Hua Hin—Thailand’s most beautiful seaside resort
The royal seaside resort has been far less affected by the impact of Covid-19 than Phuket, for example. At weekends, many visitors from Bangkok come here for a short break.
The 200 km journey can be made quickly and relatively cheaply by car or train.
Hua Hin has the most pleasant climate in the country. Since the reign of King Rama VI, Thai kings have spent their summer holidays here. The much-revered King Rama IX, Bhumibol, spent most of his final years at the local summer residence. The kilometer-long beach has always attracted tourists looking for a quieter getaway. When I first took the train from bustling Bangkok to Hua Hin in the mid-1990s and went out for a look around the “nightlife” that evening, the few open-air bars were already closing shortly after 11 p.m. When I asked in surprise why, the only reply was a laconic: “The King wants to sleep!”
"Railway Hotel"
Family swimming area, not a party scene
The beach
Railway Station
Beach life
You’ll always find a quiet spot on the fine-grained, mile-long white-sand beach. Unlike in Pattaya, you won’t be packed in like sardines! It’s also one of the cleanest beaches in the country.
Kite Paradise
Khao Takiab
Railway Hotel
Get around for less by songthaew
Hua Hin is a long, spread-out town. The beach alone stretches for 8 km. If you’d like a cheaper ride than a taxi, these little pickup trucks are just the ticket. Just wait by the roadside and signal for one to stop. The fare is only 10 to 20 baht per trip! (30–60 cents)
Baan Bayan Hotel
Everyone has their own taste in hotels. I have a particular fondness for small, individually run boutique hotels. Baan Bayan is one of them. It is one of my favourite hotels in Thailand!
Set in a historic house, the hotel charms with its character and excellent amenities!
The famous Centara Grand “Railway Hotel”
It truly is legendary. Now known as Centara Grand Beach Resort , it was built in 1923 to accommodate travelers during the construction of the railway from Bangkok to Singapore. A few years ago, it was named one of the five best family hotels in Asia!
A Hotel with Exceptional Charm
You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy one of the rotating themed buffets in the evening, for example, or to make your dream of dining on the beach come true.
The Mrigadayavan Palace
This former summer residence of King Rama VI is a real gem. It was built entirely of teak in 1924, based on the King’s designs. Few foreign tourists make it here, which makes a visit all the more enjoyable. And by the sea, there’s always a light breeze—one of the reasons Rama VI chose this spot.
Palace on stilts
The entire palace is built on stilts above a stretch of water just a few centimeters deep, which keeps ants and other pests from getting inside. The rooms are connected by covered walkways totaling 400 m in length. Since the walkways are open on the sides and all the rooms are on the first floor, a gentle sea breeze is always blowing through, making life more comfortable.
Royal Study
King Rama VI used this study to attend to matters of state. It is bright and airy, and never too hot thanks to the gentle afternoon sea breeze.
