Hi guys, I'm planning my next trip to Pattaya for early November and contemplating staying in Jomtien. I'm a 46 year old Aussie and hoping to get some pretty direct advice on weather Jomtien will suit my style.

I can monger with the best of them, usually enjoying a good mix of GC's and Gogo bars but I do like some down time by the pool and I'm a bit of a foodie. Some of my favourite haunts are Heaven's Above, Cat Flaps, the Soi Bonkot 8 strip and some of the smaller gogo bars in the LK Metro area. I love a good bar crawl. I have two types I generally hunt, young petite and doll faced 40 year old - I am quite picky. 

I'm thinking Jomtien could work for me as I get bored during the day sometimes and would like to make good use of the cafes and coffee shops on Pratumnak Hill. I also like a high end hotel/condo and the value for money seems too good to pass up in Jomtien. For reference I've stayed at Hotel Amber near LK every time I've been so far, but would love to find somewhere bigger/swankier for around a similar price point, hence my interest in Jomtien.

A couple of things I'm concerned about and would like some help understanding better are:

What is the access to Pattaya central like? I got lost the only time I tried to catch a baht bus from Pattaya to Jomtien. 

Will the girls come back to my Jomtien hotel from WS and LK for LT? I'll still look to visit LK a few time during my 2 weeks stay but I'm worried about finding a girl at a gogo or similar and them not wanting to make the trip.

If I'm frequenting the local Jomtien GC's and bars, will I find young spinners at all? I'm okay with having to hunt for them but do they exist?

I'm sure theirs more to consider, but I just don't want to book Jomtien and regret it...thanks in advance.

Why not stay at The Areca Lodge in the Soi Metro area..? (2 nice pools)

You will not regret those long rides home at night from LK Metro to Jomtien, and you can easily do things during the day.

I like the area and the short walk to/from the hotel

1 hour ago, AussieLuke said:

What is the access to Pattaya central like? I got lost the only time I tried to catch a baht bus from Pattaya to Jomtien. 

Bolt is cheap and easy. Should be around 100 baht to LK Metro and take about 20 minutes.

Baht buses are plentiful. You currently pick one up on Jomtien Second Rd to go into Pattaya. In the evening it could well take 30-35 minutes (holiday weekends will be slower). To get back to Jomtien you need to go to the school at the junction of South Pattaya Rd and Second Rd. They wait there until full then head to Jomtien. Still 10 baht each way (unless you go further than Central Pattaya Rd going into Pattaya when you should pay 20).

I’ll let someone else answer about bars and bar fines.

20 minutes ago, AussieLuke said:

Will the girls come back to my Jomtien hotel from WS and LK for LT? I'll still look to visit LK a few time during my 2 weeks stay but I'm worried about finding a girl at a gogo or similar and them not wanting to make the trip.

If I'm frequenting the local Jomtien GC's and bars, will I find young spinners at all? I'm okay with having to hunt for them but do they exist?

For LT you shouldn't have an issue getting girls to Jomtien, but ST would be a different matter.

Occasional young spinner can be found in Jomtien but you would need to do a lot of hunting. It's a much more fertile ground for the 40 y.o. option.

 

All my earlier trips were based central Pattaya( i stayed Diana estate ) . I was always out and about drinking  . Multiple st a day

The last few trips , I wanted a slower pace , so stayed in Pratumnak (cosy beach side). I had a bike to get me around,  so I could pop in/out of town when I wanted . As long as I wasn't going on the beer.

IMO, It all come down to what you're main reason for coming . 

IF you want party party party. Stay in town.  If you're happy to get bolt/ baht bus every time you want to come into town, Stay Pratumnak/Jomtien . 

Maybe book your first week in Pratumnak/Jomtien  and see how it feels. 

I have all the same issues with hotels space pricing and feel like you've mentioned. Also the same needs wrt food drinks and activities. After taking a long hard look at Jomtien/Pratamnak I have decided against it. Maximum I am willing to do is either north pattaya near terminal 21 or south pattaya road. If you are indeed looking for spacious large hotels which are nicely done and are value for money? Honestly Amber is almost top of the list. For that combination of location, facilities, design, staff, breakfast and pricing - no competition anywhere else.

Trust me I have done too much research on this lol

1 hour ago, Greg_B said:

Why not stay at The Areca Lodge in the Soi Metro area..? (2 nice pools)

You will not regret those long rides home at night from LK Metro to Jomtien, and you can easily do things during the day.

I like the area and the short walk to/from the hotel

I've tried to book Areca, but it's always fully booked so I end up at Amber. I'm not unhappy with Amber and I do like the LK Metro area. Day trips to Jomtien might be the go, thanks for the suggestion.

1 hour ago, davidge said:

Bolt is cheap and easy. Should be around 100 baht to LK Metro and take about 20 minutes.

Baht buses are plentiful. You currently pick one up on Jomtien Second Rd to go into Pattaya. In the evening it could well take 30-35 minutes (holiday weekends will be slower). To get back to Jomtien you need to go to the school at the junction of South Pattaya Rd and Second Rd. They wait there until full then head to Jomtien. Still 10 baht each way (unless you go further than Central Pattaya Rd going into Pattaya when you should pay 20).

I’ll let someone else answer about bars and bar fines.

35 mins 😮might have to spend a week in each of Jomtien and LK Metro area to get the full experience.

1 hour ago, Sloracer said:

Occasional young spinner can be found in Jomtien but you would need to do a lot of hunting. It's a much more fertile ground for the 40 y.o. option.

This is actually an attractive option for me. The hunt keeps me moving and I can always give up and grab a granny.

Have you been to jomtien before? 

24 minutes ago, Shamrocksam said:

The last few trips , I wanted a slower pace , so stayed in Pratumnak (cosy beach side). I had a bike to get me around,  so I could pop in/out of town when I wanted . As long as I wasn't going on the beer.

IMO, It all come down to what you're main reason for coming . 

Maybe book your first week in Pratumnak/Jomtien  and see how it feels. 

The bike sounds like a great idea on face value but knowing myself as I do, I'll end up losing the bike or riding around drunk.

My main reason for coming if I really get down to it, is most definitely mongering. I love having fun with the girls, eating with them and of course all the naughty fun that comes with it.

Splitting up the 2 weeks is starting to look like a good option.

1 minute ago, 1992 said:

Have you been to jomtien before? 

Only to a few GC's on the odd bar crawl. I've watched a few youtube videos and starting to do some research. I'm not really a WS guy or even Soi 6 as it's a bit too hectic.

23 minutes ago, charlisexyex said:

I have all the same issues with hotels space pricing and feel like you've mentioned. Also the same needs wrt food drinks and activities. After taking a long hard look at Jomtien/Pratamnak I have decided against it. Maximum I am willing to do is either north pattaya near terminal 21 or south pattaya road. If you are indeed looking for spacious large hotels which are nicely done and are value for money? Honestly Amber is almost top of the list. For that combination of location, facilities, design, staff, breakfast and pricing - no competition anywhere else.

Trust me I have done too much research on this lol

Yeah I have my doubts too. I might book a week at each or maybe just stay at Amber again and do a few day trips to Pratamnak and Jomtien.

I was in a similar situation to you, went out to jomtien for an afternoon then evening, was very happy to get back into the soi buakhao area...

 

9 minutes ago, AussieLuke said:

35 mins 😮might have to spend a week in each of Jomtien and LK Metro area to get the full experience.

It’s a guess based on when I used to do it. Although I live in Jomtien I don’t use baht buses now and only go into Pattaya during the day. Bolt drivers can use different routes to baht buses so are quicker. They usually get me to Central Festival in 15 minutes in the morning. It could be slightly slower in the evening and baht buses have to go through the slow section of road in South Pattaya.

TBH, if you plan to go into Pattaya most nights, and sometimes during the day, it might get a bit much. 3 or 4 times a week might be ok.

Ok that's helpful. Thanks. 

If I'm staying in Jomtien, then I plan to spend my time there. 

But there are a few places in LK that I simply wont be able to not frequent and the goal will be to ST or LT from these places at some point.

5 minutes ago, AussieLuke said:

Ok that's helpful. Thanks. 

If I'm staying in Jomtien, then I plan to spend my time there. 

But there are a few places in LK that I simply wont be able to not frequent and the goal will be to ST or LT from these places at some point.

If you barfine from LK then I’m sure they’d prefer you to get a Bolt back to Jomtien as otherwise you have to get a baht bus on Buakhao, get off at the front of the school and walk around the corner to the Jomtien bus to wait for it to fill up.

The Bolt can go down Soi Lengkee to third rd and get to Jomtien much more quickly.

An extra 100 baht for a moto taxi back would also be appreciated I’m sure.

Love jomtien..!!!

But I'm not that monger focused any more..

I'm staying on soi 4 and everything I need is close by..

At 65 yrs old and been coming to Thailand as a tourist for more than 30 .. I prefer it..

As mentioned... It doesn't take long to master the bhat bus system.. very easy and convenient.. bolt bike if you're on your own or car with company..

Maybe just stay a few days and see if it suits..?

But sounds to me you prob be better off in the rat race...

And in a few more years you might prefer it...

Enjoy..!!!

 

Edited August 11, 20251 yr by equanimous

On 08/08/2025 at 17:24, davidge said:

If you barfine from LK then I’m sure they’d prefer you to get a Bolt back to Jomtien as otherwise you have to get a baht bus on Buakhao, get off at the front of the school and walk around the corner to the Jomtien bus to wait for it to fill up.

The Bolt can go down Soi Lengkee to third rd and get to Jomtien much more quickly.

An extra 100 baht for a moto taxi back would also be appreciated I’m sure.

I have no problem with shelling out for a speedy return with the added benefit of giving my new lady friend the impression that my wallet is fatter than it really is. Nor the extra 100 baht for her return trip.

On 11/08/2025 at 16:29, equanimous said:

Love jomtien..!!!

But I'm not that monger focused any more..

I'm staying on soi 4 and everything I need is close by..

At 65 yrs old and been coming to Thailand as a tourist for more than 30 .. I prefer it..

As mentioned... It doesn't take long to master the bhat bus system.. very easy and convenient.. bolt bike if you're on your own or car with company..

Maybe just stay a few days and see if it suits..?

But sounds to me you prob be better off in the rat race...

And in a few more years you might prefer it...

Enjoy..!!!

 

It is looking that way, but I will definitely give Jomtien a good look this time around. I've got a girl that I see regularly that lives in Jomtien so I might get her to show me around a little then explore the bars by myself for a couple of days.

Appreciate everyone's help.

On 08/08/2025 at 17:13, 1992 said:

...went out to Jomtien for an afternoon then evening, was very happy to get back into the Soi Buakhao area...

 

In January this year I had 3 or 4 nights in Jomtien Thani Hotel in excellent just renovated room. About 1700 bahts a night B&B. Short walk to Beach Road with good restaurants. Ronpho bar area, 5 minutes walk away, was a nothing.

Had the idea to extend my stay but glad to shift back into Pattaya proper. 

In my opinion it would be difficult to get a real appreciation for the Jomtien area if you just helicopter in for an afternoon/evening walkabout.  It will seem foreign to you if you’re staying in central Pattaya. Better to book a few days there, doesn’t need to be the whole week, and venture out whenever you feel like it.  Without a home base in the area that you can easily return to for a short rest/shower you will feel like you’re always traveling and won’t develop any comfortable vibe with the area.  The main Jomtien area is easy to navigate on foot and may be interesting to you.  Of course the above suggestions could apply to any area or travel.

On 22/08/2025 at 05:20, Sam James said:

In my opinion it would be difficult to get a real appreciation for the Jomtien area if you just helicopter in for an afternoon/evening walkabout.  It will seem foreign to you if you’re staying in central Pattaya. Better to book a few days there, doesn’t need to be the whole week, and venture out whenever you feel like it.  Without a home base in the area that you can easily return to for a short rest/shower you will feel like you’re always traveling and won’t develop any comfortable vibe with the area.  The main Jomtien area is easy to navigate on foot and may be interesting to you.  Of course the above suggestions could apply to any area or travel.

I'm coming to Pattaya for just 4 nights soon. Just like the OP, I want to check out Jomtien as a potential retirement location, so part holiday, part reconnaissance. Would it be worthwhile to do just 2 nights in Jomtien? Or should I concentrate on one area? Only my 2nd trip to Pattaya.

3 hours ago, phlampson said:

I'm coming to Pattaya for just 4 nights soon. Just like the OP, I want to check out Jomtien as a potential retirement location, so part holiday, part reconnaissance. Would it be worthwhile to do just 2 nights in Jomtien? Or should I concentrate on one area? Only my 2nd trip to Pattaya.

My opinion only, but taking into consideration that you wish to check out Jomtien as a possible retirement location, you should stay there for at least 2 of your available nights.  As I mentioned earlier, that will allow you more relaxed time there to absorb the vibe from a “home” base.

3 hours ago, phlampson said:

I'm coming to Pattaya for just 4 nights soon. Just like the OP, I want to check out Jomtien as a potential retirement location, so part holiday, part reconnaissance. Would it be worthwhile to do just 2 nights in Jomtien? Or should I concentrate on one area? Only my 2nd trip to Pattaya.

Actually, it might be a thought to book your first 2 nights in Jomtien, and assess your thoughts and reactions after that time.  You can then extend for the last 2 days in Jomtien, or easily book a room in Pattaya.  Lots of available rooms this time of year.