In 1834, before the name Hua Hin was coined, some agricultural areas of Phetchaburi Province were hit by severe drought. A group of farmers moved south until they found a small village that had bright white sand and a row of rocks along the beach. They settled there and gave it the name Samore Riang (Samo Riang), which means “rows of rocks”.
In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit was the first member of the royal family to build a group of palaces at Ban Laem Hin, called Sukaves, and gave the beach next to his palace the name “Hua Hin”. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built a summer palace there which was later named Klai Kang Won (“far from worries”). From 2004 until 2006 it was the full-time residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), until health issues forced him to return to Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where medical facilities and physicians were closer at hand.
In 1932 Hua Hin was part of Pran Buri District as a minor district (king amphoe). In 1949 Hua Hin became a separate district of Prachuap Khiri Khan.[1] After the building of Thailand’s southern railway connected the district with Bangkok along with various destinations en route, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort in the country.
Popularised as a resort in the early-1920s by King Prajadhipok, Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royal family and is a quiet and relaxing seaside resort ideal for family vacations, a reasonable 2.5 hours drive down from Bangkok. Until 1934, it was known as Samore Riang (สมอเรียง), or “rows of rocks”.
The tranquil fishing village was turned into a royal resort and consequently became popular among Siam’s nobility and upper classes. In 1928, Prajadhipok built his Klai Kangwon (Far From Worries) Palace. As of 2007, Klai Kangwon is a full-time residence of the current king and is not open for visitors, although the outer palace grounds are open for walkers and joggers 16:00-19:00 daily (wear shoes, have sleeved shirts that cover at least your upper arms and bring your passport).
The 5 km long beach itself is pretty, more so than Pattaya‘s, and the sea is relatively clean. However, most of the beach can completely disappear along certain parts of the coast during high tide. Besides just sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming, visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks. The town is clean, warm and laid-back, making it ideal for families and couples.
Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pranburi and Khao Takiab are located only a short distance from Bangkok, and are ideal locations for a short respite from the rigours of the Thai capital or even a full-fledged holiday in the tropical sun. It’s been a fashionable weekend retreat for Royalty and high society since the 1920s, and the same appeal it had back then is still evident today.
Beaches, water sports, historical sites, golf courses, shopping opportunities and much more await visitors to this trio of tropical resorts. Less hectic and more laid-back than Pattaya, they are ideal for families and travellers who want to take life easy while enjoying a never-to-be forgotten holiday in the tropics. Its scenery is inspiring, dining experiences will delight your taste buds, and the hospitality of locals will charm you.
Booking the right hotel can make a major difference to your holiday; pick the right one, and you’ll fall in love with the place; choose the wrong one in the wrong area, however, and you might want to escape early. For us, Hua Hin and its surrounding beach destinations all have plenty of charms of their own, but certain areas do cater more towards different types of visitor. Whether you’re looking for the livelier nightlife and restaurant scene in the town centre, want to go remote in Pranburi, or find middle ground in Cha-Am.
The term ‘Hua Hin’ is often used to talk about the entire collection of pretty beach destinations set along Thailand’s western coast that stretch from Petchaburi into Prachuap Khiri Khan Province towards the south. However, to keep things simple, this guide has focused on the actual Hua Hin town and its nearby beach resorts.
Staying in this more built up area means you have access to some of the region’s best restaurants, nightlife and shopping action. The main stretch of beach is never too far away either, even though it’s not as tranquil as other nearby spots.
Who is it For: Those wanting a beach holiday that’s more than just sun, sea and sand Day or weekend trippers from Bangkok who enjoy convenience Expats and tourists needing a modest dose of nightlife
What’s Good: Lots of luxury resorts near the town Plenty in the way of shopping, dining and nightlife Very easy to reach from Bangkok
What’s Not So Good: The beach is not as pristine as others further south can get a little busy on weekends and holidays Inflated prices on basic Thai dishes and seafood
NIGHTLIFE
Although nightlife is not Hua Hin’s major selling point, it has a good mix of night markets, entertainment venues and even live entertainment for those who like a little action after the sun goes down. Several British-style pubs, sports bars with wide-screen TVs and beer bars are centred on Soi Bintabat, a lane located near Hilton Hua Hin Resort. In Cha-Am, there’s Soi Bus Stop, and in Khao Takiab, Cicada Market, a boutique outdoor market with live music. Of course, if you are looking for a big night out you will be able to find some fun and welcoming bars but its mostly on the relaxed side of things. No matter what you idea of a great night out in Hua Hin looks like, see our recommendations below.
Night Market: Situated in the Hua Hin centre between the Petchkasem Road and the railway line, the market basically encompasses one street that comes to life from 18:30 onwards, when traders line the street with their stalls selling various apparel, crafts, art, CDs, DVDS and cheap, tasty food – generally what you might expect from a Thai market. This is by no means the best place to shop in Thailand; you will finder a bigger variety of goods in Bangkok or say, Chiang Mai. However, Hua Hin does have a superb selection of seafood restaurants that line the road that hosts the Night Market, drawing a lot of attention from visitors eager to feast on the quality dishes on offer.
Like Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, the mere market experience is entertainment in itself. Here is where you can get a real grasp of local culture and opportunity by practicing your Thai during the bartering process. Even if nothing on offer suits your fancy, just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere is a great source of entertainment with the various street vendors and live entertainers around. Most of the restaurants on the street double as bars where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail while watching the crowds move up the street. At the top end of the street moving away from the sea, you will come to Prapokklao Road, which is lively street consisting of shops, bars and restaurants.
White Lotus Skybar at Hilton Hua Hin Resort: This classy rooftop bar in Hilton Hua Hin offers the best views in the whole city. The 17th floor setting has a sweeping ocean vista, across the town and off towards the mountainous interior. Service is prompt and professional as you would expect from a Hilton brand bar, and the cocktail list runs through a list of classics and signature creations with tropical touches using native Thai herbs and flavours. It is among the priciest bars in Hua Hin, but the views more than make up for it. Smart casual dress code.
Opening Hours: 17:30-23:30 daily
Location: 17th floor, Hilton Hua Hin Resort, Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin Beach
Tel: +66 (0)32 538 999
Oceanside Beach Bar: Funky and modern, Oceanside Beach Club offers a touch of urbane cool to Hua Hin. Chill out in the cabanas, splash around in the pool, and enjoy a weekend buffet of finger foods, all to the sounds of chilled lounge house from the DJ planted in the centre of the pool area.
The beach is directly in front of the beach club so you can get sand between your toes and the ocean breeze keeps the place as cool as the clientele. Obviously, the party vibe is best felt on weekends when they have frequent events and parties that start in the daytime and follow through til evening with special deals on drinks throughout the night.
Opening Hours: 12:00-24:00
Location: 22/65 Nahb Kaehat Rd. Hua Hin
Tel: +66 (0) 3253 1470
Soi Bintabat: Hua Hin’s official nightlife street, Soi Bintabat and nearby Poolsuk Road have a lineup of beer bars with pool tables, sports TVs and girls to keep you company. Mai Thai, next to Hilton Hua Hin, attracts a steady crowd every evening, while the Johnnie Walker’s Sports & Music Bar on Selakam Road proves popular among the expats. U Turn in Soi Bintabat is a friendly place with an outdoor seating area and comfortable loungers.
Opening Hours: 19:00-01:00
THINGS TO DO
The best things to do in Hua Hin are tailor made for family fun by the seaside. It is true that most Thais envisage Hua Hin as a romantic and elegant gateway holiday destination, a notion started off about 100 years ago when the Royal Family members and the well-to-do would spend their summers here.
As a result, Hua Hin now has countless lovely seaside houses, villas and a few attractive vintage summer palaces. These are all popular Hua Hin attractions, but the newer, purpose-built shopping and sightseeing villages mean there is something for all generations. Hua Hin is usually full of people taking a break from Bangkok at weekends and as it’s just a short drive away its popularity has remained. Much of Hua Hin’s attraction lies in the town’s charming old-world feel, best illustrated in Hua Hin Railway Station and the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace.
Like so much in Hua Hin, Maruekhathaiyawan Palace summer seaside palace was built in the early 1920s during the reign of King Rama VI. It was designed by an Italian architect and features lots of verandas, latticework and covered boardwalks using golden teak from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. Set on a vast manicured landscape fronting idyllic Cha Am Beach, the candy-coloured mansion comprises three one-storey pavilions with more than 1,000 pillars supporting them to avoid flood damage. All buildings are connected by covered boardwalks, designed to catch cool breezes from all directions, leading all the way to the beach front.
When approached from afar, the sight of the palace against the backdrop of white sands and cerulean-blue sea conjures up an image of a place suspended in time. You can almost imagine court servants scurrying down the corridors, going about their daily business, while the king and royal consorts take residence in the royal chambers. Back in those days, each of the three buildings had clearly defined functions. A series of halls located in the south wing served as the residence of the king and royal consorts.
These consisted of royal sitting and relaxing rooms, the royal chamber of the princess consort and a reading room. The north wing served as accommodation for court servants, and the two-story open pavilion or ‘Samoson Sewakamat Hall’ served as the official venue for royal functions as well as for theatre and entertainment.
Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00
Location: 9km south of Cha-Am at the Camp Rama VI military compound
Tel: +66 (0) 32 508 039
The Railway Station was built during the reign of King Rama VI, and only a short distance from the centre of town, Hua Hin’s railway station and adjacent royal waiting room are undeniably attractive. The brightly painted wooden buildings that are Thai in concept and design somehow manage to have a ‘Victorian’ feel to them. Even if you don’t arrive at the resort by train, go and have a look. It’s charming, quirky and photogenic.
Opening Hours: 07:00-23:00
Location: Western end of Damnernkasem Road
Tel: +66 (0)32 511 073
Vana Nava is Thailand’s best water park, offering thrilling rides and world-class facilities just a short ride south of Hua Hin town.
There are 19 rides in total, each of which is very professionally assembled, with plenty of fast food restaurants and shopping options to make this a great day out for the whole family. In fact, Vana Nava draws in plenty of people from Bangkok and even further afield as the rides here are on a different level to anything else currently offered. Safety is also taken very seriously here, with marshals supervising each ride to make sure everyone is having fun and using the rides correctly. Be aware that children under 90 cm tall won’t be able to ride some slides.
Thailand’s largest water slide called ‘The Abyss’ is the biggest draw for adrenaline junkies, where six people surf on a circular inflatable up and down a huge vert reaching speeds of up to 45 km per hour, while the ‘Aqua Loop’ is a fun, multi-levelled water rapids ride that is accessible for everyone. A 31-metre, man-made waterfall is a stunning centrepiece to the park.
The Aqua Loop is a thrilling ride that shoots riders along at 60 km per hour into a loop-the-loop and out the other end – once is rarely enough!
While people who have experienced the world’s finest water park in the US might find the park a little small in comparison, folks in Thailand are thrilled at having these white-knuckle rides to enjoy in the balmy heat of Hua Hin. You can come for half a day and enjoy each of the rides, or take the full day and perhaps repeat a few of your favourites.
Black Mountain Water Park offers a fun-filled day for families and anyone needing a big splash. The park features nine different water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, beach pool, kids’ pool, and more – all set on a vast mountain-hugged landscape fronting a main-made lake just 10km north of Hua Hin. Owned and managed by the same people behind the Black Mountain Golf Course, the water park is the latest attraction in the group’s portfolio. It’s located opposite the golf course, on a local road that passes through Wat Huay Mongkol and Baan Silapin.
Most of the park is open spaces, with little pockets of trees and greenery dotting the landscape. The nine water slides are grouped together, so you don’t have to walk very far to try them all. Some are built for speed, with long, narrow tubes that plunge straight down or in successions to the pool below, while others go round in circles before spitting you out in one big splash. From the water slides, you get to the slide pool and lazy pool. Ride an inner tube, or just float, and simply go with the flow.
The swim-up pool bar is ideal for quenching your thirst, while the spa pool and fountain pool offer a little break from all the adrenalin-packed activities. The wave pool sends out huge waves every 20 minutes, and the beach pool is, well, like a natural beachfront.
Upon entering, you will get a mini waterproof bag and an electro-magnetic bracelet which is your locker key. Other facilities include a restaurant serving Asian and Western fare, a souvenir shop and first aid room. It’s a good idea to arrive in the morning to avoid the midday sun. Bring a hat and wear sunscreen to protect yourself. Also remember to take a break and drink lots of liquid.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Location: About 10km from Hua Hin. From Hua Hin Soi 56, take the road that winds around the back of the Hua Hin Railway Station and follow the signs.
Tel: +66 (0)90 446 6129
RESTAURANTS
Dining out in Hua Hin means enjoying a great meal in an idyllic atmosphere, rather than indulging in a fine-dining experience (although there are more and more high end options available). For many holidaymakers, seafood is the main reason to embark on a weekend trip to Hua Hin, and they are absolutely right. So, our best advice when it comes to dining in Hua Hin is to follow where they go.
This means most meals will take advantage of the bountiful seafood offerings available at the best restaurants in Hua Hin, and at much cheaper prices than you will find in Bangkok or Phuket. There is no more enjoyable dining experience in Hua Hin than eating freshly caught ocean treasures while looking out to sea on a breezy, balmy evening.
You Yen Hua Hin Balcony: Fronting the sea and surrounded by a landscaped garden, this seafood restaurant gives you a glimpse into the Hua Hin of yesteryear. The restaurant is set in an elegant, restored wooden Thai house, built in 1920s, with a sweeping beachfront that doubles as an al fresco dining area. You Yen Hua Hin Balcony’s menu focuses on regional Thai dishes, with a selection of traditional snacks as well as fiery tom yam and Thai salads.
Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Location: 29 Soi Hua Hin 51, near Klai Kangwon Palace
Tel: +66 (0)3 253 1191
Cuisine: Seafood
Beach Society at SO Sofitel Hua Hin: Beach Society combines ocean views with a modern menu of signature creations. The international dishes are all made with the freshest Thai ingredients, and surrounded by SO Sofitel Hua Hin’s beachfront, there are few cooler places to dine. This is certainly more on the side of western comfort food than haute cuisine, but when you are just a few metres from the lapping shore of Cha-Am it fits perfectly. The squid with polenta, mushroom and sundried tomato is a must try, as is the rich choco-lava cake for dessert.
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
Location: 115 Moo 7 Tambol Bangkao, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0)32 709 555
Cuisine: International
Chao Lay Seafood: Close to the fishing pier, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, this casual eatery serves up great Thai-style seafood dishes. The open kitchen and tanks containing live fish and shell fish are on the ground floor, while the upper level houses a large, semi-outdoor seating area. Baked scallops in garlic butter sauce, crab curry, deep-fried Indo-Pacific mackerel in fish sauce and tom yam seafood are highly recommended.
Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00
Location: 15 Naresdamri Road, Hua Hin
Tel: +66 (0)32 513 436
Cuisine: Seafood