Sriracha Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Gems Around Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha

For many travellers, Sriracha is a place they pass through on the way to Pattaya, Bang Saen or the islands. Yet those who stay a little longer discover a quieter coastal town with its own local rhythm: hilltop viewpoints, working seafood culture, small shrines, reservoirs, neighbourhood markets and sunset corners that rarely make it onto mainstream itineraries.

Set along the coast in Surasak, Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha offers a relaxed base for discovering this more understated side of Chonburi. The hotel is located close to Sriracha city, Koh Loy and the surrounding coastal neighbourhoods, with Bang Phra Reservoir around 12 kilometres away and Koh Loy and Sea Side Park around 4 kilometres from the hotel. 

Khao Phra Kru Monastery: The Hilltop View Most Visitors Miss

Approximate distance from the hotel: Around 15 to 20 minutes by car
Best for: Panoramic views, quiet reflection and photography
Main thing to see: The white Buddha, naga sculptures and crystal ball viewpoint

One of Sriracha’s most rewarding local discoveries is Khao Phra Kru Monastery, a hilltop sanctuary overlooking the town and the sea. While it is known among locals, it remains far less familiar to international travellers than the area’s larger attractions. The monastery sits above Sriracha, offering views across the cityscape and coastline, making it an ideal stop for guests who want a peaceful perspective of the destination. 

At the summit, visitors will find the white Buddha image of Phra Phuttha Leela Nakha Baramee, along with naga sculptures placed around a crystal ball measuring approximately 40 centimetres in diameter. Many local visitors gently touch the crystal ball while making wishes, while others come simply to take in the view, pray or enjoy a quiet moment away from the busier streets below. 

Bang Phra Reservoir: A Slow Morning by the Water
Approximate distance from the hotel: Around 12 kilometres
Best for: Morning walks, lakeside scenery and slower local life
Main thing to see: The reservoir views, quiet roads and open sky

Bang Phra Reservoir offers a different kind of coastal escape. Instead of the sea, guests find a broad freshwater landscape surrounded by trees, quiet roads and open views. It is a popular local spot for light exercise, cycling, fishing and peaceful drives, especially in the morning or late afternoon.

This is not a conventional sightseeing attraction, which is precisely why it works well as a hidden gem. Guests can visit for a slower moment: a morning walk, a short scenic drive, or a gentle break from the hotel and town centre. 

Koh Loy and Sea Side Park: A Local Sunset Ritual

Approximate distance from the hotel: Around 4 kilometres
Best for: Sunset walks, sea views and local evening atmosphere
Main thing to see: The bridge, seaside park and coastal views back towards Sriracha

While many travellers use Sriracha as a jumping-off point for Koh Sichang, fewer take time to enjoy Koh Loy and Sea Side Park as a destination in its own right. Located around 4 kilometres from Centara Sonrisa, Koh Loy offers a simple but atmospheric coastal walk, with sea breezes, local families, small shrines and views across the Gulf of Thailand. (Centara Hotels & Resorts)

This is not the place for a highly programmed itinerary. Its charm lies in its simplicity. Come in the late afternoon, walk slowly, watch the light change over the water and observe how local residents use the area as a casual evening escape.

4. Wat Khao Tabaek: The Ribbon Temple and Forest Skywalk

Approximate distance from the hotel: Around 25 to 35 minutes by car
Best for: Nature, temple culture, light adventure and scenic views
Main thing to see: The skywalk, forest trail and coloured wish ribbons

For guests who enjoy places with a little more discovery, Wat Khao Tabaek is one of Sriracha’s more unusual temple experiences. Its name comes from the tabaek trees found on the hill, and the temple is known for its nature-rich walking paths, scenic viewpoints and glass skywalk. 

Part of the experience involves choosing a coloured ribbon, each associated with a different type of wish, before walking up towards the hilltop temple. It is worth noting thats that after paying respect at the temple, visitors continue down around 200 steep steps to reach the glass skywalk. It is not a difficult expedition, but guests should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for stairs and uneven paths. 

Sriracha’s Working Seafood Culture

Approximate distance from the hotel: Various local seafood spots within 10 to 20 minutes by car
Best for: Local dining, seafood culture and coastal flavour
Main thing to see: Fresh seafood tanks, local-style Thai dishes and sea-facing restaurants

Sriracha’s seafood scene is one of the best ways to understand the town’s coastal identity. Instead of focusing only on polished restaurants, the stronger angle is to highlight the working seafood culture: fresh catches, tanks of live seafood, family-style Thai dishes, spicy dipping sauces and relaxed local dining.

One recognised example is Mumaroi Sriracha, a local seafood restaurant for its fresh fish and prawns kept in tanks near the entrance, as well as its sea-facing setting. The restaurant is particularly recommended around sunset, when the atmosphere becomes more scenic and relaxed. 

What to try:
Guests should look for grilled prawns, steamed fish with lime and chilli, crab dishes, spicy seafood salad, stir-fried shellfish and Thai-style seafood soups.

The Hidden Value of Staying Slowly

Some destinations reveal themselves through landmarks. Sriracha reveals itself through small routines: a morning by the reservoir, a seafood dinner at sunset, a hilltop temple visit, a walk across Koh Loy or a quiet pause at a local café.
This is where Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha becomes especially relevant. With a seafront setting, family-friendly facilities and spacious residences and suites, the hotel is well suited to guests who want more than a one-night stopover. It gives travellers time to discover the destination at a gentler pace, without needing to follow the same routes as everyone else.