---
title: "Central Pattaya vs Naklua: where to stay in Pattaya?"
description: "Central Pattaya vs Naklua in Pattaya, compared on 343 and 121 hotels: guest ratings, 5-star choice, budget options and distance to the centre."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/central-pattaya-vs-naklua/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

# Central Pattaya or Naklua: where to stay in Pattaya?

Both are popular bases in Pattaya. This is how their hotels compare, using guest ratings for 343 hotels in Central Pattaya and 121 in Naklua.

| In short ·  | [Central Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/central-pattaya/) | [Naklua](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/naklua/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ranked hotels | 343 | 121 |
| Average guest rating | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Rated 9 or higher | 7% | 13% |
| 5-star hotels | 35 | 36 |
| 3 stars or fewer | 214 | 47 |
| Median distance to the centre | 1.9 km | 4.8 km |
| Average location score | 7.9 | 6.0 |

## In short

-   Hotels in Naklua rate higher: 8.2 on average against 7.9 in Central Pattaya.
-   Naklua has the larger share of hotels rated 9 or higher (13% vs 7%).
-   Central Pattaya has more hotels to choose from (343 vs 121).
-   For a tighter budget (3 stars or fewer), Central Pattaya has more options: 214 vs 47.
-   The two areas are about 3.1 km apart.

## Best-rated in Central Pattaya

[Top-rated of 343 hotels in Central Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/central-pattaya/)

 [#1](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/amethyst-hotel-pattaya-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★★ Pattaya City

### [Amethyst Hotel Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/amethyst-hotel-pattaya-pattaya/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Free breakfast

9.3 **Exceptional** 2,673 reviews 1.5 km

 [#2](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/melia-pattaya-hotel-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★★★ Pattaya City

### [Meliá Pattaya Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/melia-pattaya-hotel-pattaya/)

9.3 **Exceptional** 739 reviews 2.9 km

 [#3](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/arbour-hotel-and-residence-pattaya-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★★★ Pattaya City

### [Arbour Hotel and Residence Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/arbour-hotel-and-residence-pattaya-pattaya/)

-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool
-   Spa

9.2 **Excellent** 12,507 reviews 2.3 km

 [#4](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/nonze-hostel-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★½ Pattaya City

### [Nonze Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/nonze-hostel-pattaya/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Airport transfer

9.2 **Excellent** 4,326 reviews 2.0 km

## Best-rated in Naklua

[Top-rated of 121 hotels in Naklua](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/naklua/)

 [#1](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/grande-centre-point-space-pattaya-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★★★ Pattaya City

### [Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/grande-centre-point-space-pattaya-pattaya/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.5 **Exceptional** 15,478 reviews 4.3 km

 [#2](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/grande-centre-point-pattaya-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★★★ Pattaya City

### [Grande Centre Point Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/grande-centre-point-pattaya-pattaya/)

-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool
-   Spa

9.4 **Exceptional** 21,431 reviews 4.0 km

 [#3](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/manditel-north-pattaya-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★ Na Kluea Subdistrict

### [Manditel North Pattaya](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/manditel-north-pattaya-pattaya/)

9.4 **Exceptional** 458 reviews 5.7 km

 [#4](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/cosi-pattaya-wong-amat-beach-pattaya/)

Hotel ★★★ Pattaya City

### [COSI Pattaya Wong Amat Beach](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/cosi-pattaya-wong-amat-beach-pattaya/)

-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.2 **Excellent** 7,429 reviews 5.0 km

## More area match-ups in Pattaya

-   [Central Pattaya vs Jomtien](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/central-pattaya-vs-jomtien/)
-   [Jomtien vs Naklua](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/jomtien-vs-naklua/)

## FAQ: Central Pattaya vs Naklua

### Which has better-rated hotels, Central Pattaya or Naklua?

Naklua: its 121 hotels average 8.2 out of 10, against 7.9 for the 343 hotels in Central Pattaya.

### Where are there more budget hotels, Central Pattaya or Naklua?

For a tighter budget (3 stars or fewer), Central Pattaya has more options: 214 vs 47.

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/pattaya/area/central-pattaya-vs-naklua/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/