Hua Hin / Pranburi / Dolphin Bay area, any questions ask soon..
Feb 10th, 2005, 12:41 AM
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Hua Hin / Pranburi / Dolphin Bay area, any questions ask soon..
Just about to head off to Hua Hin and the Pranburi/Sam Roi Yot/Dolphin Bay area for a few days, hope to pop in and see some of the new places that have just opened, so if anyone has booked or planned to book anything in that area don't mind having a look for you.
Feb 13th, 2005, 12:21 AM
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Never been to Hua Hin before but going in couple of weeks and staying at the
Hyatt Regency - any info or tips would be great. Have arranged a taxi transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin with a Hua Hin agency - Diamond Tours - do you know anything about them?
Also would like to see some Elephants but dont like organised coach tours - any suggestions. Thanks
Hyatt Regency - any info or tips would be great. Have arranged a taxi transfer from Bangkok to Hua Hin with a Hua Hin agency - Diamond Tours - do you know anything about them?
Also would like to see some Elephants but dont like organised coach tours - any suggestions. Thanks
Feb 13th, 2005, 06:11 AM
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on a bluff above the hyatt is the La Mer restaurant...it is fabulous...all fish...very fresh...great view....best at nite....take a taxi or tuk tuk...large hill so taxi is better...hotel will tell you how to get there...enjoy---its a beautiful hotel
Feb 14th, 2005, 01:19 AM
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Just got back, will report more later.
Re Elephants, it is 'sometimes' possible to spot some wild elephants near or on the roads if you take the tour to Pala U Waterfalls though not at all guarenteed and it can be just a short glimpse. Ken Diamond Tours can arrnage this for you ( in front of the Hilton ), they are long well established local Hua Hin people. Lots of trips, friendly.
If you want to see Elephants without going on a tour then go outside the Hyatt onto the main road, stay on that side, watch for the lime green pick-ups that travel along the road, wave one down, just 7 Baht each about 5 minutes into Khao Takiab. When it stops hop out and facing south take the right fork, you will see lots of temples there, follow that road along, easy walk and you will see a large white condo block being built, turn left and walk down to the beach and there you will find elephants to ride or talk to. You get get your photo on one on the beach, these are not in the wild but unless you want to ride one it's easiest place to see them.
www.balithai.20m.com has photos and also lists restaurants in the area that are close to you.
Bob has already told you of la mer, I will add some other tips later this evening.
Re Elephants, it is 'sometimes' possible to spot some wild elephants near or on the roads if you take the tour to Pala U Waterfalls though not at all guarenteed and it can be just a short glimpse. Ken Diamond Tours can arrnage this for you ( in front of the Hilton ), they are long well established local Hua Hin people. Lots of trips, friendly.
If you want to see Elephants without going on a tour then go outside the Hyatt onto the main road, stay on that side, watch for the lime green pick-ups that travel along the road, wave one down, just 7 Baht each about 5 minutes into Khao Takiab. When it stops hop out and facing south take the right fork, you will see lots of temples there, follow that road along, easy walk and you will see a large white condo block being built, turn left and walk down to the beach and there you will find elephants to ride or talk to. You get get your photo on one on the beach, these are not in the wild but unless you want to ride one it's easiest place to see them.
www.balithai.20m.com has photos and also lists restaurants in the area that are close to you.
Bob has already told you of la mer, I will add some other tips later this evening.
Feb 14th, 2005, 06:42 AM
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Arrived very late Thursday night in Hua Hin and spent the night at the Ocean Breeze at Khao Takiab Bay, about 5 minutes past the Hyatt. Friday drove to Dolphin Bay, about 40 minutes and stayed at Dolphin Bay Resort. Took the boat trip to try and see the Dolphins but no luck ( again!), however a nice relaxing afternoon. Volley ball on the beach, cool beer, nice and relaxing! Saturday drove a short way around Pranburi and Pak Nam Pran and popped into 2 new places ( will post that later ), Sunday overnighted again at the Ocean Breeze.
Dolphin Bay Resort was approx US$45 ( this rate goes through until November )for 2 adults 2 kids in a 1 bedroom bungalow incluidng Breakfast ( $37 without breakfasts ). Dolphin Bay is good for familes, not luxury but everything you need and friendly service. If you want nature, birdwatching and happy with so-so beach it is good.
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...nbay/pictures/
( Booked online )
Ocean Breeze was approx US$42 ( this rate drops to about US$32 from May for a double with breakfast), this is a small boutique Bed and Breakfast, very personal service, DVD in the rooms, free choice of movies, small indoor pool, just a couple of minutes stroll to the beach, free use of bicycles, special beach towels, all boutique place trimmings, fruit, flowers etc, stayed same area over New Year.
http://www.huahinwhatson.com/oceanbreeze.html
( Called direct though they have online bookings)
Dolphin Bay Resort was approx US$45 ( this rate goes through until November )for 2 adults 2 kids in a 1 bedroom bungalow incluidng Breakfast ( $37 without breakfasts ). Dolphin Bay is good for familes, not luxury but everything you need and friendly service. If you want nature, birdwatching and happy with so-so beach it is good.
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...nbay/pictures/
( Booked online )
Ocean Breeze was approx US$42 ( this rate drops to about US$32 from May for a double with breakfast), this is a small boutique Bed and Breakfast, very personal service, DVD in the rooms, free choice of movies, small indoor pool, just a couple of minutes stroll to the beach, free use of bicycles, special beach towels, all boutique place trimmings, fruit, flowers etc, stayed same area over New Year.
http://www.huahinwhatson.com/oceanbreeze.html
( Called direct though they have online bookings)
Feb 16th, 2005, 08:37 PM
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"Purimuntra Resort and Spa"
This place is new, on the beach at "Pak Nam Pran" which is close to Pranburi, about 20 mins from Hua Hin. Pool Villas about $160 but other rooms from around $75. Beach is not so good but very natural setting. Some rooms also have an outdoor style shower, Spa is quite small. Very welcoming when I asked to look around and Asst Manager came along, not that busy as new, very colorful. They have big plans.
Laid back lazy style place to get away from it all, not far from the village.
The "Privacy Beach Resort" is at Sam Roi Yot Beach, again beach is not brilliant but nice views to the small offshore islands, this was quite busy, lots of Thai guests. $100-300 range. Rooms are fresh, nice style, great bathrooms! The backdrop to mountains and nice breeze make this a place to unwind and relax. Again very open and friendly and glad to show around but they were busier than the Purimuntra.
The Aleenta is in roughly same area as these 2 which is in the beach areas south of Hua hin towards the national park area, Evason also same area.
The big difference to a short while back is that this area lacked restaurants, and still does but the addition of more of these resorts means there are choices of places to eat. This area is good for nature lovers, birwatching from boardwalks, flatlands and marshes, mostly empty coastline. All about 3 hrs 30 mins from Bangkok ( 20-40 mins from Hua Hin ). The Dolphin Bay resort though for around $45 is still a great deal but of course not as luxurious as the others. There are no bars/clubs or main shopping but then again Hua hin is not so far away.
Snorkeling is about 2 hours south at Bang Saphan or you can get to Chumphon for the boat to Koh Tao for serious diving in about 2hrs 30mins. The Surat Thani pier for boats to Koh Samui about 5hrs by road.
This place is new, on the beach at "Pak Nam Pran" which is close to Pranburi, about 20 mins from Hua Hin. Pool Villas about $160 but other rooms from around $75. Beach is not so good but very natural setting. Some rooms also have an outdoor style shower, Spa is quite small. Very welcoming when I asked to look around and Asst Manager came along, not that busy as new, very colorful. They have big plans.
Laid back lazy style place to get away from it all, not far from the village.
The "Privacy Beach Resort" is at Sam Roi Yot Beach, again beach is not brilliant but nice views to the small offshore islands, this was quite busy, lots of Thai guests. $100-300 range. Rooms are fresh, nice style, great bathrooms! The backdrop to mountains and nice breeze make this a place to unwind and relax. Again very open and friendly and glad to show around but they were busier than the Purimuntra.
The Aleenta is in roughly same area as these 2 which is in the beach areas south of Hua hin towards the national park area, Evason also same area.
The big difference to a short while back is that this area lacked restaurants, and still does but the addition of more of these resorts means there are choices of places to eat. This area is good for nature lovers, birwatching from boardwalks, flatlands and marshes, mostly empty coastline. All about 3 hrs 30 mins from Bangkok ( 20-40 mins from Hua Hin ). The Dolphin Bay resort though for around $45 is still a great deal but of course not as luxurious as the others. There are no bars/clubs or main shopping but then again Hua hin is not so far away.
Snorkeling is about 2 hours south at Bang Saphan or you can get to Chumphon for the boat to Koh Tao for serious diving in about 2hrs 30mins. The Surat Thani pier for boats to Koh Samui about 5hrs by road.
Feb 19th, 2005, 12:20 AM
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You may get this question twice! Le Mer, does it have a web site? Any other restaurants you can recommend & also any tips please - arriving at the end of this week. I know its hot but does it tend to be cloudy or blue skies?
Feb 19th, 2005, 04:05 AM
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Gulf area is clear blue skie as the moment, no clouds, in a few months you tend to get billowing white clouds with blue skies but that is plenty of sunshine. Yes it will be hot but more around the 30-32c range as opposed to the 34-36c range fuirther south, so it is hot but pleasant and you will always have a cooling sea breeze. I don't think La Mer has a website.
I will post later or tomorrow with some restaurants/tip ideas.
I will post later or tomorrow with some restaurants/tip ideas.
