Baan Talay Dao Resort

Situated on a white-sand beach along the Gulf of Thailand, Baan Talay Dao Resort is set amidst lush tropical gardens, trees, fountains, and flowing streams. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing and the buildings look traditionally Thai, with lots of teakwood used in the construction, plus carved wood and colorful tile throughout the interiors. There are a few contemporary accents in the lobby, including linen draped through ceiling banisters and artsy light fixtures, and while the resort is modern, it's not the most chic or up-to-date. The resort's centerpiece building is its clubhouse, an authentic 90-year-old Thai teak house on stilts, built during the reign of King Rama VII. The clubhouse and dining room open to the outdoors, creating an airy vibe. Guests gather here, and in and around the scenic infinity pool, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and bordered by a teak deck with lounge chairs and umbrellas. The resort is geared toward tourist families and couples, the latter drawn by the intimate and romantic atmosphere of this simple, tucked-away property.

The beachfront Baan Talay Dao Resort is located in the Khao Takiab area at the southern end of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand. Featuring handmade crafts, a beer garden, and live music, the open-air Cicada Weekend Market is a 10-minute walk northwest and Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park is a 10-minute drive west of the resort. With lots of monkeys and a hilltop temple with panoramic views, Chopsticks Hill (Takiab Hill) is a 10-minute drive southeast of the hotel. The Hua Hin Railway Station, considered one of the prettiest in Thailand, is a 12-minute drive north, in the same area as central Hua Hin and the Hua Hin Night Market with its restaurants and merchandise stalls. Built in the late 1920s by King Rama VII and used by the present king, the Spanish-style Klai Kangwon Palace is about 20 minutes north of the hotel by car. Adjacent to the palace is the Panee Butterfly Garden. Wat Huay Mongkol and the statue of Luang Pu Thuat are a half-hour drive west. Baan Talay Dao Resort is a two hour and 50-minute drive southwest of Bangkok and three-hour drive southwest of Suvarnabhumi Airport, though traffic is a wild variable in and around Bangkok, so be warned.

Baan Talay Dao Resort has 32 all non-smoking rooms arrayed in buildings around the property. Rooms come in Studio, Pavilion Villa, Pavilion Suite, and Duplex Suite categories and range from 301 square feet in the Studio to 797 square feet in the Duplex Suite (28 and 74 square meters, respectively). Rooms have a contemporary Thai look, with wooden beams or ceiling trim, hardwood floors, and Thai decorative art. The color palette is brown, tan, and white, with white walls and white cotton bedding. Some rooms feature light yellow, salmon, or blue accents. Rooms are quiet, clean, and well-maintained, and get good natural light, though Studios are quite simple and austere. All rooms include balconies or patios, air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TV with cable channels plus DVD players. All rooms but the Studio feature coffee/tea makers, fruit baskets, bathrobes, and slippers. Pavilion and Duplex Suites have two bathrooms with an outdoor bathtub. Some rooms have canopy beds. The 32-inch TVs are a little small to be seen from the beds, and some TVs are set at the side of the bed which makes for a somewhat awkward viewing angle. Bathrooms are clean, spacious, and well lighted with decent counter space and walk-in rainfall showers. The wooden vanities showed a bit of water damage when we visited. Higher category bookings have outdoor tubs on the balcony for an extra luxe touch. 

The Baan Talay Dao Resort's features direct beach access, with good-quality sand and space for walking and recreation. The water is fairly shallow and swimming is safe. The resort's infinity pool, hot tub, and patio face the beach and bay. Here guests can relax and sip a cocktail from the bar. The restaurant serves Thai and international fare with seafood specialties like grouper with cilantro sauce and baked prawns with pineapple salsa. Guests can dine in the clubhouse, beside the pool, or on the patio overlooking the bay. Room service is available and breakfast is included with room rates. There is no fitness center, and though massages can be arranged, there is no proper spa. The hotel also offers a library, a 24-hour front desk, and free parking. Wi-Fi is also free. The staff can arrange horseback riding on the beach, banana boat rides, fishing trips, and other activities.