Bang Saphan quick report
 

I posted this as a continuation of Happy New year but decided better to do it separate.
We drove from Jomtien Beach skirting the south part of Bangkok and down to Hua Hin and then onwards:-

Long drive Friday afternoon down to Hua Hin, 10 of us + dogs so stayed in 2 duplex houses near the beach at Takiab Bay. Weather a bit overcast but warm as opposed to hot and no rain at all but today clear blue skies with just the occasional white cloud so on my reconing pretty near perfect.
Yesterday (Sunday) drove another 200 km ( about 130 miles ) to Banito Beach Resort at Bang Saphan Beach, just over 2 hours and road was clear.
We have a 4 bedroom family suite for 10, B 5,000 ( USD 125 ) but work that out for 10 and it's cheap! 2 floor villa/house style, lots of living area etc, normal rates most of year for standard rooms from about USD 22.50, sea view about USD 35. TV, air con etc, patio and own dining area.
Bang Saphan is very quiet though more tourists that I have ever seen before, usually it's local visitors but lots of overseas visitors along the beach. The beach is long and sandy with just a few resorts scattered along the coast.
Weather is perfect, good sunshine but nice sea breeze, refreshing.
Last night it was volley ball on the beach and BBQ which we always enjoy, pool is nice and not busy, nice though to sit around.
We've stayed before at Suan Bankrut which are thatched bungalows and houses in gardens and also Baan klangaow which is similar but the Banito is by far the nicest we've stayed in this area.
This is very local style area but suits us just fine, rest of family going back to BKK and onwards to hometowns tomorrow but we just go back to HH to see what hopefully will be our new house in a few months. Ban Krud Beach / Bang Saphan is just around an hour north of Chumphon where the boats and Jet-Cats go to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and onwards to Koh Samui, it's the route I sometimes suggest for those who want to 'beach hop' along the coast to Koh Tao / Samui.

The rate is much higher as this of course the New Year weekend. We had 2 duplex houses in Hua Hin for about $ 50 each but it again was NY w/end so $100 covered 10 of use plus the dogs.

sounds like a fun weekend..

Thanks, James!

How far of a drive is that from Bangkok? That sounds like un unbeatable price!

Took a boat across to Koh Talu for a short trip and a quick snorkel and then this afternoon drove back up to Hua Hin where we will be for a few nights. Weather is hot and sunny but not excessive.

Eurotraveller, it would be about 6 hours by road from Bangkok, no flights, there is train line though.
I would not recommend for a fixed center place as apart from the few resorts there are no other restaurants apart from local eateries, no shopping or nightlife, however, and this is why I like this area, for anyone who says " I would like to see a more natural part, see some temples, national park, rural areas and then have a lively place' then beach hopping down the coast gives you all then, and then some.
It's 2.5 to 3 hours to Hua hin from Bangkok by cab, you can see temples, elephant rides, night markets, restaurants etc plus beach. Then just 30-40 minutes on to Dolphin Bay to see the Sam Roi Yoy National Park, take a boat to Monkey island and try(!) and see the Pink Dolphins. Next a couple of hours to Bang saphan, snorkel from Koh Talu, relax and see local village life whilst enjoying a/con comfort, then along to Chumphon Cabana, also snorkeling, then from there you can take the Jet-Cat to Koh Talu, Koh Phanghan or Koh Samui, then spend say a week on Samui, so you get a mix of relatively undeveloped areas plus then a busy island like Samui. Then fly back to BKK from Samui.

This is Banito:

http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/hua...obeach/details

Also same area is Suan Bankrut Resort
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/tha...nkrut/details/

At Chumphon the Cabana is ideal for a night-stop before taking the Jet-Catamaran to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan or to Samui
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/chu...abana/details/

If you want to spend a week relaxing seing the coast and then perhaps a week on a lively island like Samui it's great!

Pleasant drive back to Hua Hin, was very busy though with those heading back to Bangkok. Had dinner at Istara in HH which was excellent as usual and lovely location on the waterfront ( north of fishing pier area ).
Weather remains clear and sunny, so anyone around looking for sunshine there's plenty here! New non-Thai additions in the center include a new New York Deli and Subway and several other new eateries in a new small mall near the Sofitel, but it only takes a few minutes to get out of the center. Lots of pool villas and vacation homes being built and prices going up.
Spa at the Wora Bura Hua hin is now open and my wife had a quick tour whilst we had a drink near the pool, said it was very nicely done though did not spend any money thankfully!
Nearby The Rock is a new place just opened but seems more geared to the Bangkok rich and famous, excellent decor and pleasant staff but the Wora Bura is certainly the new exciting resort in town. Have never seen the place as busy as now and solid traffic, all the more reason to head north around Anantara or south past the Hyatt Regency. Going to have a look at how the new Sheraton is progressing in the morning.

We drove back to Jomtien from Hua Hin on Sunday, weather was great the whole time, not one drop of rain.
The Sheraton Hua Hin is progressing but still a large building site but they plan an August opening.
We stayed the last few days at the Ocean Breeze "le club" which is our favorite (whenever we can get a room), superb as always. Takiab Bay beach was the busiest I have ever seen, but that was the absolute peak time. My new laptop performed well though I have to have a 'normal' mouse attached as can never get the hang of those finger pad things!!
I think we have found the right house and office so a move in a few months looks certain.

Accommodation:
Stop on the way down in Hua Hin at "Coral Keys" which is on same soi as Ocean Breeze, these are self catering duplex homes, it was absolute 'peak season weeks' so was B 2,700 for a 5 bed and we had 2 next to eachother. Low season B 2,000 ( $ 50 for up to 5 people ) Fairly basic but suits big families or groups who don't want or need hotel type accommodation, then to Banito Resort at Bang saphan and then Ocean Breeze on the way back:-

Banito Beach Resort ( Bang Saphan ): Low season rates from B 900 ( about $ 22)
http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/hua...beach/details/

Coral Keys Vacation Homes ( Hua Hin ) :
www.huahinwhatson.com/coralkeys.html ( booked thru huahin.20m.com ) this has one place allocated for guests with dogs so suited us fine.

Ocean Breeze "le club" Boutique B&B ( Hua Hin )Low season from B 1,400 ( $ 35 ):
http://www.huahinwhatson.com/oceanbreeze.html

The dogs stayed just along the soi with their own suite ( well, hut and garden but fan cooled ! )

Great trip, no mishaps, no problems, all nice and easy.