Veranda Resort Pattaya - MGallery

The relatively less famous east side of the Gulf of Thailand is home to the city of Pattaya, a fishing village half a century ago and now a bona fide tourist destination. It’s also home to Veranda Resort Pattaya - MGallery, a member of Sofitel’s boutique-style luxury brand and a modestly sized resort that makes a strong case for Pattaya as a rival to places like Phuket and Chiang Mai. The prospect of a sunset out to sea, thanks to its west-facing beach, is one inducement, but it’s hardly the only one — the resort itself, attractively modern and accessibly stylish, reinforces the destination’s appeal.

Accommodations range from generous king rooms all the way up to pool villas with multiple bedrooms. What they have in common is a minimalist color scheme and contemporary interiors, as well as the full complement of modern must-haves. The better ones, naturally, face out to sea. The pool, the kids’ club, and the “beachlawn” — a grassy space right at the edge of the sand — comprise the daytime leisure venues, and the food and beverage options include a café, a pool bar, an all-day restaurant, and the dinner-only I Sea Sky.