the hotel faces Second Road, while the back faces Beach Road. If you are driving, enter via Second Road, as the parking lot is located on that side. However, if you are walking, you can enter from either side. The Beach Road entrance is located next to the Hard Rock Cafe.
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We walked along Pattaya Beach and entered the hotel from the back. The security guard told us to follow the swimming pool to the lobby. The first impression when entering the hotel was impressive. The swimming pool was huge and impressive, even though we were just walking past it.
Upon entering the lobby, I was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere, reminiscent of a concert. Various displays showcased the clothing of iconic figures, most notably Elvis Presley, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, Madonna, and Slash from Guns N' Roses. As a rock enthusiast, I couldn't help but drool over Slash's leather jacket and guitar, as well as the attire of Twiggy Ramirez, the bassist of Marilyn Manson.
The lobby also houses the Rock Shop, which offers a wide variety of merchandise and souvenirs. Visitors are welcome to browse and shop.
This corner showcases various guitar models used by rock stars. The unique feature is that guests can borrow these guitars and play them in their rooms. The hotel provides amplifiers and headphones, ensuring no disturbance to other guests. It's truly exceptional, except for one minor detail: I don't know how to play the guitar! (laughs...)
The hotel has a total of ten floors. Floors 9-10 are the Executive Floors, with a cool name: Rock Royalty Level. Our accommodation is located on this level, so there is no need to check in downstairs. Simply take the elevator to the 9th floor to check in.
The Rock Royalty Level Lounge boasts a fantastic atmosphere. Check-in was a breeze, but we didn't rush to our room. As expected, the Executive Floor offers complimentary snacks and soft drinks. We decided to relax, sip our drinks, and admire the bustling speedboats filling Pattaya Bay.
After enjoying a snack, I entered the room. The room was beautiful and luxurious. The bed was inviting, and the large sofa was comfortable. When I opened the curtains, I had a full view of Pattaya Bay. I was particularly impressed by the decor. The brown, purple, and red color scheme created a sophisticated atmosphere.
The bathroom is decorated with large glass panels, creating an illusion of spaciousness. Curtains are provided for privacy when desired. (Haha...)
The hotel offers a wide range of amenities, including a radio that can be connected to a phone or flash drive, which is perfect for music lovers.
We relaxed and rolled around comfortably until around six in the evening, when we headed to the lounge. Every day from six to seven thirty is happy hour, serving alcoholic beverages (including various liquors, three brands of beer, nearly 20 cocktail options, and both white and red wine) along with additional snacks.
Snacking on various dishes and enjoying three or four glasses of refreshing cocktails and beers is enough to keep us satisfied and content for the night, eliminating the need to go anywhere else.
You can order drinks in advance before the 9:30 p.m. cut-off time and continue to relax. Don't worry, the staff will come and ask if you need anything. I must say that the atmosphere in the lounge after that is excellent because the foreign guests have gone out for the night, leaving those of us staying at the hotel to enjoy the peace and quiet.
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Enjoy a long and comfortable sleep, waking up to stretch and yawn around eight o'clock. When staying on the Rock Royalty level at Wavel, there's no need to go downstairs for breakfast, as it can be enjoyed in the lounge. The menu offers eight options, including Thai-style rice porridge, Italian-style frittata, waffles, American breakfast, various egg dishes, salmon teriyaki, and dim sum. In short, it has everything you could ask for.
In addition, there are other food lines, bread, and drinks available for you to choose from.
The hotel kindly accommodated my request for two separate dishes, even though it is not their usual practice. I ordered rice porridge with pork, salmon teriyaki, and fish and chips. Everything was delicious.
Alright, it's time for some fun in the water! The lady of the house has been requesting this for a while now. The swimming pool here has recently been renovated and is quite spacious, boasting stylish corners and a pool bar. Additionally, it's divided into two zones: a simulated beach area with sand and rows of coconut trees, and a large swimming pool area with security guards on duty at all times.
For those seeking a private retreat, cabanas and relaxation pavilions are available for rent in the simulated beach zone.
Another highlight of the swimming pool at Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya is the activities. Every few hours from the late morning onwards, there are special games for guests of all ages to compete in. Staff are on hand to supervise, score and keep track of points. Children from all over the world love it, and there's usually a foam party on Saturday evenings.
After working up an appetite from playing in the sun, we took a break for lunch at The Pizzeria. This open-air indoor restaurant is located near the pool and is decorated in a clean, white color scheme that is easy on the eyes. The cool breeze made for a comfortable dining experience.
The restaurant's name suggests that pizza is its main attraction, but other dishes are equally delicious. The Singaporean chicken rice is highly recommended, and many other guests seem to agree. It's as good as the original. Another must-try is the Madras chicken curry, an Indian dish served with various types of naan. For a complete meal, add a Caesar salad with smoked salmon. This meal is truly exceptional.
After a savory meal, indulge in a sweet treat. Enjoy a chilled almond cream crepe with poached pears in red wine, accompanied by rum raisins. A truly delightful experience.
After a satisfying meal, relax by the pool with a refreshing drink. The Power, a delightful blend of Sprite, Red Bull, and Sweet & Sour, offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and fizz.
Staying in a luxurious hotel like this makes me not want to go anywhere else, and I don't even care about the beach. We spent our time relaxing by the pool, swimming, and taking pictures. Life couldn't be better.
In the afternoon, I took a quick tour of other parts of the hotel, starting with the Hard Rock Spa. It is a high-quality spa with a wide variety of courses to choose from, including both Thai and international options.
The hotel also offers a steam room and sauna, which are free for all guests. The fitness center is also a popular amenity, especially for long-staying international guests.
Remarkably, the gym also offers Muay Thai classes, with the added bonus of being trained by a former world champion, Khwanchai Saenmuang. This was my first opportunity to speak with a world champion, and I couldn't resist taking a photo.
As five o'clock in the evening approached, we returned to our room to relax. We sat in the lounge, waiting until almost dusk before going back downstairs. We hardly ate anything in the lounge that evening. The reason for this will be explained later.
The pool area of the hotel at dusk, with the light beautifully fading.
Passing by Soul Lounge on the ground floor, I was impressed by its beauty and decided to take some photos. The lounge is open from 4 pm to 1 am and features live music every Friday and Saturday. The interior design is truly captivating.
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We skipped the evening snacks at Rock Royalty Lounge because we had a dinner buffet reservation at Starz Diner, the hotel's main restaurant. Starz Diner serves breakfast in the morning and a buffet in the evening. The pillars are adorned with guitars of famous musicians, a signature Hard Rock touch.
This restaurant offers a daily dinner buffet called "The Great Charcoal Barbecue Buffet." As the name suggests, the buffet features a variety of grilled meats, including beef, pork, chicken, and sausages, prepared in the Brazilian style. These are served alongside grilled vegetables and grilled pineapple, making for a mouthwatering experience.
In addition to the various buffet lines, seafood is a must-have in Pattaya. Grilled crabs, grilled shrimps, and grilled squids are all available. There is also a wide selection of international cuisine to choose from. Take your pick and enjoy!
The buffet attracts many non-hotel guests, solidifying its reputation as one of Pattaya's most popular buffets. Notably, the barbecue is served in true Brazilian style, with servers bringing long skewers of meat to the table and carving portions for each diner.
We savored the food leisurely, with me focusing on the delicious grilled meats and my wife indulging in the grilled crab and shrimp, true to her love of seafood. The variety of delicious options is a major advantage of the buffet here. They also offer wine at special prices.
The price for the Great Charcoal BBQ Buffet is 788 Baht per person from Sunday to Thursday and 1,299 Baht on Friday and Saturday (with more food options on weekends). Children aged 12-18 receive a 50% discount, and adults over 65 receive a 25% discount. The buffet is open from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. You do not need to be a hotel guest to enjoy the buffet.
On a relaxing day like this, I can sleep in late and not worry about anything. I'll put work on hold for now. I woke up feeling a bit groggy and walked to the Rock Royalty Lounge for breakfast. Today, I ordered a simple and light meal of rolled egg whites and fish congee.
We spent the morning lounging around the hotel room, taking a few photos by the pool before checking out around noon. We made sure to get the most out of our stay.
After checking out, we had another lunch appointment at Hard Rock Cafe. Tourists usually come here at night (I snuck in for a bit last night), but the afternoon atmosphere inside is also relaxed and beautiful in a different way. I really liked it. It's decorated with various items from famous rock bands, both old and new.
The Hard Rock Cafe's menu features classic Western dishes. We savored the New York Strip Steak and the Legendary Hickory BBQ Burger (the names alone are mouthwatering). We also enjoyed two refreshing cocktails and a selection of appetizers. The meat was exceptional, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor.
The Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya provided the perfect setting for our exclusive couple's getaway. During our three-day, two-night stay, we never left the hotel grounds, and it became clear that a luxurious hotel experience can be the ideal way to unwind and recharge.
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นายสองสามก้าว / A Life, A Traveller
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 11:27 AM