Hua Hin is an escape for many people in Bangkok. It makes sense because
it's not far from Bangkok, there's a nice beach and plenty of hotels in
all price ranges. During peak season you will want to book in advance
but off season Hua Hin is just another sleepy town with a pleasant
beach.
The Thai Royal Family enjoys Hua Hin too and visits it often. As a city
at the beach, many restaurants offer excellent seafood.
Although Hua Hin is not the best beach resort in Thailand, it is (together
with nearby Cha Am) a logic overnight stay. Cha Am is probably a little cheaper
then Hua Hin.
The first time I stayed in Hua Hin I stayed at the G House Hotel Hua Hin. It
was moderate priced and still very comfortable. It was close to the beach
and the night market for cheap food. It's a reasonable small hotel with 66
rooms and a very friendly and helpful staf.
Although I didn't bring my laptop, the hotel had wireless in the rooms. The
restaurant is good but you can get easily much cheaper food and just as good
food at the night market. I;ve stayed here two times.
The City Beach Resort Hua Hin is located right in the city
center, which has all kinds of advantages. As the city center is small
enough to do everything on foot this is a good choice to stay. And with 163
rooms, many facing the seaside, you have cool views too.
The hotel has a pool and restaurant (Thai food here is really good). Hua
Hin's golf course is also nearby.
The Hua Hin Hillside Resort is a bit out of town (1 km) but is
surely a good and moderate priced alternative if you don't want to stay
right in the city center. Although the beach is about a km away, you may
enjoy a walk in the nearby jungle. There are trails to escape the midday
heat and worth to explore. The hotel itself is settled on the hill slopes.
It's a new hotel, only opened in 2008. Facilities are meticulous, staff is
very friendly and helpful.
The Cha-ba Chalet Resort Hua Hin is one of the cheaper
options to stay in Hua Hin (which is anyway not a very cheap place compared
to other Thai travel destinations). The Cha-ba Chalet Resort is located in
the city center, with the bus and railway station nearby too.
To be honest, it's a nothing special hotel but it's clean, hot shower,
TV, internet available and even the golf course is nearby.
Even cheaper is the K Place Guest House Hua Hin.
The guesthouse is basic but good and confortable located minutes walk from
the beach, shopping areas and nightmarket.
It's a small place with limited rooms which makes it cozier then many other
hotels in Hua Hin. If you don't mind a budget basic, simple and clean hotel,
this is probably your best choice.
The
Blue Moon Hotel Hua Hin is again another budget hotel with rooms from
US $17 and on. It's recently renovated and like most hotels in the vicinity
of city center and beaches.
I haven't stayed here myself but some friends did and they were enthusiastic
about it.
The
Nilawan Guesthouse is a very neat place to stay. Not only it's a
reasonable cheap place, especially considering the spacious rooms with
balcony in the city center.
The guesthouse has golf and other tours available and is able to arrange,
should you need it, transport to Bangkok.
The bus and railway stations are not far too.
Although the beach is a stone throw away, the hotel has a nice pool,
restaurant and wifi available. The Nilawan is a very good choice in Hua Hin.
For those travelers who seek a splurge, the Bihai Hua Hin is an
exclusive private seaside resort. It's a bit out of Hua Hin but it's very
exclusive with only 16 rooms. Privacy guaranteed. A hotel like this depends
on its location and you will not be disappointed with mountains and sea view
around you.
With two swimming pool, wireless internet in the room, cable TV and an
excellent restaurant, this could be your splurge without even spending a crazy
amount of money, as rooms go from US $80 and above.
Is is worth the effort to cycle from Bangkok to Chumphon? I have done the
distance several times by train, but I decided to cycle it myself, so I
would know. Here is the report: