Hua Hin and Cha-am Hotel - Thailand accommodation hotels guide

Small towns, Hua Hin and Cha Am are situated on the picturesque east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike other resort areas in the country, Thai nationals more regularly frequent them, than foreign tourists. Cha Am is close enough to be considered part of Hua Hin and therefore the following deals mainly with this latter resort town.

The five km long sand beach at Hua Hin is studded with huge boulders and the surf is safe enough for year-round swimming. A favoured holiday spot with members of the Thai royal family, this once sleepy fishing village, is rapidly following the development styles of areas such as Phuket and Pattaya. The fishing fleet has been relocated and the town’s infamous squid-drying piers have been replaced by resorts and shop houses.

In spite of moving with the times to offer all modern amenities, Hua Hin has retained its own enduring Thai identity. The main attraction of this resort town is lazing on the beach soaking up the tropical sunshine, complemented by the fun of a variety of water-sports and the excellent seafood.

Hua Hin one of Thailand's oldest seaside holiday towns has never sought an international image and has always been a bit of a sleepy hollow. A stroll near the fishing port gives refreshing insight on the traditional life of a Thai coastal settlement.

In addition to the attraction of the sun, sea and sand, Hua Hin provides options for leisure times away from the beach. The night market is a fun place for shopping and pursuing that most delightful of Thai past times, 'pai teeo' - leisurely wandering about to see and be seen. Best buys for the dedicated shopper are, locally produced high quality silk and cotton as well as the region's famous dried seafood and various kinds of 'kanom' - Thai sweets.

The coastline in this region is well worth exploring. South from Hua Hin, through Pran Buri and down to Prachuap Khiri Khan, there are numerous quiet coves and tiny fishing villages, ideal destinations for day excursions.

The royal family’s connection to the area is decades old. It was here that King Rama VI constructed his seafront summer palace in 1926. Designed by the royal architect MJ Ithithespan Kreudakon the entire construction was built of golden teak. Another historical royal happening occurred when, while playing golf at the Hua Hin golf course, King Rama VII was informed of Thailand’s first coup de tat in 1932.

In 1922 the state railway was extended to include Hua Hin, allowing easier access to the summer palace and in 1923 the first hotel was built in the area. This graceful colonial-style building, despite being in need of renovation, still caters to visitors. It has more atmosphere than many other ‘older’ hotels in Thailand and was used as a set in the Hollywood film, ‘The Killing Fields’.

The main swimming beach with its thatched umbrellas and beach chairs is a popular spot. Here one can laze around while vendors serve steam crab, mussels and other delicacies from nearby food stalls. There are pony rides along the beach for children and water sports for the more active.