dusit D2 baraquda pattaya is sophisticated, modern, creative and cool _ with a lower-case ‘q’ _ but most of all, it is just really good fun. In a hotel where the check-in desk is a bar, the guru (GM darling) sports a sassy tightly-bound goatee, drinks are named d-job and gayzilla, the swimming pool spends all night turning green or blushing red in a mesmerising display of colours and the fish sauce served with your morning kao tom has to be sprayed on, it is these almost cheeky details that makes D2 baraquda a must visit, even for those who may not fancy the destination itself _ Pattaya.
In the heart of downtown Pattaya, and a short stroll to the beach, the D2 baraquda is a deeply thought out hotel in terms of design, so much so, that it has recently been named as one of the top ten hospitality designs in Asia by RFP magazine, Hong Kong. And quite deservedly.
The entire hotel takes the sea-theme to extreme. The lobby walls undulate like welcoming waves and underwater scenes are shown on large flat screens 24 hours a day. Each room, whether deluxe or the two floored d’suite, is like an underwater wonderland with sparkling shell coloured tiles, ship-polished hardwood floors, seaweed motifs and a leather-headed bed straight out of a posh yacht. A special mention has to be made here about the titillatingly sexy bathroom _ let’s just say modesty is not an option! The marine theme also goes deeper than the design as even the masseuse laps her hands over your body like waves on a shore in the sparklingly cheerful spa.
dusit D2 baraquda is a destination unto itself and guests wishing to pop down for a weekend needn’t even leave the hotel if they don’t want to. The eponymously shaped pool is flanked by comfy hammocks and well within reach of the poolside bar, the fine s.e.a. (South East Asian cuisine) restaurant serves up the ‘bubbly’ breakfast in the morning (with free flow sparkling wine) and is open ’til late at night. Apart from the lobby and pool bars, there are three extra hotel bars (a serious party hotel): the crisp and white d’lounge with its plush sofas, computer corners and small library, the deep bar with its own street-side lift and bar stools facing the pink neon bars below, and the rooftop sunset lounge offering panoramic views of the sea and the crazy city that flanks it.
All the mod cons are available of course _ high speed internet access, swivelling flat screen TVs in all rooms including DVD player, and all the good things you expect of a contemporary city hotel.
But at the end of the day, most people probably go to the D2 baraquda for the sheer fun factor: whether it is the fun design, the fun and friendly staff, fun details (press the ‘desire’ button for your concierge) or the fun facilities throughout the hotel. Whether you are looking for a sanctuary to relax in or seeking a launch pad for your wild time in Pattaya…start jumping, D2 baraquda is the perfect springboard.
Though not a gay hotel, D2 baraquda is very gay friendly and is within five minutes walk of gay area ‘Pattaya Land’, where you can find all sorts of male entertainment and company. The hotel concierge is also very knowledgeable about both gay and straight scenes and will point you to popular gay clubs such as the popular Nab, where models and expats can be seen dancing or canoodling in red velvet booths or to any number of local attractions.
Rates are very reasonable at present with a special offer of 2,599 ++ baht per room (including bubbly breakfast for two) until the end of November. Visit www.dusit.com for more information.
Pattaya Itself
Pattaya has come a long long way from its humble fishing village days in the sixties. Today it is known for its ‘sleaze factor’ with pink neon bars light up the sky line at night, and scantily clad Thai women, and beer-gut protruding expats lining up the beach by day.
But Pattaya is much more than that. There are fabulous family friendly tourist attractions, some very fine dining, a great clubbing scene, and with a bonus of being only an hour and a half’s drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
[right]Photography by Boontawee Rusaminin [/right]