We've decided to treat ourselves next year and are looking at the Sofitel in Hua Hin. Advantages are that it is in walking distance of local places to eat and drink, the night market and places to sit with a beer and watch the world go by and it's not a high rise hotel. It also seems that Hua Hin has not yet hit the tourism heights of the other main resorts.

Does anyone have any experiences, good or bad and if the latter any alternatives in the area?

Thanks as always

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Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

We stayed at Hua Hin last year but at the Anantara Resort which is about 3 km out of the town and really lovely (free shuttle from the resort every 30 minutes). It's more of a Thai style resort whereas the Sofitel has a real old colonial feel to it.

We checked out the Sofitel while we were there and were most impressed with the huge grounds and the cental location. You are walking distance to everything but because the grounds are so big and leafy you won't even know you're in the middle of town. You won't be disappointed!

The night market is good and there are heaps of nice restaurants nearby - the seafood restaurants on the piers are great. Of course, there are the usual numerous tailors on just about every street but they soon leave you alone after you tell them "no" a few times. The beaches aren't great but if you go a little further south of the town it is better, but if you're staying at the Sofitel you probably won't want to leave the gardens and pool areas anyway!

Have a great holiday

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I stayed at the Sofitel in July and absolutely loved it. It's in a perfect spot and the surroundings are so beautiful and peaceful. Breakfast is sensational, the pool areas are lovely and peaceful (not many children), plenty of lounge chairs available.

If you walk out of the main gate and turn right, at the crossroads on the left hand corner there is a little restaurant - I don't think it even had a name - it had the most delicious food and very well priced. We kept stopping in for a snack and drink on our way back to the hotel.

I enjoyed Hua Hin as we had been in BKK for 6 days so it was nice to get out in the fresh air. Hua Hin is not much of a place for shopping, so best to do that elsewhere.

Feel free to ask any other questions and I'll try to help

We like to eat away from hotels in the evening so any recommendations would be great. We are spending 5 nights in Bangkok first to do some of the things we didn't get round to last year so will be looking forward to a bit of piece and quiet.

Are there any trips worth doing in the area? Any advise and recommendations gratefully received!!

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Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

Alison, you will be spoilt for choice for food. The BBQ seafood at the night markets is excellent value and great taste. We also ate at Jasmines Restaurant in Selakam Rd (a small soi near the Hilton Hotel which was recommended to us by emdee) the Red Curry Duck was amazing! Some other small places that I'm not sure of the name - we tended to stick with the smaller family run places.
We had a treatment at Anama Spa Tanawit Plaza on 1st Floor 64/1 Amnuaysin Rd,Hua Hin, it was heaven. A little more costly than the massage places all over HH but very luxurious without the luxury prices of the hotel.
We booked a tuk tuk for a few hours (hindsight I would rather have been in an a/c car for the trip back) we went to Wat Kamphaeng Laeng - Khmer ruins, Phra Nakhon Khiri - Palace on the Hill and Khao Luang Caves.

We have just spent a long time living out of our suitcases travelling through Eastern Europe and Turkey. After this we spent a week in Thailand and stayed at the Hua Hin Sofitel for a few days we stayed at mainly 4-5 star hotels during our trip and have just returned home this week. We found the Sofitel to be amongst the best of all the hotels we stayed at during our trip (I rated it as second of about 15 hotels we stayed in). It is an excellent hotel for a luxury break with very well trained staff, superior facilities and right in the middle of Hua Hin and on the beach.Food and drinks are of course a bit more than you pay outside but worth it if just for a treat. The problem with staying at hotels like this is that you don't want to stay at lesser establishments on your next trip

I have been to Hua Hin for the past few years. The best shrimp tom yum and other thai food i ever had is at the night market in front of 7-11 called Moo Seafood.

There are loads of sea food restaurants too by the sea if you walk past Hilton from Sofitel, if u would like it near the sea.

There are 2 night markets in Hua Hin and since you have loads of time there check them out and the various food stalls there to check out.