Hua Hin
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Only 200 km south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand lies the Royal resort of Hua Hin. Its fine beaches, excellent seafood, pleasant surroundings and year-round sunshine make it one of the premier places to visit in Thailand.
Accommodation
There is no shortage of reasonably priced guesthouses in Hua Hin. Accommodation ranges from luxury 5-star resorts to small family-run guesthouses. Guesthouse prices range from around 150 baht for a basic fan room up to 800 baht for aircon, bathroom etc. Many are located centrally or on the beach, making everything conveniently accessible.
If it's top end accommodation you're after, then Hua Hin is the place for you. Within a square kilometre you can find three of the town's finest hotels, and many more just a little out of town. There are health resorts, spas, condominiums and luxury villas to choose from. Hotel room prices range from 600 baht all the way up to 16,000 baht per night. Spoil yourself and take a look at the hotels and resorts in Hua Hin.
Food and Drink
A new restaurant appears in Hua Hin on average every couple of weeks so it could be fair to say the place is undergoing a culinary expansion! There are a number of good Italian restaurants and pizzerias around town such as LoStivale, La Villa and Pizza Corner (not to mention Pizza Hut, which is called The Pizza Company here). The Maharaja serves good Indian, and a couple of restaurants cater for French, German and Scandinavian tastes, all located within a square kilometre.
For variety head to Satukarn Square (at the main crossroads) which has every kind of eatery from seafood to ice-cream, all at good prices too. Japanese cuisine (and the best English breakfast in town) can be found at the Bamboo Hut in the Bazaar area and Buffalo Bill's does a great steak. Most of the guesthouses will do simple Thai food and western dishes. Good seafood can be found down by the fishing pier where restaurants actually extend out over the ocean.
There are many Thai restaurants in Hua Hin. Some of the more authentic ones can be found along Naebkehard Road such as Isara Restaurant and Baan Hua Hin Restaurant. The night market is also a good source of Thai food where there are many hawkers serving local fare for local prices. For supplies check out Hua Hin Ham & Bacon, there is also the Department Store that has most essentials for those self-catering.
There are a number of pubs and bars in and around Hua Hin, with something for everyone. The main strip is down Soi Bintabaht with around 15 or so bars. However, the Hua Hin 'scene' is very toned down in comparison to that in Pattaya and Phuket. All Nations and The Ship offer a friendly pub atmosphere where expats and travellers alike hang out. For those who like to play pool there's the U-Turn bar, Billy's bar and Limelight. Live music can be found in the Rocksetra Cafe and J.Gene Pub; for live Thai music go to Blues Station near the terminal for southern buses or Samolean behind Sao Paolo Hospital. Pukka in front of the Grand Hotel boasts a 120" DVD screen and the Hilton has an impressive bar with authentic ales and live music. Late nightlife consists of a number of discos - the two most popular are Stepz (at the Grand Hotel) and Paradise. There are several local 'karaoke' bars around town for that truly authentic Thai experience!
Arrivals and Departures
Air: The long awaited opening of Hua Hin Airport has finally arrived and Bangkok Airways are now flying a Bangkok - Hua Hin - Koh Samui route. BKK to Hua Hin flies daily, leaving BKK at 0830. The fare is approximately 3,000 baht return (return flights depart at 1920 hours). Hua Hin to Samui also flies daily leaving at 0940 and departing Samui at 1830; return fare is around 4,500 baht. For more information contact Bangkok Airways on 02-3050075 (032 522305 Hua Hin), fax 02-2293450.
Rail: There are several trains per day arriving and departing Hua Hin. However, times cannot be provided at the moment due to extensive rail repairs currently being carried out. It is best to check at the station before you leave.
Road: Air-con buses leave Bangkok's Sai Dtai (Southern) bus terminal approximately every 40 minutes throughout the day, the fare is around 130 baht and the journey takes around 2½ hours. That's for the blue and white buses - the orange and blue buses are a little cheaper but the journey will take longer. Return buses to Bangkok leave Hua Hin bus station (032 511654) daily every 40 minutes between 0300 and 2100.
Buses south leave from a different terminal; times should be checked there before departure. A direct bus to Koh Samui leaves daily at 2200 and 2300 for around 250 baht; the journey takes 8-9 hours (including the ferry ride).
Taxis to Bangkok can cost between 1,500 and 2,000 baht depending on whom you know!
Things to do:
Hua Hin is one of the golfing world's best-kept secrets. There are 7 world class golf courses all within easy reach of Hua Hin. Professionals and amateurs alike will enjoy the beautiful surroundings and superb facilities at these courses.
Hua Hin beach itself isn't one of Thailand's best when comparing to Koh Samui or Phi Phi, but by my beach standards it's not bad. Better beaches can be found a few kilometres south at Suan Son but these will be busy at weekends with Thais down from the city.
Khao Takiap, just 7 km south of Hua Hin, makes a nice day out. You can see the temples, get some great views of the surrounding area and feed the monkeys at 'Monkey Mountain'. The green songtaews (roofed pickup with two bench seats in the back) will take you there for 10 baht. For more views over Hua Hin go up to Khao Hin Lek Fai, 3 km west of the city.
Pala-U waterfall is about 60 km west of Hua Hin, towards the mountain ridge that forms a natural border with Burma. The 11-tier waterfall is spectacular, especially after recent rains. Set in unspoilt rainforest that's teeming with wildlife, the third level offers a refreshing swimming hole, after the jungle trek.
The temple at Bor Fai (Wat Bor Fai) has some impressive ponds teeming with catfish which you can feed after a small donation to the monks. It's located about 5 km north of Hua Hin.
You can visit the King's Palace (Klai Kangwong) for a small charge or head further north to take in the majestic residence of Rama VI and its beautiful beachside setting.
For some spectacular scenery head south to Sam Roi Yot (literally 'three hundred peaks') national park around 60 km away. For a 200 baht entry fee you will see the breathtaking variety of terrain, vegetation and wildlife within the 98 km² park. Take in the dramatic limestone outcrops, tropical forests, mudflats and freshwater marshlands and the myriad species of birds that inhabit them. There are also a number of trails leading to caves, beaches and villages. The only drawback is its inaccessibility; it is very difficult to get to by public transport. Small jeeps can be rented in Hua Hin for around 800 baht per day (make sure you have your driving licence), and provide an excellent way to explore the area at your own pace.
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