Happy New Year, Everyone!

Since we had to cancel our January visit to LOS, we are trying for June, 2009. We have family who will be staying at the Aardvark Villa, Pranburi, for a couple of months and we are hoping to spend some time in that area with them.

We have looked (online) at several resorts in the Hua-Hin/Pranburi area, and I would like your input.

Please, will anyone who has advice on resorts there -- particularly Evason and Dolphin Bay -- let me know what you think. Thank you in advance.

I hope that 2009 provides some relief from the less-than-pleasant situations in your lives.

Thanks again for your help.

Sandra/McBeanie

I can comment on the Hyatt Regency in HH. Kathie on this board reccomended it and am i glad she did. It's FAB and the regency club rooms are worth the extra (IMHO). Service is very good, food is not overly expensive for a hotel and the Regency Club facilities are lovely

Pranburi is roughly 35-40 km south of Hua hin, depending where along the pranburi Coast you are staying.

Dolphin Bay and Evason are in very different locations and are hugely different in style. Evason is luxury, plus the ultra luxury Evason Hideaway. Dolphin Bay is further down the coast and isa much cheaper place($40-50), popular with families, 2 star going on 3 star perhaps. Very different from Evason ! We have stayed several times at Dolphin Bay as we sometimes use as a stopover to/from Phuket when we drive if we are not staying in HH itself. It is fine for a family or if you want good, clean, friendly accommodation, but different leage entirely from Evason etc.

It comes as always to what you are thinking of paying and the sort of place you want to stay. pranburi is very laid back and quiet with small resorts and boutique places like Aleenta and praseban scattered along south from Evason. But Dolphin Bay is further.

Hyatt Regency etc are in/around Hua Hin town. Plus Hilton, Sofitel, Sheraton, Anantara, Wora Bura etc.

Perhaps a few days in thwe town area and then time around Pranburi, it does not take long to get between but unless you have a rental it can get a bit expensive going between the 2.
Around pranburi are pineapple plantations, Sam Roi Yot national Park with the birdwatching and wetlands, beaches and caves, Pranburi River, small villages.
It's good because you can feel well away from tourist masses but still stay in as much comfort as you want.

Cheaper than Evason the Privacy Resort has pool access rooms and villas, the pools in the villas though are just so small I don't think it's worth it. Think in the $100 range. Very nice.
Purimuntra is one of the best, nice location, but $130 plus. Many of thes eplaces rely on the rich and wealthy Bangkok weekenders, and are not cheap ! Aleenta is ok but I think just overpriced. Unless you are rich, then it doesn't matter.

Leelawadee is a/con but low budget bungalow style rooms $25-30. Anchana $60 but somewhat 'boring'.
Although we have not stayed at the lux places we know the area quite well, the Brassiere is another option

http://www.beachsiam.com/pranburi.html and for places all along that coast including south of pranburi
http://www.beachsiam.com/sunrise_coast.html

It's worth taking the time to go south from there to perhaps to snorekl at Koh Talu or stay in Bang Saphan. I have never heard of Aadvark Villa though.

JamesA -- Thanks for all this info. I am looking at all the places you mention -- plus others -- and am pleased with your recommendations. You are right -- the Dolphin Bay is too far. Maybe I had the wrong name.

Have you heard anything about the Seahorse Resort? It is a sister property to the Aardvark Villa, I think.

Thanks, again.

Sandra/McBeanie

we also like the hyatt---its on the south side of HH....north of HH we really liked the new sheraton...

we have also stayed at the older marriott in HH.....there is a new marriott courtyard north of HH near to the sheraton...