6 minute read
Featured Destination: Hua Hin
Sports, wellness, verdant forests and happening nightmarkets in a Thai beachside town
Low Season: March-April, September-October
By Claire French
Do you feel like you’re done with hill tribe villages, are all templed out, and survived Bangkok’s nightlife? Maybe you’re ready for something different. Hua Hin is located little more than a couple of hours south of the capital, in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, but has a completely different vibe. This once quiet fishing village on the skinny stretch of mainland north of the Malay peninsula was established as a Royal getaway in the 1920s and has since grown into a fashionable resort town. It’s to Hua Hin that Thais and Bangkok-weary expats flock to relax, let their hair down and enjoy some amazing watersports activities.
Relatively undiscovered by western tourists, Hua Hin makes a fun and fascinating break away from the norm. Thai holidaymakers enjoy Hua Hin particularly in November to February when the dry weather is perfect for frolicking at the beach without being too hot. At this time the sands are crowded and prices are high. At Low Season Traveller, we recommend a visit in March to April which, although more hot and humid, sees fewer crowds and lower prices. Another great time to travel is during the less popular monsoonal months of September to October, when there is still heaps to do at bargain rates.
Family Friendly Fun
You cannot beat Hua Hin for superb waterparks. Black Mountain Waterpark is great for all ages, with facilities including a spectacular wave pool, lazy river, spa pool and children’s adventure pool. Another favourite is the brilliant Vana Nava Waterpark offering plenty of exciting modern flumes including the incredible Virtual Reality slide, the first of its kind in Asia. Dry off and head to Santorini Park, a theme park with ferris wheel and rides, all decked out to look like a Greek island. Experience a gondola ride on the canals of the Little Venice shopping village, or perhaps you’ll prefer the Moroccan inspired Camel Republic, complete with camel rides, zipwire, and 4D cinema.
Golf Like a Pro
Extremely popular throughout Thailand, golf is a huge draw to Hua Hin, with no fewer than 8 courses in close proximity to the town. Black Mountain in particular is a championship course that has already featured a Ryder Cup team and has top professionals visiting regularly. Stunning Banyan Golf Club offers attractive packages with luxury villa stays, while the Royal Hua Hin, opened in 1924, is the country’s first ever course! The Hua Hin-Cha Am Golf Festival held during August-September is a golfer’s chance to play some amazing rounds super cheaply.
Make a Splash
Get yourself some surf lessons, dude, it’s the new big thing to hit the shores of Hua Don Beach. Kitesurfing is still as popular as ever with a whole host of schools offering coaching with their professional tutors. Waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing are also all vying for the attention of your adrenaline; or for a unique kind of activity, you can indulge in a spot of beach horse-riding, trotting through the surf on the ocean’s edge.
TOP EXPERIENCES
Chiva Som Health Resort
This award-winning wellness resort offers a series of retreats to heal body and mind. Elements include yoga, massage, nutrition, and much more aimed at transforming the individual with life-long learning skills in the pursuit of total holistic wellness.
Palisa Organic Farm
Enjoy outstanding nutritious meals in beautiful natural surroundings. If you are feeling energetic, wander the grounds by bike tasting samples and picking fresh leafy green veg, beans, gourds and exotic fruits like mangosteen and rambutan.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
A memorable day trip 60km from the town is the first marine national park of Thailand. Attractions include towering limestone hills along the gulf, an iconic royal pavilion, Kaeo Cave and Thung Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh rich in wildlife.
FOOD & DRINK
Baan Itsara Seafood Restaurant
Atmospheric beachfront venue offering a range of delicious local delicacies. It’s renowned for its signature dish of stir fried crab in sweet basil sauce. Early booking is essential, especially if you want the best sea views.
The Sala, Monsoon Valley Vineyard
Hidden in the nearby hills, and cooler than the town, you can enjoy both Thai and international dishes paired with the vineyard’s own wines, while admiring the gorgeous scenery. Can be combined with a tour of the vineyard.
Vana Nava Sky, Holiday Inn
Perched on the 27th floor is this spectacular roof top bar, the highest in town. Enjoy an extensive menu of cocktails and meals with a 360 degree bird’s eye view of Hua Hin. Look out for the stunning glass floor if you don’t mind heights.
INSIDER TIPS
• Cicada night market is not to be missed. It’s only open on weekends, Friday through Sunday 4pm till 11pm. It’s got a boho feel with lots of artists, vendors and delicious street food. Live bands hit the stage at around 8.30pm.
• Jelly fish season in Hua Hin runs from June to October and the nasty stingers are especially prevalent after rainfall. Take care entering the water, carry vinegar to treat stings, and make full use of your hotel’s pool if you need to.
• Hua Hin has one of the lowest rainfalls in the whole of Thailand. Even in the monsoon season, there are never sustained periods where it rains consistently. Normally a shower will last a few minutes or up to an hour or so.
GOOD TO KNOW
• The last weekend in September sees the Chao Mae Tubtim shrine hold a merit-making event, a Buddhist practice to ensure good karma. The shrine to the fertility goddess is complete with phalluses and a 20 metre concrete crocodile.
• Arriving by train is a lovely scenic way to reach Hua Hin, not least because of the historic train station. A remarkable structure, it’s a mix of elegant Thai curves and Victoria styling, and dates from the reign of King Rama VI.
• Free your inner creator at the artist village of Baan Silapin where galleries, studios and gift shop are open year round. There are a range of classes on offer so you can try your hand at painting or sculpture in a relaxed and inspiring environment.
