 Updated 10/04/2010
DUSIT
THANI HUA HIN (*****L): Actually
located
in Cha-Am, quite far away from Hua Hin city center (30 minutes by car),
this superb palace hotel occupies a splendid position along a sandy beach.
The Dusit Polo Resort changed its name into Dusit Thani Hua Hin: still Commanding an unspoiled beach-front location, the spectacular Dusit Thani Hua Hin combines ritzy comfort with classy traditional style. An ornamental lake, lily pond and tropical gardens flank the two large swimming pools. The architectural theme and décor resembles a Mediterranean villa retreat with subtle touches of Thai craftsmanship and hospitality. The 296 well-appointed rooms are top comfortable. Most of them offer a great sea or pool view from a lovely and quite large balcony. The Dusit group distinguishes itself from its competitors thanks to its excellent -almost unbeatable- executive rooms and lounges. We discovered the « Dusit Club » concept staying for the first time in the remarkable Dusit Thani Bangkok, a decade ago; it is now available in all of the hotels controlled by the group. We like very much the Dusit Club rooms: tastefully furnished reflecting classical style skillfully infused with contemporary Thai elegance, they display additional room features, including LCD TV, DVD player and a modern bathroom suite with rain shower. They all have a private terrace with direct access to the swimming pool. The «Dusit Club» benefits include access to the chic and intimate Dusit Club Lounge, broadband internet connection, selection of daily international and local newspapers and magazines, daily selection of light refreshments and snacks, and pre-dinner Cocktails (including house wines, beers, spirits and mixers). Complimentary full buffet breakfast, and plenty of other advantages are consented to those who paid the little extra for the « Dusit Club ». Many guests, like us, just choose the Dusit Thani for this extra service. If luxury is actually your style, we would recommend to book a «Lanai Suite»: lovingly furnished, they cover 120 square meters. Placed on the ground level, with an extended terrace area, there display panoramic views of the beach-front and Gulf of Siam. The restaurants are among the best in Cha Am (we recommend Benjarong, for Royal Thai Cuisine: quite pricey, but yummy and with a remarkable service). The Rim Talay, right on the beach front, is romantic and actually superb for seafood. The «Theme Dinners» are wonderful. Plenty of activities are available, often included in very attractive packages: golf, cooking class, plush Devarana SPA (and pool-side massage), yoga, etc Staff are really friendly and helpful, offering to the most genuine and wonderful Thai hospitality. DUSIT
THANI HUA HIN: 1349 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am, Petchburi 76120
HAVEN RESORT (****L): Since 2009, this newcomer on the luxury hotels scene proposes a relaxing vacation within the embrace of a modern natural resort. Located on the wild, clean and serene Cha-Am Beach, 5 kilometers from the city center of Hua Hin (easily accessible by  taxi
or complimentary shuttle bus), this boutique hotels remains a secret destination
for some well informed tourists, with quite a large number of Bangkokians
rushing on week ends.
The property is actually smart: comprised of 46 guestrooms, plus 7 private villas. 5 Villas with direct access to an exclusive swimming pool, and the other 2 villas -featuring 2 bedrooms- have their own private pool. Each unit is decorated with lovely local handicrafts and displays a large, private terrace with a view of the lush tropical gardens, or the white sandy beach: expanding as far as the eyes can see. In-room amenities include one or two large-screen Sharp Plasma TV, IDD phone, coffee and tea making facilities. Some rooms have a twin-Jacuzzi. The broadband WiFi comes free of charge. We liked very much the complimentary minibar, which was generously re-filled everyday (sometimes twice a day) with mineral water, sodas and fruit juices. Those travelling with their family -the hotel is actually kids friendly- will like this little bonus. Another aspect of the Haven Resort which we appreciated during our stay: there is a full buffet breakfast on week-ends and, if the number of residents goes down during the week, they just open a «mini-buffet», inviting guests to order anything they like from the kitchen (we loved the mouth watering fried rice with plenty of fresh crab meat!). At no extra cost. We didn't experience the restaurant; but from what we have been told from the clients, it offers a fine Thai and international cuisine at a fair price. The Haven Resort is splendid for tanning, swimming, or simply getting rid of stress: the pool is large and beautifully designed, with cascades and greenery all around. The beach extends on more than 50 kilometers, and the water is clean (with some jellyfishes in duty some days, mostly during the rainy season...). The resort is well equipped with a small fitness room and a pleasant SPA. The prestigious Palm Hill Golf Resort and Country Club is located 300 meters from the hotel. The
kind staff is unobtrusive, and does his best to make you feel like at home.
Ideal for honeymoon and family holiday. Fair price policy, with attractive
rates
and good packages.
HAVEN
RESORT: 1449 Chala Samut Rd., Cha-Am, Petchaburi 76120
ANANTARA
RESORT & SPA (****L): Designed
with elegance by architect Chulalat Kittibuttra in a traditional Thai style,
the Anantara Resort & SPA comprises seven intimate clusters, set amid
14-acres of gardens and lily ponds. Even if some of the 162 rooms display
a little bit There is a superb pool, sensually shaped, surrounded by palm trees and tribal sculptures : it may well be the largest in all of Southern Thailand. In contrast to the more famous Sofitel Centara (ex-Railway Hotel), the Anantara Resort & SPA is little bit far from town (there is of course a scheduled complimentary shuttle bus): which is actually advantageous, as the beach is much cleaner here, and accessed by the resort's guests only. Many restaurants await the gourmand: the best being "Rim Nam", at the poolside, offering delicious grilled lobsters. Just select them at a discounted price, in the budget minded set menu. A wonderful place for a romantic couple, or even family, to stay. The naturally settled SPA gives this wonderful resort an additional value. This fine hotel is part
of the ANANTARA RESORT
& SPAS ASIA group. Affiliated to the SMALL
LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD.
ANANTARA
RESORT & SPA: 43/1 Phetkasem Beach Rd, Hua Hin, 77110 THAILAND
KHAO
TAKIAB AND HUA-HIN SOUTH:
LET'S
SEA AL FRESCO RESORT (****L): Khao
Takiab ("Chopstick Hill") is a small fishing village located
a five minutes drive from Hua Hin, dominated by a hill with beautiful white
sand beaches on either side. There are numerous temples, elephant camps,
a colony of monkeys, The design is unique: the hotel has been constructed along a canal-like swimming pool, very much reminiscent of the famous Siamese «khlongs» (canals). The 20 «Studio Piers» have their own direct pier, allowing guests to jump directly into the water; while the 20 «Moon Deck Suites» display a panoramic view over the pool (some of them also have a sea view). This romantic, so relaxing atmosphere, combines with a sophisticated notion of eco-tourism. «Eco-Chic» -this is how the resorts defines itself- means low-rise buildings erected with noble made-in -Thailand materials (with a lot of wood, bamboo, stone, mosaics), few or none insecticide to kill the mosquitoes (the gentle frogs, living a great life in the pounds installed at each corner, and extending till the restaurant and SPA washrooms!, are doing the job efficiently), much fruits and local food and juices in the restaurant, and above all a quiet, though no boring at all, environment... After a healthy breakfast served in the terrace beach-front or in the room, guests can enjoy the pool or swim in a crystal clear water, enjoy a massage or a steam-bath at the Gaia SPA, or walk ten minutes along the beach to discover the worth the trip Wat Khao Takiab: where a very active -though not aggressive- tribe of monkeys awaits for the bananas experienced visitors never forget to bring in their bag... We have not been disturbed in our tanning sessions by any souvenir sellers or jet-ski renters; ride horsing is possible, though the stable-boys are as friendly as discreet. Some ladies provide very cheap massage on the beach. We felt like in Paradise... Though we spend few times in our room, we nevertheless enjoyed their well studied comfort. The «Studio Piers» are cosy (48 sq. M. including terrace/deck), and we would like to recommend them for those on a short stay, who actually like swimming. Couples, moreover if on a longer stay, might prefer the slightly more spacious «Moon Deck Suites» (68 Sq. M, including terrace/deck): the living room is larger, and it terrace comes on the duplex floor. The intimacy is complete, and you can tan at ease; in the evening, it is very pleasant to have a drink or smoke a cigar laying on a mattress or contemplating the illuminated pool. We liked very much the extraordinary comfort of the «LaZzzzz® bed» : the mood lighting in bedroom (and bathroom) allowed made us fast asleep and as pleasantly as naturally woken up. This is a four-star hotel and, of course, any modern requirement is available: individual control air-conditioning, IDD telephone, DVD/VCD/CD player on large flat screen Sat TV, and Hi-Speed broadband Internet., coffee/Tea making facilities, and safe. We liked the bathroom, with its separate rain shower for two. We enjoyed the privileges of the new «Z-Luxe Club»., designed for guests who want to maximize their resort lifestyle and seek the utmost levels of convenience and indulgence. For a modest extra over the basic room/suite rate (which was promptly refunded by what we received in exchange...), we had complimentary gourmet breakfasts, 24 hour complimentary tea, coffee, soft drink refreshments at the Breeze Bar, Complimentary cocktail hour daily from 5-7 p.m. (inclusive of unlimited soft drinks, juice, wine, beer, whisky and canapés), free schedule shuttle transfer to Hua Hin town centre, free hi-speed internet, and even expert application of suntan/ sun block lotion by Gaia Spa therapists at pool-side or beach-front! Many discounts apply for «Z-Luxe Club» using the SPA, the restaurant, the bar, dry cleaning, etc. We
would like to end up this review by mentioning the restaurant,
which already existed some years ago, before the construction of the hotel.
Situated al fresco, at the beach-front, it has a long and excellent reputation.
We had our first dinner at the «Night Market», downtown. Which
is a pleasant, though quite touristy experience. Prices are low for foreigners.
We were surprised to realize that the Let's Sea resort restaurant was something
like 20% more expensive... but with much more generous portions. They have
a delicious Tom Ka Kung (coconut soup with lemongrass), and a yummy «Hor
Mok» (we recommend this steamed dish, mixing fish, coconut milk and
fragrant herbs; usually wrapped in a banana leaf cup, it came to our table
in a coconut). Srayut, the friendly owner, keeps the quality very high
and the price low to attract dinners from the beach: a fruitful solution
for everybody! During the high-season (winter time) the Sunday Brunch is
a popular meeting spot for hotel guests and Hua Hin expats, with a gourmand
selection of the specialties making the Thai Cuisine one of the best in
the world: from the cheap, delicious fishball soups or "satay", till the
fresh seafood, finest fishes the Ocean can produce, and great desserts.
Just drop there with empty stomach, as everything is mouth watering. Certainly
the best Sunday brunch in Hua Hin. Definitely the most authentic.
Just note that, due to the hotel aquatic concept, kids are not allowed until the age of 12 (just to protect them against any accident). Hua Hin is Thailand most preserved treasure; and Let's Sea is Hua Hin most brilliant gem.
Don't look for any flashy luxury in the Nern Chalet; though the hotel is extremely comfortable, with cosy rooms and some larger suites offering breathtaking view on the Ocean, this is a place dedicated to simplicity and relaxation, which we enjoyed very much among some guests who, sometimes, book a room for a quarter (usually in winter time)! Some of them coming back every year: which is a guarantee of the perfect quality of this “home away from home”, where the kind and attentive owner, Khun Caranee, educated in the USA (and therefore proficient in English), welcomes for over two decades everybody as a friend; not as a client. She provides any tip you might need about her city and country... including much attended Thai Cooking lessons (starting with an early visit to the Hua Hin central marketplace, and finishing in the afternoon, with a degustation of the mouth watering specialities you will now be able to cook by yourself, astonishing your friends and relatives...). No need to say that the small, “al fresco” restaurant is recommended. We liked the “Pad Thai” (sautéed noodles with seafood), the “Tom Kha Goung” (coconut soup with prawns) and the caloric -though delicious- “Sticky Rice with Mango”. Prices are more or less like in the “Night Market”: actually cheap on the Western standard. The nice, comfy rooms and suites, all with a balcony, are well equipped with modern facilities . Featuring fine quality bedding, A/C, cable TV, mini bar, and free wireless Internet (in the rooms, and in the pleasant, breezy public areas). Wake up early at least once during your stay, and enjoy the spectacular Thai sunrise from your room! Nice view also from the salted-water swimming-pool, with the Khao Takiap rock on the right and the immensity of the ocean ahead. There is a nice activity around the hotel: a couple of temples, well worth the visit, and plenty of small restaurants, bars, and traditional Thai massage parlours (massages are also available in the hotel, on a simple request). The public taxis head-station is located next door, allowing a very easy journey downtown. We found the staff efficient and so polite. Some comments in Tripadvisor refer to their limited ability in understanding -and therefore speaking- English. Actually, from the receptionists till the lovely and talkative chambermaid, everybody was able to respond on the spot to any of our question or requirement. The rates vary quite a lot, depending on the season and length of the stay. Expect to pay approximately EUR 100 per night for a lovely double room. Note that transportation from Hua Hin Bus Station to Nern Chalet is free of charge for Nern Chalet guests. This
hidden treasure, a bit off the beaten path, is the dreamed place
for a great family stay in Hua Hin.
NERN
CHALET: 144/7 Nongkae-Takieb Road, Hua-Hin,
THE
MOST LUXURIOUS HOTELS IN BANGKOK
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welcoming
the same faithful clientele, featuring many upper class Asian guests (Japanese,
Singaporean; but also quite a lot of Sino-Thai who love to spend their
week end in this little Paradise located a two hour drive from Bangkok).
standard
decoration, the luxurious villas hosting them are definitely beautiful:
modeled from precious tropical wood and toped with the finesse of traditional
Siamese roof structures. This is actually not an hotel, but a most personalized
resort, very well run by a dedicated team.
rustic
local restaurants, and the wonderful Let's Sea resort where we had a dreamed
holiday in February 2009, with a re-inspection in March 2010.
hotel
is definitly our best address for an inexpensive, though refined and highly
authentic, stay.
