I've read a lot of old posts here concering Cha Am/Hua Hin and specifically the Regent Hotel (main offering in potential fly/hotel package). I'm still not sure about certain aspects of the area or hotel.

First, when i do stay at big resort type places (rarely), i generally just use them as a bed. i do not usually like to stay around the hotel except perhaps for the pool or beach if that is what i'm doing for the rare lazy day. i don't ever eat at the hotel, use the bars, nor do i ever partake in the hotel's entertainment or spa services.

i'm concerned that some of the posts have described this area as isolated and "nothing to do". furthermore, the Regent itself seems to be very isolated. Since "nothing to do" is a very relative description, i'm interested to know what exactly this means.

I do not want to have to negotiate a taxi every time i wish to go have a beer or eat outside the hotel. i like to get up and go out by foot and have some things available close by. I am not looking for much nightlife, nor do we care about clubs, etc. We would be happy with a few great (but simple) thai restaurants nearby and at least a couple places to relax with a beer....within walking distance. I also want to partake in some activities outside of the immediate area but we are still researching this....prefer not to have to rely on the hotel to arrange excursions, etc.

Also, my partner has not been to Asia yet and i have been several times on business - never in Thailand. We are also visiting HK and BKK on the same trip. We don't want to be stuck at a hotel that "could be anywhere" since we do not have very much experience in Asia.

Would this area be appropriate for us? There may be some flexibility on the hotel but since we are not going there for the hotel we do not wish to pay much more than we would at the regent. Any suggestions?

many thanks.

This beach area is very quiet. There's not much to do, but hang out. You might want to consider another more active beach,e.g., Patong or Kata in Phuket.

Don't bother with Cha Am. You could try the Sofitel Central in Hua Hin which is in the centre of town with lots of bars restaurant around. It is an old colonial hotel which was use as a set for the hotel in The Killing Fields - great place and loads of bars & restaurants around. A word of warning though HH itself is now getting very westernised with lots of package tour, pizza places etc.

i too would skip cha am....i did not see too much to amuse one there....there are quite a few restaurtants however....generally the hotels there are not the large resort type, but smaller ones....hua hin has many large and small hotels and more to do, but still not a great deal...we prefer the marriott or hyatt....the marriott is an easy walk to anywhere in town---maybe 10-15 minutes...the hyatt is further out and would not suit you too well given your description...

the hilton is right in the middle of HH as is the sofitel (which would be my preference)---i found the hilton to be cold, although some fodorites like it...

HH in general is a laid back kind of place...good for maybe 5 days of relaxation after the go go atmosphere of bkk....

phuket might suit you better with much more to do...samui has slightly more to do than HH, but not much

maybe you should just add on time in bkk or go to angkor wat for 3 days...its a one hour flight...

I stayed at Regent in 2000 and would say that although it is a very nice resort hotel - there is NOTHING virtually outside apart from a few beach front restaurants. It is a cab ride anywhere of approx 15 mins !

Last year I stayed at Marriott Resort Hua Hin - laid back feel but only 2 min tuk tuk ride to centre - approx 10-15 min walk, or a 3 min walk to nearby night market.

thank you...

we just talked to the TA about a change to the HH Marriott. sounds like they can do it with no change in cost (hard to believe because it sounds like it's a higher level hotel). is the 10-15 min walk pedestrian-friendly or is it a busy boring road?

i will check on the sofitel..it sounds fantastic but i would imagine it is much more.

we ruled out phuket as we don't think it suits us as much and we don't want another intra-asia flight...even a short one has much more time overhead than overland.

sorry to hear that the place is getting westernised. unfortunately, we are used to that as we go to spain beaches aka little britain. hopefully there will be enough little shacks where we can eat good soups, curries, etc. that will keep us happy.

there are many ways to get to hua hin if you do not have that provided....train, ugh; bus, van, taxi and limo....i paid $65 bkk to hua hin with a limo service 2 years ago...you will be happy at the marriott...room are not fabulous but it has the widest stretch of beach in HH and a fabulous pool area....restaurants are good but a bit pricey...good restaurants in town if you look around

Ah great, I can really get into this one!

Ok skip the regent, it is for those who really do want to stay in one place.

Being at Marriott/Hyatt/Sofitel gives you beachfront but easy access to/from town. DO get out and about in Hua Hin, if I have one thing to criticise in Hua hin it is that because you don't have rows and rows of tour desks and promotions it is not that easy to know what is available, it is also not easy to get information from some of the hotels. As a regular visitor there myself for many years I had to confess recently to having not know about the amount that was actually going on and available.

Yoyu can walk along the main road ( sidewalk) from Marriott into town but a samlor ( bicycle rickshaw ) is fun or use a tuk-tuk which park on the main road outside the Marriott.

Thur thru Sun the local night market at the Grand, a short walk towards town from the Marriott is a 'local' market but you will find amazing bargains, watches from about $4, lots of Pineapple Paper products from a few bucks. Local food under $1, lots of local charcter.
If you want a local restaurant ( menu has pictures ) head to Baan Kru on the beach at Khao Takiab Bay, sit under the thatched salas, great seafood and a large Chang beer for $1.50, weekends also has a guitarist singing mellow Thai pop, walk along the beach, very nice. You can also Elephant ride, horse and buggy ride, take a boat out fishing all from Khao Takiab Bay. Also off road all terrain vehicle rides, horse riding etc. This is 5 mins past the Hyatt. ( www.khao-takiab.com )
If you are booking a package deal you are limited to what they can offer, remember buying a cheap flight and making your own hotel arrangements can give you lots more choice and flexibility. May to October $30 U.S would get you a nice a/c twin in a decent 2 star level+ accommodation. But if you want resort type place then Hyatt/Sofitel/Marriott.

Also go to the Buffet Dinner and Classic Thai dance show at the sasi restaurant ($19), down the same street just outside entrance to Hyatt. Go up to la mer (Seafood) at Khao Takiab and also visit the temples and climb to the viewpoint.

Hua Hin center is good for large choice of restaurants, yes Hua hin has Pizza places, Burger King and Starbucks but it got these long after Pattaya,Samui and Phuket did. Go one street any direction from the main tourist trails and you are off the beaten track.

From BKK Airport I would use the Limo services, the taxis are small sedans and ride can be bumpy, for about $30 you can ride in a large comfort sedan.

Day and half day trips:
Sam Roi Yot National Park 30 minutes south, wetslands, bird watching, temples, ride a long tail and climb into the Temple cavern.
The visit to the Pineapple Plantation and factories also 30 minutes south is more interesting than it sounds!
Day trip ( 2 hrs 20 drive ) to Bang Saphan and Koh Talu includes short boat to Koh Talu for diving and lunch, boat ride around rock formations in the water, they supply snorkel, flippers and masks.
River Kwai is 3 hrs, it's a long day but rewarding. Pala-u Waterfall is not much of a waterfall but you really are out in the wilds, amazing butterflies and if you are lucky elephants in the wild.

New upmarket seafood places are Fisherman's Wharf and Oyster Pot.

My wife and I astayed at the Sofitel two years ago. It was great. Very relaxing and "centrally" located. We booked through an 800 Sofitel number in the US.

update...

just booked at the HH marriott. thanks to all who responded. i'm glad i got some advice as i'm sure we would regret staying at the Cha Am Regent the first time we saw all the centrally located hotels in HH.

Perhaps we would have been better at the sofitel as it is such a "special" hotel. my partner was more drawn to the marriott for some reason. the sofitel was only about £40 more for the whole week for both of us. they both seem to have their adv and dis. anyway i'm sure we would be OK at either.

did you look at booking through the www.huahin.20m.com site??? good all inclusive rates

The beach at the Marriott is better, you will notice this at weekends as the main walk-thru to the beach from the center of Hua Hin town is right next to the Sofitel, not a major issue but you will have more space in front of the Marriott.
Walk along the beach just a little way south from the Marriott to Veranda which has a restaurant over the beach.
If you are going straight from Bangkok Airport I recommend you pay the extra $30 and get the Limo service from the airport, worth every cent for comfort, but going 'back' from Hua hin lots of decent large sedans and station wagons for the price of a taxi(about B 1,600) though fuel has just gone up so it will be reflected soon in prices for transport no doubt.

I see you used a 'pound sign' so I guess you are from Europe, do you have a choice of airlines?

The day trip to see the Bridge on the River Kwai might interest you, it's an early start about 6.30 am but if you are coming all the way and have an interest in the history I think you will find it rewarding. If that idea jumps out as good you might considor an overnight trip there, ok, you would loose the 1 night at the Marriott if you are doing an inclusive package but it gives you longer there, just a thought.

thanks james. i am flying cathay from london. BA had a direct flight home from BKK so they would have been better in that regard. from london, i stop in HK for a few days. i have flown cathy before to asia so i know they are good.

rh...
i booked through lastminute.com here in UK. they had a standard package on-line but i was able to change it all around with no extra charge. under £1000 each for 2 weeks (HK, BKK, HH) flight, hotel and transport to HH, breakfast in HH but no other meals, tours or anything (ok with me). that's about US$1900 but with the really weak dollar it seems more expensive looking at it in dollars.

although transport to/from HH from BKK is included, it is good to know the other options just in case so thanks james

If you enjoy golf I think HH has some of the best golf available in Thailand.

Would also recommend the Sofitel. During the week you virtually get the pool to yourself in the deluxe wing. At the weekend the HH gets busy.

I was just on the Marriott premises this weekend...lovely grounds, excellent staff...I stayed next door at the only "boutique hotel" on Hua Hin beach which was fantastic, small...gourmet food (breakfast included), clean, safe and essentially right next door. I paid about $90 CAD a night...so if you want a different kind of experience other than the big western hotel kind...consider the Veranda Lodge (www.verandalodge.com)...at least check out the website...it really is nice.
Hua Hin is quiet but lovely...some nice walks on the beach (Golden Buddah at Kraptiap Hill is about 4 kms along the beach)...not alot of nightlife...but one place up in the mountains "Rockorchestra" which has live "american style" performers in an open air bar...apparently very nice...someone has already posted on the markets, etc...large expat community here so English is easy...