[abcdef]

We are thinking of going to Hua Hin for some days. Reasons are that flights to Bangkok are not expensive, easy to drive from there, perhaps good beaches. Any feedback on that place in terms of beach quality, stay and food? Tks.

[dougp]

Spent a few days there about 11 years ago, so memories are hazy and well out of date, but for what they're worth.... Quite a nice place - lots of guesthouses, bars (still the best Irish Coffee I've had anywhere!) and restaurants, decent mix of food - local and western. The beach itself was ok, but the sea was extremely rough and churned up when we were there (Jan/Feb I think).

Certainly a pleasant place for a few days back at that time.

[Zackxx]

I live & work in BKK and been to Hua Hin a few times but not any more.

The attraction of Hua Hin as a beach resort town is, well, the beach.

But when the water is so polluted & full of itchy sea lice the beach becomes unswimable so whats the point of going? Tourists, both foreign & domestic are largely confined to the resorts swimming pool but then I don't need to leave BKK for that.

Take my advice and book an Asia airlines flight online and fly to either Phuket or Krabi. If you book early you can get a return flight ex BKK for about THB2000. Book an AVIS rental online at the airport (THB1200perday) and if Phuket drive to Kata beach in the south (40mins). The beaches are cleaner, less crowded and due to the tsunami costs are low.

[sj23]

We stayed at Cha Am (close to Hua Hin) at Christmas and visited Hua Hin a couple of times during our trip.

The beach there was OK, pretty busy (specially compared with Cha Am) but probably not as bad as Shek O in summer I wouldn't really call it a "quality beach" though - there's too many people to really relax and the sand wasn't as nice as, say, other parts of Thailand. You can hire horses, jetskies, banana boats etc so there's horse poo and noise + diesel. Wasn't too bad for a stroll in the afternoon though

There are loads of restaurants, some good (we had great Italian on Christmas Day) some bad and they even have Burger King and Starbucks if that's your thing The seafood wasn't too bad around there either! And of course cheap shopping, there's quite a good night market.

It wasn't really my scene but there was plenty to do and it IS handy to Bangkok. Pick a good hotel and relax by the pool if you end up hating the beach

PS - Cha Am was quieter and the beach was nicer.

[sayan]

I agree better spots are in the south like Krabi and Trang. How about checking out Ko Lanta- its so quiet and laid back unlike anything near bangkok. I have a good Thai friend who runs a great Fishing / Tours operation to all the nearby islands and can help you sort out accomadations. Have a look here.
http://www.lantalongtail.com/

[Katanga]

Went to Hua Hin at Christmas and stayed at the Evason Hideaway which was very nice.

The beach is pretty crap - the water is very rough and throughout the 10 days I never saw anyone in the water...ever !

They always advertise the drive from BGK as a 2hr drive but is more like 3.5hrs and it took about 4.5hrs when going back to BGK.

If its a beach holiday you are looking at I don't think its the best.

[rhettpic]

Why bother !!!
Agree with Zackxx ... I lived and worked in Hua Hin for 2 years but I'd definitely go to Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui - beaches are better, food is better, water is cleaner, shopping is cheaper, better range of hotels and a wider mix of people (Hua Hin has large amounts of 40+ European tourists and families with children).

[illbback]

Hua Hin is nice if you want to just relax in a resort. The beach is nothing spectacular. We stayed in Anatara Resort (expensive) and that was really nice. Rent a scooter and just cruise around town is a great way to see the town.
Krabi is very beatiful and the beach is really clear. You can see schools of fish just swimming around you. Stayed at the Maritime resort, not expensive but very zen like environment.
Phuket's beach is very rough, maybe because we have a rain storm the days before. It has a busy strip for young crowd and for partying folks. Local people are sly and they'll try to get your money every which way they can, very much like Bangkok.

However, we have fun in all those places. It adds character to Thailand.
A great place to go for vacation.

[abcdef]

Thank you, everybody. This is really helpful.

Can anyone suggest websites for domestic flight bookings in Thailand?

[Zackxx]

http://www.airasia.com/

Book early fo get the cheap seats. (& before the airline folds because of the Taksin share scandal)