A Perfect Weekend Getaway at Hua Hin Beach
Just over two hours away from central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the seaside resort area of Hua Hin beach. Popularised by Thai royalty in the 1920s, Hua Hin became Thailand’s first beach resort area. Now, its proximity to Bangkok and great variety of accommodation, attractions and beaches make Hua Hin beach a perfect spot for a quick but relaxing weekend getaway in Thailand.
Accommodation in the area can fit any budget range. From the simplest guest house to the most luxurious Hua Hin beach resort, there is something for everyone here. Recently, boutique-style resorts have become very popular with both Thai and international tourists. This kind of Hua Hin beach resort generally has many of the amenities of the bigger international chains as well as local design details and charm in an intimate setting. For example, the Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa is modelled after a traditional Thai village, while still containing a luxurious spa and two infinity-edge pools. Even though the Hua Hin beach area is so close to Bangkok, in places like Anantara, it is easy to feel that you have left the city behind you.
Apart from the shoreline in front of your Hua Hin beach resort, there are many beaches to explore in the area. The namesake beach boasts intriguing rock formations that give its name (“hua hin†means “head stoneâ€), as well as the best sunrises for miles around. Neighboring Khao Takiab, seven kilometres to the south, includes a sea-facing 20-metre high Buddha statue, showing the way to a picturesque view of the bay and surrounding area. Just a bit further south of Khao Takiab is Suan Son, a Hua Hin beach known for its thickets of casuarina pine trees that line the shore’s sand. Further afield – but worth the trip – are Pranburi and Cha-am, two resort areas known for stylish accommodation and quieter beaches: perfect for a weekend getaway.
Thailand’s Beaches: Hua Hin or Cha-Am
Thailand has been steadily rising in popularity as a tourist destination, particularly over the last 30 years. Most international flights connect at Bangkok, which is a great city to enjoy a stop-over for a couple of days, before heading for the quieter coastal resorts. Hua Hin is within easy driving distance of Bangkok, a journey of around 190km.
Situated on the Gulf of Thailand, this once-sleepy fishing village was awakened to the real world with the laying of a railway line direct to Bangkok in the 1920s. Hua Hin soon became a popular resort destination, favored by the Thai royal family. The fishing village charm has long been lost beneath the modern development along the lovely white-sand coastline, but the town still has a relaxed local flavor. For those seeking something a little quieter, its near neighbor Cha-am may be the perfect idyllic seaside resort for you.
Ch-Am’s main claim to fame is that it has Thailand’s longest beach. Although weekend visitors flock to the beach here, during the week it is fairly quiet. There are a few local attractions but the main reason to come to Cha-Am is to chill out in your own space on the gorgeous white sandy beach. There is however a local Jack Nicklaus designed golf course for the more actively inclined. Most resorts are surrounded by landscaped gardens which offer pleasant, shady and colorful places to stroll amidst the tropical flora. There are a few local shops in Cha-Am selling the obligatory jewelry, and the tailor’s shops are excellent. Choose your fabric and style from the many samples, and you can have a hand-made, bespoke suit (male or female) within a couple of days.