Famous for lengthy beaches and sprawling golf courses, Hua Hin is an easy get-away from the urban demands of Bangkok. While these shores are not Thailand’s best beaches, there is soft sand, jungle covered hills, and a broad offering of shops, restaurants, activities, and accommodations. It could be just what you need to hold you over until your next major vacation.
The term “Hua Hin” is often thrown around to cover the coast from Cha Am to Khao Takiab and not just the proper town of Hua Hin. In your research and booking, be sure that you know if you’re looking at Hua Hin proper or the greater area. The sprawl between these places has merged to form one long settlement nestled between low hills and the beach, but depending on what you want, you should pay attention. Though known as a beach town, don’t despise those hillside locations. You can surround yourself with tropical jungle and still be a 15-20 minute drive to the beach. Head over to Google Maps and use the satellite view to get your bearings.
If you’re looking for a beach holiday with night life, day trips, and shopping – then stick close to the town of Hua Hin.
If you’re wanting the calm that comes with avoiding the crowds – then look further south towards Khao Takiab and even beyond to Pranburi.
If you want a bit of both – then head north to Cha Am which is a miniature version of Hua Hin.
With a strong focus on tourism, both international and domestic, Hua Hin largely caters to travelers. When looking for a place to lay your head and hold your stuff, you’ll find everything from high-end luxury, international hotel chains, and small operators. Hua Hin also has a glut of home rentals on offer that are very much worth exploring. You can find them on a variety of booking sites and not just Air BnB.
HAVE ALL YOUR THRILLS AND SPILLS AT THE VANA NAVA WATER JUNGLE, HUA HIN
Before moving to Thailand in 2016, we left the kids with family in Canada and came to explore the place we’d soon call home. After putting boots to the ground in Bangkok, we slipped down to Hua Hin for a few calm days of processing. We wanted the beach, but not the crowds and so we opted for somewhere south of Khao Takiab (Chopstick Mountain). We decompressed in a Pool Access room at The Bihai. We could open the patio doors and literally role out of bed, across the floor, and into the pool (we tried it only once). From the smaller roof top pool, to the right you could see the mountains behind the Sea Pines Golf Club and the ocean to the left. With helpful staff, a good breakfast, and just a short walk to Khao Takiab Beach, it was all we needed it to be.
You can have your choice of home rentals in Hua Hin with properties ranging from condos in resort-style developments, to homes in planned communities, to simple beach houses.
Here’s a run down of our home rentals in Hua Hin
The Marrakesh is a mixed purpose development with condos, hotel, and short-term rentals surrounding several lengthy pools leading to the beach. Like the name says, it is very much Moroccan inspired (even inside the units). There are 2 restaurants on site and a spa. Located just south of Hua Hin town, there are many restaurants and grocery stores within walking range. Sitting on Phetchkasem Road (Route 4), Hua Hin’s main street, it is not hard to make your way other places. The pools here are huge and even just one of them is bigger than many resort pools. And of course, there’s always the ocean to go splash in as well.
Like the name says, Hua Hin Home in the Hills is located almost 11 kms inland from the beach in the low hills of Hua Hin. This 4 bedroom, 5 bath, home has a small yard and a generously sized private swimming pool. With great use of outdoor space, there is an inviting covered sitting area and a serious outdoor kitchen with grill. We stayed here with friends and it was a wonderful space to hunker down, cook together, talk together, and let all of the kids play together. You can use apps to book rides, but it’s best to have a vehicle if staying here.
Taking it’s design cues from the esthetic of Santorini, the Chelona development brings Greek style to the shores of Hua Hin. This beachfront development sets blue roofs contrasting against white walls draped in bright blooms from bougainvilleas. Having been to Santorini, we know this isn’t the same vibe, but it is still beautiful. As part of the Khao Tao (Turtle Mountain) community, Chelona sits about 12 kms south of Hua Hin town. You’ll absolutely want a car. Khao Tao in itself is neat to explore. With a small ocean inlet at the base of the mountain (think hill), be sure to check out Wat Tham Khao Tao (วัดถ้ำเขาเต่า) and bring some water to walk up to the Big Buddha atop the hill. We stayed here with a few families. Chelona has a number of condos for rent and so we all booked different apartments and enjoyed Khao Tao Beach, the pool, and water slide together.
The modern designs of the Woodlands Residences development are thoughtful and had us thinking of holiday homes in southern California. Villa Shogun is a 3 bedroom home with a great yard and a private pool. Though set in a development, it is very private and when you are in the pool you are surrounded by gardens and a glimpse of the hilltop. With an outdoor covered dinning and sitting area, we lived outside while here (unless our kids were inside paying the PS4). We grilled all of our meals and brought along balls to make the most of outdoor play space (a hot commodity for Bangkok condo dwellers). You’ll want your own car if staying here as town is 10 kms away. Sitting outside with the evening breeze surrounding us, we all left there feeling relaxed.
Where will you stay in Hua Hin?
Whatever your reason for heading to Hua Hin, there are endless choices of where to stay and what kind of experience you are building for yourself. If you have questions, we’d love to hear from you.
Pingback: Waterslides and Fun at Vana Nava Water Jungle, Hua Hin – WYK & Co