Pattaya's BEST Argyle Apartments: Unbeatable Views & Luxury Await!
Pattaya's BEST Argyle Apartments: Unbeatable Views & Luxury Await! (Or Did They?) - A Brutally Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, because I just got back from the Argyle Apartments in Pattaya, and let me tell you, it’s a mixed bag, a beautiful, gleaming, potentially slightly-overpriced mixed bag. They’re definitely trying to be the best, but did they succeed? Let's dive in, shall we? This is going to be messy, but let me tell you, you need to prepare.
First Impressions: Views That Could Kill (Literally - If You're Afraid of Heights)
Okay, let's be real. The view from my room? Breathtaking. Absolutely stunning. I'm talking panoramic ocean vistas that stretched on forever, punctuated by the twinkling lights of the city below. Honestly, it made me want to write a romantic novel right then and there (which, by the way, I did not. I watched Netflix. Priorities). The "Unbeatable Views" part of their tagline? They're not kidding. Seriously, I spent a good hour just staring out the window, feeling like a goddamn Bond villain.
The Luxe Life (With a Few Hiccups)
So, they're aiming for luxury, and they mostly deliver. My room was seriously swanky. Let's talk about the good stuff:
- The Room Itself: Seriously, spacious. Think a proper apartment, not just a cramped hotel room. The air conditioning (thank GOD for air conditioning!), the comfortable seating area with a giant sofa which I spent all day on, the blackout curtains (essential for combating that Pattaya sunshine), the bathroom to die for (separate shower and bathtub? Yes, please!). I’m also a sucker for a good bathrobe and slippers, both of which were provided.
- In-Room Perks: Free Wi-Fi, check. (And it actually worked, which is a miracle.) Coffee/tea maker, check. Mini-bar, check (though the prices were, predictably, a bit eye-watering). The free bottled water was a lifesaver, especially after a night of, uh, exploring Pattaya. Daily housekeeping kept everything sparkling. Okay, I was a little too busy to notice, but it definitely felt cleaner.
- Accessibility: Now, this is where it kind of stumbled. The elevators were fast and the staff were helpful (more on them later) but it's hard to say what else, since, well, I don’t have a wheelchair. But they do list “Facilities for disabled guests” and “Elevator.”
But Then… (Because Perfection Is Boring, Right?)
Okay, here's where the chinks in the armor start to appear. Remember that "high floor" and "window that opens" stuff? Both were true. But the window opened, like, a crack. I wanted a cool breeze, but I got like, a sigh of air.
- The Internet Lags: While the free Wi-Fi was generally reliable, it sometimes sputtered. I tried to stream a movie once, and it buffered more than the Titanic. Maybe that was a me thing.
- The Little Annoyances: The TV remote was finicky. The lighting was a bit complicated (took me a while to figure out all the various settings). But honestly, these are minor quibbles.
Let's Talk About the Stuff That Matters: "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax, and also Services and Considerations" like "Dining, drinking, and snacking and also things for the kids"
Okay, here's where the Argyle really tries to shine.
- Pool with a View: There's an outdoor pool, and it's, yeah, you guessed it, with an amazing view. Imagine yourself floating in the refreshing water, cocktail in hand, overlooking the entire city. The water was a little too warm for my liking. Not too warm like a lukewarm bath. A little warmer than that.
- On-Site Restaurants & Bars: Several, which gave the whole experience some added versatility. The "Poolside bar" was pretty solid. The "Restaurant," well, was pretty solid, The A la carte in restaurant was good.
- The "Spa": I opted for a massage. It was decent, nothing to write home about, but definitely relaxing. The spa itself felt clean and well-maintained, and the staff were professional.
- For the Kid: Babysitting service, Kids meal. I could not get an idea of if they liked it there, but it was an option.
The Food Scene: Okay, So, Let's Get Real About the Restaurants and Other Dining Considerations
- Breakfast Bonanza (or Blandness?): They've got the buffet, and it has everything you'd expect: "Asian breakfast", "Western breakfast", buffet, etc. Honestly, nothing blew me away. It was pretty standard hotel fare. I ended up ordering "Breakfast in room" a couple of times, just for the novelty.
- Dining Options: They have restaurants, a poolside bar, and "room service [24-hour]". The prices were what you'd expect for a hotel of this caliber.
- Food Delivery: They offer "Food delivery", according to the official website, so it's possible to order food from outside the hotel, if you're so inclined.
Cleanliness, Safety & All That Jazz
- Safety First (and Second, and Third): The Argyle Apartments seem to take hygiene seriously. They've got "Anti-viral cleaning products," and "Daily disinfection in common areas," and "Hand sanitizer" everywhere.
- Staff Training: The staff wears masks and seems generally knowledgeable about protocol. They have "Staff trained in safety protocol". I felt safe.
- Cashless Payments: "Cashless payment service" is available, which is super convenient.
Services and Conveniences: They Think of Everything (Almost)
- The Essentials: "Air conditioning in public area," check. "Concierge," check. "Dry cleaning," check. "Laundry service," check. "Luggage storage," check. "Car park [free of charge]", check. They even have a "Shrine," which I didn't use, but it's there!
- Business Facilities: "Business facilities", "Meeting/banquet facilities". If you're on a business trip, they seem to have everything you need.
- Getting Around: "Airport transfer", "Taxi service". The hotel can arrange taxis, which made getting around Pattaya super easy. Parking is available too for self drivers.
Getting Around
There’s a "Car park [free of charge]" if you’re driving. I did not drive. "Airport transfer" and "Taxi service" are available.
The Good, the Bad, and the Bottom Line
The Good: The views are utterly spectacular. The rooms are luxurious and spacious. The staff is generally helpful. The location is convenient. The Bad: Some minor annoyances (laggy Wi-Fi, finicky TV remote). The breakfast is nothing to write home about. It is a little pricey. The Bottom Line: Would I recommend the Argyle Apartments? Absolutely, with a few caveats. If you're looking for a luxurious stay with breathtaking views, and are willing to overlook a few minor imperfections, it's a fantastic choice. Just be prepared for the price tag. I'd stay there again, no question.
My Verdict: 8.5/10 (View Alone Gets Them That Extra Half Point!)
THE BIG SELL: Your Exclusive Offer!
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- Free breakfast for two! (Fuel your sightseeing adventures!)
- A welcome bottle of sparkling wine! (Toast to the good life!)
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Uncover Hidden Japan: Hotel Kikyou's Secret ParadiseAlright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your boring, sterile travel itinerary. This is the Argonauts of Argyle Apartments: A Pattaya Odyssey. Heads up, it's gonna be… intense.
Pre-Trip Freakout: The Anticipation is Killing Me
- Weeks Before: Panic sets in. Did I book the right place? Argyle Apartments… sounds fancy, right? Google Maps gives me the heebie-jeebies with all the tiny side streets. I'm convinced I'm going to get hopelessly lost and end up living in a fish market. On the other hand, beaches, cheap massages, and… sun. Okay, I can survive fish markets.
- Day Before: Luggage: The existential crisis begins. I'm overpacking. I KNOW I'm overpacking. But what if it RAINS? What if I need five pairs of shoes? My brain is a chaotic mess of packing cubes and what-if scenarios. I'm also pretty sure I forgot my passport. Nope, found it. Crisis… averted? For now.
The Pattaya Pilgrimage: Days 1-4 – Arrival, Accommodation, and Acquaintances
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic
- Morning: Flight from… wherever. I honestly can't remember. Travel is a blur of plane food and existential dread. Arrive in Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Now, this is where the real fun begins : Finding a taxi. Negotiating price. Argyle Apartments… okay, so it's actually really nice. The air con blasts me in the face, and I feel a tiny bit of my brain finally relax. The rooftop pool looks… divine.
- Afternoon: Checking in is a breeze. The place is bigger than my actual apartment back home! Unpack. Which is code for "dump everything on a bed and hope for the best".
- Evening: The obligatory "first night" exploration. Walking Street? No, not yet. Too soon. Found a little noodle shop a few blocks away. Glorious. Cheap. Spicy. Bliss. Oh, and I managed to get slightly lost on the way back. "Just turn left at the… thing… and then…" Sigh. Welcome to traveling, idiot.
Day 2: Poolside Zen and Massage Mayhem
- Morning: FINALLY, the pool! Spent the entire morning horizontal, battling a mild sunburn (totally worth it). Swallowed half the pool water after laughing at a kid doing a cannonball. Oops.
- Afternoon: THE MASSAGE. My back has been screaming for this. Found a place right down the street. The masseuse looks about fifteen years old. A little awkward at first. But the massage is pure, unadulterated bliss. I emerge feeling like a limp noodle, in the best possible way.
- Evening: Okay, so I'm trying Thai food. Again. I order "something spicy". They bring me something that could probably power a small rocket. Sweating. Tears streaming down my face. But… it's also the best thing I've ever tasted. Send help. And maybe a glass of water.
Day 3: Beach Bonanza (and a Near-Death Experience!)
- Morning: Beach time! Grab a tuk-tuk (fun, exhilarating, and slightly terrifying all at once). The water is warm, the sand is soft… and I accidentally wander into a jellyfish situation. A LOT of jellyfish. Run screaming. End up getting stung. Ouch.
- Afternoon: Sunburn. Bad sunburn. Swear at myself for not putting on enough sunscreen. Spend the afternoon hiding in the shade, plotting my revenge on the sun.
- Evening: Found a restaurant with live music. Sing along badly to everything. Drink a questionable amount of Chang beer. Decide I'm fluent in Thai. I’m not. But I’m having the time of my life.
Day 4: Markets, Mayhem, and Mango Sticky Rice
- Morning: A trip through the market! The colours, the smells, the sheer everything is overwhelming. I buy some fake sunglasses. Haggle like a pro (probably not). Stumble across a street vendor selling mango sticky rice. Holy. Freaking. Moly. This is what heaven tastes like.
- Afternoon: Exhausted. Need. A. Nap. Wake up in a puddle of drool and regret.
- Evening: Okay, maybe I'll venture towards Walking Street. Just for a peek. Curiosity… and a friend's insistence. It's… a lot. The lights, the noise, the… everything. I turn around after five minutes. Not my scene. Back to the noodle shop, peace, and tranquility.
The Big One: Day 5: The Sanctuary of Truth - The Day I Forgot How To Breathe
- Morning: I wake up with a fire in my soul. Today is the day I make a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Truth. It's an architectural marvel. A wooden temple carved entirely by hand, right on the coast. I've seen the pictures. They're breathtaking. This needs to be real.
- Afternoon: Getting there is just as much an adventure. A songthaew ride, a bit of haggling, and suddenly: the Sanctuary. It's HUGE. I stand there, mouth agape. The detail. The sheer dedication of the artisans who built this. It's… overwhelming. I forgot to breathe for the better part of an hour. I wandered around the place, feeling so puny, but completely in awe. I climb to the very top, staring out across the water and trying to process what my eyes are taking in. I start feeling a little sick. The humidity, my emotions, I’m not sure - it was too much.
- Evening: Back at Argyle, I needed silence. I sat on the balcony, staring at the sky, and trying to make sense of the sheer beauty and the absolute mess of life. I ordered a pizza from a shop, and let the day just settle. The sanctuary. It felt like the biggest event of my life, and one I wouldn't forget easily.
Days 6-8: Random Adventures, Regrets, and the Inevitable Departure
- Day 6: Day trip to Koh Larn, the island (again). Sun, sand, more sunburn. Snorkelling. I saw a fish!
- Day 7: Shopping, souvenir searching. Regret buying that elephant-shaped ashtray. Too late.
- Day 8: The dreaded packing. Saying goodbye to the rooftop pool. Feeling a little sad, a little sunburned, a lot exhausted. But also? Absolutely, utterly, filled with the kind of joy that only comes from travel. Taxi to the airport. Thinking about mango sticky rice - and when I'll be back.
Post-Trip (Months Later): The Memory and the Aftermath
- Months Later: Back home. The tan fades. Reality bites. But the memories? They stick. The Sanctuary of Truth. The spicy noodles. The jellyfish. The sheer chaos and the overwhelming beauty. This trip. It changed me. Even if only a little. At least I had the tan lines to prove it, even if I had to replace all the fake sunglasses I purchased.
This is a travel itinerary? Absolutely not. This is a snapshot. A messy, imperfect, and utterly human little slice of life in Pattaya, Thailand. And I wouldn't trade it for the world… okay, maybe just a slightly less-spicy plate of noodles.
Indonesian Paradise Found: Mahalaksmi Boutique Hotel Awaits!Pattaya's Best Argyle Apartments: FAQs (and a Few Rants!)
Okay, seriously, are the views *really* that good? Because I've seen some "views" that were more like "distant smog glimpses."
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. The views from Argyle? Forget "distant smog glimpses." It's like… okay, picture this: I’m hungover, *horrifically* hungover, after a night of questionable decisions. Thought I was going to die. Crawled to the balcony… and BAM. The whole city – the shimmering water, the island… everything just… unfolded. Suddenly, the throbbing head felt… less bad. My friend, who hates everything, even managed a "huh, not bad" (that's a win!). The *ocean*… it’s like liquid sapphires at sunset. Honestly, I almost cried. Yeah, they're that good. Seriously, pack your sunglasses and maybe some tissues for the emotional impact.
What's the deal with the luxury? Is it just, like, overpriced furniture and a tiny pool? I've been burned before...
Okay, okay, I get it. "Luxury" these days is a buzzword used to sell you overpriced crap. But, and this is a big BUT… Argyle actually delivers. The furniture? Not just functional, it's actually *comfortable*. I sprawled on the sofa for, like, four hours straight once, binge-watching some truly terrible reality TV. No back pain! (That’s a miracle). The pool? Okay, it's not Olympic-sized, but it's gorgeous, infinity edge, perfect for a sundowner cocktail and Instagram envy. There's a gym – I *tried* to go once. Let's just say my dedication to fitness is... intermittent. But hey, *it's there*. And they give you fluffy robes. Fluffy Robes! Little things, man, little things make the difference between "meh" and "living the dream." Although… the AC once blew directly onto my face during my sleep. I woke up feeling like a frozen pizza. Minor thing. Still. Worth it.
How about the location? Is it in the middle of all the chaos or is it, you know, actually peaceful?
Location, location, location! It’s a tricky balance in Pattaya. You want easy access to the action, but you also want to actually sleep. Argyle nails it. It’s close enough to the main areas – the bars, the beaches, all the… *stuff* (you know what I mean…) – that you can stumble home at 3 AM. But it’s also just far enough that you can escape the relentless music and the drunken karaoke. I once spent the day exploring all the temples nearby and came back to the apartment feeling really… zen. Then I ordered a pizza and watched a football game. Balance. It's all about balance. Just… maybe don't open your balcony door at 2 am...unless you *love* the sounds of a thousand motorbikes all starting their engines simultaneously.
Are the staff friendly? Because I've run into some… shall we say, *unenthusiastic* hotel staff in my time...
The staff? They are amazing! Gen-uine-ly friendly. Helpful. They always greet you with a smile, remember your name (creepy accurate, sometimes!), and generally make you feel like you're actually *wanted* there. I lost my phone in a taxi once (long story, involving a questionable karaoke performance). They helped track it down. They went above and beyond. I felt like I had a personal army of helpful Thai angels on my side. Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but they are great! They even tolerate my terrible Thai language attempts. Which is a very high form of patience indeed.
What's the biggest downside (because nothing's perfect, right?)
Okay, fine. Here's the truth bomb. The biggest downside? Leaving. Seriously. Packing up those fluffy robes, saying goodbye to the view… it's a brutal experience. Also… and this isn't *really* a downside, more of a minor observation… you might get a little… *lazy*. You'll find yourself ordering room service more often than you should. You'll become addicted to lounging on the balcony. You might even *consider* skipping a day of sightseeing just to stay in and enjoy the apartment. (I’m not saying *I* did that… okay, I did. Multiple times. Don’t judge me!). And the internet. The internet *sometimes* has a moment. But lets's be honest, a little disconnection now and then isn't the *worst* thing in the world. Mostly, the leaving thing is the only thing that ever bothered me.
Is it worth the money? Be honest! Because, you know, Thailand can be a budget trip if you want...
Okay, honest time. It's not "cheap" cheap. It's… an investment. But here's the deal: you get what you pay for. And with Argyle, you're getting a truly premium experience. Think of it like this: are you willing to spend a bit more for something that will dramatically improve your entire trip? If yes – and you appreciate good views, comfortable beds, decent service and generally not feeling stressed by your accomodation – then yes. It's worth every baht. I've stayed in budget places, and while I'm all for saving money, a bad hotel can single-handedly ruin a holiday. Argyle? It elevates the whole thing. It becomes *part* of the holiday, not just a place to sleep. So, yes, it's a bit more expensive. But will you regret it? Absolutely not. You'll probably spend all your time figuring out when you can go back… and saving up so you can stay longer next time. I know I am.
Anything else I should know? Any hidden gems or things to watch out for?
Okay, a few pro-tips. First, the sunsets… they are *ridiculous*. Make sure you schedule some serious balcony time around sunset. Bring a bottle of something nice. Secondly, the coffee shop downstairs (I think it's called "Brew & View" or something) is surprisingly good. Great for a morning pick-me-up before you hit the beach (or the pool, no judgements). Thirdly… the elevators are fast, but sometimes, in the morning rush, they can take a minute because everyone wants to quickly get down for breakfast... So, if you're in a hurry… take the stairs. Okay, maybe not all the way up, depending on your floor, I wouldn't recommend it. And finally, and this is crucial: pack earplugs. Not because of the apartments, but because… well, Pattaya. You'll thank me later. And have fun!Hotel Near Me Search