looking for a hotel within easy reach of everything. Has anyone been to the Hua Hin Marriot Resort? Did this used to be the Royal Garden Resort? Any other recommendations you have would be great.

Yes, it used to be called Royal Garden Resort. It offers good value for money and good location right on the beach. You can take a rather long walk along the beach into town or walk along the road, a tuk-tuk takes a few minutes and charges about $1. By all accounts it is fine, the Hyatt Regency I think is more expensive but also very good, about another 3-4 minutes by road further. The Marriott now also has a spa but remember that in town a massage or aromatherapy costs less than 1/4 of at hotels! Do eat in the area near the night market, plenty of food stalls but some great cheap restaurants too.

thanks Morgan.We tend not to eat at the hotels as we much prefer to eat locally. Any particular recommendations?

The "Bali-Thai" is very cheap and very good indeed ( chicken friend rice under $1, beer just over $1, lovely Thai curries and rice for under $2, try the barbeque too, oriental style )and the charming waiters speak almost 'fluent' English which is a blessing. If you go to the Night market which is a 'must see', walk down from the entrance to the market on the main Phetchkassem Road as if you were walking to the fishing piers, you will see the huge sign in gold and brown, don't be mislead by it's very clean and smart appearance, it's as cheap as the cheapest you can find but both the Thai food and their great BBQ is tops! I always eat there which is about every 6 weeks when I go to Hua for a weekend. <BR>La Mer is a hilltop place overlooking the coast, you need a taxi to get there as most tuk-tuks cannot make the hill, but the view and seafood is excellent.<BR>Anyway ask the lads at the Bali-Thai and they will tell you the best places, so helpful for local travel tips on where to go and what to do, ask for 'Nong or Job'

thanks Sarah Rey<BR>I know your info is always good!

I'm wondering if you have been to Hua Hin yet & if so where did you / are you going to stay.. Do you know what the weather is like there in October..Thankyou

The weather in Hua Hin is quite unique. It was because of the 'weather' that the Royal Palaces were built in Hua Hin.<BR>In October avaerage rainfall is said to be 7.9 inches, highest of the year, but, considor that at the same time Samui gets 10.2 inches and Phuket 13.4 inches, even Pattaya 11.4 inches and you see the difference.<BR>The climate in Hua Hin is very 'Mediterranean', when the sky is not clear it tends to be billowing(?sp) white clouds. Temperatures are not extreme. Cool sea breezes. It reminds me of Cape Town weather for any of you from S.A.

Has anyone ever stayed at the Hilton in Hua Hin? I understand that the beach is supposed to be nicer in front of the Sofitel. Any suggestions on what to do there? Also, is it better to rent a car and see the national park to the south or do a bus tour? Thank you.

The Hilton backs onto the center of town, the beach is the narrowest of all hotels. In fron of Sofitel beach is wide. The beach widens as you go further along South beach to Marriott and Hyatt Regency.<BR>If you hire a car you will surely get lost in the park, so big. Better to get a car + driver about 1,500 baht for full day, they know all the good places, shortcuts etc. Do go to the temple cave by long-boat in the park, the mountain Chinese Dragon temple, the Pineapple plantation is great and the factory tour is fascinating, so much better with a car + driver than trying to do on your own. Don't miss the show at the Bali-Thai either.

Between the Hilton and Marriott Resort, which of the two hotels is preferable for a 5 night stay in Hua Hin? Quality of beach, service/room conditions, and access to markets are all important. Also, has anyone ever taken a daytrip to Phetchaburi? If so, is it better to go on a guided tour or do it yourself?

I would have to say the Marriott. Although both are fine hotels the Marriott gets the clear edge of beach and gardens. Except for some trees around the pool the Hilton has no garden areas. The Marriott has a very tropical feel and is well laid out. If you don't mind being a little further the Hyatt Regency is worth a look. If you want to see some lovely photos of the Marriott ( they have photos of the Hilton too ) then try this site:<BR><BR>http://www.patong-beach-hotels.8k.com/custom.html<BR><BR>Don't be confused by the 'patong' thing in the site title, they have a link page just for Marriott and Anantara spas in Hua Hin.

Thanks for the great advice! I've changed my reservation from the Hilton to the Marriott. Has anyone taken a daytrip to Phetchaburi from Hua Hin? Is it preferable to join a bus tour or wander on your own while hiring a driver for the day?

Just take a car and driver for the day. You can go up the mountain in Phetchaburi by a kind of cable railway, costs B 40 each. Be wary of the monkeys, they can get nasty! You will need a car+driver so he can take you to the nice places, though it's not that exciting, takes about 1 hour by car.<BR>Do the prawn fishing at night at Primlai past the railway station, nice Thai style evening, outside eating, plus floodli golf range. If you want a jungle pub atmosphere go to Rockestra, you will need a tuktuk to take you and bring you back. View from Chopstick Montain(Kao Tikiab) at night is amazing, about 5 minutes from town.<BR>As someone else said, do the Bali Thai, it's almost opposite the Marriott at Grand Hotel Plaza, you can't miss it ( not downtown anymore ), it's a trany show, not big, but the best (probably only!) fun nite-out in Hua Hin.

In the Hua Hin area, which golf courses are close to the Marriott Resort? I am an intermediate level player that is looking for a reasonable course. <BR><BR>Which golf courses would you recommend for playing and for avoiding?