Ocean 1 Tower

Posted by Greg

February 28, 2008

Pattaya Coast Magazine, March 2008

With Pattaya’s slow but steady rise out of the realm of red light districts and after-hour shenanigans, new developments are going up faster than a Lego city built by a child high on Red Bull. As more and more companies rush to buy up a finite amount of land, the best spots are being snapped up and the top views taken over by taller and taller towers.

But like an old friend (or at least a neighbor who’s lived in his house longer than you have), the Amari Orchid remains where it has for years, at the north end of Pattaya Bay. And now more than ever, it dominates the area with the November 2007 opening of its Ocean Tower wing, a 5-star, 297-room tower of power that caters to those who appreciate style as much as they appreciate quality.

The atmosphere is set as soon as you hit the short driveway on Pattaya Beach Road – slick and modern, with lights used nearly as an ambient effect rather than direct illumination. The lobby is an adventure in basic hotel lobby basics, although the check-in procedure is swift and the service good. According to their website, all Amari staff must go through a special training course, which I can believe. A few quick keystrokes, a friendly smile and I’m on my way.

Despite being far removed from an executive, my room was on the 18^th ‘Executive’ floor, and was lush, super clean and totally kitted out. What got my attention right away (after the giant LCD screen on the wall that had my name displayed on it) was the fact that there was no bathroom. Well, there was a bathroom, but it was designed more like an open kitchen than a claustrophobic tile closet – nary a wall to be seen. On either end of the long, two-sink counter is a frosted glass door – one hides a toilet, the other a shower (with a sweet rainfrall shower head - nice), while a jacuzzi bathtub practically called out my name. Two fluffy robes hang within easy reach. A quick drink on the balcony is highly recommended, which gave me a great view of the garden below and over the blue bay beyond.

I was able to get some work done on the curving glass business desk in the corner, and connected to the wireless internet right away, which provided fast, hassle-free connection for my whole stay. However, an internet connection is not included with the room, unfortunately, which was a bit mystifying. Both Pattaya and Jomtien beaches are littered with places that offer free wi-fi; about the only place charging for internet these days is $tarbucks (attn ed: intentional $), although they’ve finally come around and made it free – at least in the US.

My only other gripe with the room was that the television, for some reason, was set off to the left of the bed rather than centered at its foot. Still… I may as well complain that my gold necklace is too heavy.

As for the hotel grounds, those didn’t escape the hotel remodeling either. The original and slightly musty Amari Garden Wing is still there, although it’s undergone extensive renovation to keep it in line with its bigger brother, but gone is the expansive garden and lawn space that used to stretch down nearly to the beach. However, it’s not all bad – in its place is a finely sculpted garden with palm tree-lined walkways and two brand new swimming pools – a lap pool and a freeform pool, complete with a swim-up bar and waterfall.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Essence, the 24-hour, in-house restaurant on the third floor, offers some good food in a nice setting, although it does get a bit crowded during breakfasts – you may have to sit outside.

A perfect place for an after-dinner drink is Ice, the small but elegant bar just off of the lobby. High roofs, cushy chairs and dusty lighting welcome you, as does the smooth (or rather, smooooooooooth) voice of Ruby Hayes, a veteran jazz and blues singer whose voice oozes from the speakers like aural honey– truly a performance not to be missed.

If you really want to spoil yourself, get up to the top floor and sign up for the Horizon Club, where you’ll experience some truly awesome service. Private check-in and check-out, high-tech amenities in all the rooms (even a pillow menu!) and the luxurious Club Lounge on the 19^th floor will make you feel like Donald Trump although, hopefully, without the ridiculous hair.

And while you’re on a roll, why not head to the tower’s Sivara Spa, which offers everything from your basic Thai massage to full-body milk and mud baths, facial and hair treatments and all kinds of gooey, rejuvenating fun. On a personal note – if you’re not built like a Thai, you might want to ensure you’re wearing clean underwear; the fishnet-style gang geng nai they provide as you get ready for your treatment leave little to the imagination if you don’t have a 32-inch waist.

The new Amari Ocean Tower is definitely a solid entry in Pattaya’s emerging up-market hotel scene, and it certainly doesn’t slouch. Well designed and well maintained; cozy but hi-tech, you can be sure that a stay here will not disappoint.

www.amari.com/orchid

Mantra Review

One of the shining stars on the Pattaya dining scene since it opened in late mid-2006, Mantra is worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture and colorful interior design alone – the food is the icing on the cake (or maybe it’s the other way around). Either way, it’s definitely a place that you should visit if you haven’t already. In Mantra’s case, a distended stomach is a very good thing.

Upon walking into the restaurant, you’re greeted with a near-Arabian theme, as a circular sofa covered in long drapes emits a ghostly red glow from the above chandelier. Small, intimate tables are scattered about – lit by equally low light –while bartenders busy themselves making drinks for the guests.

But you’re not there yet – this is only ‘the den’, a type of foyer where you enjoy pre-dinner drinks. Through some heavy double doors is where you want to go, a cavernous space that houses seven – yes, you read right – kitchens.

Guests sit in the middle, while the kitchens ring the outside wall that’s again bathed in a soft orange/red glow from behind dark wood detailing, vaguely reminiscent of Middle Eastern or Oriental design. In no particular order you have Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Western, Seafood and Mediterranean kitchens spaced evenly around the room. Each is headed by a chef native to that particular region, and each has sharply-dressed staff frying, cooking, dicing, cutting, boiling and whipping up some great treats.

The friendly Executive Sous Chef, Yongyuth Phianprasit, came out to the table to say hello and asked what I wanted to tuck into. The menu was huge and I was hungry, so I just trusted the good man to give me his best.

I started with the sushi foie gras, an excellent way to whet my appetite, followed by deep friend prawn salad, which had a zingy fullness thanks to a basting in wasabi. Jerusalem artichoke soup followed, the only dish to lie to me (it’s actually a type of sunflower. Thanks Wikipedia!).

Then the mains, which all came at once, turning the table into something akin to Pattaya itself – very slim on free space. We dug into snow fish tikka, an interesting combination of Indian and seafood flavors, which was tender and spicy with a tinge of Indian zest. A few nicely roasted lamb chops went down like buttah, followed by some mixed vegetables and creamy au gratin potatoes, just like Mom used to make.

Phianprasit wouldn’t believe me when I told him how full I was, running away only to return with a small plate of sliced duck which was, of course, fantastic. He just laughed when I tried to explain I’m on a diet… of course, it didn’t help that I continued to scarf down some mango and sticky rice, the perfect dessert to end the meal – any meal, for that matter.

Executive Chef Supachai Saisoigeon came out near the end to make sure everything was okay, and quickly went back to running seven kitchens and over 100 staff. A quick tour led by Phianprasit showed me a large private banquet room, and a mezzanine level where larger groups can sit around bigger tables and have more space. There’s also an outdoor patio if you want to have an after-dinner smoke.

As I was leaving, I said goodbye to Geev Andre Bahrampoori, the charismatic and friendly manager who was sure to ask if everything was up to snuff. Dressed in a sharp suit and with black hair styled even crisper than his handshake, he’s the type of successful, handsome chap you’d probably hate – if he wasn’t so damn nice and professional.

Yes, the prices are several orders of magnitude higher than any noodle stand on the street outside, but that’s what’s great about Pattaya – the selection. Eat the noodles when you want a down-n-dirty grubfest. When you want to live it up in style and chow down on some truly delectable food, Mantra is the place to go – just don’t wear your flip-flops.

Magazines