I just spent the most pleasant morning at the “Tulip House” on Jomtien Beach Road. It’s Sunday morning and I decided to go to Jomtien Beach for a few hours to enjoy the big, clean beautiful beach.
Since I was there and I was asked to write a little article about a place called the ‘Tulip House’, I took the opportunity to stop by this small business to see and learn as much as I could about the ‘Tulip House.’ It was the most relaxing interview. I called them and asked for directions and was told that it was directly on Jomtien Beach about 2 kilometers from the main Police station where you make the turn from Thappraya Road to Jomtien Beach Road. It is easy to find. Simply, look for the ‘Tulip House’ sign.
I met the Thai manager and he was a very pleasant and smiling man, like most Thai people. He had somewhere he had to be and that the owner’s wife was on her way to meet me. So, I asked him quickly what time does the restaurant open and he informed me that it opens everyday from about 9am ‘til 11pm. Then, he surprised me by telling me that ‘Tulip Travel and Tour’ is open from about 9am ‘til about 8pm.
I told him that I would look around and write a story about the ‘Tulip House’ the best that I could. As he left, a pleasant man asked if he could sit at my table because it was in the shade and in the corner. Since the table was big enough for 6 people, I invited him to join me. Besides, I had an idea that this would be an opportunity to learn something about ‘the Tulip House’ from a customer’s point of view.
In about a minute, the owner’s wife and her two adorable little children, about 7 or 8 years old, showed up and sat at the table too. The children were most pleasant and went off to play in the children’s ‘playroom.’ So, there I was with this man, who I never met before and the owner’s wife.
The weather was very nice. The décor was easy on the eyes. It was quiet, except for the street traffic, which didn’t seem to bother any of us a bit because it was just far enough away from the street and nobody could drive very fast anyway on a crowded Sunday morning in Jomtien.
I didn’t feel like talking because it was so nice. The man that had come to share the table was reading the Dutch newspaper that is provided free to the guests of the restaurant and hotel.
It was about 10:30 or 11: am and there seem to be a steady flow of guests showing up for brunch or coffee and to read the Dutch newspapers. I ordered a Coke and noticed that there were about 10 to 15 big tables that were decorated with yellow and green table cloth with the usual accompaniments and a vase with 2 or 3 tulips. Can you imagine that? --Tulips on the table at the ‘Tulip House.’ I then noticed that there where flowers everywhere. The Décor is so pleasant with red brick walls and a dark green painted wooden canopy that covered the courtyard in front of the restaurant. There is a large collection of Thai large vases and other objects of art to amuse and fascinate the eye. It was very pleasing just to sit in the cool shade and look around. I was just not in a rush. I was relaxed. I really enjoyed just being there.
The man that had asked to share the table, put down his paper and he said that the restaurant was not very crowed at this time of day. He said that I should come back at about 4 or 5 PM when all the Dutch expatriates come to ‘the Tulip House’ for dinner and companionship every afternoon. He said the restaurant gets crowed and more fun and interesting.
The man at my table told me that the food from the kitchen was very good and that they had Thai food too. I have had Dutch food in the past and there are certain dishes that a very good. Now you must understand that I am not a culinary expert or even that experienced but I like the Dutch food. It’s kind of a meat and potatoes and vegetables kind of meal but with a very tasteful difference. I could eat Dutch food everyday.
I love the ‘Tulip House’ because it has a relaxed and ‘family’ kind of atmosphere and it’s clean and quiet, even with the children. There is a ‘play-room’ for the children. The parents can enjoy themselves and the children can enjoy themselves too. It’s great!
I asked the owner’s Thai wife, how long has ‘the Tulip House’ been in business? She informed me that her husband established it over 16 years ago. She told me that when he started the restaurant and hotel, Jomtien was almost deserted. There were very few people or buildings anywhere in Jomtien and especially this part of Jomtien Beach Road. She told me that people from Holland and other parts of the world came to the hotel and were afraid to go anywhere because they didn’t speak Thai and had lots of fears about leaving the security and comfort of the hotel. The owner had to encourage them to venture out. Most of the guests would only cross the road to go to the beach and that’s it. So, the owner would take them around Jomtien and Pattaya and anywhere they might want to visit. That’s how the travel agency and Tour Company got started. I think. The Sunday morning that I visited, he was with some of his guests and showing them the sites in and around Jomtien.
‘The Tulip House’ is a small little hotel (12 rooms) with a medium size restaurant and a small travel agency/tour company but it has a big family heart. I loved my morning at the ‘Tulip House’ and so will you. See their ad in this paper and live, love and laugh.
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