Pattaya's Hidden Paradise: Mera Mare's Untold Secrets
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into the (potentially slightly murky, but definitely real) waters of Pattaya’s Hidden Paradise: Mera Mare! And trust me, folks, this ain't your cookie-cutter resort review. I'm going to be brutally honest, probably a little too enthusiastic in places, and I might even wander off on a tangent about the questionable charms of Thai street food. But hey, that's life, right? Let's get to it!
Mera Mare: Pattaya's "Untold Secrets" (Are They Really Untold?) – A Review That's Honestly, a Bit All Over the Place
First off, the name. "Untold Secrets"? Hmmm… marketing, am I right? But hey, let’s see if they can actually back it up.
Accessibility: Getting There and Around (And My Mild Panic)
- Accessibility: Finding Mera Mare was… generally fine. Pattaya traffic, as we all know, is the true beast. The hotel's pretty centrally located, which is a huge plus. But, you know, that also means you're dealing with the chaos of the city. Getting a taxi? Easy. Negotiating the price? Another story. The hotel offers airport transfer, which I highly recommend just to avoid the initial traffic stress.
- Wheelchair Accessible: This one's important. Mera Mare does have facilities for disabled guests, including an elevator. However, I confess I didn’t personally test every single nook and cranny. They definitely seem to be making an effort, which is a good start, but I'd advise directly contacting the hotel with specific needs to ensure it all truly aligns with your requirements. (Contacting, I learned the hard way in Thailand, is key.)
- Getting Around Within the Hotel: The hotel's layout is generally manageable. Not sprawling, which I appreciated.
The Tech Stuff: Wi-Fi, Internet, and the Modern Necessity
- Internet Access: Alright, let’s talk internet. Because let's be honest, in 2024, a hotel without decent Wi-Fi is a non-starter.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Yes! Praise be! The Wi-Fi in my room was actually pretty solid. I could stream, video call, and generally avoid complete digital isolation. (My work brain and my Netflix brain were both pleased.)
- Internet [LAN]: They offer it, too. For those old-schoolers who yearn for the hardwired experience.
- Internet Services: Pretty standard fare: they have a business center if you're feeling office-y.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yep, the lobby had Wi-Fi. It worked. Nothing fancy.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Let’s Get Pampered (Or At Least Attempt To)
Okay, this is where Mera Mare seriously shines, or at least tries really hard to.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Yep, they have the works. I'm a sucker for a good sauna, especially after a long day of street-food-fueled exploration (more on that later). The spa was… nice. Clean. Professional. The sauna itself was a decent temperature and not too crowded. The steamroom, equally pleasant.
- Massage: Ah, the holy grail of Thai relaxation. I tried the traditional Thai massage. Let's just say it was… an experience. My masseuse was a tiny woman with the strength of a thousand suns. I emerged feeling both incredibly relaxed and slightly traumatized. (In a good way, I think? My back definitely felt better.)
- Pool with view: Now, this is where Mera Mare delivers. The pool is gorgeous. Seriously. The view over Pattaya Bay is stunning, especially at sunset. It’s an infinity pool, which always adds that touch of luxury. Plenty of comfy loungers.
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Yep, it's the same pool! A good one.
- Fitness center: I intended to go. I swear I did. But those sunset cocktails by the pool… well, they won. Maybe next time!
- Gym/fitness: Same as above.
- Foot bath: They have this! Which is a nice little touch, especially after a day of pounding the pavements.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Didn't try these, but they're on offer.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping It Real (And Hopefully, Safe)
- Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, let's be real. No one wants a grimy hotel room.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know. Always a plus.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: They seem to be taking safety seriously, which is comforting.
- Hand sanitizer: Available. Everywhere. Excellent.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Again, reassuring.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good practice.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: This makes a huge difference!
- CCTV in common areas/CCTV outside property/Security [24-hour]: They've got it. Peace of mind.
- First aid kit: Present and accounted for.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Standard, but crucial.
- Hygiene certification: I didn’t see any advertised, however the hotel was really clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Appreciated, especially with so much street food around.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Not always strictly enforced, but they try.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Bonus points for choice!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feed Me, Pattaya!
- Restaurants: They have a few!
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things got interesting. The buffet was pretty standard, with both Western and Asian options. The coffee was… well, it was coffee.
- Restaurants, Asian Cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: The options are there, and I would have loved to have tried the asian restaurant.
- Breakfast service: It was fine. Just fine.
- A la carte in restaurant: Available.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: It's available.
- Poolside bar: essential ingredient
- Snack bar: Perfect for poolside snacking.
- Happy hour: Score!
- Bar: They have it. Drinks were good.
- Bottle of water: Supplied, which is fantastic in the Pattaya heat.
- Room service [24-hour]: Amazing.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Dietary needs? They were very accommodating.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Though not a solely vegetarian establishment, there are vegetarian options available (important for me!)
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- Safe dining setup: Absolutely.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or Annoy)
- Air conditioning in public area: Absolutely essential in Thailand.
- Concierge: Helpful and friendly.
- Cash withdrawal: Available
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient and thorough. The staff are lovely.
- Doorman: Always a nice touch.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Apparent.
- Invoice provided: Yep.
- Laundry service: Very welcome, especially if you have been exploring the city.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Safety deposit boxes: Security!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
- Family/child friendly: They seem to be.
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Kids facilities/Kids meal: I didn't see anything specifically for kids. Check directly with the hotel if you're travelling with children.
Available in All Rooms… (The Basics)
- Air conditioning: Yep, and it works. Thank the heavens.
- Alarm clock: There.
- Bathrobes: Nice touch.
- Bathtub: I luxuriated in the bathtub.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for sleeping off the jet lag.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial.
- Free bottled water: Awesome!
- Hair dryer: There.
- High floor: Lovely.
- In-room safe box: Safe and secure.
- **Internet access – wireless: ** Yep.
- Ironing facilities: Perfect for keeping those shirts crisp.
- Mini bar: Helpful.
- Non-smoking: Good.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Useful for cold drinks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of TV options.
- Seating area: Nice to have.
- Shower: Yep.
- Slippers: There.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get my Pattaya, and trust me, it ain't gonna be your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. This is messy, this is real, and honestly, probably a little bit chaotic. Welcome to Mera Mare, Pattaya, through the eyes of yours truly… and their utterly imperfect memories.
Mera Mare Mayhem: A Pattaya Romp (Maybe Not a Romp, More Like a Wobble)
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown at U-Tapao Airport (UTP). Okay, first hurdle: finding my freaking luggage. Seriously, why does every airport look the same? My phone's dead already. Wonderful.
- 1:30 PM: Okay, found a dodgy-looking taxi guy promising a "very good price." Negotiating in broken English and Thai is where the fun begins… or ends, depending on his honesty and how much I bargain down.
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Mera Mare hotel. Whoa. Actually, not whoa. It's… fine. The pool looks inviting, and hey, free wifi! Time to upload a "look at me" update, even if I'm secretly doubting my decisions.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in. "Your room is ready," a polite voice says. "Oh, you have the pool view room." Okay, this is good. This is very good. I drop my bags, and I'm already half-expecting to spend the next week just lounging poolside like a beached whale.
- 3:30 PM: Shower ritual complete. First impressions are everything, but this shower pressure is… well, it's a trickle. And there's a gecko dangling outside my window. This is, indeed, Thailand.
- 4:00 PM: I have to find some food. I'm starving. I stumble into a street food stall. The smells – I'm already overwhelmed. The colours! Oh, and the spice. I went way overboard. My mouth is on fire, and I'm pretty sure I just inhaled half a chili. It was worth it. (I think).
- 6:00 PM: I decide to explore the area around the hotel. After a quick peek at the beach (sandy, sunny, and a bit more crowded than the photos suggested), I duck into a massage parlour with zero reviews. I think I just chose one at random. The masseuse, a tiny woman with the grip of a seasoned wrestler, worked out knots I didn't even know I had. This is what I'd come for!
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by a local. It's a total let down. I order something I can't pronounce or even identify. It's the kind of food that makes you question your life choices.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. One foot is still in Thailand, but the other is already on the pillow. This jet lag is a beast.
Day 2: The Great Muay Thai Disappointment (and a Tiny Triumph)
- 8:00 AM: Sunlight! It's a beautiful day. If it hadn't been for jet lag, I'd have been up at sunrise.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet is a chaotic wonder. I decide to try everything. The fruit is amazing. The coffee is questionable.
- 10:00 AM: Okay, time for Muay Thai! I've been practicing for 2 weeks to make sure I can keep up! I am ready. I walk in like I own the place. The gym is basic, the equipment is tired, and the instructor… well, he's seen it all. He looked at me like I was about to faint. Which I may have done. I. Am. Terrible. I tripped over my own feet and did a lot of flailing about. I’m pretty sure the instructor was trying not to laugh.
- 12:00 AM: Okay, defeat is a harsh mistress. I am not a Muay Thai champion. I'm a sweaty mess with a bruised ego. I'm going to the market to cheer myself up… and get lunch.
- 1:00 PM: The market! A riot of colors, sounds, and smells. Every stall offering the same stuff. Haggling like a pro (or so I like to think). I buy way too many souvenirs. My bags will be exploding by the time I leave.
- 3:00 PM: After some quick research I find a gem and head back to my favorite massage. I have no idea what happened, but it was by far one of the best massages.
- 5:00 PM: Sunbathing. And napping. And occasionally glancing at the pool. Bliss. I'm starting to feel much, much better.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. This time, a proper restaurant! It's a seafood place right on the beach. Stunning view. The seafood is fresh. The cocktails are STRONG, strong. I make a new best friend (well, briefly) with the waiter, whom I regale with tales of my Muay Thai humiliation. He seems amused.
Day 3: Diving Deep (Into the Unknown and the Pool)
- 8:00 AM: Awake, refreshed and ready to go.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The fruit is still amazing. Coffee still weak.
- 10:00 AM: Time to go diving. The hotel arranged a day of diving lessons. This is more like it!
- 11:00 AM: The diving center. I have never been so terrified. I'm also excited. I make a vow to face my fears and see the underwater world.
- 12:00 AM: The instructor is patient. I’m actually having fun! I did it! I’m diving!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back at the hotel, I decide "I deserve a nice relaxing lunch".
- 2:00 PM: The hotel pool. It's my new happy place. I spend at least 3 hours doing absolutely nothing. Maybe a swim. Maybe a read. Maybe just staring at the sun.
- 5:00 PM: I want to see the sunset. They showed some nice pictures of it on the brochures. Let's go. I got to the beach, and it was… fine.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Tonight, I go back to the seafood restaurant. It's so good. Plus, I'm now on speaking terms with the staff.
Day 4: The Grand Illusion (and a Midnight Snack)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. I'm starting to feel like a local with the staff.
- 10:00 AM: Visit the Sanctuary of Truth. I'm utterly blown away. The craftsmanship! The detail! This is a place that demands your attention. My neck hurts from staring up. I take a million photos. I'm in awe. It's overwhelming, humbling, and ridiculously beautiful.
- 1:00 PM: Okay, I'm fading. Time for a serious lunch. I manage to find a small noodle shop. The noodles are sublime, the service is quick, and the total bill is the cost of a coffee back home. This is the life!
- 3:00 PM: Relax time. Lounging.
- 5:00 PM: The hotel pool is calling.
- 7:00 PM: I go back to the seafood restaurant. They treat me like royalty.
- 12:00 AM: Awake. The jet lag is kicking back in. I can't sleep. I raid the hotel fridge and devour a mango.
Day 5: Last Day
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast - The usual.
- 10:00 AM: Last stroll by the beach.
- 12:00 PM: Last lunch.
- 2:00 PM: Time to check out!
- 3:00 PM: Taxi to airport.
- 4:00 PM: Flight home
Final Thoughts (AKA: My Pattaya Epilogue):
Pattaya… it’s a weird mix. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it's full of contradictions. It's got a raw, honest, sometimes slightly trashy underbelly that’s utterly charming. And yes, it made me sweat, made me question, made me laugh, and made me want to come back for more.
Did I have a perfect trip? Hell no. Did I get lost? Often. Did I make a fool of myself? Frequently. But did I have fun? Absolutely. And honestly, that’s all that matters.
So, there you have it. My Pattaya. Unedited, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. Go forth, get messy, and make your own memories! You won't regret it (probably).
Winton Hotel Malaysia: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Pattaya's Hidden Paradise: Mera Mare - Untold Secrets (and My Personal Drama!)
Okay, so Mera Mare… Is it *really* a hidden paradise? Or just another Instagram trap?
Ugh, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Forget those perfectly filtered Insta shots. Okay, let's be real, it *does* have some Instagram appeal. The aesthetic? Gorgeous. The water? Pretty damn tempting. But is it a *hidden* paradise? Well, not exactly. It's more like… a paradise that's found, but still… well, not overwhelmed *yet* with the hordes. Think… a slightly unpolished gem. Less polished than a diamond, maybe more like a… sparkly, slightly chipped amethyst? You get the idea. It's worth a visit, just manage your expectations, alright? That perfection you see online? Highly curated, honey. Highly curated.
What *specifically* makes Mera Mare worth checking out besides the obvious beach vibes?
Okay, okay, besides the ridiculously photogenic beach (seriously, prepare to snap like a crazy person), it’s the… unpretentiousness? Yeah, that’s a good word. It's still got that vibe of being a little off the beaten path, even if it's getting discovered. You get a sense of… escape. Especially if you're coming from chaotic Beach Road. The food's not Michelin star, BUT it’s generally good; seriously, get the seafood basket. And the sunsets… oh, the sunsets... I swear, one night I was so mesmerized, I nearly missed dinner! (My stomach *hated* me that night.) I'd also say the staff, while sometimes a *little* slow (we're on "island time," people!), are genuinely friendly. They're trying, bless their hearts.
The food! Tell me ALL about the food! Was it edible? Did you experience any… gastrointestinal adventures?
Alright, food. This is important. I'm a foodie, and I'm also… sensitive. *ahem*. Look, I'm going to be honest. The food is *good*. Not gourmet, but solid. The seafood basket I mentioned? Divinely crispy. I stuffed myself silly. The Pad Thai was a little… oily, but hey, it's Pad Thai! You can't really go wrong. And the drinks? Strong. Perhaps *too* strong on a few occasions… I’m lookin’ at you, Mai Tai.
Gastrointestinal adventures? *Sigh*. Let's just say I made friends with the bathroom a few times. But I think that's more on *me* and my delicate, highly-strung, city-dweller stomach. I bravely soldiered on, fueled by that seafood basket. Just… maybe pack some Imodium, just in case. Or don't – it's all part of the experience, right? (Don’t judge me.)
Alright, spill the tea! What was the WORST part of your Mera Mare experience? Be brutally honest.
Okay, here we go. Prepare yourself. The *worst* part? Ugh. This is where things get… real. And a little embarrassing. I'm going to be brutally honest. It was... the sand. Yes, the sand. Sounds petty, I know. But it's… gritty. Like, *really* gritty. It gets *everywhere*. I'm talking in your hair, in your swimsuit. And the WORST? Getting it in your eyes while trying to apply sunscreen. Pure torture. I looked like a teary-eyed, sandy-coated monster. (Dramatic, I know. But the sand...) And then, the mosquitos. They were relentless. I mean, they *loved* me. I looked like I had the measles. Itched like crazy. So, yeah. Sand and mosquitos. My nemesis. Packing bug spray is a MUST!
Okay, fine, what about the BEST part? You can't just be negative, right?
The BEST part? Oh, without a doubt, the SUNSET. Dear God, the sunsets at Mera Mare. They’re not just pretty; they're… transformative. I'm usually a cynical, jaded city person, but watching the sun sink below the horizon, painting the sky in these fiery oranges and pinks… it just… *changed* me. I mean, momentarily. Until the mosquitos attacked again. But still! I sat there, cocktail in hand (a Mai Tai, predictably), and just… breathed.
One night, I’m not kidding, I saw a guy propose. RIGHT THERE on the beach! The whole place gasped. It was horribly romantic, and I hate romance, but even *I* teared up a little (okay, a lot). And the moment… just… the whole vibe. It was bliss. That sunset, that moment, made up for every grain of sand in my… sensitive areas. It’s a memory etched into my soul. Or at least, until I get sand in my eyes again, and I swear, everything will be ruined.
Accommodation - what should I expect? Are the rooms luxurious? Or...rustic?
Okay, the rooms… It's all part of the charm, I guess. They’re… comfortable. Not luxury hotels, but definitely not a backpacker's hostel either. I’d say they’re charmingly rustic. Think airy, with a slight… tropical funk. You know, that damp, salty smell that lingers when you’re near the sea. Some rooms have balconies with fantastic views, others… not so much. Read reviews. Seriously, always read the reviews! But they’re clean, and the air conditioning actually *works* (a huge win in Thailand!). Don't expect pristine perfection, but do expect a comfortable place to crash after a day of… sand, and mosquitos, and amazing sunsets. And honestly, who spends *that* much time in their room when you’re in paradise?
Any tips for navigating the area? Transportation, things to do OFF the beach?
Transportation? Songthaews (those red trucks) are your friends! They're cheap and readily available, but negotiate the price *before* you get in. Otherwise, you might get ripped off. Taxis are also available, but can be even more expensive. Renting a scooter is an option, but Thailand traffic is… a thing. Not for the faint of heart. I, personally, would not take my life in my own hands.
Off the beach? …Honestly, I didn’t do much. I was too busy basking in the… sandy, mosquito-y, sunset-y glory of Mera Mare.Hotel Near Airport
