I love Bangkok and have been there a few times over the past years but it can be intense. So if you’re looking for a day trip or a short get-away to be with nature, head over the popular seaside escape of the residents of Bangkok and originally by the royalties. 200 km from Bangkok, Hua Hin is easy to get to by hired car, taxi, or even public buses.
Centara Grand Beach Resort
Hua Hin Beach is a wide stretch of fine white sand where you find many high-end resorts. As part of the familiarization trip by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Aiways last September, we were hosted at one of the most luxurious resort in Hua Hin, the Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas.
This hotel was built in 1923 and used to hosts guests of the King. It has maintained the old world feel walking through the hallways and the lush garden that is comparable to that of of French chateaux. It is by the beach where the sun rises so you might want to wake up early to catch it.
Here are a few photos to give you a glimpse of this fabulous resort. Full review coming next.
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin
Address: 1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin
Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
Hua Hin Hills – Winery in Thailand!
Guess what would get me out of my comfortable beach chair very fast? Wine! 40km from the beach up the mountain is Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, maker of the award winning Monsoon Valley Wines. Who knew Thailand produce such excellent wines!
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is built on a former elephant corral where elephants were domesticated. You can still see them roaming around the vineyard giving tourists ride. The soil and weather is found to be conducive to growing grapes and in 2003 Siam Winery is born.
The best way to experience their wine is by enjoying a meal at the al fresco dining restaurant with a magnificent view of the vast 560 acre vineyard. The Sala, Wine Bar and Bistro is a true locavore with menu that is sourced locally and wine paired is made from grapes grown in their vineyard. We had a truly satisfying meal consisting of modernized Thai dishes and later did a proper wine tasting.
To complete the experience at Hua Hin Hills, take a guided tour of the scenic vineyard with one of these old school land cruisers. It has a bit of a Jurassic Park adventure tour feel to it. :)
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard / The Sala Wine Bar and Bistro
Address: 204 Moo 9, Baan Khork Chang Patana,
Nong Plup, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Thailand
Phone:+66 81 701 0222
Khao Tao Temple with View
Khao Tao is an impressive temple complex built on the rocky cliff that offers a spectacular view of the coast. The temple is built on multi-level of caves with many different Buddha statues. It is a bit of a walk and climb but it’s not hard as it is well paved.
Wat Tham Khao Tao
Soi Hua Hin 101 (Khao Tao Road), Khao Tao, Thailand
Vana Vana Hua Hin Water Jungle
Vana Vana is a spectacular jungle themed water park in the middle of Hua Hin. This is a place idea for family with children or group of friends. It offers so many new and exciting attractions including several thrilling giant slides. It has a LOT of slides of different “scary” levels. A huge wave pool with manmade sandy beach is a cool place to just chill on one of the yellow floaters. Surf Zone is a surfing simulator where you can learn how to surf like a pro. There are over 20 attractions plus several restaurants and souvenir shops. I think you need more than a day to fully enjoy the park, like Disneyland and Universal Studios. They’re actually building a hotel nearby so guests can enjoy multi-day fun at this jungle water park.
Vana Vana Hua Hin Water Jungle
Address: 129/99 Soi Moo Baan Nong Kae, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District, 77110, Thailand
Hours: 10AM–6PM
Phone: +66 32 909 606
Hua Hin Night Market
Shopping probably outranks wats and beaches in Thailand. In Hua Hin, they have its own version of chatuchak. Hua Hin night market offers a wide variety of food, drinks, desserts, and various souvenirs. Get your fix of Phat Thai, Hoi Thot, fresh seafood, Indian roti, and others. If you are in Hua Hin, you will most probably end up here at some point.
There are so much more to visit in Hua Hin, but these are the only ones we are able to visit given the time. For more attractions, check out the Tourism Authority of Thailand website, or TAT Facebook Page
Check-out other popular Day Trips from Bangkok:
Thai Airways recently had a flash sale and I spontaneously booked cheap tickets to Thailand. Adding this to the list of interesting things to do!
Yay, glad this helped. Dine at the vineyard in Hua Hin. It’s super nice.