Still planning...........

I guess everyone has their preferences but I am looking for a steer please?

Don't really want too touristy but also not too remote either. Kata Beach in Phuket sounds nice but so does Hua Hin????

Help!!!

I have been to both, and I prefer Hua Hin because it also has "normal local life".

I am easily swayed and sounds a positive reason to go there. Have spotted a fishing village close by too which looks to represent 'normal life'.

Thanks.

Hua Hin, leave Phuket to it's sleeze

I prefer Hua-Hin any day. A morning walk on the beach is absolutely divine. I walk from Chiva-Som to the Hilton and back...enjoy

OK 3 out of 3 votes for Hua Hin - I am convinced!

Next question - where to stay on a moderate budget (clean & hospitable)and as close to a quiet part of a beach as possible?

Hope you can help/comment further.

Many thanks - VHS.

They are very different, depends what you are looking for, also time of year as weather can also be very different.
Hua Hin is more Thai, the fishing village is probably Khao Takiab, many visitors go to the hilltop temple at Khao Takiab, the fishing village is around a creek from where the boats head out in the eveninings, there is the long ( I guess 5 or 6 km ) beach running south, Anantasila Resort is nice 3 star right on the beach.

You are not going to get the bright gleaming sands like Kata. We normaly spend time over NY in Hua Hin but did Phuket this year, they are 'very different'. Both have plus/minus depending on the indivudal/s and what you 'dream' is.

I think you need to tell us a little more, or perhaps tell us where you are from or places you have been, easier to compare than long explanations.

We have always liked Hua Hin a great deal, but it won't suit everyone, if you were looking for tropical'island style' with lots of nightlife etc then it might not suit, but if you want to mix with national parks, fruit plantations, mountains and rivers and stay closer to local villages etc ( yet still close enough to town ) then it could suit well.
It does depend though.

Basically we are looking to wrap our itinerary up at the end of a hectic trip to BKK, CM and Cambodia, with a relaxing 9 nights on the beach.

Need sun, sea and sand but not isolated as want the option to get out and about if we get bored with relaxing.

For the evening we would like easy access/choices of restaurants, shopping, bars etc (but not frantic!).

Not sure which area fits the bill?

There are plenty of restaraunts in central Hua Hin and a few bars but they are only really walking distance from the Hilton or Sofitel. We stayed at the Marriott, which was nice and caught a tuk tuk most of the time as it was about 30 minutes walk to most of the action. The thing to be aware of is that it is not a tropical beach with clean clear water and if you are expecting to see your toes in waist deep water and lie under palm trees, you may be dissapointed. If that is not important to you and you dont want to dance and drink until the wee hours, then Hua Hin is perfect.

Hi there,
I was used of living in Hua Hin for several years before I bought a house for my love in Pranburi, just 15 miles South of Hua Hin.
In case you want to have good beaches and clean water better go to Phuket. There are still some not so crowded places like next to the airport or even Khata or Karon.
Speaking of Hua Hin as a small fishing town is a fairy tale or maybe true for the Hua Hin of 15 to 20 years ago. The Hua Hin of today has more than 50000 inhabitants, a shopping and a living mall every big town around the world would be proud of. 100s of hotels and guesthouses as well as plenty of restaurants and bars. Its crowded with mainly Scandinavian tourists during the season, the beach is just medium class, the water more or less polluted and there are dozens of sh.. horses on the beach.
Even Khao Takiab is now not so quiet anymore and the beach is lousier.
If places near Hua Hin, then I would prefer Khao Tao or Sam Roi Yod. I heard good rumors for the Dolpin Resort for instance. Pak Nam Pran (the beach of Pranburi) could be another alternative.
As for accommodation it wouldnt be easy to find any now in Hua Hin. Friends of mine recommended the Baan HuaHin Resort, cheap and clean and with pool. But about 800 yards from the beach.
The Marriott is nice but first class. And 30 minutes on feet from there to downtown is for 80 years and older. I never needed more than 15-20 minutes.
Maybe this is a vote against Hua Hin. But dont take it too hard. I am not a tourist and I went to the beach 3-4 times in 6 months or so.

9 days is too much time in Hua Hin. As noted in previous posts, Hua Hin does not have pristine beaches. The beach is insufficient to sustain you for 9 days. The auxilliary activities are also insufficient. You might take a look at Krabi or Khao lak. Both are less over-developed than Phuket, but they have wonderful beaches.

Note, Which beach depends a lot on when you are going. The rainy season switches from the West in October. This should probably be your key factor in determining the beach location.

I always enjoy Hua Hin, but nine days is too long at any of the beaches. Unless you really want to do nothing for nine days, I'd suggest you re-arrange your itinerary either to spend more time in the places where you are going or to add in another, different place to relax and explore. There are lovely resorts in northern Thailand where you could relax, but have a variety of things to do and see. You could have 4 or 5 days at a beach and 4 or 5 days at a place in Northern Thailand, in the Golden Triangle or in Pai or Mae Hong Son, for instance.

9 days might sound "too long" if the person is used to filling all days with fervent action. I have managed to feel busy enough 2 x 10 days. River Kwai is close enough for a 2-day excursion. That national park with a waterfall and the cave that has a little pagoda takes one day. Outlets near Cha Am make a 1-day program for shoppers. Summer palace is worth a visit. And so is Phetchaburi, one of Thailand´s oldest towns.

But considering your program before Hua Hin/Phuket, I just might change my mind and say Phuket, Kata or Kata Noi beach.

Fantastic feedback - thanks everybody!

Trip so far looks like this;

Bangkok - 3 nights
Overnight train to CM
Pick-up hire car
Pai - 2 nights
Mae Hong Son - 2 nights
Overnight train to BKK
Flight to SR - 2 nights
Boat to PP - 2 nights
Flight to BKK
Beach Destination - 9 nights
BKK - 1 night

Kathie - would love to extend time in both North and Cambodia but hubby is not willing to compromise any more on time at beach and as I am dragging him around on a whistle stop tour and getting him to drive into the bargain, I think I have succeeded in getting much of my own way!! Given the time and the funds I am sure I would become the eternal traveller...

Back to everyone's comments - as much as I would like to see Hua Hin, it now feels that it may not give us what we want from a beach spot and the Phuket area now wins the day!!

I know I've left it late but will look for a flight from BKK immediately - anyone know what I should expect to pay?. In the meantime, dare I say I also have some more questions please....

Can anyone give a bit more info on the different resorts please i.e. Kata, Kata Noi, Krabi or Khao Lak.

Also, any hotel/guesthouse recommendations please? Moderate budget/clean/near beach...

Thanks again - vhs.

flight should be about $100-150 r.t. from bkk

the sooner you book the better of course

Thanks - I know that I should have booked earlier.......

If you want to be close to a beautiful beach and pay less than $100 per night, have a look at the Tropical gardens resort at Kata.
It is a very short stroll to Kata or Kata Noi beaches, has amazing bay views and pool and is very reasonably priced. The only thing to be aware of is the relatively steep climb to the rooms. My late 50s uncle and aunt stayed there and didnt find it a problem but if you were very unfit you may find it a challenge.

I've followed this thread from the begining and am pleased to see that you have chosen Phuket. Much more interesting than Hua Hin, and as you are looking for beach time Phuket wins hands down.9 days will not be too long. We often spend two weeks or more in this area and are always sad to leave.
For fantastic info about this area take a look at the link below. Here you will find loads of non-touristy stuff.

http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com/

Hi folks,
a last advice| better take the bus from SR to PP. The ferry is still not safe, especially during low water season. There is a new road now to PP and the bus doesnt take longer. And with 5 or six bucks it is much cheaper.
In case you dont have any accommodation in PP yet. Try the LuckyRo hotel on street 110. Close to Riverside, with A/C + fridge + warm water and with 10 USD per night a real bargain.
Have a nice trip and enjoy.

Flight to Phuket booked! RHKKMK - 7500 Baht.

Thanks to elina & others - will definately look Hua Hin next time - sounds like a great place but just not fitting the bill this time however there is always the next trip....

LTC - thanks for the link. Looks to be very interesting and informative and will enjoy scrutinizing further to help with firming up Phuket leg of trip.

Wolfmisc - I haven't booked accomm in PP yet so will take a look at your recommendation - actually was was looking at the Anise or Pavillion? Also, will take heed of your advise re the boat from SR to PP and opt for taking the bus. We particularly wanted to include a river trip of some sort but perhaps we can squeeze this in elsewhere. I've read somewhere about the floating Vietnamese village from SR - does anyone have any info please?

Shanek/Gpanda - thanks and will also look at your recommendations for resort/accomm.