If you’re uninterested in the congestion and hectic tempo of Bangkok, close by Hua Hin has develop into one of many extra widespread locations for a soothing Thailand seashore getaway. When SO Sofitel Hua Hin invited me up to take a look at their area, I used to be fairly excited not solely to do an in depth lodge evaluation for SO Sofitel Hua Hin, but additionally to revisit the Hua Hin district and see what the encompassing Cha am district needed to provide.
My keep was sponsored by SO Sofitel Hua Hin however the views expressed listed here are all my very own. You can take a look at their official web site or head over to reserving.com [affiliate link] for extra data.
Location: charming Cha am
While Hua Hin is in its identify, SO Sofitel Hua Hin is definitely situated 30 minutes drive north of downtown Hua Hin (the place the prepare station and foremost sights are situated) in an space often known as Cha am. Cha am is the Thai locals getaway vacation spot for lovely seashores and low-cost good seafood, the quieter and extra relaxed cousin of more and more widespread and crowded Hua Hin.
The excellent news is that you just save half-hour attending to Cha am from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport as in comparison with Hua Hin. The dangerous information is that it’s nonetheless going to take a minimal of three hours to drive from the airport to SO Sofitel Hua Hin, which is longer than it takes to fly from Singapore to Bangkok, however hey you must perform a little bit of labor if you need an actual getaway from everybody proper?
Getting from Bangkok to Cha am
SO Sofitel after all supplies airport transfers from both Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to get you to the resort comfortably. More on their companies right here.
If you might be planning to spend extra time in Thailand, the resort also can prepare a Bangkok-Hua Hin package deal that allows you to keep in each SO Sofitel properties over 4 nights and shuttles you in between Bangkok, Cha am and airport.
If you might be planning to self drive so you’ll be able to discover the realm round Cha am extra simply, you might cease over at Samut Songkhram which is about midway in between to stretch your legs and see the Tha Kha Floating Market or the well-known Maeklong Train Market earlier than persevering with your journey. Read my Amphawa information for extra.
What I did was request to stopover in Petchaburi alongside the best way (about 45 minutes away from the resort) to see the palace and temples on the hill of Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (Khao Wang), in addition to the cave temple Tham Khao Luang. Detailed Cha am information coming quickly, keep tuned!
First impressions
SO Sofitel Hua Hin feels at first blush like idyllic palace gardens as you flip into its driveway, and on the entrance you’re all of the sudden dropped into a up to date artwork museum with an expansive marble staircase welcoming you to the lodge. Check-in is finished on high of the staircase, in opposition to the backdrop of a protracted pond function that I solely realised later truly sits atop an enormous stone-covered wall that cuts by the guts of the resort.
One attention-grabbing observe upon checking in – the lodge asks that you just obtain the Handigo app to your cellphone. At first look it appeared like an actual problem to try this only for a brief keep, however this pocket concierge app is definitely very helpful and saves you the effort of calling reception for the whole lot you want. There is a chat operate the place you’ll be able to ask questions on services or name for buggy service, and it listed the assorted facility opening hours and shuttle bus timings and you might make a reserving immediately by the app. This can all be carried out in English with much less of the language barrier that may occur whereas speaking on the cellphone.
SO Studio Room Review
We stayed in a SO Studio Room with a pool view and balcony – these are situated on the 2nd and third storeys of the buildings surrounding the Signature pool. Despite the fashionable museum-like facades and hallways, the rooms are fairly heat, welcoming and cozy with a nature theme.
I preferred the spacious open format, which is as a result of they’ve eradicated a lot of the partitions inside the room – you’ll be able to cordon off the lavatory space from the bed room/dwelling space with thick curtains for a little bit of privateness. The bathroom and the bathe are on separate sides of the room – helpful as a result of two folks can prepare directly, however should you’re somebody who likes to swan across the lavatory like a unadorned queen, simply know that the primary doorway sits between the 2 areas so be sure that nobody goes to bust in midway.
There is a separate cute spherical bathtub and bathe with a bench, and proper within the centre of the lavatory space is a multi-functional wardrobe + TV console that may swivel round so you’ll be able to watch TV from the bath or the bed room space. I solely want that there have been extra hooks across the room, however that’s as a result of I don’t like protecting my garments tucked away in a cabinet.
The mattress itself is massive and cozy – I fairly just like the picket branch-like posts that added some design with out blocking any mild or making the mattress really feel boxed up, and I additionally admire there being each energy factors and USB ports on either side of the mattress. There was additionally a pleasant sofa and balcony seats for chilling out, and a handy rack to dry moist swimwear on.
We have been up on the third degree so just a little stair climbing again to the room (no lifts!) however a bit extra privateness since we have been increased up, and an excellent view of the Signature pool and the enormous Wibit inflatable impediment course under. I assumed it’d get a bit noisy due to the pool but it surely remained surprisingly chill, even on the weekends.
There are loads of different room choices obtainable at SO Sofitel Hua Hin particularly catered in direction of households – pool entry rooms, rooms with hooked up child’s homes and enjoyable bunk beds and even function a slide from the higher degree. For those that need extra privateness, there are villas with non-public swimming pools near the seashore for some exclusivity as effectively.
Facilities in SO Sofitel Hua Hin
3 Swimming Pools
SO Sofitel Hua Hin has 3 swimming pools to select from for all of your swimming wants. The foremost Signature pool has a big inflatable impediment course working down the center and is the most well-liked with friends, and particularly these seeking to have a little bit of enjoyable pretending they’re doing a Physical 100 course. Most of the seating and the shallow portion is at SO Sundae and there aren’t many deckchairs right here until you will have a pool entry room.
If you need a bit extra quiet, the Solarium Pool is adults-only and situated between the excessive partitions that run down the centre of the resort. The Spa and Recreation Rooms are additionally situated right here and there are deckchairs for sunning.
And for the sound of the waves whiel you swim, there may be the SO pool situated between White Oven restaurant and the lodge’s seashore space with extra daybeds and deckchairs.
1 cosy Beach
SO Sofitel Hua Hin is technically a beachfront property and so they do have a cute little seashore space with deckchairs, swings and an enormous tree for some shade that’s good to relax out. However as a result of the waves right here might be fairly robust and to stop additional erosion of the coast, there’s a seashore wall that separates the resort’s raised seashore from the precise shoreline. You can stroll alongside this decrease seashore space when the tide is low, however hold a watch out do you don’t get stranded! There was a day the winds have been fairly robust and people waves have been lashing arduous at excessive tide!
Spa
SO Sofitel Hua Hin has its personal spa and we indulged in a superb Thai therapeutic massage after a strenuous morning of climbing at Khao Nang Phanthurat. This is the primary spa I’ve visited that allows you to decide your individual music to get massaged to! We had a Thai therapeutic massage, although general this Thai therapeutic massage is extra enjoyable and never as physique contorting as a few of those who I’ve skilled up to now the place the masseuses will actually manoeuvre your physique into all kinds of positions.
Something a bit uncommon on this spa is that this cocoon-shaped deep rest space that you’re escorted to after your therapeutic massage. There are two beds within the cocoon the place you’ll be able to simply lie down for awhile and benefit from the twinkling lights in the dead of night till you’re prepared to vary and exit.
Dining at SO Sofitel Hua Hin
SO Sofitel Hua Hin is dwelling to 2 eating places – White Oven and Beach Society. They even have just a little cafe of kinds referred to as SO Sundae subsequent to the Signature pool the place you will get drinks, truffles and ice cream.
White Oven
White Oven is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is kind of a considerable buffet unfold arrange each within the indoor space and outside space for breakfast. There are stations for rice, noodle soup, western meals, Thai meals, salad stuff, yoghurts, breads, cereals, eggs, fruits and even a bagel bar. It actually is kind of an expansion!
In the afternoons and evenings, you will get each Thai and Western meals right here. The restaurant is open till 11pm so it’s not a foul possibility for supper as effectively – I preferred their Thai-style crab truffles and moo ping pork skewers. We additionally tried their premium Thai BBQ set for dinner on our first night the place a grill is about up on the desk and you may prepare dinner your individual meat and seafood proper there. Since we have been in Thailand I used to be half anticipating a Mookata grill, however that is simply an unusual desk high grill with a soup pot within the center. Pretty filling dinner although I hoped for extra Thai seasoning general.
On weekends, dinner choice consists of your selection of reside seafood as they’ve fishermen that deliver their wares on to the lodge within the late afternoon for friends eager to eat Cha am’s well-known seafood.
Beach Society
Closer to the seashore is SO Sofitel’s different restaurant often known as Beach Society the place you’ll be able to dine on the sand if you wish to. There can be a small bar right here. The atmosphere of Beach Society is a bit more chill and the menu options western-style delicacies like steak, pizza and pasta.
We ate lunch right here throughout weekend brunch the place the meals was arrange buffet type with an extra roast beef and raclette cheese station, and featured a good quantity of contemporary seafood like oysters, lobster, crabs and shellfish.
For dinner we tried out among the cocktails and dishes from their menu. The cocktails may in all probability be a bit stronger, and meals clever I actually loved the seafood – the salt-crusted fish was very plump and contemporary. The Surf and Turf platter was a fairly substantial dish for sharing that includes lobster, prawns and steak – we have been so stuffed after that although there was nonetheless room for dessert, like the lovable coconut creme brulee served in an precise coconut.
Things to do round SO Sofitel Hua Hin
You may simply spend your total vacation simply chilling within the resort, however Cha am does have some attention-grabbing sights to see, and SO Sofitel Hua Hin has an Explorer program that will help you simply discover among the sights round Cha am and/or Hua Hin even should you don’t have your individual automotive.
Sunset cocktails at Nayang Bat cave
Just 10 minutes away from SO Sofitel Hua Hin is a spot often known as Nayang Bat Cave. Amidst the village is a personal home which arrange a viewing platform that you may go to to see a pure nightly phenomenon the place over 2 million tiny fruit bats have been emerge from the cave in quest of dinner.
You will want your individual transport there, so the resort does organise an explorer tour to see this which comes with 2-way shuttle switch in addition to snacks and drinks to devour when you anticipate the solar to go down and the bats to emerge. Find out extra.
This is a kind of issues that’s loads much less thrilling in photos however a complete lot of wow once you see it in individual. While it’s not a batman state of affairs the place the bats all emerge directly and blanket the sky, watching them stream out of their cave like smoke seems like watching NatGeo in actual life. Hawks circle the bats as effectively and dive in to catch them, making the stream weave together with the wind. The bats finally disperse and can even flit by you as they go in quest of fruit timber.
Morning hike at Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park
Khao Nang Phanthurat is a forest park discovered on the slopes of two mountains Khao Chaolai and Khao Chomprasart which apparently seems like a giantess mendacity on her aspect from afar and maybe how this park received its identify. Nang Phanthurat is from a Thai folktale referred to as Sang Thong, a giantess who may disguise as a human and adopted a human son who she hid her giantness from. Many of the viewpoints and sights round listed here are named after Nang Phanthurat.
The park itself is a stunning place to hike, fairly effectively maintained general particularly on the decrease ranges, although it is best to put on good sneakers once you climb increased because the paved trails develop into sharp rocks the upper you go. Hiking sticks are additionally a good suggestion should you can to navigate the uneven terrain. The foliage modifications as you climb increased, and the viewpoints of the encompassing countryside are fairly good, all in all it’s a pleasant and vigorous to spend a morning.
SO Sofitel Hua Hin affords a shuttle service to Khao Nang Phanthurat the place you’ll be able to discover by yourself, but additionally can organise a morning group or non-public tour with a information that comes with water and climbing sticks, an ice chilly contemporary coconut drink and towel after the hike and even spa reductions so you’ll be able to rub these aching muscle groups down after. Learn extra concerning the Khao Nang Phanthurat Explorer Excursion.
common Shuttles to hua Hin/Cha am
SO Sofitel Hua Hin has common shuttles right down to downtown Hua Hin (30-40 minutes away) and Cha am Beach (10 minutes away) so you’ll be able to discover the realm for 50-90 THB every method. You can guide this shuttle by the Concierge app or on the entrance desk. This can be helpful within the evenings should you plan to go to the night time markets – Hua Hin has a day by day night time market whereas Cha am has one each Wednesday night time. Learn extra about their shuttle companies.
Check out my information to Hua Hin to see what else you’ll be able to discover within the space and keep tuned for my Cha am information.
Cycling across the lodge
One attention-grabbing factor I famous as we became the lodge was the presence of biking tracks alongside the primary street that seemed even newer than the precise street. Turns out that there are plans to spice up tourism to this space and biking tracks are part of that bigger plan.
You can hire bicycles at SO Sofitel Hua Hin to cycle round Cha Am, and the resort has even deliberate out a biking route that takes you north of the lodge – nevertheless the tip level of the route is about 17km away and takes roughly 2 hours to cycle in keeping with the bike rental desk. Also, a lot of the sights to see are solely after that first 10km so it’s possible you’ll need to examine whether or not it’s potential to rearrange for a automotive/van to get you previous that first bit so it’s much less arduous.
I awakened vibrant and early to see how far I may push – I made it so far as what’s marked because the ‘Shrimp Pond’ on the map which is about 3km from the lodge. Decided to show off the street and discover this mysterious wanting lake of kinds and located it loads smaller than marked out (may have dried up just a little? My map markers had me in the midst of the lake lol). Those roads have been additionally sandy and unpaved in order that wore me out, and it was beginning to get actually scorching (no cloud cowl in any respect!)
SO Sofitel does have it personal biking paths inside the compound should you aren’t so bold and simply need to get some train, or you will have little ones having a go on the mini vehicles/bikes that in addition they hire out. There is a pleasant backyard simply reverse the doorway that you may cycle in as ewll.
Overall ideas
SO Sofitel Hua Hin is a extremely beautiful lodge if you need a restful trip someplace quieter and don’t thoughts that it takes a little bit of effort to get right here. It’s a property that you might simply spend all of your time in should you have been feeling lazy – good trendy design and the lodge grounds are expansive sufficient that it by no means felt too crowded even on the weekends.
I stayed on the lodge for 3 nights with a bunch of woman buddies and we had a whole lot of enjoyable. It’s not someplace I’d keep by myself as an indie traveller but it surely’s positively appropriate for {couples}, buddy teams and households. The vibe and services are all fairly household pleasant with sufficient actions to entertain each youngsters and adults across the resort.
Cha am city is probably not on the lodge’s doorstep should you’re somebody who likes to stroll round by yourself, however the day by day shuttle companies to close by Cha am and the extra energetic Hua Hin give some exploration choices, or you’ll be able to all the time prepare for an tour or a driver to deliver you round.
My keep was sponsored by SO Sofitel Hua Hin however the views expressed listed here are all my very own. You can take a look at their official web site or head over to reserving.com [affiliate link] for extra data.
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