Where to Stay in Hua Hin Beach for the First Time in Thailand

Aug 6, 2018 | 0 comments

BEST HUA HIN BEACH HOTELS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

Need help with finding the best Hua Hin beach hotels in Thailand? I have just the right hotels by the beach you’re looking for. Including my personal reviews and cost.

Hua Hin may not be as developed as Bangkok but it does afford many tourists comforts such as good quality hotels by the beach with reasonable rates. It’s a city well known for a much more laid back atmosphere. A clean beach and most of all delicious and affordable seafood.

But if you don’t mind walking just a short distance to Hua Hin beach you can certainly locate cheaper accommodations. However if you’re coming from afar, why not pick a hotel in Hua Hin that is close to the beach.

You’d be surprised how affordable beachside hotels in Hua Hin are.

I’ll even reveal my “Top 5 Hua Hin Hotels by the Beach” so you can make a better decision on where you want to stay.

But before I get into that, here are the best reasons why I think you should stay at a hotel right on Hua Hin’s pristine beach.

5 Reasons Why You Should Stay at a Hotel Near Hua Hin Beach

Hua Hin’s beach lines the central section of the city. By choosing a hotel by the beach area you can easily visit nearby attractions in Hua Hin such as their famous night bazaar.
For a small city, Hua Hin has a pretty big traffic problem. With very few pedestrian crosswalks in between. By staying at a hotel right on Hua Hin beach you don’t need to worry about crossing and waiting for long traffic lights.
Lots of hotels on Hua Hin Beach provide free shuttle service for guests to travel to nearby attractions such as the Cicada Market, Bluport Mall, and other points of interest near the hotels. So no need to rely on your own transportation or pay for tuk-tuks that charge 150THB one way.
Even though there are many international 5-star hotels located right on Hua Hin beach you don’t need to spend big money. There are many very affordable hotels right next to the mega hotels that share the same beach. If you can afford the big-name hotels then go for it. You won’t regret it.
Hua Hin beach is on the eastern seaboard so you’ll be able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise in the morning. Which is the best reason of all in my book to stay right on the beach!

I Highly Recommend Staying at a Hotel on Hua Hin Beach Between Hua Hin Night Market and Cicada Market

Hua Hin has a long stretch of sandy beach with many hotels right on the beachfront, from 5 stars to cozy boutique hotels.

The best area of the beach with hotels is between Hua Hin Night Market down to Khao Takiab (เขาตะเกียบ) translated as Chopstick Hill. Though Monkey Hill would be a more proper name as the area is full of cheeky monkeys that will rummage through your bags if given the chance.

But a few of the hotels on my top 5 Hua Hin beach hotels are just slightly outside of that particular area. Not by much though.

Matter of fact, one of my favorite hotels in Hua Hin by the beach and very close to Khao Takiab is number one on my list. It’s one of the best hotels in Hua Hin and is recommended for your first visit.

So here we go!

My Top 5 Favorite Hotel on Hua Hin Beach

1. Amari Hua Hin – 4 Star Hotel

Address: 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae,, Khao Takiab, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand

I’ve always been a fan of Amari-branded hotels and never had any problems at any of their properties. So when I found out there’s an Amari hotel property in Hua Hin by the beach I was excited to stay there. Granted it’s a bit of a walk to the beach. But they have a free shuttle car to take hotel guests there and back.

Amari Hua Hin Hotel Property — The Amari Hua Hin Hotel on Khao Takiab Beach

Technically the Amari Hua Hin is on Khao Takiab which is the southern end of Hua Hin Beach. They even have an awesome clubhouse by the beach where you can order drinks, and food and just chill out by the swimming pool overlooking the ocean.

When I stay at the Amari Hua Hin I usually book their Deluxe Pool View King room. It’s spacious and clean. I particularly like the view of the awesome massive swimming pool in the center of the hotel property. You can get a deluxe room with a view of the pool for around 3000THB per night with taxes.

Check room discounts for Amari Hua Hin on Agoda.com

2. Escape Hotel – 3 Star Hotel

Address: 25/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin City Center, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand

Affordable large rooms with a great ambiance. I did a review of Escape Hotel Hua Hin a few years back. I’ve been back there a few times ever since, especially when they have price drops on their hotel rooms during low seasons which is a great bargain.

Swimming pool view of Escape Hotel Hua Hin

The Escape is still one of the nicest hotels with a short walking distance to the beach and highly recommended. When I’m there I usually book the double rooms on the second floor for 3000THB per night. It’s a great bargain.

There’s even a free shuttle to take you down to Hua Hin’s night market. And they’ll even pick you up for a free return trip at a designated time. The Escape is one of the best affordable beach hotels in Hua Hin I highly recommend it.

Check room discounts for Escape Hotel Hua Hin on Agoda.com

3. Ibis Hua Hin – 3 Star Hotel

Address: 25/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin City Center, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand

If you like pets or you’re traveling with your furry friends, the Ibis Hotel Hua Hin is the best pet-friendly hotel by the beach. Whenever my wife and I travel to Hua Hin with one of our cats we always prefer staying at the Ibis Hua Hin.

There are not many hotels on the beach in Hua Hin that allow pets. Thankfully Ibis is one hotel that does.

Granted their rooms are the smallest out of the five hotels reviewed here. But it’s very clean and the property throughout is well maintained.

However I want to add if you’re given the option to purchase breakfast I recommend passing it. I don’t think it’s an added value. There are many places to eat near the hotel within a short walk.

Check room discounts for Ibis Hua Hin on Agoda.com

4. Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa – 5-Star Hotel

Address: 33 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin Beachfront, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand

With the Hilton brand name, you’ll know this will be one of the best beach hotels in Hua Hin. This 5-star resort is practically right on the beach. The beach is 90 meters from the hotel but with their amazing swimming pool, it’ll be hard to decide if you’ll want to stay by the pool or swim in the ocean.

The Hilton Hua Hin is not cheap. But not expensive either by international standards. Their King Classic Ocean view rooms are only 4000THB per night with taxes. That’s a real bargain for a 5-star hotel in the center of Hua Hin’s beach.

Check room discounts for Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa on Agoda.com

5. Avani Hua Hin Resort and Village – 4 Star Hotel

Address: 1499 Petchkasem Rd. Cha-am, Hua Hin Beachfront, Hua Hin / Cha-am, Thailand

The Avani Hua Hin is another awesome hotel by the beach in Hua Hin. Again, the swimming pool at this resort’s main attraction. I’ve spent many days just soaking in the pool. Some really fun memories.

Yet this is another hotel by the beach only 90 meters from the hotel and affordable too. For 3000THB per night with taxes I’ve stayed in the Avani Deluxe Room.

The Avani Hua Hin is practically one of the newest hotels in central Hua Hin, built-in 2016. I especially recommend this hotel if you’re traveling with children. Your kids will love the swimming pool and the fun kid’s club on premises.

Check room discounts for Avani Hua Hin Resort and Village on Agoda.com

Conclusion

These are the best beach hotels to stay in Hua Hin for the very first time. And if you consider the prices are quite affordable too, especially 5-star hotels like the Hilton Hua Hin. And if you’re on a budget you should consider staying at the Escape Hotel Hua Hin.

But whichever hotel you choose on this list I’m sure you’re going to enjoy your holiday in Hua Hin for your very first special visit.

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Vongdeuan Resort in Koh Samet Review

May 31, 2015 | 0 comments

Recently my wife and I went over for a little getaway over at Koh Samet. The first island I went to since I first got back State side. And I must say after freezing my butt for a few months in NYC, thawing my ass out on nice soft sand of Koh Samet was mighty nice. Here’s a quick guide on getting to Koh Samet for a refresher.

This time we chose to stay at the 3.5 star rated Vongdeuan Resort. It is situated on the southern crescent tip of Vongduean beach. They claim to be the second biggest resort on Samet and maybe they are. For me, it was the low season and the price was just about right for what I was willing to pay for a place to stay close to the beach.

Ao Vongdeuan (Ao means beach in Thai) is quite a nice stretch of beach…

I booked 3 nights which cost me around $93USD per night. But I booked a beach house villa which wasn’t exactly on the beach but near enough. Though it is one of three cottage type rooms just yards away from it. Otherwise if you book the other room types it’s a bit further inland but the rates are cheaper. My wife and I are beach bums so getting a place closest to the beach for us was a top priority.

Also remember upon check you have to leave a 1000THB deposit. Remember to get a receipt. Once you check out you must present that receipt to get your deposit back so remember to keep that piece of paper in a safe place.

One of the Thai style houses at Vongdeuan Resort…

And I think one of the best features of Vongdeuan Resort is that all the rooms are small little houses. They have modern cottages and Thai style houses with nice terrace space to sit outside. And that’s great because every guests has their own space to stretch out and relax.

Our villa was about 40 square meters including bathroom…

As I mentioned I booked a beach house villa. There are only 2 of these types of villas so if you want to stay in one you probably have to book in advance. I made my reservation about a month beforehand without knowing there were so few so I got lucky I suppose. But then again it was the low season.

A quick tip: If you’re lucky enough to book a beach villa when you check in ask for B1, you’ll get a better view of the beach from your terrace or window. I stayed in B2 which was behind B1 which was close but had lesser view of the beach. Might as well get the villa with a better view – after all it’s the same price.

Forgot to take photos of the bathroom which was spacious and clean too…

And the room was clean though the mattress was just a tad bit hard for my taste. But that didn’t matter because after a full day of sightseeing and eating I could sleep on a bed of rocks like a baby.

Ao Vongdeuan is one of the nicest beaches on Koh Samet. The sand is very soft and the water is clean and clear like most of the beaches on the island. You’re not going to find a problem getting something to eat nearly every resort has a restaurant serving Thai and Western food.

Sometimes you just feel like a pork chop…

My wife and I sampled a bit of both. And according to her the Thai food is not so great. And we have tried several Thai dishes at several other resorts on Vongdeuan beach except Vongdeuan Resort. But to me the Western style food which I had a lot of was not so bad but the prices are not cheap.

Fresh fried fish with tamarind sauce. This was one of the best Thai dish we had on the beach…

I had some pizza and burgers over at Tom’s Pizza which wasn’t too bad. But again, it’s not cheap as is most food served on the beach is expensive. That pork chop dish pictured about cost me 450THB about $13.50USD based on current exchange rate.

You can find cheaper food but you have to get out of the resort area which requires renting a scooter which cost 500THB a day at a vendor near Vongdeuan Resort or you get out to the road and flag down a passing songthaew (truck taxi).

Breakfast served at an outdoor setting from 7am until 10:30am…

Breakfast is included in the rate so I guess if you’re on sort of a budget you can save some money there. But you’ll be eating the same stuff over and over as they don’t change their buffet breakfast choices at all. Not that I’m complaining. I pretty much eat the same stuff every morning in Bangkok anyways.

The Good and the Bad

I like Vongdeuan Resort because I really enjoyed my stay. Now I’m not really too picky about anywhere I stay as long as it’s clean. And it is. However one night there was a power outage twice. That might be out of the resort’s responsibility so no big problem. But of all the times I’ve been to Samet this was the first I’ve ever experienced.

A nice lady at the reception desk. Wish more of the resort staff were like her…

However, to me the resort staff, not all of course, though a few my wife and I have come across could perhaps just be a little more polite. We’re not asking anyway to kiss our asses or bend over backwards. But at least look alive and cheer up when speaking to guests. This didn’t just occur once but a couple of times in separate days.

Be sure to hold onto your ticket. They’ll collect your ticket on the ferry boat…

This skiff will take you to a ferry boat off shore…

Vongdeuan Resort offers guests free pick up from Ban Phe pier and drop off on the waters of Vongduean beach. So don’t wear your best pant and shoes, you’ll get wet up to possibly your knees. Off course they’ll get as near to the beach as possible and they’ll carry your bags too.

A big ferry boat with plenty of seats back to Ban Phe pier…

They’ll also take you back to the Ban Phe pier the same way too after check out. Which is always why it’s good to find a hotel that provides free ferry boat transport and there are quite a few in Koh Samet that do. But there is a schedule so keep that in mind.

Vongdeuan Resort Ferry Pick Up and Drop Off Schedule (as of May 2015)

From Ban Phe Pier: 10:00am and 1:30PM
From Vongdeuan Resort to Ban Phe Pier: 8:30am and 11:30am

Note that even though the ferry boat is scheduled to leave Vongduean Resort at 8:30am and 11:30am because they load guests’ luggage first there could be 30 minute or longer delay.

I like Vongdeuan Resort. I don’t have any major complaints about it at all and according to most reviews they are popular. As for the resort staff it’s not a big deal at all either. Who’s knows maybe they’re just tired. Though there are plenty of other resorts to check out on Koh Samet that I am interested in checking out when I go back.

Read reviews and find discounts for Vongdeuan Resort in Koh Samet.