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HOTSPOT: HUA HIN & CHA AM


Hua Hin


& Cha Am T


LESSER KNOWN


Both resorts are reachable by road or train from Bangkok, making them a consideration for stopovers or for families keen to avoid an extra fl ight. The resorts are also renowned for their quality spas, not least the world-famous Chiva Som. Hua Hin may not be known for its nightlife but its night market is among the best in Thailand.


ROYAL CONNECTIONS The Bangkok residents who use Hua Hin and Cha Am as a bolthole have long included the Thai royal family. There’s an ornate royal waiting room at the station and two palaces in the area. Older palaces and temples, can be found at hilltop cultural park Phra Nakhorn Kiri in Phetchaburi city. Khao Luang cave temple, which


is fi lled with Buddha statutes, is another attraction.


RECENT feature of this


ADDITIONS ALEENTA HUA HIN-PRANBURI


Aleenta off ers Harley Davidson transfers from Bangkok. Riders experience farmland, fi shing villages, karst scenery and a cave temple en-route and stop for a picnic lunch. aleenta.com


COMING UP U AVELA HUA HIN


A French bistro-style restaurant with views over the white sand beach is a standout


58-room resort, due to open in the third quarter of 2015. There’s an elevated lobby with garden views, a fi tness centre and spa.


uhotelsresorts.com


RADISSON BLU RESORT HUA HIN A Radisson Blu is due to open in 2015/16. Parent company Carlson has promised cutting-edge architecture and rooms with direct pool and beachfront access


THAILAND HUA HIN


hey may be less well known than Phuket and Samui but neighbouring Hua Hin and Cha Am, on the Gulf of Thailand, have a local fl avour and attractive unique selling points all their own. Along the pine-fringed beaches there is a great mix pf accommodation, from large resorts to small boutique hideaways. It's a great choice for a quieter beach break – particularly on weekdays.


Above all, Hua Hin and Cha Am suit the laid back – think spa treatments, quality seafood, afternoon tea at the heritage Sofi tel Centara hotel, a round of golf on one of a dozen courses and the sounds of summer jazz.


TOP TIPS 1 Road transfers take around three hours


from Bangkok. Rail travel is a nice alternative for repeat Thailand visitors. You


can even cruise in on a Harley Davidson. 2 Beaches are among the various venues showing traditional and contemporary bands for free during Hua Hin’s annual Jazz festival, which will next be held in July 2015. jazzfestivalhuahin.com


3 The notorious Bridge over the River Kwai, built by allied prisoners of war at Kancahanburi, is a great day trip, closer to Hua Hin than Bangkok.


4 Cha Am is renowned for its seafood restaurants, which are clustered on Ruamjit Road. In Hua Hin, the night market is a great spot for Thai and Indian-infl uenced food.


or private whirlpools or plunge pools. carlson.com


MÖVENPICK HOTELS & RESORTS


As part of its Thailand expansion, Mövenpick plans to be operating a hotel at Hua Hin by the end of 2015. möevenpick-hotels.com


OTHER


OPTIONS REST DETAIL


This boutique hotel includes villas and pavilions. Sunrise yoga, massage and


cocktail classes and daily high tea can be enjoyed on site. Excursions include trips to the Monsoon Valley vineyard. restdetailhotel.com


ANANTARA HUA HIN Lagoon Room and Anantara Suite guests benefi t from a range of special privileges that include complimentary


afternoon tea, a 16.00 check out and an appointment with the ‘chief experience guru’. anantara.com


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CHA AM


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