Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

The Sheraton Hua Hin is one of the most sophisticated and modern resorts in Hua Hin and Cha Am. To arrive, guests leave the main highway between towns and turn off onto a quiet residential drive (home to private condominiums run by Sheraton management) that has a tree-lined flowering driveway leading up to the hotel entrance gate. The expansive lobby has polished wooden flooring, low ceilings, and thick marble columns that support a circular lighting structure. There are plush chairs and sofas in shades of dark purple and green with lots of cushions to relax on, and various hotel facilities can be found tucked into the corners of the lobby, from the concierge and tour desk, to the Link business corner with computers and business facilities. The lobby also has an outdoor area, with more white sofas set under large sculptural vases, and sandwiched at either end by enormous rattan bell lampshades. In front of this, a large pool with metal ball sculptures looks out toward the sea, with the spectacular lagoon pool below. The entire resort and its grounds are eye-catching and breathtaking, and families and couples who stay here can often be found lazing on the burnt-orange loungers lining the palm tree-shaded pool. 

The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa is located on a quiet stretch of beach outside of town, around seven miles north of Hua Hin, about a 12-minute drive. The resort isn't convenient for town activities nor are there restaurants, bars, or shops within walking distance, but with the excellent on-site facilities, most guests don't mind. Additionally, the resort does offer shuttles into town (for a fee). The hotel is accessed right off the main Hua Hin-Cha Am highway, but it's well off the road, past a Sheraton-owned condo development along a pleasant tree- and flower-lined drive with little traffic. The back end of the resort is right on the beach, where the main part of the swimming pool and a large sunbathing lawn is located.

The Sheraton's rooms wind around the resort's huge lagoon swimming pool. The most popular rooms have direct access into the pool, but even the entry-level Deluxe Garden View Rooms are spacious, and have fine wood furnishings, including writing desks and cabinets, as well as sofas and luxury Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds. White walls and light-wood furniture are accented with bright pinks, oranges, and greens, from the cylindrical hanging lamps to the shower tiles, for a playfully sophisticated vibe. All rooms have large flat-screen TVs (with CTH cable boxes for access to hundreds of channels), electric kettles, coffeemakers and French presses, safes, bathrobes, ironing facilities, and furnished terraces. Marble bathrooms are spacious with roomy bathtubs and separate shower units, plus large mirrors. The plush Lagoon Suites each have an extra living room space, two TVs, plus a beach bag for guests. Rooms with pool access have DVDs to go with the Plasma TVs. Note, Wi-Fi is an additional fee in some room categories.

The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa has the best facilities in the Hua Hin-Cha Am area, including a massive lagoon pool that flows throughout the property -- guests can pretty much swim their way around. There are quiet, narrow side pools and a main swimming area near the beach with plenty of private niches and sun loungers. As with much of Cha Am, the beach here isn't so special, but there are sunbathing lawns on a terrace just above the beach and by the pool. Kids can play in the three children's pools, including one at the Star Club, Hua Hin's largest kids' club complete with an outdoor playground, rock climbing structures, and a colorful house with toys, games, and art projects. Other facilities include a 24-hour fitness center with a sauna and steam room, and a large spa with a variety of wellness treatments, private treatment rooms, Thai massage rooms, and couples' rooms with hot tubs. The resort also has four large meeting rooms and ballrooms, and it's one of the top seminar and function spots along the coast. For dining and drinking, choices abound. The Deck serves free gourmet breakfast buffets and Thai and international cuisine for lunch and dinner. In Azia serves a wonderful melange of Thai, Indian, and Japanese fine-dining menus, with a stellar wine list. Out on the beach, Luna Lanai has great sea views and serves cocktails and dishes ranging from gourmet burgers to nighttime seafood barbecues. Salas does wood-fire oven pizzas and homestyle Italian cuisine, and diners can sit next to the pool in covered cabanas. Next to the lobby is the Sundara Lounge, which has a pool table, foosball, and live music in the evenings.