Hua Hin: Anantara or Centara?

Hua Hin is a city on the West part of the along the Gulf of Thailand. It’s not the first real beach from Bangkok on this Western route as you have Cha Am before, but Cha Am is barely villages, while Hua Hin is a real city, a coastal town that has long been a favored retreat for both locals and expats in Thailand. Just a three-hour drive from the metropolis of Bangkok (which can become 4 or even 5 in peak traffic though), it offers a good weekend escape to relax by the beach.

The most popular option to go there is by car, the way offers some scenic views of the countryside and coastline, particularly the salt marchs area, it’s also nice to stop at Cha Am for a lunch in a seafood restaurant by the sea. For those seeking a more leisurely route, there are regular trains departing from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station, which take a bit longer but provide a nostalgic experience, as Hua Hin’s historic railway station is one of the town’s main attractions. The issue though is then how to move around in Hua Hin, as everything is placed a long the main road that feels like a highway dividing the town in two. Also Hua Hin is famous for its luxury resorts which are often kilometers away from the center.

When it comes to luxury hotels in Hua Hin, two standout options are Centara Grand and Anantara. These hotels are both classic Thai hospitality brands, each with its own distinct charm. We particularly like both of them because they are very much Thai, with a traditional architecture, huge and superb gardens, are by the sea. They of course have swimming pools and restaurants among other facilities. Prices can vary greatly depending the season and the type of room, they start at 4000 THB/night for the Centara and 3000 THB/night for the Anantara.

We were fortunate to visit both during COVID a few times at super low prices, so we got quite spoiled. It was a great experience as the hotels were nearly empty, giving us a more private and exclusive feel. We even got upgrades to super large rooms, and all of this came at almost half the regular price. It was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy these luxury stays in a unique and affordable way. We don’t go as often now that the heavy pricing is back.

Centara feels like the historic one, you feel like going back in time, whereas Anantara is focusing on the tropical garden side, with awesome ponds and coconut coves.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Centara Grand is a piece of history as it was established in the 1920s as the Railway Hotel, it stands as one of Thailand’s oldest and most distinguished hotels. The colonial architecture, with its all-white façade and low-rise design (3 floors only), immediately takes you back to a bygone era. Wandering through the vast, manicured beachfront gardens, you can’t help but feel the echoes of a more glamorous time when the hotel was the ultimate destination for high society.

The grounds themselves are as expansive as they are maintained, with sprawling lawns, grand old trees, and hedged walkways leading to multiple swimming pools. The gardens offer quiet corners for reflection or simply enjoying the sea breeze, making Centara a place where tranquility and elegance reign supreme. The hotel’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to blend old-world charm with modern luxury, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and relevant.

It’s also located right in the center of Hua Hin, so it’s practical, it’s even possible to walk to the restaurants in the fisherman’s piers area. Its beach is also the nicest in Hua Hin and gets very crowded in the evening before sunset, when Thais come.

Hua Hin

Centara Grand Hua Hin

Accommodations

Centara Grand in Hua Hin is one of the finest hotels in the area. It’s a luxury spot, part of the famous Centara hotel chain. With its classic colonial style – all in white and just three floors – it’s one of Thailand’s oldest hotels. The beachfront garden is enormous, featuring multiple pools. It’s the top hotel in Hua Hin, not just for its historic charm but also for its timeless elegance. We were fortunate during COVID to visit both Centara Grand and Anantara quite a few times.

Anantara Hua Hin Resort

Anantara Hua Hin Resort draws you in with its celebration of nature. Nestled within lush tropical gardens, Anantara offers an entirely different experience. The hotel embraces the beauty of Thailand’s tropical vegetation, from the towering coconut palms to the lotus-filled ponds scattered throughout the property. Anantara is designed to make you feel immersed in nature, where winding pathways through gardens lead you to quiet hideaways, and eventually to the beach.

The layout of Anantara mirrors a traditional Thai village, with low-rise villas hidden among the greenery, creating a sense of privacy and seclusion. The attention to detail in the landscaping is remarkable and tranquil water features contributing to a serene ambiance, particularly in the Lagoon area, with more upscale rooms that also give you access to the VIP area which as its own idyllic swimming pool, and where the complimentary afternoon tea is served.

Hua Hin

Anantara Hua Hin

Accommodations

Anantara in Hua Hin is one of the best hotels around there. It’s super spacious with a big, beautiful garden and right on the beach. Very large, lush garden, beachfront, with a great pool, there are actually different zones, particularly a VIP zone in the back with it’s specific pool and the spa that’s really paradisiac, with a water lily pond. It’s a top-notch place to relax and enjoy the good life by the sea. The beach is a bit disappointing as there is a concrete wall which cuts the beach but you can go down at low tide and it’s full of coconut trees so picturesque.