A View of Hua Hin

(a nice contrast from the pics of Bangkok being banded around lately) For all those looking for a place to stay in Hua Hin, you can do far worse than the 'Hua Hin Grand' Hotel located on the main road into Hua Hin.... no diversions, just stay on the main road into the town centre, and it pops up on your right (Hua Hin Grand Hotel and Plaza).

Not being overly familiar with Hua Hin, we were looking for a place that offered a good nightly rate, a nice pool and internet access - all pretty straightforward, but its sometimes hard to find all three (esp when on a budget).

I notice that Hua Hin has some very new and swanky modern resorts popping up all over, and in some very strange designs. We pulled into one that at first just looks like a carpark, the buildings are all grey and there is hardly any decoration... a fairly dull and ordinary looking place from the outside, but at reception I was told 10k a NIGHT! Jesus, this place isn't even on the beach? What are they doing to you in there?

Whatever it is, it must be incredible..., but we didn't hang about ..... Onward bound, and that's when we came across the Hua Hin Grand.... a nice hotel, very good value (1500b a night) really nice large clean pool and fairly dodgy wireless internet access as standard. I think the place probably set the tone around twenty years ago, but hasn't updated much since (including the cost to stay).

If you're heading into Hua Hin from Bangkok and looking for somewhere to stay on the fly, I would advise to just stay on the main road all the way into Hua Hin town (well past Cha Am and all the initial resorts) - just keep going. We found that it's tempting to stop and just get one of the first places that fits, but trust me, the further you go (and you can go quite a way), the more options become available (even well past the main town centre).

Comments

[Martyn]

Ben I visited Hua Hin a couple of years back and was well impressed, the beach was incredible, it was the nearest looking beach to an island one you're ever likely to see. And the sand burnt my feet, it was roasting.

We stayed at a half decent hotel near the beach front and it was about 1200 baht a night (700 baht's worth in Pattaya). Hua Hin is a little pricey but well worth a look. I've promised myself I'll go back there one day because it's a really nice resort.

[Ben Shingleton]

Hi Martyn yes its a worthwhile place to visit, compared to Pattaya I found prices v similar, although some of the new resorts popping up in HH it does seem as though they are catering to a different crowd! Fair play to them I'm sure they are nice and worth the money, but a simple soul like myself most of the time all I'm looking for is just a clean bed and decent breakfast)

(and nice pool....... and internet access.... well, access every now and again, anyway ;)

[Mike]

Ben sorry to disagree with you on this one but I do not like HH. Since I have never been to Pattaya I can't compare but guess its a sort of mini version.

The beach there compared to 20km further South in Sam Roi Yot is poor and overcrowded.

Lawrence of Phana Life stayed in a great hotel down there(don't know the rate) but it was beach front and had a large pool.

Of course the real gems lie another 90km South around Prachuap :-)

[Ben Shingleton]

:) heh heh no worries Mike, It's like all these places they appeal more when you visit occassionally I suppose. Interested in what you say about Sam Roi Yot etc I will have to pay a visit when I have time.

[Boonsong]

A very informative post and some great photos. I loved the first photo looking out over Hua Hin.

I find comparisons between Hua Hin, Pattaya, Prachuap, and Cha-am very difficult because they're all so different, although arguably the differences between them are diminishing.

Anyway, thanks for a great post.

All the best, B

[Ben Shingleton]

Thanks Boonsong, I think you're right they are all such diverse and different places. I also like the history of Hua Hin and its relevance to the King. Thanks for the comment. Ben