Best Beach Resorts in Hua Hin

V Villas Hua Hin is a luxury resort whose clean, empty beachfront is the nicest in Hua Hin. The hotel's 23 hidden-away villas feature all the luxury trappings: fine bedding, Bose sound systems, wine refrigerators, private swimming pools, and private butler service. Common features include an elegant restaurant with sunken tables surrounded by water, a high-end spa, and a large and beautiful infinity-edge pool that overlooks Hua Hin Beach and has a wooden sundeck lined with padded loungers. Rates are expensive, but those looking to splurge will do no better.

This upscale property is one of the most popular places to stay in town. It's located on the beach in a resort-heavy area, and is a short walk to a few restaurants and bars. All 40 of its individual duplexes front a lagoon-style pool that stretches nearly 400 feet. All units have well-stocked minibars, Bose stereos, and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs; some have private rooftop terraces. Noise from neighbors has been an issue for some past guests. Features include an attractive spa, sleek gym, and a pool bar with extended daily happy hour. There's also a beachfront restaurant with Thai and international fare, though the food might not be as dazzling as the views.

Anantasila by the Sea, Hua Hin is an upper-middle-range resort right on a clean, palm-lined beach next to Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Mountain). There are no other resorts are in the immediate vicinity, so Anantasila's big beach feels very private. The 84-room resort provides beach service with lounge chairs and umbrellas, and water sports (jet skis and boats) are available for a fee. The uncluttered stretch of beach and panoramic views of Khao Takiab are a plus, and many of the classically styled rooms are villas and apartments, excellent for groups and families -- some rooms have great sea views. The beachfront bar and large restaurant patio offer unobstructed views of the gulf, and the bar pours an excellent selection of signature cocktails, including lemongrass mojitos.

This five-pearl boutique resort is on the beach, right across from the Grand Night Market and a 10-minute walk to shopping at the Hua Hin Market Village. While all 59 of the gorgeous suites have their own plunge pools, those wanting to swim laps can take advantage of the main saltwater pool -- a huge beach-facing expanse flanked by lounge chairs, cabanas, and greenery. Staff passes free treats like macarons and cold towels. Other amenities include a spa with steam room and sauna, yoga and Thai boxing classes, and a lovely bar with views of the sea. Room service and beachfront dinners are available. Note that breakfast isn't included in the rates, which is unusual for a luxury hotel in Thailand.

This upscale eco-friendly boutique hotel is set on a quiet and very attractive stretch of beach, offering a peaceful escape away from the area's crowded beaches. Aleenta's beach is long and mostly empty, with just a handful of other resorts scattered along several kilometers. There is plenty of white sand, and it is far more attractive than the beach in nearby Hua Hin. Its 22 rooms are bright and airy, and many feature private plunge pools. The tranquil environment is enhanced by limited technology; rooms have iPod docks but no TVs unless guests request them. The relaxed, chic resort aims to have a zero carbon footprint -- hammocks are made by local fishermen, furniture is fashioned from reclaimed wood, and the restaurant uses produce grown in the resort's organic garden. There are a lovely rooftop pool with sea views as well as a separate family pool, and an open-air restaurant looking out over the sea and beach; the hotel's free breakfast is served here.

Putahracsa Hua Hin is located right on the beach in an area with shops, restaurants, and other small hotels. The Hua Hin Night Market is a seven-minute walk away. Rooms are situated around the large pool and feature patios or balconies plus sliding glass doors that let in lots of natural light. Large villas come with easy beach access and private whirlpools; some have lap pools. Oceanside Restaurant and Beach Club, an open-air space right by the beach, serves Thai and Asian food along with barbecued meats and fish. The adjacent Oceanside Beach Bar serves snacks and cocktails throughout the day and well into the night.

The luxury Wora Bura offers a lovely beach, plus a huge lagoon pool, which features a blue-tile bottom, a shallow splash area, and a number of fountains. It's flanked by plush lounge chairs and tropical greenery. There are also a hot tub and pool bar, which serves drinks and light lunch items. There are 74 rooms and suites, plus three Villas, all with lots of dark-wood accents and large furnished balconies with views over gorgeous gardens.

Hyatt Regency is a sprawling beachfront resort in a quiet area of Hua Hin town, with easy access to restaurants and shops. The 213-room luxury resort sits on Hua Hin's longest stretch of hotel beachfront, but the water here is prone to tidal extremes (only the seawall can be seen during high tide). There are some landscaped sandy areas along the sea wall though for sunbathing, with lounge chairs and umbrellas, for guests looking to relax next to the sound of the water. Modern rooms feature contemporary furniture and balconies, plus amenities like iPod docks and flat-screen TVs. The resort is an excellent choice for families, as it has three massive interconnected swimming pools, an equal number of children's pools, and a 70-foot waterslide, not to mention a kids' club. There are four great restaurants, several bars, and an impeccably designed spa here, making the hotel the complete package when it comes to a luxury resort.

This five-pearl property is located on a Gulf of Thailand beach just south of central Hua Hin city. The resort sits between the main road through town and the beach, with the rooms and facilities located in between. The road out front is full of fast and non-stop traffic throughout the day, which is rather unpleasant, but the hotel is insulated from this noise and commotion. The white-sand beach here is nice, but not nearly as special as those fronting the resorts outside of town. InterContinental's 158 luxe, inviting rooms feature traditional Thai designs, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Bose sound systems, and furnished private balconies. There are a host of excellent features throughout the gorgeous grounds, like an on-site spa, 24-hour fitness center, huge outdoor swimming pool, and large kids' club, plus several elegant restaurants and bars.

Located near all of Hua Hin's best restaurants, shops, and other amenities, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin is one of the most convenient, historic, and atmospheric resorts in the area. The hotel was the first in Hua Hin, formerly known as the Railway Hotel, and opened in 1923 when the first rail connection between Thailand and Malaysia created the country's first beach resort. The grand, colonial hotel has extensive facilities, including four swimming pools, four restaurants, several elegant bars, a comprehensive spa and fitness center, and even a putting green and tennis courts. The main drawbacks are that there is a lot of traffic and congestion, driving and parking on the weekends are close to impossible, and the beach here is not particularly pretty and can be extremely crowded. If you are looking for a quiet beach escape, better head elsewhere. Despite being downtown however, the resort is very green, with lush private grounds, so it is easy to escape the crowds outside.

A beachfront resort in the middle of Hua Hin town, the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa sits right on the Gulf of Thailand. The resort has direct beach access and tends to attract families and couples, who appreciate the huge lagoon-style pool and beach (note that rocks are exposed during low tide), plus the location near the night market and other sights. Many of the 296 spacious rooms have gulf views from their balconies. While it's not as luxurious as the nearby Centara Grand and some of its aspects are a bit dated, the Hilton nonetheless ranks among the top-tier resorts in the area.