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All you need to know about the land of silk and smiles

Hua Hin Hotels

Sofitel Central Hua Hin

This is where it all began for seaside vacations in Hua Hin. The oldest and most famous hotel in Hua Hin, the Sofitel was formally the Railway Hotel, built in 1924 by the Southern Railway. It retains its Victorian charm despite all its modern facilities. Sip afternoon tea in the museum or wander in the 40 acres of gardens amid well-manicured topiary. I have not stayed here but just walking around the grounds gives you an idea of the high quality maintained here. And a drink at the bar will give you a taste of the impeccable service throughout the property.
It is amazingly quiet considering the crowds and street vendors beyond the hotel walls. Depending on the season, expect to pay from 5,000 to 7,100 Baht for one of the gorgeous high-ceilinged rooms. The resort is right on the beach and has three swimming pools, two putting greens, tennis courts and a snooker room. There are 207 rooms and 42 villas, local and international cuisine in five restaurants, three conference rooms for up to 300 people, a spa and fitness centre. Expensive yes, but extensive and excellent too. Contact details: 1 Damnoenkasem Road. Tel: 03251 2021, fax 03251 1014. www.sofitel.com

Anantara Hotel

Set in 14 acres of landscaped gardens the luxurious Anantara Hotel has 162 rooms and suites, each with high ceilings and a balcony or terrace overlooking either the gardens or the beach. Amenities include Internet access, an iPod docking station, cable television and tea and coffee making facilities. Rates vary widely depending on accommodation and time of year. A garden view room costs 5,000 Baht and goes to 7.500 over the Christmas holidays. The one-bedroom suites cost as much as 16,500 Baht for that same holiday period. Everything about this property is top quality. Many say the spa here is one of the best in Thailand. The hotel has a great beachfront location with a full range of water sports available. There are two infinity-edge swimming pools and seven bars and restaurants. Fittings, furnishings, fine dining and fantastic staff are all things you will remember after a stay here. We have not stayed here but have spoken to those who have. They were impressed with everything from the time they checked in until the time they left, which they did reluctantly. The Anantara hosts the famous annual elephant polo tournament. Contact details: 43/1 Phetchkasem Beach Road. Tel: 03252 0250, fax 03252 0259. www.anantara.com.

Courtyard by Marriott Hua Hin at Cha-Am Beach

This is a new Marriott property in Thailand with a confusing name. Hua Hin and Cha-Am are two different towns split apart by Hua Hin Airport. This 234-room property was formerly the Tipviman Hotel in Cha-Am and it is undergone a major refurbishment before reopening as a Marriott. Just to confuse you a little further there is a Marriott in Hua Hin, which you can read about on this page. Back to Cha-Am: All of the spacious rooms here have ocean views on a largely untouched stretch of beach, more than can be said about its sister property to the south. The Courtyard is on the southern stretch of Cha-Am Beach, 20 kilometers north of Hua Hin and a two-hour drive from Bangkok. The hotel is directly on the beach and within walking distance of many shops and restaurants.
There are five categories of rooms. All of them are air-conditioned and have a work area with high-speed Internet access. Other amenities include satellite television, a minibar, hairdryer and coffee and tea making facilities.
The hotel has two restaurants including one of the beach and an all-day restaurant, a lobby lounge and a pool bar. Amenities include a swimming pool and a children’s pool, an exercise room, games room and a large kids club and teen activity center. The hotel has a Grab & Go kiosk, a gift shop, a business center, and a concierge desk to help arrange local sightseeing tours. For social events and conferences, there is 850 square meters of function space. Contact details: 854/2 Burirom Road, Cha-Am, Petchburi, 76120 Thailand. Tel +66 3270 8300, fax +66 3270 8303.

Putahracsa Hua Hin
The 59-room Putahracsa Hua Hin is one of those hidden gems with incredible service and spacious, luxury accommodation. All the rooms are air-conditioned and have satellite television, 27-inch LCD TV, DVD players and personal music system, IDD telephone, an in-room safe, refrigerator, minibar, high-speed Internet access, coffee and tea making facilities. Expect to pay $120 per night to stay here.
There is a varied array of room styles, all are contemporary and unlike neighboring properties, they are all single story. The most expensive villas have a 10-meter private pool. There is a swimming pool for other guests too.
The hotel has package deals throughout the year, which include a daily breakfast and treatments at the resort’s impressive spa.
Dining options include The Nahb Talae with traditional dining with a lively atmosphere, Sala Monsoon noted for exotic drinks and Oceanside with international and Thai cuisine and stunning views.The hotel has a boutique that sells scents, oils, bedding, clothing and fashion accessories. Other service offered by the hotel are airport transfers, a tour desk, business center, laundry and dry-cleaning, currency exchange and babysitting. Contact addess: 22/65 Naeb Kaehat Road, 77110 Hua Hin, Thailand.