Long-time favourite of the Thai royal family, Hua Hin is now a popular beachside retreat for discerning travellers as well as Thailand’s elite. Here’s where to stay in Hua Hin to make you feel like royalty without it costing a king’s ransom.
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Hua Hin has a long history as a seaside retreat for Thailand’s royal family, which could be the reason it doesn’t have the same frenetic feel that other beach towns have gained that dot the Thai coast.
With its easy-going seaside vibes, local markets and upscale resorts, Hua Hin has a lot to offer visitors looking for a bit of low-key luxury on the Bay of Thailand.
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We’ve had a long love affair with Hua Hin. Friends have got married here, others have even moved here, and we’ve had a couple of trips here independently too.
Being only a couple of hours’ drive southwest from Bangkok, this is an achievable beach destination that’s not the full-on party scene that jostles a lot of other places on the bay.
Check out our video walkthrough of this beautiful resort here:
Where To Stay In Hua Hin – Veranda Resort and Villas Cha Am
As you’d expect, there are plenty of hotel and resort options in Hua Hin that run the gamut in terms of price and quality.
But sitting in the sweet spot of the cost and luxury Venn diagram, Veranda Resort and Villas is the easiest decision you’ll have while you’re organising your Hua Hin holiday.
The resort is split into two ‘zones’; the main resort, which has the majority of rooms including beachfront options, and the Luxury Pool Villa Zone. Set back from the main resort and with its own pool and gym, this area has some of the most luxurious accommodations, each with its own private pool.
Our Pool King Suite with Private Pool
Set within the Luxury Pool Villa Zone, the moment you walk into this room, you’re struck by the luxury touches, the styling and the uniqueness of the room’s layout.
From the sleek black stripe of the tiled floor to the enormous deep-fill stone bathtub in the bathroom, which must take up at least a quarter of the 84ms of the room’s footprint by the way, this is a beautiful room.
Driftwood ornaments and coral-esque art adorn the walls, plump crocheted cushions add softness to the reading nook, and the balcony has views out to the ocean over the resort’s rooftops.
But it’s the balcony that holds the real winning card to this room.
Accessible from the balcony and also – somewhat mysteriously – through the glass sliding door/window of the bathroom is our private infinity pool.
If there’s one luxury I think I value over all others when it comes to resort living, I put a private pool right up there.
And having a pool high up on a balcony – essentially your own private rooftop pool – is literally and figuratively next level.
Other Facilities at Veranda Resort
Across the road in the main part of the resort, there’s plenty to see and do.
In the middle of the beautiful, open-air lobby and lounge, a fountain is the source of a stream that runs all the way through the grounds, past the breakfast area on the right, down to the main pool, which in turn looks out over the beach and the Bay of Thailand.
Veranda’s Cafe and Spa
On the left of the stream and its ponds is the The Glass Room Espresso Bar. This quiet, low-lit space is full of the rich aromas of freshly ground coffee. It’s a great spot to relax with a book and a well-made macchiato.
Outside in the trees, squirrels scamper in the trees.
Perfect for those occasional rainy days or moments when you just want some time to yourself, this is where you can come, borrow a book and sit back.
On the far side of the cafe, through an impressive burnished bronze door, is Veranda Spa.
Offering a full range of treatments, massages and facials, the spa also has facilities for couples massages, milk baths, body scrubs and steams.
ISEA Beach Bar & Restaurant
With perfect views from its deck leading directly to the softs sands of Cha Am Beach, ISEA Beach Bar and Restaurant offers a nice range of dining options – both western and local, but we were treated to the restaurant’s signature meal.
The Set Dinner comes as a five-tiffin tower in a fun riff on the lunchboxes locals take to work and to school.
Each tiffin has a sample of different local specialties, starting with crispy spicy squid, then red curry with crab and cha kram leaves, then stir-fried tiger prawns with chilli, below that a tiffin for steamed rice and finally mango sticky rice for dessert.
It’s a great way to experience many local flavours in one meal (without having to share!), and the food is superbly cooked and presented.
Beyond the Resort
Of course, guests are not restricted to the resort, and in fact, Veranda encourages visitors to check out the neighbouring venues.
Nong Nat’s Beach Bar
To the left of the resort, right on the beach, is Nong Nat’s Beach Bar. This little local set up is so cute; just chairs and tables on the sand. Drop by for a sunset beer or a bite to eat. They also do massages if you’d prefer an al fresco treatment to a spa experience.
We love places like this and it’s good to see them living in harmony next to luxury resorts like Veranda.
Horse Rides on the Beach
If you want to experience riding a horse along the beach as the quiet waters of the bay lap on the sand, this is also possible here. A local operator offers 15-minute rides for about 300 baht, and the horses look well-kept and in good condition.
Visit Hua Hin Town
Veranda Resort is not in central Hua Hin, but up the road just outside another area called Cha Am. It’s about a 25-minute drive south to town and about 300 baht for a taxi, which could be why Veranda is better-priced than other resorts closer to town.
Hua Hin is well-developed, and has plenty of bars and restaurants, shopping malls and an excellent night market. Running along several streets, the night market has a lively energy, selling local food, touristy toot and interesting handicraft. Christina also picked up a lovely raffia handbag there.
Further afield, there’s so much to see around this part of Thailand. There’s even a winery or two tucked away in the hills above Hua Hin.
But the best part of it is knowing you’re coming home to a beautiful room and the sparkling, warm waters of your own private pool.
We stayed at Veranda Resort & Villas as media guests of Tourism Authority of Thailand, but our opinions and experiences remain our own.
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