The perfect getaway to Thailand: Hua Hin and Pattaya

Hua Hin 

Upon catching a glimpse of the ocean, you’ll know you’re arriving at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, a 5-star resort that’s located in the heart of Hua Hin City Center along the coast. And don’t worry, it’s impossible to miss it because it’s the tallest beachfront building in Hua Hin. 

The resort features 295 spacious rooms, each with a private balcony offering unobstructed sea views over the district of Hua Hin. The clean and modern rooms are equipped with your very own mini bar, king-sized beds, and feature quality amenities such as WiFi and a smart TV. The hotel also has multiple dining venues, a lively beer house, tennis court, a games corner, luxurious spa, 24-hour gym, and a beauty salon where you can get your nails and hair done.

Pattaya

Book your stay at Hilton Pattaya, which sits right above Central Pattaya Mall – Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront shopping centre. Spanning 34 floors, it’s also one of the tallest buildings in the vicinity. The hotel exudes a calming vibe, from the palatial lobby, down to architectural details inspired by the sand, sea, and sky. 

Each of the 100-odd rooms in the resort comes with a bathtub and private balcony with sweeping views of the Gulf of Thailand. Even the ‘smallest’ room occupies a whopping 46sqm of space. About one-third of the rooms are suites – featuring a large dining space and living area, a huge bedroom fitted with a study desk and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a spacious bathroom leading out to the balcony and outdoor bathtub. Not to mention, the hotel boasts a gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, four dining establishments, as well as a spa and fitness centre among other amenities.

Hua Hin 

Spend your mornings at the resort’s huge beachfront lagoon pool with an attached water slide, and don’t forget to grab a cocktail or coconut from the swim-up pool bar. When you’re ready for seaside activities, hop over to the beach using the direct beach access.

Afterwards, treat yourself to a relaxing spa session at Eforea Spa Experience, choosing between indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. In the same area, you can also enjoy pampering services such as haircuts, manicures, gua sha facials, and even eyelash extensions.

If you’re looking to break a sweat and get a workout in, head to the fitness centre on the mezzanine floor for a game of tennis or ping pong. And for explorers who want to venture out and explore the area, we suggest taking a leisurely stroll to discover nearby attractions such as the Jao Mae Tub Tim shrine and viewpoint, the fisherman village and fisherman bridge, Hua Hin temple and clock tower, and Hua Hin railway station – all conveniently situated within walking distance with no more than a 15-minute stroll from the resort.

As night falls, it’s time to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Hua Hin’s night market. Getting there is just a quick 10-minute walk from the resort. Enjoy local street food like Sai Krok Esan (fried sausage balls), logan juice, Kanom Krok (mini coconut cakes) and pick up some souvenirs like handcrafted necklaces, customisable leather goods and locally made silk scarves.

Pattaya

There’s much to do within and beyond the hotel compounds. The first to check out would definitely be the hotel’s stunning infinity pool on level 16 which blends seamlessly with the shoreline. You can easily spend hours here – swim up to the edge or relax in one of the cabanas with a book in hand.

Speaking of water activities, no trip here would be complete without hitting up Pattaya Beach. Located just across the road from the hotel, you’ll get to admire the long stretch of sand and sea along Pattaya Bay. The beach is lined with rows of sun chairs and shops selling refreshments, but you can also choose to plunge right into the action with some thrilling water sports – options include parasailing, jet skiing, and more. If you’re down to venture a little further out, hop over to Coral Island for more pristine beaches and azure waters, or explore the Sanctuary of Truth – a magnificent temple hand-carved entirely out of wood. 

Thinking of staying indoors? Take advantage of the direct access to Central Pattaya Mall via the hotel. The compound has over 350 shops, a large department store, a food court, a cinema, and even a bowling alley to keep you entertained all day. Or, retreat to the hotel’s Eforea Spa, which has treatments ranging from traditional Thai massages to facials, and even a full-service hair and nail salon.

For night activities, you’ll want to visit one of the many night markets around Pattaya. A short five-minute walk will take you to the Pattaya Night Bazaar, which has plenty of street food and stores selling souvenirs, handmade trinkets, and all sorts of knick-knacks. But if it’s the electrifying nightlife you’re after, then Pattaya Walking Street is your best bet for partying it up after dark.

Hua Hin 

Breakfast is served buffet style at The Market Restaurant. Choose from a selection of Asian, Thai and Italian dishes and enjoy your meal while taking in the hotel’s lagoon pool just steps away from the ocean. Just before lunch, grab a coffee at the café located behind the check-in counters. Or if you’re up for something more local, opt for the classic Thai iced milk tea instead.

For lunch, head to Chay Had Restaurant and Lounge, an open-air oceanfront restaurant offering authentic Thai dishes. Start your meal with the perfect appetiser – the tuna spicy salad – made with diced tuna slices mixed with roasted ground rice and drizzled with spicy lime dressing. For the main course, opt for the pad thai, a Thai favourite made with thick noodles wok-fried with prawns, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, dried shrimps, egg, sweet turnip and tamarind sauce. Seafood lovers should not miss the pad cha – a spicy dish with stir-fried prawns, mussels, scallops with garlic, chilli, fingerroot and green peppercorn. Lastly, don’t leave without trying the classic mango sticky rice, a dessert that spotlights Thailand’s sweet and juicy mangoes served with sticky rice and topped off with coconut milk. 

As the sun sets, dinner awaits at the White Lotus Restaurant, located on the 17th floor of the resort. Here, enjoy Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine while soaking in panoramic views overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The slow-roasted Peking duck is a must-order. The dish is served in three stages: first, savour the crispy skin with homemade pancakes and spring onions; next, enjoy the meat with your choice of sauce; and finally, finish things off with a flavourful duck soup. Other choices you can’t go wrong with are the Cantonese soy sauce fried noodles and the Hong Kong-style kung pao chicken. Wrap up your meal with banana fritters served alongside coconut ice cream, and for those looking for something light, treat yourself to the black sesame tang yuan served in ginger tea, or the sweet tofu pudding that’s produced from soy almond milk, topped with light brown sugar and ginger syrup. 

Finally, the perfect way to end your evening is at the rooftop bar next door, where you can enjoy a stunning bird's-eye view of the Hua Hin coast while sipping on a bespoke cocktail.

Pattaya

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at Edge, the hotel’s all-day-dining destination on the 14th floor. Tuck into a spread of local and international cuisines, including a selection of Thai curries, fresh fruits, waffles and pastries, and even a sushi station. 

Also check out Drift, the stylish lobby lounge and bar. The casual dining outfit serves up nosh like spicy seafood pasta, parma ham pizza, Thai fishcakes, and scrumptious Vietnamese spring rolls stuffed with the freshest herbs. But the highlight at Drift is its dainty three-tiered afternoon tea sets lined with sweet and savoury delights – best enjoyed while lounging on one of the pods at the outdoor terrace.

The hotel’s pride is Horizon, an award-winning destination rooftop bar and restaurant on the 34th floor. The bar overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and the entire Pattaya Beach, and needless to say, sunsets here are a stunner. 

Thankfully, there’s great food and cocktails to match. Dig into plates of nicely charred tenderloin steak drizzled with jus; tandoori chicken; fried calamari; and a glazed cod steak that’s oh-so-tender. Then, head over to the bar counter that’s perched near the balcony edge. Sip on expertly-shaken cocktails like Breakfast at Tiffany’s – a creamy pink vodka concoction with lychee liquor, raspberry purée and hints of grapefruit and rose. Or for something stiffer, get the Smoked Harvest or Zero Gravity. Both feature Ballantine's whisky and are infused with cinnamon and wood smoke respectively.

Cap off the night with a visit to one of the bustling night markets in town. You’ll get to savour quintessential Thai street food like pork skewers, Thai roti with banana and Nutella, warm bowls of boat noodles, and for the adventurous – grilled crocodile meat.

Book your stay at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Hilton Pattaya now.