We Stayed at the Marriott Hua Hin in 2002 and had a great time. Not a great deal of shopping but nice restaraunts and a really nice friendly feel. The beach is a city beach rather than a tropical Island beach , but still fine to swim in and the sand quality was still nice. The Hilton is the only hotel stumbling distance from the majority of restaraunts, but the Tuk-Tuks are plentyful and cheap. It was only 50 baht back then from the Marriott to the centre of town and the walk would be no more than 15 min. The Hyatt seemed to be a bit nicer but it was a bit further out and the Sofitel looked magnificent , was closer to town, but a bit out of our budget. If we had a choice I think the Sofitel would be the pick.
If you play golf, then take your clubs as the courses are plentiful and cheaper than other resort centres. There was also an old pier in town that housed many seafood restaraunts, and dining there was a highlight of our trip.
If you want some photos, send your email to my message box and I will post them to you. I would proberbly go there again, but would stop over in Bangkok first to get my shopping fix.And dont expect too much nightlife as most bars close down by 2pm. (late enough for me)

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