Laksasubha Hua Hin

Baan Laksasubha resembles a Mediterranean villa, with lots of bright whites and plenty of natural light throughout its interiors. The low-rise white building entrance one sees from the street doesn't give much indication of what a beautiful property it is inside, but simply set one foot inside the lobby and the refined, bright style is immediately clear. A mosaic-tile floor is set with red-cushioned couches underneath colored Chinese lanterns, and light streams in through the white louvered shutters that open to the garden and parking lot outside. There are cabinets set with decorative jade, ceramic jars, and art pieces, while bright paintings hang on the walls. The overall look makes for a warm welcome to the property, which is laid back and sophisticated. The owner is a relative of the Thai Royal family and her house and some of the resort's original buildings are done in vintage Hua Hin elegance, with the main house still on the grounds behind a gate. This hotel is one of the Hua Hin's lovelier properties, well taken care of and a pleasure to wander through, as it feels lived-in and loved. Families and couples stay here, and many of the guests are repeat visitors. 

Baan Laksasubha has everything a tourist could want in a location, especially by Hua Hin standards. The property fronts the beach in Hua Hin, with some of the best sand to be found in the area, and it's almost right in the center of town. Plan on a 10-minute walk to the heaviest concentration of restaurants and bars in town, and another five minutes on foot to the Night Market. Guests don't have to rely on shuttle buses, taxis, or other transport to get around, which is a luxury in this area where resorts spread far and wide along the coast. Despite being so close to the center, the resort is in a quiet neighborhood, on a side street which doesn't see too much traffic. It combines all of the best of Hua Hin: beach access, city access, and quiet grounds. The Hua Hin Train Station is only five minutes away by car, or 10 minutes on foot. The closest airports are all the way back in Bangkok, which is at least a two-and-a-half hour drive from the hotel -- this can fluctuate dramatically depending on traffic.

There are 52 rooms to choose from at Baan Laksasubha, and all have lots of natural light, white walls, laminated wood or tiled floors, and large glass sliding doors leading onto private terraces. Expect to see quaint, artsy accents that vary across categories -- like wood carvings on the walls, or bright pops of color in floral prints -- alongside details like all-white furniture with classic silhouettes. It's a contemporary twist on vintage Thai style. Tamarind Studios, the cheapest options, aren't as spacious as higher categories and look a bit austere, but still offer all the same amenities: flat-screen TV with cable channels, DVD player, minibar, electric kettle plus free tea and coffee, electric safes, bathrobe and slipper sets, and large air-conditioning units. Free bottled water is tucked inside the mini-fridge. The only drawback of these, and the Garden View rooms as well, is the lack of desks, but then again, this isn't a property for business travelers. Bathrooms feature large mirrors with hand-crafted wood frames, and the Tamarind Studios have glass vanity sinks. All rooms have lovely rainfall showers. The Garden View and Garden Veranda Rooms are available on the first and second floors; guests can rent the entire villa if desired, and also get a two-bedroom room by opting for connecting rooms on the first floor. All rooms include fast, free Wi-Fi. Somewhat surprisingly for a beachside resort, no rooms offer sea views.

Baan Laksasubha Resort has an excellent array of facilities. To start with, the resort features two swimming pools. One is set in a tropical garden and has a kids' section at one end. The second pool is next to the beach, and while it is a small infinity pool, it has plenty of sun loungers set under red umbrellas facing the sand. In addition to the pools, there is also the excellent beach; some of the widest and whitest sand to be found in Hua Hin (many of the beaches in the area are underwhelming at best). The resort sets up beach umbrellas right out by the sea. Keep in mind that all of these areas can get crowded, especially on weekends and during high season.

For dining and drinking, the Ocean Breeze restaurant serves a free buffet breakfasts and then all day dining, with both Thai and Western items available, with a heavy emphasis on fresh seafood. A small spice and vegetable garden on-site provides local ingredients that are used in the kitchen. The restaurant offers seafood buffets and barbecues for specialty nights. The adjacent L Bar is a great spot to watch the waves roll in and enjoy cocktails, wines, and other drinks, plus provides easy access to the pool. 

In addition to dining and swimming, Baan Laksasubha features a small spa, set separately from the main building in front of the hotel, where massage and other wellness treatments are available. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the property. Another plus is the large car park with plenty of parking spaces, something that isn't always easy to come by in this part of Hua Hin.