Bella_Bluebell

Hi James

My parents-in-law to be are thinking of travelling back up the coast by train to Bangkok after our wedding in Ko Samui. They have thought of stopping off at Hua Hin. Any recommendations for hotels in that area or generally along that coast. Perhaps another stop off point? I would say mid to high end hotels. They are not going to blow the budget but like an elegant/comfortable resort with a good pool for swimming in. This will be in mid-August.

Thanks!
BB

Kathie

Bella, Obviously I'm not James, but I've been to Hua Hin a couple of times and have some places I like. The Anantara is a lovely resort, with excellent restaurants and fabulous, friendly service. The Deluxe Lagoon rooms are simply stunning! These rooms are farther away from the beach, which is just so-so, but the Lagoon rooms have their own swimming pool area. We loved our stay there.

We also stayed at the Hyatt. The beach there is much nicer, quite wide. The rooms aren't as large, and a very modern rather than the more Thai style of the Anantara. The grounds are gorgeous and lush. The Regency Club rooms has a pool they share which is quieter than the larger pools.

In town, the Sofitel is the nicest of the hotels. Old world elegance, right on the beach. Some people like being in town and if they would prefer to be in town, that would be my recommendation.

rhkkmk

i would favor the hyatt, the marriott or the sofitel....james recently suggested the wora bura to me which is adajacent to the hyatt...new...

Bella_Bluebell

Fab - I don't mind that you are not James! I posted for his attention as I know he spends quite a lot of time down that way. Thanks for the suggestions - I will print off the photos and descriptions of the different resorts for them. I think the Hyatt or the Anantara might suit them.

Anyone else - feel free to pipe up!

JamesA

Well it's a good idea, they are almost spoiled for a range of choices, I agree with Anantara, Sofitel, Hyatt ideas and also to add the Wora Bura, this is a particularly nice place as like the Sofitel is 1920's style. The Sofitel though is the 'real original' as it started as the Railway Hotel in the 1920's, has excellent restaurants and plenty of history and has meatured in numerous movies about Asia. The Wora Bura is same style but new , 'all' these places are right on the beach, no beach roads to cross, right on the beach.

The Sofitel area is right in town, one side the beach, the other side you are in the town center, the Hyatt and Wora Bura are about 5 to 7 minutes along the beach but main raod access into town is quick and easy and both on local bus route which costs almost nothing.
For a first time trip if they are interested in stylish places the Anantara or Sofitel should be very enjoyable.

Augsut is a fine month weatherwise, warm to hote without excessive heat as always a nice cool sea breeze, most of those top places would be in the USD 80-120 region tops so you can get some wonderful accommodation at cheap price.
They can enjoy the night markets, take a samlor ( bicycle rickshaw ) ride, elephant ride if they wish, golf, cooking clases, enjoy great spas and massage in various places, wander around the old buildings down at the fishing piers, if inclined spend a day in the national park of take a day trip to the bridge on the River Kwai.
You can find lots of photos and get a general feel for the place on www.huahin.20m.com and also for hotel photos:
www.beachsiam.com/hua_hin_hotels.html

To get to Hua Hin from Samui they can take a train from Surat Thani on the mainland, most if not all are overnight, if that does not appeal and they are not on too tight a budget then a car+driver from Surat Thani to Hua Hin would take about 4 hrs to 4 hrs 30 daytime and any hotel on Samui will arrange that for you easily, it might be a car from Samui across on the ferry or they might arrange something with a car to meet them off the ferry, a very rough price guide for a car Surat Thani to Hua Hin including fuel about B 4,000 ( USD 100 ) so for 2 of them and an easy drive that is a very nice way to travel, they will see lots of scenery, although a good dual highway it is pleasant to see farmlands, rural villages, mountains, and about 4 hrs plus eshort enough not to be 'too long', plenty of service stops on the way for cold drinks and 'facilities', there are some excellent rest stop areas but take your own tissues(!!)

JamesA

Here are some quick links to photos of some of those: All in the USD 100-120 range.
Wora Bura Hua Hin:
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...abura/details/
Sofitel Hua Hin:
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...ntral/details/
Anantara Hua Hin:
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...ntara/details/
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin:
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...ency/pictures/

If they wanted cheaper the Regent Cha Am ( just north of Hua Hin ) about USD 70-75, right on the beach but about 20 minutes each way to get into Hua Hin for restaurants, shopping etc, Kaban Tamor and S'Mor Spa just past the Hyatt and Wora Bura about USD 50-60 ( smaller boutique style Hua Hin hotel but also on the beach )

Bella_Bluebell

Brilliant - I am going to print off this thread and some photos for them.

Thank you!

JamesA

Bella, if you want to add a little more about their likes and what appeals to them I am sure I and others can help steer them right, many like the Sofitel for it's old world 'style' and historical connections, others prefer the Anantara for it's more natural Thai resort style, others the Hyatt for more modern, so there's an excellent range, we can also add some restaurant ideas, depending where you(they) are from the trip to the bridge on the River Kwai might be of interest.

Bella_Bluebell

I am seeing them tonight after work so I will ask them for more info

Bella_Bluebell

They are still undecided as to whether to include Hua Hin in their itinerary but are now taking away everything I have printed off from them with your suggestions/photos.

So far they have decided:

LHR-BKK on Eva Air Premium Economy
4 nights at the Marriott Spa
Fly to Chiang Mai
6 nights at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi (this coincides with us staying in Baan Orapin and Yaang Come Village - so I will be popping along for a little nose!)
Fly to BKK
1 night at the Shangri La
2 day trip to Kanchanaburi
3 nights at the Shangri La
Fly to Ko Samui
7 nights at Rocky Resort (for our wedding)
????? 4 nights in Hua Hin - or stay in Samui ?????
Then back home.

I have to say, for those who love planning trips - having one's wedding in Thailand means I am helping plan lots of our guests itineraries also! It maximises the OCD travel planning