The Veranda Resort & Spa, Hua Hin, Thailand

Veranda Resort & Villas, Hua Hin, Thailand

Set in lush tropical gardens on the Cha Am beach front, and with an impressive lineup of accommodations to choose from, Veranda Resort & Villas at Hua Hin is ideal for a short beach getaway.

• Location: Three and a half hours from Bangkok, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.
• Accommodations: The resort has plenty of options to suit all budgets and the number of people you're travelling with with 136 rooms in 12 categories. At one end there is the Veranda Deluxe, which is newly renovated and comes with a king or twin beds, and at the other end there are Sky Villas, ideal for families or couples travelling together, with two bedrooms and a private pool, seven two-level Pool Villas with two bedrooms, a private pool and garden views, and beachfront pool villas perfect for honeymooners.
• Dining options: The resort has a primary venue, the Dining Room, which is open from early morning until late at night, and an all-day part al fresco brasserie offering western and Thai cuisine. Also on site is the Isea Beach Bar and Restaurant, which enjoys Asian contemporary architecture, and has both a main dining room and a bar area, and the Glass Room Espresso Bar for a hit of caffeine.
• What else is there: Besides a huge pool and the adjacent beach, Veranda Resort ticks all the boxes for holidaymakers when it comes to facilities with a fitness centre, a spa and a shuttle van service between the resort and Bangkok.
• What’s nearby: Besides enjoying long stretches of beach, Hua Hin and Cha Am, another major draw card for visitors here is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. One of Thailand’s protected areas, highlights include the iconic royal pavilion, Kaeo Cave, Thung Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh, wildlife, mangrove forests, beautiful beaches, limestone islands, and hiking trails with viewpoints.
• Why go: This is an ideal place to visit after a stint exploring Bangkok, and if you want to mix a beach holiday on the mainland with hiking.

The Space

Hua Hin has been a favoured resort destination since it was “discovered” in the early 1920s, blessed with sea and mountain breezes, and a picturesque destination popular with Thais as well as foreigners. There are also many sights to enjoy in the local area including Khao Takiab, a headland dominated by an impressive gold Buddha, Klai Kangwon Palace, built by Thailand's Kim Rama VII in 1926, and Hua Hin Station, which resembles a gingerbread house. Twenty minutes north of Hua Hin, on Cha Am beach, the resort is also now a member of the MGallery by Sofitel group, which is part of Accor Hotels. Overall it’s a boutique resort in which to enjoy a break, or to base yourself to explore both Hua Hin and Cha Am and the local area. Stylish and elegant, and set back from a pleasant beach in lush tropical gardens, the resort embodies Thai hospitality with a hip design.

Where We Stayed

Our home for a relaxing few nights was a Veranda Premium Deluxe room, which was a spacious 66 square metres in size, and had the bonus of a jacuzzi on the balcony along with two sun beds. Room features included Hollywood twin beds which could be made up to a queen, a day bed which could be used for a child, a TV with satellite channels, a walk-in wardrobe, a dining table, and an open style bathroom with a separate shower room. It was also packed with useful amenities including bathrobes, an umbrella, sandals, slippers, a hair dryer and a laundry bag, Thann bathroom products, free Wi-Fi, a mini bar stocked with drinks and snacks, coffee and tea making facilities. The room was long and narrow, with a bright and modern decor predominantly made up of cream, warm beige and sky blue, with a cool tiled floor, and plush fabrics.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The location, which is far away from the big city but has interesting places to explore.
• The room felt more like a studio, and would be an ideal home away from home for longer stays.
• The spacious accommodations, particularly the jacuzzi on the balcony.
• The culinary options on site, especially the al fresco bar.

Insider Tips  

• The beach is in a public area so watch out for your personal belongings, and the water is a bit on the grey side but clean.
• This is an older and more established hotel, which has partially recently renovated, but ask about the newer accommodations.

The Details

The Veranda Resort & Spa Hua Hin is located at 737/12 Mung Talay Road Cha Am 76120 Petchburi, Thailand, www.verandaresort.com.