A metallic spiral sun logo marks the entrance of the Sunshine Hotel & Residences' main building -- a square formation of compact blocks overlooking a central space. Stepping through glass-paneled doors, guests enter a minimalist and modern lobby with a white, orange, and gray color scheme. Clever architecture makes the most of the limited space, with pools on the ground, middle, and rooftop levels plus furnished wood terraces overlooking the street. The neighboring Sunshine Tower was also completed in 2012 and now forms part of the property. The hotel is particularly popular with solo travelers, often young men who are in town to party and are less fazed by the inevitable noise from copious surrounding bars. 

The hotel is located on a busy street in the lively Soi 8 district in central Pattaya. There's no shortage of bars, clubs, and massage parlors in the immediate surrounds, and Pattaya's long stretch of sandy beach is just two minutes away on foot. Although relatively quiet during the day, the numerous noisy nightspots come to life every evening and stay open until the early morning hours. The hotel is also just a block from the CentralFestival Pattaya Beach, a seven-floor shopping mall with over 370 outlets plus a cinema and bowling alley. The city's other bustling entertainment district -- Walking Street -- is a five-minute cab ride. Utapao Pattaya Airport is around an hour's drive from the hotel, while getting to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport takes more like two hours.

Of the hotel's 274 rooms, those in the original building have dated, old-fashioned decor that consists of patterned curtains, terra-cotta tiled tile floors, and mismatched furnishings -- some showing signs of wear. Rooms in the newer tower are more contemporary but minimalist, featuring furnishings in light shades of gray and white, and the only pops of color coming from bright green chair cushions. Most have sliding doors that open to balconies, some with partial views of the sea. Amenities include minibars stocked with water, soda, and beer, safes, and flat-screen TVs with some satellite channels, while upgraded rooms add tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms have either showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. Most rooms are prone to noise from neighboring bars, as well as occasionally other guests.

The hotel's subdued dining room serves up a decent buffet breakfast of Western, Indian, and Thai dishes, though the meal is not included in the standard rate. Almost spilling out onto the street, the hotel's ground-floor cafe is open throughout the day and offers international dishes until late. The main lower-level pool also has a small swim-up bar and a handful of lounge chairs, though it doesn't get much sun. There's a smaller pool the next level up (without lounge chairs), while a rooftop pool features panoramic vistas, including distant sea views -- though it can fill up quickly. The hotel also has an underground parking garage (free of charge) and two pool tables. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.