For many people, "kid" is a term of affection rather than a term of derision.

Spygirl, it's a good place for some R&R that is easy to get to from Bangkok, I think that sums it up best, I would go out on a wing here and say it's almost a minutre of what you get in other places. You have an old fishing port, old style shops, night markets, antique places, then a fair range of very good and famous restaurants, the beach if you want it, superb resorts, elephant camp and rides, old temples, the old palace by the sea, golf courses, kite-boarding and such. Go 'to the other side of the tracks ( literally across the railway line ) and you have Thai local villages, local markets, ride a samlor rickshaw, it has a little of everything for those who want to do the elephant and jungle/temples/restaurants/beach/night market/national park things but don't want to fly from one place to another. You won't finds the temples like Doi Suthep but you find another that is not so steeep but has the same style.
Nightlife is tame, but enough bars for most, if you want to rumble in the Jungle you can head out of town to a rock pub in the jungle, so I guess a lot of things but on a smaller scale.

James-that description of HH is just right-and it IS close to BKK-an important consideration for me. Not to mention that it has plenty of golf courses for those who might be enticed to go just for that! (I believe I read that the King stays here in HH most of the time, no?) It sounds great-thanks for all the detailed information-that's very helpful.

and hailstorm-"we" are not goats? Glad to hear that! does that mean that you ARE a kid then? (smile)

Yes that is correct, Hua Hin is therefore quite 'tame', even the tailor shop touts are 'very very mild', none of the grabbing arm business, a tuk tuk driver might smile and ask 'tuk tuk?' but that is the absolute extent of any touting behavour at all, touting, rowdy behavour is simply 'not on'! - it is sedate and well organised, plus the climate is preety unique, reminds me of Cape Town summers ! Never too hot, nice sea breezes, driest coastal climate of all. We might be moving from Jomtien down there in a few months as Jomtien construction is booming and too many high rise places going up, just getting too crowded.
It is simply 'so' different from other places.

StephG - as it is raining this weekend along that coast we have put off the trip but will probably drive down early in the week ( this is the infamous end of October / beginning of November weather time !! ), I will certainly post back.

Thanks JamesA, I will keep an eye out for your posting

Stephanie:

Just got back from Hua Hin.
stayed at Anantara in the Deluxe Lagoon Room - Fabulous. Ananatara has two pools - the bigger one close to the "beach" and a smaller more provate one on the other end of the resort.

Anantara best without children and if a beach is not essential. Hyatt best with children. Sofitel appeared very nice but not a children's type. The Hilton, personally, was just a big concrete skyscraper that looked very out of character and the grounds were nothing to write home about.

That's exactly how I think of all of those, will be interesting how they will fare when the new Sheraton opens up.

StephG

Sorry so long, forgeot about this. Well we went there but it was night so not worth any pics, everything looks nice, just had a snack and drink at their beach bar, quite pleasant, some of the top rooms close to the beach have jacuzzi on the verandah. Service was nice, prices as you would expect. Very old world charm about the place, nice. Nearby along the beach yet another new one going up, called The Rock ( relevance I guess to the Khao Takiab Mountain ) and that looks to open early next year.
We then went along for a drink at the Sasi Bar which was lively with a band, cheap beer ! this is right next to the Hyatt, so then wandered thru the Hyatt Regency again to refresh memories, and it reminded me again why I like it!! I think the Hyatt is great, for price and facilities, very open with huge gardens, also worth adding to your short list.

James! Thanks for the info, we are very much considering the Wora Bura!!

Steph The Spa is now open and the resort is busy now.
Just along from the resort is the what I guess you would call 'trendy' new place called The Rock which is very modern.

There are lots of new photos on www.worabura.com