Veranda Resort & Spa at Hua Hin

Veranda Resort And Spa

Only three and a half hours from Bangkok, Hua Hin has been a favoured resort destination since it was “discovered” in the early 1920s. Blessed with both sea and mountain breezes, it’s a picturesque destination popular with Thais as well as foreigners, and is well worthy of exploring. There are many sights to enjoy including Khao Takiab, a headland dominated by an impressive gold Buddha, Klai Kangwon Palace, built by Thailand's Kim Rama VII in 1926, and Hua Hin Station, which resembles a gingerbread house.

Twenty minutes north of Hua Hin, on Cha Am beach, is where you will find Veranda Resort and Spa. A member of the prestigious Select Hotels, it's a boutique resort gracing the Gulf of Thailand, and a quiet spot in which to enjoy a break, or base yourself to explore both Hua Hin and Cha Am. Stylish and elegant, and sitting back from a pleasant beach with lush tropical gardens, the resort embodies Thai hospitality with a hip design.

The Rooms

This resort has plenty of options to suit budgets and also the number of people you're travelling with. At one end there is a Spa Pool Villa with a king-sized bed, a lounge area, sun deck, private pool and its own spa treatment suite complete with a steam room. There are also two Sky Villas, ideal for families or couples travelling together, with two bedrooms and a private pool, seven two-level Pool Villas with two bedrooms, a private pool and garden views, and beachfront pool villas perfect for honeymooners.

We enjoyed a week in a deluxe room. Only ten of this category of room have king beds, and 45 have twins - the only drawback for us was having the latter, but even though the hotel wasn't busy, the kings were all occupied. The room itself was relatively spacious with a light, airy decor focussing on natural tones. It had a TV with local and a few satellite channels, and a fridge which was handy for storing cold drinks. A great asset to the room was its large covered veranda with a small daybed, and views across the interior infinity pond, with the pool and ocean beyond. And the bathroom had a full-sized tub and shower as well as a separate toilet, although it did look a tiny bit tired from a decor perspective.

Dining

The resort really excelled in the food department. Breakfast was taken in the bistro-style Dining Room, a buffet complete with an eggs station, and virtually every kind of food you can imagine on offer. There were fruits, cereals, various types of bread, salads, Asian delicacies and also salads, cold meats and cheese. At the eggs station selections are made to order. You can also eat lunch and dinner here, but on most days we opted to try some of the local eateries on the beach, or the quiet strip which runs north of the hotel.

A couple of nights, however, we did venture into the resort's premium restaurant, iSea. It has a cool vibe, fabulous sea views, and a contemporary design with an Asian accent; a metallic-clad decor and furnishings bright colours. It offers an excellent menu fusing European and Asian food with an emphasis on fish and seafood, and has an upstairs bar from which you can watch the sun set over Cha Am beach.

Other Facilities

There is free WiFi in the hotel, but it's only available at Lobby Bar near the hotel entrance - and seating there is limited at best. The alternative is paid-for WiFi which you can access anywhere in the hotel. There is also a kids club, a small gym which has insufficient air conditioning, and there is a spa which is open from 10 am to 8 pm. The outdoor pool, however, is amazing. It's a large infinity pool with areas of cover, a small artificial beach, a water slide for kids, and a water curtain feature. Well situated, the resort is also close to some small inexpensive restaurants, and on the north beach side you can get a manicure or a massage from the friendly beach vendors very cheaply. The beach is also long and flat, perfect for walking or running.

The Verdict

This is a lovely hotel for a relaxing break, although if you get itchy feet and want to venture further out beyond the local area, you will need to book a tour or rent a car or motorbike. The hotel is elegant, and the service efficient and relaxed, but some of the rooms are in need of a cosmetic makeover. A great spot for doing nothing much but enjoying Thai hospitality and its renowned hot weather.

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