thinking hua hin rather than pattaya

hi, hoping to travel to thailand around the 1st to 6th april for 2 weeks but with it being easter holidays here in the uk, koh samui was coming out a lot more expensive and very limited avaliability, the travel agent is suggesting hua hin and pattaya but doing a little bit of research I am leaning towards hua hin as we have a 13 year old son , is the right choice? also pref want to be beach location and not too far from resturants etc.. but at the same time want lots of fun things to see and do any help or guidance would be much apprecaited, thanks for any advice, michelle, ps any recommendations on hotels for our needs would also be great

thinking hua hin rather than pattaya

Hi actiondaisy,

You won%26#39;t regret staying in Hua Hin, it is very laid back, and easy to get around. Plenty of things to do and see. Depends on your budget what type of accomodation you prefer, we stayed at the Sofitel

( beautiful hotel) as it was right in town and we could walk everywhere. There are many hotels right on the beach and some a little way out of town if you prefer that and it%26#39;s just a short tuk tuk ride into town.

Let us know what you like doing and your hotel preferences and we will try and help you decide.

Sue

thinking hua hin rather than pattaya

Good choice, you have the beach but you also have 2 national parks within about an hour, Krachan national park is more jungle style, Sam Roi Yot is coastal with beaches, caves, temples, wetlands, river etc.

In town you have restaurants, seafood at restaurants over the water plus plenty of Thai and almost every other cuisine you could think of.

A few hours away snorkeling off Koh Talu island, great for day-trip. Bridge on the River Kwai is a whole day trip.

Elephant rides, water sports etc.

Pleasant night markets, freindly and not pushy.

Cheap to get around using tuk-tuks or songthaews.

Weather - should be hot, dry sunshine.

That%26#39;s the good news - 1st 2 weeks April will be very busy indeed though if it is not a particular hotel or resort you are after if you move quick you should be ok

Upper range - Sofitel ( superb ), Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Anantara, Marriott, Sheraton, then towards Cha Am Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Springfield etc.

You need to tell us your budget

actiondaisy,

We stayed at the Hilton for 6 nights early November -our son was getting married at the Anantara along the coast but we%26#39;d had the Hilton recommended to us due to its great location. Had heard some negative reports about the Hotel but we needn%26#39;t have worried as the Hotel was excellent. We stayed on the Club floor whilst our two daughters and husbands and infant granddaughter stayed in the standard rooms.

Hilton location is the best, easy to walk to market, fish restaurants, internet cafes etc, and a lovely ambience especially the main entrance which is beautifully lit with candles at sunset. Overall lovely place to stay but not worth the extra money to stay on the Club floor.

The Hilton is nice but it is a high rise, but good location, the Sofitel is same area and much more Thai style to it. Marriott is a %26#39;long walk%26#39; from center but people do walk it or a few minutes by tuk-tuk or try a samlor - bicyle rickshaw for fun.

You also hop on the local songhtaews for 10 baht per person either to the central market or if you want to head south to Khao takiab for water sports etc

Marriott resort is right on the beach and walking distance to the new large mall and also near Grand Plaza night market.

But for anytime between about 12th and 19th April week you really do need to book very soon indeed.

Hua Hin is certainly better than Pattaya especially if you have a young lad with you, just as I am having my 13-y old with me also in beginning of this April. Hua Hin has a lot more appropriate to offer, as you have probably read in the other replies.

The nature is a lot closer and you can see and learn very nice things at the same time as relax.