Best Boutique Hotels in Hua Hin

Let's Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort provides a stylish beachfront stay for design-savvy couples. The hotel's standout feature is its lagoon-style pool -- just shy of 400 feet long -- that fronts all 40 of the property's duplexes. All rooms feature well-stocked minibars, Bose stereos, and bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Features include an attractive spa, sleek gym, and a pool bar with extended daily happy hour, and a beachfront restaurant, but we've heard numerous reports that the food's disappointing. Past guests have also reported hearing noise from other rooms, even though units don't share walls with neighboring duplexes. 

Despite its close proximity to nearby bars and restaurants, Putahracsa Hua Hin is an upscale, 67-room boutique property with a quiet, relaxed ambience. Rooms are situated around the large main pool and feature patios or balconies plus sliding glass doors that let in lots of natural light. Villas are similarly bright and chic, but are located closer to the beach and have hot tubs or pools. Stellar amenities include two restaurants with Thai and international fare, plus a bakery, two pools, and free tuk-tuk service to nearby area destinations, plus free loaner bicycles. Room rates include hotel-wide Wi-Fi, on-site parking, and a buffet breakfast (Let's Sea charges an extra fee for breakfast).

The upscale Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa is one of the few alternative and truly green resorts in Thailand; its eco-friendly practices secure it a high ranking on this list. The beachfront resort has a large organic community garden and an orchard nearby. All of the farm’s veggies are brought to the resort's kitchen by bike or by biodiesel tuk-tuk (powered by fuel made from disposed cooking oil), and the sustainable menus here are a true standout among properties on this stretch of Thailand's coast. The 22 rooms are bright and airy, with lots of windows, white walls, and glazed concrete floors; their design is informed by the resort's zero carbon footprint policy. Most furniture is made by local carpenters using reclaimed wood, hammocks are crafted from fishing nets, and ceilings are constructed with locally sourced cane. While the rooms are a bit minimalist for an upscale hotel, it is purposeful and chic, with an elegantly simple vibe. There are no TVs or DVD players, although the resort will provide them to guests on request. Bathrobes and slippers made from natural cotton and beach baskets are nice touches. Terra-cotta-tiled bathrooms have outdoor rainfall showers and eco-friendly toiletries, and many of the rooms feature private plunge pools on a veranda. 

This opulent property is surrounded by manicured grounds filled with lush plants and water features. Guests are greeted in an open-air black-tiled lobby that features minimalist decor; from there, they are whisked off by buggy to their tucked-away villa. Luxurious in-room amenities include Bose sound systems, wine refrigerators, and personal butlers. Walkways lead to the infinity-edge pool; the gourmet restaurant, where sunken table pavilions are surrounded by water; and the beach, which is one of the nicest in Hua Hin. Cooking classes and wine tastings are available for an added fee, and romantic candlelit dinners can be requested. Even though guests here are well-heeled, most are impressed with the surroundings, and you’ll find guests taking selfies and photos at just about every turn.

Cape Nidhra is a five-pearl boutique resort on the beach in Hua Hin, right near the city center. All 59 of the gorgeous suites here feature decks with small private plunge pools, though some guests have complained that they don't get enough sunlight and are cold. Fortunately, there's a large saltwater pool for swimming laps that gets a fair bit more light, as well as plenty of other wellness amenities including a spa with steam and sauna, yoga and Thai boxing classes, and a lovely bar -- On the Rocks -- with views of the sea. Unlike Putahracsa and Aleenta, Cape Nidhra charges an extra fee for breakfast (so does our number-one pick, Let's Sea).

Popular primarily with couples, Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin is a luxe resort property facing a public beach in Hua Hin. The hotel's common areas and 56 rooms feature fresh, understated decor in cheerful whites and vibrant hues; the polished look found throughout the resort is far from traditionally Thai. All rooms have DVD players, iPod docks, robes, coffeemakers, and minibars, and some units have direct pool or beach access, or private pools. Rest Detail's dining options include a garden restaurant offering a daily international buffet breakfast that's included in room rates). Room service is available 24/7. The hotel's spa is open daily and offers a variety of massage and beauty treatments, however, the hotel notably lacks a gym. The beach setup here isn't nearly as nice as the one at Cape Nidhra (no loungers here), but there are two beautiful pools with turquoise tiling and lots of surrounding greenery. On-site activities include morning Ashtanga yoga classes, painting lessons, massage classes, and instruction in Thai cooking and cocktail mixing.

Opened in 2012, G Hua Hin Resort & Mall is a stylish boutique hotel with a cutting-edge design in central Hua Hin. The resort's distinctive exterior, with staggered sheets of rusted metal slats, sets it apart, and the modern, urban aesthetic is found inside as well as out. The contemporary lobby features high ceilings, cylindrical hanging lights, and red beanbag chairs. G Hua Hin's highlight amenity is the huge outdoor saltwater pool -- its big enough for a genuine lap swim, but it can get crowded and noisy. Also available are a poolside bar and Thai/international restaurant. The attached mall, which has all manner of designer and local goods, is a bonus for shoppers. The hotel's 79 spacious, minimalist rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies or terraces, some with day beds or jetted tubs. Unlike our first six picks, G Hua Hin is not right on the beach (it's about a five-minute walk away), but the upshot is that its rates are a little lower than those at similar resorts. 

For a simple mid-range option right in the center of Hua Hin, the Chalelarn Hotel has more style than many of its competitors. Thai art plays a big role in the design throughout. The lobby is a riot of bright Thai silk-covered cushions set on teak furniture, and there are statues depicting Apsara dancers scattered about. These touches extend throughout the hotel, making it a charming and well-located boutique-like option in the middle of Hua Hin's hustle and bustle (the hotel is surrounded by countless restaurants, street stalls, shops, and bars). The 61 aren't nearly as sleek as the ones at G Hua Hin, but they do have free Wi-Fi and contemporary bathrooms. There aren't many common facilities here -- the one that really shines is Chalelarn's rooftop pool and hot tub. (Just don't expect the pool's swim-up bar to actually be staffed.)