Bangkok
Known as the Land of Smiles—and for good reason—Thailand immediately lives up to its reputation. The people are incredibly kind and noticeably friendlier than what we experienced in places like Japan and South Korea. We began our journey in the bustling city of Bangkok.
While traffic congestion and pollution are definite downsides, Bangkok more than makes up for it with its incredible sights and unforgettable food scene. One standout meal was the famous crab omelet from Michelin Bib Gourmand Nhong Rim Klong. It was enormous—easily enough for two people to share.
We also dined at the Michelin-recognized Somtum Der, where we made reservations for the sixth-floor rooftop overlooking Wat Arun across the river. The views were stunning, and both the fried chicken and papaya salad were must-order dishes.
Some of our favorite food experiences, however, came from simply wandering through Chinatown. I had done a food tour there two years ago and loved it, so this time I played tour guide. We stopped at Jek Pui to try their green curry, which was absolutely delicious and incredibly affordable—about 45 baht (roughly $1.33 USD) for a bowl with Chinese sausage.
The kids were surprisingly obsessed with the soy-sauce-flavored ice cream from Dek Som Boon, which tasted far better than it sounds to an American palate. Their favorite treat, though, was the Chinese doughnuts from Michelin-recognized Pa Tong Go Savoey. We highly recommend pairing them with the coconut dipping sauce rather than the pandan.
Of course, we also enjoyed mango sticky rice—because no trip to Thailand is complete without it. Bangkok’s food scene is endless, and we barely scratched the surface on this trip. One of the best parts? You can easily feed a family of five for under $10 USD per meal when enjoying street food in Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Pattaya
We spent three nights at Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach and loved every minute of our stay. The staff were exceptional, especially the Hyatt Kids Club team, who were absolutely amazing with our children.
For those unfamiliar, the Kids Club offers structured activities, and children over four years old can be left in the care of trained staff—giving parents some much-needed kid-free time, which is truly priceless. Complimentary snacks and beverages (including juice and beer for parents) are provided and replenished daily.
The resort also features a Michelin-starred restaurant located directly on the beach, which we couldn’t miss. Like everything else at Andaz, it was fantastic. The beach is ideal for watching the sunset, and the infinity pool overlooking the water was one of our favorite spots.
Unlike some resorts, the staff here actively ensure lounge chairs are available for guests who are actually present, rather than allowing chairs to be “reserved” all day with personal items. While the beach itself isn’t the most impressive, we loved moving between the pools and beach and never felt the need to leave the resort.
The kids especially loved the large pool with a slide. While dining at the resort can be a bit pricey, we frequently used Grab delivery to save money, which worked out perfectly. This was hands-down our favorite resort experience in Thailand so far, and we would absolutely return.
We also spent a few days in the city of Pattaya at an Airbnb, which wasn’t particularly memorable and didn’t leave us feeling the need to return.
Hua Hin – Hyatt Regency
This resort is undeniably beautiful, with sprawling pools and a gorgeous beach. However, one major drawback was the early-morning practice of reserving lounge chairs. Guests often claim chairs at dawn by placing towels or books on them—a practice that’s allowed here—which makes it frustratingly difficult to find seating later in the day.
This was a noticeable contrast to our experience at the Andaz Pattaya, where lounge chairs were readily available. The resort also seemed particularly popular with Russian and other European travelers, which shaped the overall atmosphere.
One highlight was the Regency Club, which we used during our stay. The staff were fantastic, and both the breakfast buffet and dinner offerings were excellent—covering most of our meals. This was our first time using a Regency Club, and it ended up being one of the most redeeming aspects of the resort.
While this was the most aesthetically pleasing resort we visited in Thailand, it was also our least favorite overall and the one we’re least likely to return to.
On the plus side, the Cicada Market is located just outside the resort gates on weekends and is a great place to wander, try local street food, and shop for souvenirs. Getting around town is easy using Grab or Bolt, and before leaving, we visited Monkey Mountain, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the area.
Hyatt Regency Phuket
Hyatt Regency Phuket was easily one of our favorite stops in Thailand. The resort offers an incredible combination of great food, beautiful surroundings, and family-friendly amenities that made our stay especially memorable.
The food throughout the resort was delicious, with plenty of options that appealed to both adults and kids. One of the standout features was the large, gorgeous pool, which quickly became a favorite hangout for our family. The kids were also obsessed with the on-site aquarium and the Kids Club, which was truly amazing. There were so many activities available that they were entertained for hours, giving us time to relax and actually enjoy the resort.
The Regency Club here was another highlight and one of our favorites overall. It offered stunning views overlooking both the beach and the resort, creating the perfect setting for breakfast, snacks, and evening drinks. The service was exceptional, and the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcomed and taken care of.
Our kids had an absolute blast enjoying all the amenities the resort had to offer, and the friendliness of the staff really stood out. Hyatt Regency Phuket struck the perfect balance between relaxation and family fun, making it a place we would happily return to.
