Pattaya 2011 - Centara Grand Resort

Centara Grand Resort is one of those resorts that thinks of itself as a theme park. The Sun City in South Africa was one of the earliest models which has been copied all over - including countless casino hotels in Las Vegas and Macau. Our own Sunway Lagoon Hotel in Kuala Lumpur is cast from the same mould. A whole fantasy environment is created around an invented back-story or legend, providing the fictional background for the design. Here at Centara Grand, the theme seems to be centred around elephants.

The resort is basically 2 hotel blocks connected by a common lobby. The pool facing the ocean is the main attraction, and no expenses have been spared to create an impressive spectacle for the guests.

The entrance lobby uses a lot of bamboo and recycled timber.

The large and impressive pool area.

The Centara Grand Resort is not really my cup of tea, but if you are on a holiday with kids I am sure they will be thrilled staying at a place like this - and you wouldn't even need to leave the resort !