Hua Hin for a month

[ThaiPauly]

Hi Guys,

 

I am planning a getaway from Chiang Mai for a month and have booked a condo on Khao Takiab beach.

 

My question is what are the main things to see and do (will have a car) and are there any good restaurants nearby?

 

One other thing, are there supermarkets that sell western food in the vicinity or even Hua Hin itself?

 

Much obliged.

 

TP

[Seligne2]

Suggest you start here: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Hua_Hin

[Jonathan Fairfield]

If you're staying in Khao Takiab you have the Tamarind and Cicada markets, which are likely to be within walking distance.

 

Cicada is a little more expensive, but still pretty reasonable. Loads of choice for food but does get busy at weekends.

 

Tamarind market, which is next to Cicada, also has lots of choice for food and is open Thurs-Sun 5pm-11pm. There's a are really good rib place at Tamarind you should check out.

 

Ian's restaurant in Takiab is also good, as is Miller's which is in that area. 

 

There's loads of places in Hua Hin town to eat but a few places that I'd recommend are May's Kitchen, Ogen, Green Onion, Passport, Prime Steakhouse and Mirabelle, which is good for a sandwich at lunch.

 

If you're into brunches, the one at the Marriot is very good and I'm told the Sheraton do a good brunch too but I've not tried that one. 

 

And of course there are loads of Thai places everywhere.

 

As for supermarkets, there is Gourmet Market inside BluPort shopping mall, two branches of Villa Market, and the Tesco in Market Village has selection of imported food. Hua Hin Ham and Bacon is also good for farang food.

 

 

 

 

[Hummin]

Take 5 sportsbar in Khao Takiab, Andreas, Lets sea beach restaurant had me for breakfest, lunch and dinner and it is a good choice, but not the cheapest if thats what you looking for. Friendly restaurant in 94, and also Restaurant 94, but that type of restaurants you do find all over Hua Hin, but, Friendly is a bit more healthy considering using sugar and salt, always fresh food, and if you ask in Restaurant 94, they cook with less sugar and salt as well, and still make it taste good. 

 

Alot of good shopping to do in Hua Hin, night marked, and food markeds, but if you come for party, this is one of the more boring places, unless you are happy to drink, drink and drink and get more drinks. The nightlife is just boring and no big clubs or fancy set up for a good night out. But they have hips of beerbars. 

 

In may there will be a Jazz festival. 

[maccastime]

57 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Take 5 sportsbar in Khao Takiab, Andreas, Lets sea beach restaurant had me for breakfest, lunch and dinner and it is a good choice, but not the cheapest if thats what you looking for. Friendly restaurant in 94, and also Restaurant 94, but that type of restaurants you do find all over Hua Hin, but, Friendly is a bit more healthy considering using sugar and salt, always fresh food, and if you ask in Restaurant 94, they cook with less sugar and salt as well, and still make it taste good. 

 

Alot of good shopping to do in Hua Hin, night marked, and food markeds, but if you come for party, this is one of the more boring places, unless you are happy to drink, drink and drink and get more drinks. The nightlife is just boring and no big clubs or fancy set up for a good night out. But they have hips of beerbars. 

 

In may there will be a Jazz festival. 

Boring nightlife??? Plenty of action about Bintabaht or soi 80

[Hummin]

31 minutes ago, maccastime said:

Boring nightlife??? Plenty of action about Bintabaht or soi 80

Lets us say we have different perspective on nightlife ?

 

all the best

[baansgr]

Villa market and lotus, for foodstuffs. Also a few independent shops. floating market, monkey mountain, kings palace(2), wat monghol, night market.kite boarding, drive down to pak nam pram...30 minutes. Shooting range at Narasuan...enjoy your time, I like Takiab its near to everything but just at the South of HH so not so much traffic. Are you alonre or with family?

[Rimbuman]

At Khao Takiab you'll be close to Madam Green (Chinese) sea-food, also the sea-food BBQ places at Hua hin town walking street will not disappoint you. Enjoy :-D

[ThaiPauly]

43 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Villa market and lotus, for foodstuffs. Also a few independent shops. floating market, monkey mountain, kings palace(2), wat monghol, night market.kite boarding, drive down to pak nam pram...30 minutes. Shooting range at Narasuan...enjoy your time, I like Takiab its near to everything but just at the South of HH so not so much traffic. Are you alonre or with family?

Just me and the wife, I'm over 60 and she 50, so we are not looking for any late night venues, normally this old codger is tucked up by 9.....but I might make it 10 as we are on holiday !!!

[ujayujay]

Visit Bangkok

[Hummin]

49 minutes ago, ThaiPauly said:

Just me and the wife, I'm over 60 and she 50, so we are not looking for any late night venues, normally this old codger is tucked up by 9.....but I might make it 10 as we are on holiday !!!

I think you will find Hua Hin as a perfect holiday place. 

[Brayka]

Few km N. from HH.,  lovely Pak Nam Pran, and don’t forget Sam Roi Yot with Dolphin Bay, the famous Praya Nakhon Cave, and boath trips on the canals with mangroves.

And 40km. N. also Kui Buri National Park with the elephants in the wild and the Gaurs.

 

[jcore]

Hi, I spent 6 weeks near takiab last winter. Great location. I loved the Air Space restaurant (miss the fried whole fish Thai style and mango martini). Also there’s an elephant hospital/ rescue worth a couple hour visit. Pran Buri forest park is a nice day trip, pack a lunch and enjoy the shady walk through the mangroves. I also liked lunch a Black Mountain Golf course, for a touch or western civilization at reasonable price! If you golf there are many places. Lastly go through ‘Johnnie there’s something happening’ you tube blogs for more tips !

Edited April 8, 2018 by jcore
Grammar

[geriatrickid]

May I suggest that on the nights you fancy going out into the central district that you consider a sangthaew or tuk tuk as parking is quite sparse. I found that there are some quality Thai restaurants on soi 94 just past the railway tracks with parking. Esan station has authentic Thai food with western options and has some amazing sushi. I am a devotee of the vegetarian sushi there as I avoid raw fish. There is a nice  Sakura Japanese place across the street, and the adjacent 94 Restaurant serves up excellent Thai food. There is parking in front of the  esan station on the railway track side.   I realized long ago that you can get decent fish from the places that have high customer traffic because the  fish is relatively fresh.  I now avoid the  heavy tourist places like the fish piers or the night market. Very crowded and uncomfortable with poor service.  The restaurants are doing a bumper year with the  Chinese customers, so don't care if the westerners are not there.  In the central district on Poon Suk (around the corner from the cop shop) there is a restaurant strip and I find the   Hua Hin hot pot ok. It has  a Thai culture feature (traditional dancer or singer) on many nights. They cleaned out the tacky restaurants on the side of the street adjacent to the wat, which opened up the space.  The Green Onion is opposite the police station if you are looking for it. It is small and easily missed. Can't say I was overly  enthused. I remember the old Tony Roma's before it went bad, and this place isn't like that.

 

I highly recommend Ian's Isan and Western style restaurant and cannot say enough positive things about the quality of food and service. He has a western menu as well as authentic Thai food. Because of this place, I am no longer eating at Prime Steakhouse which has disappointed me 2X in the past year. I don't find the value proposition is there and the quality isn't the same from 2 years ago. Doesn't matter though as the place is packed with satisfied Scandinavian customers who  keep on coming back. Hua Hin is fortunate to have a quality place like Ian's and I wish him much success. One place you may wish to consider is Coco51. A table that looks out over the beach with a  bottle of wine with one's companion is a nice way to end the day. The food is  good, albeit a bit expensive depending on the order. Bring bug spray though as the mosquitos like to eat too.

At the end of the day, everything depends on one's personal preferences and there is a lot of choice from the affordable to the high end. One thing is certain though: Because 80% of visitors to Hua Hin are still Thai, the foreign visitor still gets to experience the real Thailand, even though it is the upscale part. I appreciate the general politeness of residents both foreigner and Thai alike. 

 

In respect to food shopping, IMO by far the supermarket at BluPort is the best, although Villa is improving. High quality and diverse variety, plus easy parking. I shop there. I do caution, that you must avert your eyes when walking through the specialty food places adjacent to the supermarket as the baked goods are quite good. Bluport has a number of decent chain restaurants typical of any large Thai shopping center.

 

There are so many things to do from walking, to hiking to a visit to the nearby hills.

One of my favourite activities is to walk the beach from the Mariott down to the Hyatt in the afternoon.  It's quiet, the beach is relatively  clean and quite relaxing.

You will find that time will fly as you will be very relaxed. If you want to go to the beach, consider  The Pines, adjacent to the army base. Beach is relatively clean and has marked areas for swimming. Ample parking with  facilities.

 

For reference sake, Bangkok Hospital is on the main drag Phet Kasem as is the San Paulo Hospital. Hua Hin Hospital is on the north  side of town up towards soi 10. Bangkok Hospital has the trauma center, but the cardiologists and intervention unit is at San Paulo. 

 

One important reminder, dengue is back  with the number of cases growing. I see that some of the more recent cases have appeared in the central part of Hua Hin town, so one should not assume there is no risk in the  paved and developed areas. Take appropriate precautions.

 

 

 

[blazes]

You could divide your week into (say) three/four days in the centre at a cheaper hotel (such as City Beach) and then 3/4 at a really excellent hotel on the beach in Takiab...called ANANTASILA.   This is a brilliant place.  Breakfast is superb and the buffet much more than you could handle.  The restaurant at Anantasila is worth visiting even if you don't stay there. Wonderful relaxed atmosphere right on the beach....really first-class cuisine with a European chef.  They take care of you as if you were royalty....and it's not too too expensive.  Their own recipe for fish and chips must be the best in Thailand.  Fish and chips only 350baht.

 

If you are in the centre for a few days, spend some time in the idyllically peaceful gardens of the Centara Hotel, famous for its architecture and topiary.

Another cheap but lovely hotel is De Pastel.  Across the road from the Bkk bus station on Petkasem Rd.

If Kan Air are still flying from CM to HH, that is a great way to make the journey.

[Hupaponics]

Wow, a lot to do in HH. 

Eat, eat, eat, a day trip, eat and eat. 

“Only” 350B for fish’n chips! That’s a rip-off. 

I do recall that food was overpriced. 

 

I have to admit that the best attraction in HH, have to be the ferry to Pattaya. 

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, Hupaponics said:

Wow, a lot to do in HH. 

Eat, eat, eat, a day trip, eat and eat. 

“Only” 350B for fish’n chips! That’s a rip-off. 

I do recall that food was overpriced. 

 

I have to admit that the best attraction in HH, have to be the ferry to Pattaya. 

I agree, it is alot more choices in Pattaya when it comes to food, and cheaper as well! 

[blazes]

51 minutes ago, Hupaponics said:

Wow, a lot to do in HH. 

Eat, eat, eat, a day trip, eat and eat. 

“Only” 350B for fish’n chips! That’s a rip-off. 

I do recall that food was overpriced. 

 

I have to admit that the best attraction in HH, have to be the ferry to Pattaya. 

 

Ah yes,  Pattaya, where the sewage flows gently into the sea

 

and you can (depending on your taste and social level) make out on the sewage pipe itself.

 

Yes, Pattaya, hub of all that glisters and is gold....

[ThaiPauly]

On 8/4/2018 at 12:59 PM, ujayujay said:

Visit Bangkok

I lived in Bangkok for 2 years, apart from the fact that I have a son and grandson that lives there it holds no joy for me. Having said that I will be staying at their house for three days before we move on to HH. My usual place for a break is Koh Chang but we fancy something different this year...?..I would also like to add my thanks to everyone who has posted such positive stuff here, I am really looking forward to going now

 

 

 

[ThaiPauly]

This is what TV is really good for...you guys have really given me an insight as to what to expect, now I can face an unknown location with confidence that I know where to go and what to do.

 

So thank you all very much, maybe I will bump into you in PKK,  You will recognise me as I look like my Avitar..except for the ciggie, I quit over a year ago, oh and I definately won't be wearing a tuxedo!!!!!

Edited April 24, 2018 by ThaiPauly
Additional information

[baansgr]

5 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

This is what TV is really good for...you guys have really given me an insight as to what to expect, now I can face an unknown location with confidence that I know where to go and what to do.

 

So thank you all very much, maybe I will bump into you in PKK,  You will recognise me as I look like my Avitar..except for the ciggie, I quit over a year ago, oh and I definately won't be wearing a tuxedo!!!!!

Take it you enjoyed your time there

[ThaiPauly]

I'm not going until June, I hope to be saying "yes" in July !!

[torrzent]

I spent a month there, one afternoon.

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, torrzent said:

I spent a month there, one afternoon.

I aggree, It is a lifechanger, you get more out of life here, than any other place in Thailand ;-)

[torrzent]

12 hours ago, Hummin said:

I aggree, It is a lifechanger, you get more out of life here, than any other place in Thailand ;-)

whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh