Anantasila Villa by the Sea, Hua Hin

Set on landscaped grounds dotted with palm trees, the beachfront Anantasila by the Sea is housed in a building that is more Mediterranean than Thai, with its terra cotta facade and arched entryways. The open-air lobby features white pillars and colorful striped sofas and chairs. Guests gather here and on the spacious pool deck lined with palm trees. Another relaxing spot is the restaurant and bar patio overlooking the Gulf of Thailand -- the restaurant has an eclectic, bright look, with plenty of framed vintage posters on the walls. There are plenty of opportunities for recreation, including a 25-meter outdoor pool that's long enough for a lap swim, and the beach with water sports like boating and jet skiing. The resort is a pleasant spot for tourists who don't mind staying a bit outside central Hua Hin, and families appreciate the wealth of activities and availability of large rooms.

Anantasila by the Sea is located on a large stretch of beach at the southern end of Hua Hin, in an area with a lot of residences and condos. It's not the most convenient location for sightseeing, but a local fish market, a few restaurants, bars, and small shops are within walking distance. The resort is a three-minute drive east of the Suan Son Pradipat Railway station and a seven-minute drive southeast of the open-air Cicada Market with its art, handmade crafts, beer garden, and live music. A 10-minute walk north, Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Mountain) features a hilltop temple with panoramic views of the surrounding area. The hotel offers free shuttle service to central Hua Hin. Hua Hin Railway Station, with its vintage painted buildings, is a 15-minute drive north, and the Hua Hin Night Market has restaurants and merchandise stalls and is a 17-minute drive north of the resort. Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park is a 12-minute drive northwest and Klai Kangwon Palace and the Panee Butterfly Garden are a 20-minute drive north. Wat Huay Mongkol and the statue of Luang Pu Thuat are a 25-minute drive northwest of the resort. Anantasila by the Sea is nearly three hours southwest of Bangkok, where the closest major airport can be found.

The Anantasila has 84 all non-smoking rooms in a five-floor main building and surrounding buildings of various heights. Rooms come in many categories, many based on the type of view, and have various bedroom configurations including suites and villas that can be ideal for families. Rooms range from 225 to 365 square feet (21 to 34 square meters) in lower categories to 750 square feet (70 square meters) in the larger suites, and up to1600 square feet (149 square meters) in the apartments and villas. Rooms have some upscale elements, but are not luxurious and the classic styling isn't the freshest we've seen. The decor is a muted Thai style, with soft brown, gold, tan, green, and blue shades predominating. Rooms feature wood furnishings and white cotton bedding with upholstered headboards and print throws. Many rooms have hardwood floors, though others have tile floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of surrounding lush grounds, and some rooms have bay views from balconies or terraces. All rooms have air conditioning, in-room safes, mini-fridges, coffee/tea makers, bathrobes, slippers, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with cable and DVD players. Free Wi-Fi is available in most of the rooms, but not all. Some rooms have open-air baths and showers, private plunge pools, kitchens or kitchenettes, dining areas, and living rooms. Bathrooms are clean, well lighted, and spacious, with ample counter space. Some rooms do not have bathtubs. Well-behaved pets are allowed for a fee in the ground-floor bungalow rooms. 

The resort is located right on a clean and uncluttered palm-lined beach next to Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Mountain). No other resorts are in the immediate vicinity so it's like a private beach. The resort provides beach service with lounge chairs and umbrellas, and water sports (jet skis and boats) are available for a fee. The 25-meter outdoor swimming pool is long enough for a genuine lap, and there's a shallow end for children plus a hot tub. Guests can enjoy a massage (for a fee) beside the pool or in their rooms, though there is no proper spa. The restaurant serves Thai specialties plus a wide variety of European and American dishes, including pizzas from a brick oven. The breakfast buffet includes an omelet station, but is not included in room rates. The restaurant features a buffet with live cooking stations on weekends and room service is available. The beachfront bar and large restaurant patio offers unobstructed views of the gulf, and the bar pours an excellent selection of signature cocktails, including lemongrass mojitos. On the weekends live music is performed on the patio. The hotel also offers a mini-golf course, meeting rooms, public computer, concierge service, 24-hour front desk, and free parking. Wi-Fi is free in public areas and some rooms. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to central Hua Hin.