Travel Thailand: Hua Hin
March 20, 2019
A holiday in Hua Hin is sure to please your whole family. Jenny Rephaeli shares what’s on offer for all ages, plus a hidden gem that keeps her family wanting to return again and again.By Jenny RephaeliYou have probably heard of Hua Hin and maybe even visited this beach resort town situated around 140 kilometers from Bangkok. Not only is it heaven for adults who enjoy water sports like kitesurfing, the nightlife, and designer clothes shopping, but also for parents of young children who would like to enjoy some time away.
The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects.BAMBI News welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.
How to get there
This resort town on the Gulf of Thailand is around 3-hours drive from Bangkok. There are options to travel there by train, bus, or van and some resorts also offer transportation from pick up points in Bangkok. If you prefer to drive, there are many places to stop along to stretch your legs. I recommend the restrooms and shopping mall on Phet Karen Road where they have a variety of restaurants and an arcade for children on the top floor.Places to explore
- Must-see attractions are Hua Hin Railway station and Maruekhathaiyawan Palace where you can see the beautiful and unique teak wood architecture of the area. The Palace is located halfway between Cha-am and Hua Hin towns so you can book a day tour or explore on your own if you have transport.
- The Cicada Market is an open-air location where Hua Hin’s artistic talents sell handmade crafts and art. You will also find a small Thai history museum and beer gardens with live music for all the family to enjoy.
- The famous night market is situated in the center of town. It has a vast selection of seafood restaurants and street food. You can find basically anything at the market including clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs.
- Another big hit with families traveling to Hua Hin is Black Mountain Water Park. It features nine different water slides, a wave pool, beach pool, lazy river, and kids pool. This attraction can be a whole day of fun and is only 15 minutes from the town center.
- Santorini Park Cha-am is a Greek-influenced amusement park with enough activities for kids to enjoy in an afternoon. It also has an outdoor playground, quite a few shops, and restaurants. The place has an open area creating the opportunity for kids to run around and stretch their legs.
- The Venezia Hua Hin is another delightful place for all the family to enjoy. This Venice-themed shopping village has a small canal allowing you to soak up the atmosphere with a gondola cruise just like in Venice.
Where to stay
So where would be a good place to stay in Hua Hin that won't break the bank? We found a hidden gem just 45 kilometers from Hua Hin and only 20 kilometers away from nearby Pranburi. Dolphin Bay Resort is a 3.5-star beachfront resort which is well known to some of the expat community in Bangkok.The resort is owned by a French woman, Agathe Verge, who has been running the resort successfully for the last 17 years. This high-standard, affordable resort has 59 rooms to offer including joint and family suites. There are also private villas for larger families or small groups with a private pool.The layout of the resort is what gives this place a secure feeling allowing children to run around or wander around the garden and playground freely while parents can watch from the balcony, restaurant, or swimming pool. This place really cannot be mistaken for anything other than an extremely child-friendly resort, it even has a mini soccer field next to a fun playground with swings. Other facilities to enjoy include:- Two large swimming pools including a kids pool with a slide.
- Badminton can be played anytime as the resort has rackets and shuttlecocks at no extra charge.
- There are also ping pong and foosball tables under shelter so kids can enjoy playing in any weather condition.
- The resort has a small air-conditioned clubhouse filled with toys and has age-appropriate movies showing all day long allowing kids to chill out between outdoor play and swimming.
- The spa is available for both children and adults seeking a massage or a mani-pedi.
About the Author
Jenny has been an expat in Asia for the last 10 years, and is married and a full-time mother of two. She is an NLP practitioner and studying to become a counseling practitioner with a focus on CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Her goal is to work with children to overcome behavioral and development problems to lead them on a path to emotional stability, confidence, and independence.The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects.BAMBI News welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.