Hua Hin is not like a classic resort, in the usual sense of the word. First of all, the beaches in this city are much smaller than in other resorts in Thailand. Secondly, Hua Hin’s beaches are often criticized.
So why do so many tourists come to Hua Hin? This resort is chosen by tourists who prefer a holiday in Thailand, and at the same time want to leave Bangkok, which is easily accessible from the CIS countries. Hua Hin is a great option for those who are going for a quiet holiday or want to explore new places in Thailand. The infrastructure in this city is quite good: there are several shopping centers, excellent supermarkets, many bars with soft drinks and local alcohol, a large number of comfortable hotels (some with their own beaches). And since Hua Hin is a small town with one main road stretching along the coast, you can get to any point of it very quickly, and by public transport.
And now let’s try to figure out how comfortable the beaches in Hua Hin are and which one is better to relax on.
Hua Hin’s Best Public beaches
City Beach
This beach is the only one directly in Hua Hin, all others are located in the surrounding area. It occupies almost 10 km of the coast, and is conventionally divided into central, southern and northern sections.
Central part
The central section of the municipal beach is considered the most suitable place for those who like to relax noisily. There are always a lot of people here, but the infrastructure makes it possible to find entertainment for every taste.
There is a central beach next to the Hilton Hua Hin hotel, and there are different ways to get there from the city. For example, from Nares Damri Street, you can walk through the Chinese temple grounds to the Hilton Hotel, and then go down the steps to the beach. You can also pass through the gate on Damnernkasen Street, which is close to the tourist police building.
The water here, although not clear, is clean, and there is no garbage on the shore either. The beach is covered with fine pleasant sand. The bottom is also sandy, but there are rocks, so for swimming you need to choose a crowded place, as far as possible from the huge stones on the shore. The entrance to the water is gentle, the depth begins gradually, you need to walk 20-35 meters to it.
There are sun beds with umbrellas – for vacationers from the nearest hotels they are provided free of charge, for all other tourists their rent will cost 100 baht. But if you don’t want to pay for them, you can just lay your towel on the sand.
On-site activities feature trampolines and horse riding. Because of the large rocks, jet skis and” bananas ” are not available. We should also mention kitesurfing: there are specialized kite schools on the coast where you can rent the necessary equipment and work out with an instructor. The peak season for kitesurfing is in the winter months, when the monsoon blows, while skiing is not always possible during the rest of the year.
Along the beach there is a continuous chain of hotels (mostly 4* and 5*), and almost every one has its own restaurant. Of course, the prices in such establishments are significantly different from the prices in makashnitsy, but the quality of food is also different. Hua Hin Central Market is located here, where souvenirs, summer clothes and shoes are offered in cheap and large quantities. There are shopping centers and travel agencies nearby, massage parlors and brothels are waiting for visitors.
Southern section
The southern beach, which is significantly different from the central one, originates from the mountain Khao Takiab (Mountain of Monkeys). It is so narrow that sometimes you can enter the water directly from the steps of the nearest hotels. With sun beds and umbrellas, the situation here is quite unimportant.
There are very few tourists on this site – it will surely appeal to those who dream of a calm and peaceful holiday. If you need to make purchases or want a variety of entertainment, you can go to the center of Hua Hin by tuk-tuk at any time for just 10 baht.
Standing on Mount Khao Takiab, the temple is often visited by Buddhists, who also gather on the beach. By the way, at the top of the mountain there is an excellent observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the bay.
Northern Zone
This recreation area originates just north of the fishing pier and stretches all the way to the airport.
Although there are no umbrellas and sun loungers, there are many other advantages: the territory is clean and spacious enough, it is always sparsely populated and 100% safe.
Absolute security is ensured due to the fact that Sirikit Park is home to the Royal Palace, which is under the vigilant protection of Thailand’s own army. In the evenings, a line of soldiers passes near the palace, and military vessels are constantly on watch in the sea waters.
By the way, this fact has affected the cost of housing located here: hotel rooms are often more expensive than in the city center.
Khao Takiab Beach
Khao Takiab beach is adjacent to Khao Takiab Mountain, but it is impossible to go along the coast to it-only by highway. From the center of Hua Hin to Takiab, you can take a minibus for 10 baht, although you will have to walk from the stop for another 15 minutes. You can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk, but you will have to pay more. The most convenient option is a trip by car or bike.
This beach has unique sand: very fine white mixed with black volcanic. Because of this mixture, the whole area looks untidy and dirty, especially after low tide. But in reality, there is no more garbage here than in any other place in this resort, because every weekend the beach is carefully cleaned.
On Khao Takiab, the bottom is shallow and shallow for many meters from the shore, although the sea depth increases faster than on Hua Hin’s main beach. The water is slightly muddy due to the almost constant waves.
Khao Takiab can not be called sparsely populated, but there are much fewer tourists on it than on the city beach of Hua Hin. The number of sun beds and umbrellas for rent clearly exceeds the number of people who may need them. Therefore, the cost of these beach attributes is quite affordable: 50 baht.
As for entertainment, horse riding, boating and water scooters, traditional Thai massage are available here.
Near the mountain itself there are many comfortable hotels. There are several streets with houses that can be rented. Most of them cost from 30,000 baht (≈$950) per month.
Xuan Son Beach
Suan Son Pradipat beach is located on the same coastline as Takiab, at a distance of about 1 km from it and 5-7 km from the city. You can’t get there by public transport, only by taxi.
Suan Son is a private beach of the military sports complex. And although there is a roadblock and security at the entrance to the territory of the sports complex, everyone is allowed to go to the beach absolutely free of charge.
Saun Son is also called pine beach, because cassowaries grow near it, which are very similar to pine trees. These tall evergreen trees create a dense shade, sheltering even from the extreme heat.
A wide coastal strip is covered with a mixture of white and black sand, here and there there is sprouted grass, a lot of fallen soft casuarina needles. The bottom of the Sauna is sandy and the water is clear. The depth of the sea increases slowly, shallow water – about 50 m.
On the pine beach there is free parking, a park, a hotel, massage parlors, a playground for children, a toilet. There is a dining room where you can buy delicious local cuisine for just 30-60 baht.
On weekdays , it is almost impossible to rent sun beds and umbrellas on Suan Son, children’s circles. Another thing is on weekends, when companies of Thais come to rest. By the way, mostly local residents have a rest here, Europeans are infrequent. And in vain, because Saung Son is really almost the best beach in Hua Hin – it has the most comfortable and peaceful rest.
Tao Beach
Tao Beach is located a little further from Suan Son, near Mount Thao. Hua Hin city center is approximately 11-12 km away. This beach is calm and sparsely populated, tourists do not spoil it with their attention.
The 100 m wide beach strip is surrounded by vegetation that provides natural shade. The beach is covered with coarse sand and seashells. Swimming here is difficult, because hundreds of meters from the shore-shallow water.
There is no infrastructure on this beach, not even toilets. Its main advantage is its proximity to the picturesque Mount Tao and the Turtle Temple standing on its top.
Near the beach there are several hotels and an excellent restaurant. Directly on the coast there is a complex of villas designed for different numbers of people. In low season, you can rent a room for 3,000 baht per night, while in high season prices go up to 12,000 baht.
Public transport to Tao Beach does not go, you need to get there yourself.
Sai Noi Beach
According to tourists, Sai Noi Beach is the best in Hua Hin, and it is located a 30 – minute drive from the city center. But you can’t get there by public transport, you need to get there yourself. And since there are no hotels nearby, it is not surprising that many people do not come here – mostly couples and singles in love come, seeking a quiet and peaceful holiday.
The beach is quite small: its length is 200 m, width – up to 20 m. Sai Noi is a picturesque bay between Thao Rock and nameless mountain, richly strewn with sand and seashells. Although the territory is surrounded by greenery, there is no natural shade on the main part of it. The water is clear, but not clear due to frequent waves. The sea has a comfortable depth for swimming, and at the same time there are places where children can swim. The most convenient place for swimming on this beach is recognized as its right part, near the cliff, where the waves are small and there are few jellyfish.
This is where the entire infrastructure of the beach is located:
- two modest cafes (Thai food with an average price of 130 baht, the menu is only in Thai, the staff does not speak English);
- makashnitsa (sliced fruit and skewers made from sausages);
- old wooden toilet;
- several rows of rather shabby sun beds and umbrellas.
Sun beds and umbrellas are always available, but the cost varies at different times of the day. In the morning, they try to pass them more expensive: 100 baht for a sunbed or 50 baht for a sunbed if you promise to have lunch at a beach cafe. After lunch, a sunbed is rented for 50 baht, and two sun beds with an umbrella for 100 baht.
The right side of the beach is very clean – it is constantly cleaned by the owners of the cafe. As for the area near Mount Thao, there you can find old cans and bags sticking out of the sand.
Hua Hin Private Beach hotels
Cape Nidhra Hotel
According to vacationers, the 5* Cape Nidhra Hotel is the most romantic in this resort.
- Hotel rating on booking.com very high – 9.1.
- The room rate starts from $ 280 per day – this, of course, is not small, but the quality is quite consistent.
The hotel is small, it consists of 3 and 5-storey buildings. There are 60 rooms in total – there are not too many guests, and the territory is quiet.
All rooms are spacious, beautifully and tastefully furnished (huge comfortable beds, LCD TVs, mini-bars). Each room (on the balcony or in the tropical garden) has a private pool with underwater massage. But in many cases, the water in them is cold, which is why you don’t want to swim.
In addition to its own swimming pools, the hotel has one large communal pool. A fruit and champagne table is served once a week by this pool.
Free private parking is available on site.
The restaurant has two halls – with European and Asian cuisine.
Cape Nidhra is located a 10-minute drive from Hua Hin Railway Station, and at the same time stands in the first line by the sea. This Hua Hin hotel is just a 10-minute walk from its private beach. The beach is really gorgeous: with the purest crisp sand, with a gentle, though slightly long, entrance to the sea. But in high season, with a large influx of tourists, sometimes there is a problem with having time to take a chaise longue in a good place.
Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa
- Another hotel with a 9.1 rating on booking.com – This is the 5* Hua Hin Marriott Resort and Spa, located almost in the central part of Hua Hin.
- Prices for a double room start from $ 125 per night.
The hotel offers free private parking, a beautiful garden, 5 swimming pools, a fitness club and a spa.
The rooms have air conditioning and TVs, nice beds with soft mattresses, lots of large mirrors.
This Hua Hin Hotel & Spa has its own private beach and is just a 4-minute walk from the sea.
The real problem for vacationers were the sun beds – they are clearly 2 times less than the guests. Therefore, without paying attention to the announcements that it is forbidden to reserve sun beds, people take their seats literally from 7 am. At 9 am, it is almost impossible to find an empty seat. The situation is no better with changing booths and women’s toilets on the beach – there are 1 of them for all sunbathers.
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin
- On booking.com Hyatt Regency Hua Hin has a fairly high rating – 8.9.
- As for prices, renting a double room will cost at least $ 120.
In 5* Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, everything is created for a comfortable, carefree holiday. Judging by the standards of Thailand, the hotel occupies a huge plot. It is clean and incredibly beautiful, with its own tropical garden on 12.5 acres, with a large lagoon pool.
Everything here is divided into three zones:
- the standard one, where most of the entertainment is concentrated;
- the clubhouse, the quietest and most peaceful;
- The SPA area is a fairy tale.
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin has several in – house restaurants: McFarland House, which serves European cuisine, Talay Thai with Thai cuisine, and Figs with Italian cuisine.
A hatha yoga class for everyone starts every morning at 8:00 am near the McFarland restaurant. The hotel has a Barai spa, a pool with water slides,and a 24-hour private gym.
Guests can walk directly from the property to the hotel’s private beach area, which stretches for 315 meters. Here they will find not only the sea and the sandy beach of Khao Takiab, but also sun beds under large umbrellas, clean towels.
Supatra Hua Hin Resort
The 4* Supatra Hua Hin Resort is a great option for those who are interested in holidays with children. Complete silence and harmony.
- On booking.com the rating of this hotel with its own private beach is 8.4
- Prices for double rooms start from $ 80 per night.
Supatra Hua Hin Resort is a complex of spacious bungalows with traditional Thai interiors. The rooms have teak furniture and comfortable large beds with soft mattresses. The bathroom is large, with a bath and shower.
The breakfasts are not bad, although a little monotonous: as a rule, they offer a choice of 3 options. The hotel’s own bar is one of the best in Hua Hin. Supatra-by-the-Sea Restaurant serves traditional Thai and European cuisine.
There is a private outdoor swimming pool and a nice spa area. There is everything you need for equestrian sports. Conveniently located nearby is the final stop of cheap tuk-tuks that can take you to the city.
One of the most important advantages of Supatra Hua Hin Resort is access directly to the clean and comfortable Takiab beach.
Conclusion
Although the beaches of most famous resorts in Hua Hin can not be compared, it remains the most striking in Thailand. Comfortable hotels, high-end restaurants, a variety of entertainment, well-groomed beaches of Hua Hin – all this contributed to the fact that the city became one of the most popular resorts in the country even before other modern resorts were built.
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