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Hua Hin, which is located on the Gulf of Thailand's western seaboard, has long enjoyed Royal associations. The once sleepy fishing village was first marked for development by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) who built and operated a handful of bungalows. (This development is now the site of the Sofitel Central Village.)
With its Royal connections, sense of history and laid-back charm, Hua Hin is deservedly riding high in the popularity stakes as one of Thailand's premier resorts. That said, the beach side town remains a relative backwater when compared to the mega-resorts of Pattaya and Phuket. It retains a certain old-world panache and this is reflected in the constrained and sympathetic approach taken to the development of the resort.
Golf tops the list of recreational activities on offer, with several first-class courses all within twenty-minutes of the resort. Water sports are also well represented, with water and jet skiing, parasailing and boating readily available. Spa treatments are popular, and Hua Hin is home to the luxurious and exclusive Chiva Som Resort Spa. In addition to several luxury, five-star resorts and hotels, Hua Hin offers accommodation in a variety of smaller two- to three-star properties together with guesthouses and bungalows over the sea. The choice is huge, and prices vary accordingly. Prices in the town's restaurants are also very reasonable even in smarter venues, often located in the resort hotels, where subtle east-meets-west, surf-and-turf fusion masterpieces are prepared by chefs from all over the world. Seafood is readily available all over town and again, prices are very keen. And the nightlife scene in Hua Hin is once again a refreshingly relaxed affair when compared to the capital and other more populated resorts. The sleepy and somewhat backwater nature of the town is reflected in the laid-back approach taken by most of Hua Hin's bars and other entertainments. In summary, Hua Hin is a great seaside destination for families, or for those who don't want or need the brash, in-your-face entertainments offered by Pattaya and Phuket, but who desire a quieter, more relaxing break by the sea. To explore Hua Hin further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide.com users, simply select your channel of choice at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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