Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [464]
The organisation also runs an elephant refuge – at €325 per week, it’s a bit expensive, but you’ll be trained how to work hands-on with rescued elephants.
Sleeping
All budgets are catered for in Hua Hin. Expect discounts of 20% to 40% off these rates in the low season. Prices may be hiked up on weekends and at holidays.
BUDGET
All Nations Guest House (0 3251 2747; www.geocities.com/allnationsguesthouse; 10-10/1 Th Dechanuchit; r 200-550B; ) Feed the backpacker within at this friendly spot with cheap beers and homemade pies. The less-expensive rooms have shared bathrooms, and there is a bar with televisions tuned to an all-day diet of sport.
Euro-Hua Hin City Hotel YHA (0 3251 3130; www.tyha.org; 15/15 Th Sasong; r incl breakfast 250-1000B; ) Just like any large hostel from back home, this place feels both comfortable and institutional. All rooms have air-con, even the somewhat cramped six-person dormitories (250B). If you snore we recommend a single room (1000B). Add 50B to these prices if you don’t belong to HI.
Pattana Guest House (0 3251 3393; 52 Th Naresdamri; r 350-550B) This restored fisherman’s house has small rooms, but a lusciously verdant bar and courtyard area. Note the whimsically carved teak sinks in the bathroom. Book ahead as it’s very popular.
Tong-Mee House (0 3253 0725; tongmeehuahin@hotmail.com; 1 Soi Raumpown; r 450-550B; ) Hidden away in a quiet residential soi, this boutique-ish hotel is the best value in town. The rooms are small but well kept and have balconies, and the giggly owner is ever-friendly.
Cha-ba Chalet (0 3252 1181-3; www.chabachalet.com; 1/18 Th Sasong; r 600-700B; ) The rooms here are relatively roomy though a bit musty-smelling. Still, at a decent price and very close to the bustling night market, it’s a good choice.
Supasuda Guest House (0 3251 3618; 1/8 Th Chomsin; r 800-1000B; ) Large rooms come with sleek black furniture and hot showers. The more expensive ones have verandahs – and a bit of road noise.
Ban Somboon (0 3251 1538; 13/4 Soi Damnoen Kasem; r 950-1200B; ) With family photos, a compact garden and a tiny Buddhist shrine, this place is like staying at your favourite Thai auntie’s house. Prices include breakfast, which, based on the smells coming from the small bakery, seems like a sweet deal. In the same soi there are a couple of other good-value guesthouses.
Pier Guesthouses
There are several pier guesthouses lining Th Naresdamri with simple rooms overlooking the sea. You’re paying for the location and the shared areas can be noisy, but hearing the tide rush in under your floorboards is an oddly soothing experience. When the tide is out you can often hear your shower water draining onto the beach – consider biodegradable soap.
Mod (0 3251 2296; Th Naresdamri; r 200-450B; ) Thankfully, the interior of this two-storey place is better than the shabby exterior. The upstairs rooms cost more, but are airy and have better views. The cheapest rooms just have fans.
Sirima (0 3251 1060; Th Naresdamri; r 250-650B; ) Sirima has an excellent exterior, with stained glass and polished wood. A long hallway leads to a common deck overlooking the water. The blue-carpeted rooms are small with basic bathrooms; hang out on the deck instead.
Bird Guest House (0 3251 1630; 31/2 Th Naresdamri; r 400-600B; ) Bird is smaller and quieter than the other pier guesthouses, though fairly ramshackle. The family that runs it is friendly, however, and there’s a secluded pier-end deck.
MIDRANGE
Hua Hin’s midrange places are small, sedate, modern hotels with air-con, fridges and cable TV. A handful of new openings are making everyone lift their game. Th Chomsin has several boutique guesthouses, just a short stroll from some of Hua Hin’s best restaurants.
Rajana Garden House (0 3251 1729; www.rajana-house.com; 3/9 Th Sasong; r 1000B; ) The rooms may lack