With a population of 80,000, the town of Hua Hin situated in the northern part of Thailand’s Malay peninsula, once a sleepy fishing village, is now home to top-notch resorts, that combine traditional Thai hospitality with modern comforts. One such resort is the Amari Hua Hin, that opened its doors less than a year ago, and has since welcomed 60,000 guests from around the world.
Situated around 400 metres from the Khao Takiab beach, the Amari Hua Hin hotel (the Amari is part of the Onyx Hospitality Group) was designed by Arthit Lawsakul from Create Great Design, and took two years to complete. The property boasts of 223 deluxe rooms, ranging from Hillside-view, Pool-view, and Ocean-facing. There are also eight luxurious suites, each occupying an area of 77-85 square metres. The view from the Ocean-facing rooms is delightful, with the aqua sea almost kissing the balcony floor. The rooms are tastefully done up in muted shades of cream, slate, and mustard, with locally produced quality cotton linen, used in all Amari properties. The Amari chain has a special concierge service called Amari Host’ to guide guests on the city’s local attractions and points of interest. And there’s lots to choose from: the town centre lies 10 minutes from the hotel, and includes shopping and entertainment venues, such as the colourful Floating Market.
After a long day of taking in the city’s sights, it makes sense to head directly towards the Breeze Spa. Personalized Mood Therapy treatments feature a traditional massage as its core, supplemented with aromatherapy, and even music and colour therapy. Signature Mood massages range from Dreamy, Serene, Rejuvenated, Invigorated, to Energized. The indulgent four-hour Head Over Heels treatment is available at 5,800 THB.
To tantalize your tastebuds, Mosaic, an all-day dining space has lots of fresh bread, pastries, and local fruit, plus an array of Thai specialties, and offers an excellent international breakfast. The Coral Lounge, the lobby bar with a distinctive red coral overhang (a motif that runs through the Amari brand of hotels) serves aromatic coffee, and a selection of teas with tiny cakes. Or try their signature cocktail, the Funky Margarita (made from kaffir lime leaf and chilli-infused tequila). By the poolside, pool bar Aqua serves up popular Thai street food, including noodle soups, satay, and fresh fruit. And if you’re on the Khao Takiab beach (a buggy ride away), head to the Shoreline Beach Club, for succulent barbecues ‒ such as Grilled Chicken and Duck, and Grilled Seafood.
So if the coast of Thailand beckons, and you’re in the mood for more than the regular beach fare, Hua Hin is surprisingly easy to access, and big on surprises.
www.amari.com/huahin; +66 32 616 600
Text by Santanu Ganguly