Hua Hin, Thailand
 

Anyone know anything about Hua Hin? Will be going there at the end of August. Any good ideas for day trips? Is there snorkeling opportunities? Any good reasonably priced seafood restaurants? Does anyone know anything about the Royal Garden Village Resort which is now called Anatara or something like that? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I go every month for a long weekend from BKK. <BR>1&gt;The 'Anantara' is a fine 4-star hotel, absolute beachfront, it is 5 minutes from center of Hua Hin. <BR>2&gt; Restaurants, seafood at the Waterfront try Chaoy Lay, famous for execllent seafood. For excellent Thai food go to the "Bali-Thai" in center of Hua Hin, 4 course meal for $6 and superb service. The Maharajah is an excellent Indian restaurant, also at the Waterfront. You simply 'must' have Afternoon Tea in the Museum of the Sofitel ( Raffles of Hua Hin ), many other good restaurants. <BR>3&gt; Snorkeling is at Prachuap, about 1 hour south of Hua Hin, day trips available. <BR>4&gt; To see/do, sportswise world class Golf courses, sailing(at the Marriot), fishing. No jet-skis (thank goodness). <BR>Excursion-wise, Pranburi River and cruise on the river, Sam Yoi Yot national park for caves, deserted beaches, temples, plantations etc. The Bridge on the River Kwai is 3 hours away so a one day is a ok but a rush, they do a 2 day 1 night trip for about $50 including overnight accomodation. Bangkok day trips. Ken Diamond Travel is right opposite the Hilton Hotel in town and they have very good prices for trips (probably cheaper than from hotel tour desks). Even if you are not golfers it is 'so' cheap to get lessons in Hua Hin you might considor it ( I always eanted to learn but never got around to it, until I had a few days spare in Hua Hin ). Try www.travel-huahin.com for a full list of day trips. <BR>You'll like the Anantara, very nice. There are many excellent massage places in Hua Hin, and being Hua Hin they are 'real' massage (!!!!) <BR>5&gt; Anantara and other hotels have shuttle-buses to/from Hua Hin until around 10 pm, after that tuk-tuks and taxis available, no rip-offs at all, perhaps $1.50 to/from your hotel. In town you can walk everyway or use rickshaws. Don't miss the historical rail station for photos. Try www.huahin.20m.com for summary of see/do in Hua Hin. <BR>Enjoy!

Petchburi is 1 hour north of Hua Hin where they have temples and a mountain top ancient palace you reach by cable-railway, incredible views. Pala-U waterfall is rather over-rated. I'd go with Sarah's suggestions. 'We' go every couple of months for long-weekend from Hong Kong as my husband is a golf fanatic. Night market is great for bargains and local atmosphere, many seafood restaurants all along the area near fishing piers, we have also been to Bali Thai and it's great, high standards yet really cheap.

The Anantara in Hua Hin has been re-furbished as a 'resort & spa', that basically means they have done new decoration and improved facilities. Very good. As mentioned, Marriot is excellent. The new Hyatt Regency is to open in about October. Chao Lay is best for seafood, if you want great Thai food in style yet real cheap go to the Bali-Thai restaurant in center of Hua, great place.

The Springfield Resort at Hua Hin / Cha Am are offering twin for B 1,420, that is around US$34 a night. Found this with www.hoteltravel.com. This is a 4 star hotel and looks an excellent deal, they also have a 'sister' resort at the Springfield golf course with shuttle-van between the 2.