Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin

Popular primarily with couples, Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin is a luxe resort property facing a public beach in Hua Hin. The red-stone building is fronted by tropical greenery, while the lobby is bright and low-key, featuring open-air spaces dotted with plush patio furniture that look out on small, pool-like fountains. Similar fresh, understated decor in cheerful whites and vibrant hues can be found throughout the property, creating a polished look that's far from traditionally Thai. Grounds are filled with tropical shrubs and greenery, and there's a stretch of white sand between the hotel and the lackluster public beach it abuts.

As the name reveals, Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin is located in Hua Hin, a seaside resort town about three hours by car southwest of Bangkok. It's right on the beach in an area dominated by small hotels, and a 10-minute drive from the center of town. Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle is a 17-minute drive from the resort, while the Sam Phan Nam Floating Market takes 22 minutes to reach by car. Wat Huay Mongkol, a temple dedicated to a locally revered Thai monk, is about a 30-minute drive away. Pa La-U Waterfall is just over an hour away by road. It's a six-minute drive to the Hua Hin Airport.

The Rest Detail offers five room types, all with bright, airy decor -- think light-wood floors, wispy curtains, and sea-blue lamps -- and lovely views. Bathrooms have a similar airy design, with mint-green partitions and walk-in rainfall and massage showers. Higher category rooms add separate tubs and bath salts. Standard amenities include 32- or 42-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, minibars, safes, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Beach accessories including sandals, totes, shirts, and fisherman pants are also provided. Note that rooms lack clocks in an effort to promote relaxation, though the free Wi-Fi makes it easy for travelers without watches to find out what time it is. Entry-level Rest Green rooms sleep up to three and have balconies with daybeds. The next level up, Rest Spirits, are around the same size but have partial ocean views, while Rest Horizon units are a bit larger and add sea views and private hot tubs. The hotel also offers Pool Village rooms with outdoor decks featuring direct access to a large swimming pool, as well as similar Beach Village units with direct access to the sand. Four villa-style Pavilions are also available. These include two-bedroom North and South Rest Pavilions, which have their own private kitchens and small pools with waterfall features. Other options include the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Beach Rest Pavilion, complete with butler service and a private pool, and the huge, two-story Grand Rest Pavilion, a four-bedroom house with direct beach access, a private upstairs deck, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a large private pool.

Rest Detail Hotel features a solid array of amenities aimed primarily at leisure travelers. Dining options include Rest Gastro, a garden restaurant offering a daily international buffet breakfast (included in room rates) and dinner (only in Monsoon season). The poolside Rest Scene is open for lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner, and serves Thai and international cuisine, while Leaf serves baked goods and tea throughout the day. Room service is available 24/7. The Restfully Yours Spa is open daily and offers a variety of massage and beauty treatments, however, the hotel notably lacks a gym. Two beautiful pools have turquoise tiling and lots of surrounding greenery. An open stretch of wide sand sits above the less attractive public beach, though there are no chairs for guests. On-site activities include morning Ashtanga yoga classes, painting lessons, massage classes, and instruction in Thai cooking and cocktail mixing. Three meeting and event spaces can be rented, the largest of which fits up to 80 people, plus wedding packages are available. Additional features include a DVD library, laundry service, and a concierge that can arrange for golf at one of the many nearby courses or car rentals. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.