Hua Hin Holidays

Historical Hua Hin has plenty of cultural attractions. Built in 1924, Mrigadayavan Palace is a must-visit and local tours are available, or you can explore on your own. Just be aware that, since it’s a royal residence, you’ll need to wear respectful clothing covering your shoulders and knees. You can also visit Thailand’s oldest railway station, and the Spanish-style Phra Ratchawang Klai Kangwon Palace – but as this is still an official royal residence, it’s not always open to the public.

Somewhat surprisingly, Hua Hin is also a golf hub. There are 10 courses here, all within a 30-minute drive of the city centre. Black Mountain is the most famous. This 27-hole course has been awarded ‘Thailand’s Best Golf Course’ seven times, and has won ‘Best Championship Course’ in Asia twice.

Food plays a big part in any holiday to Hua Hin. The predominantly-Thai clientele means that the cuisine is authentic and delicious. And, thanks to the lack of rain, there are loads of markets and al fresco restaurants here. Take a tour around Hua Hin night market, eat at one of the famous stilted restaurants on the beach, or dine outside under the stars.

Hua Hin Beach is great for families, with gently sloping sands, shallow waters and mild currents. There’s also a huge range of watersports on offer here, so adrenaline junkies will be in their element. You can try everything from water-skiing to banana boating to jet-skiing. But Hua Hin Beach is most famous for its kitesurfing. The steady breeze blowing across the Gulf of Thailand provides perfect conditions, and there are several kite schools dotted along the beach if you want to give it a try.

The beach here is great for activities but, if you want a quiet spot to curl up with a book, Hua Hin may not quite fit the bill. As you’d expect from a beach nuzzled up against a city, it’s often fairly busy. So, if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to unroll your towel, consider heading north to Cha Am. Just a 30-minute drive up the coast, Cha Am’s sands are fringed by greenery, have fewer people, and generally offer a more tranquil experience.

As Thailand’s first ever holiday spot, Hua Hin is somewhat famous for its hotels. There’s a real spectrum of options here, ranging from budget-friendly bases to all-out luxury resorts. In-keeping with the city’s history, Centara Grand Hua Hin is probably the most iconic. Originally called the Railway Hotel, this beachfront retreat first opened its doors in the Twenties, just as Hua Hin was transforming into an escape for the Bangkok elite. Since then, it’s been renovated several times and evolved into a five-star resort, arguably one of the best in all of Asia.

Equally extravagant, Anantara Hua Hin has a prime spot on the beach. The first Anantara resort in the world, this beautiful hotel led the way for dozens more across Thailand and beyond.

For those of you who don't want to be in the thick of Hua Hin, have a look at the Dusit Thani which boasts one of the best stretches of beach along with an incredible on-site spa. 

You’ll find that most luxury Hua Hin hotels have a beachfront postcode, while the more budget-friendly options are tucked further back, peppered among the city’s traditional streets.

Hua Hin is one of the driest areas in the whole of Thailand. With such little rain, there’s never a bad time to go on holiday to Hua Hin. But November to February is the best time to visit, when you can expect low humidity and balmy temperatures in the high-twenties. Thanks to the great weather, though, this is also peak season – the city will be quite busy and hotels are often more expensive.

If you want to avoid the crowds, March, April and May make great alternatives. The humidity will be higher, but you can look forward to long, sunny days and fewer people. Watersports fans should book their Hua Hin holiday between October and May, when the winds are best for activities like kitesurfing.

If you’re travelling around on your Thailand holiday, try to time your Hua Hin trip to be midweek. The weekends can get very busy with city slickers from Bangkok, while Monday to Friday is much quieter.