The seaside resort of Hua Hin, Thailand

Located around 200km from Bangkok you’ll find the famous Thai beach resort of Hua Hin – a place historically favoured by the Thai royal family and famed by its pretty beaches and outstanding seafood cuisine. Thanks to improvements in the road networks, the resort is accessible in around 3 hours by car from Bangkok International Airport making it a viable destination for a multi centre break twinned with the capital – and it’s a place gradually garnering more interest for those looking longingly towards luxury holidays. That includes me! Over the years, some top class hotels have appeared in Hua Hin, leading resorts include the Aleenta, Evason and Six Senses in Pranburi and the Hilton, Anantara and Dusit Thani situated a little closer to the town. You’ll be in safe hands with a stay at any of these prestigious 5* establishments. Hua Hin is a quiet and peaceful place to visit – not somewhere to come to if you’re looking for raucous nightlife or street parties. But you will find a good resort centre with varied shops and multi-national restaurants, as well as the famed Royal Hua Hin Golf Course which was one of the first built in Thailand originally for the king and his family to use. If you want to navigate further afield, you could use the famous old railway station which is said to represent one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in Thailand. The main beach in Hua Hin stretches for around 5km and is popular with kite boarders and of course, sun bathers. However, if you’re prepared to adventure a little deeper you might stumble across two neighbouring beaches on the road out to Khao Tao – these being Hat Sat Noi and Hat Sai Yai, well worth the discovery – not that Hua Hin beach is overcrowded. Elephant camps are also numerous in Hua Hin and taking a trip on the back of one these docile creatures is always recommended, you’ll meander through rainforest and bamboo plantations, discovering some of Thailand’s hidden scenic beauty. Tours are bookable via hotels but also widely advertised in the resort centre. An ambitious International Film Festival is scheduled for the end of January here too, where around 30 films from across the Far East will be shown and industry experts will be flown in to attend the screenings, there’s even rumours of A-list celebrity attendees, although these are as yet unconfirmed. The best time to visit Hua Hin for warmer weather is between March and May and I for one will be putting this destination on my wish list, I’ve heard so many good reports from colleagues that it would be a shame to miss out. Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.