Anantara Hua Hin Resort & SpaHua Hin, Thailand

Only a few hours’ drive south of Bangkok, Hua Hin has been the seaside destination of choice for Thai royalty and aristocrats for nearly a century. It is also the setting of the first Anantara, a multi award-winning resort among Hua Hin hotels, that has inspired dozens more around the globe.

Modelled on a traditional Thai village, low-rise gabled pavilions are set among lush tropical grounds with lotus-filled lagoons and meandering pathways through exotic foliage. A wide stretch of shoreline fronts the resort. Dine on freshly grilled, locally caught seafood overlooking the ocean or savour delicious Thai specialities poolside. Relax in the award-winning spa located within a lagoon-inspired oasis.

Get lost in a sanctuary of tropical gardens and elaborate Thai buildings at the original Anantara resort. It’s an escape made for slowing down, where days are reserved for melting massages at the exquisite spa, relishing in a good book by the sea and perhaps working up an appetite with a round of golf at one of the three courses nearby. Come happy hour, settle down by the pool after your mildly strenuous day and choose your cocktail before heading for some salty, sweet and sour pad thai at Rim Nam. If you’re craving a little bit of civilisation, hop on the resort shuttle and visit Hua Hin town centre, the original summer residence of choice for the Thai royal family.

The spa is one of the resort’s highlights and booking in advance is recommended. It’s a glorious private space with massage suites, showers and bathtubs all set outdoors beyond a walled garden of lotuses. Nearby, there’s a little piece of paradise that’s worth upgrading to a Suite for. Looking out over a blanket of lotus flowers and lily pads, the quiet Lagoon Pool & Bar comes with additional perks like afternoon tea, evening canapés and a complimentary happy hour. At the main pool, there’s a swim-up bar with thatched umbrellas for shade, and if you want a sea view, head for a sun lounger on the sandy platform above the small beach (subject to the tides).

Retire to your ultra-comfortable king-size bed, where you’ll have a view of the gardens, sea or lagoon. Rooms and suites are modern yet traditional, with dark, polished wood and Thai silk adorning the bed. A garden terrace or balcony encourages you to sit and take in your view – we recommend a Junior Lagoon View Suite for an impossibly romantic hideaway overlooking the water lilies.

POOLS

Pool, Lagoon Pool (exclusive to suite guests), beach, spa*, kids’ club (selected activities at extra cost), gym, yoga*, table tennis, badminton, trampolining, 2 tennis courts (equipment fee*), Muay Thai boxing*, bicycle tour*, library, Thai cooking classes*, selected non-motorised watersports* (dependent on tide), golf courses (selection nearby)*, Wi-Fi throughout

Dining

3 restaurants, breakfast venue, 2 pool bars, lounge

A generous breakfast spread is served at Issara Café and for afternoon bites, there’s the Sala Siam lounge and poolside snacks at Loy Nam. Dinner brings a choice of Italian at Baan Thalia, Thai at Rim Nam and seafood at the stilted Sai Thong. Suite guests also have access to the exclusive Club Lagoon Pool & Bar for refreshments throughout the day.

ROOMS

190 rooms and suites

ACTIVITIES

Work up a sweat with a match on one of the floodlit tennis courts

Have a Bespoke Spa Experience at the Anantara Spa for extra focus on your problem areas

Book a Thai cooking class at Spice Spoons*

FACILITIES

kids’ club (selected activities at extra cost), gym, yoga*, table tennis, badminton, trampolining, 2 tennis courts (equipment fee*), Muay Thai boxing*, bicycle tour*, library, Thai cooking classes*, selected non-motorised watersports* (dependent on tide), golf courses (selection nearby)*, Wi-Fi throughout

SPA

Anantara Spa is a hidden sanctuary of outdoor massage pavilions set in tropical gardens. There are steamrooms, a sauna and Each of the treatment rooms has a private shower and there are couples’ treatments available to top off a special occasion or lovers’ retreat.

*charges apply

Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa is located in Hua Hin, Thailand. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 08/07/2021