Hua Hin has always been a hotspot for a weekend getaway. It is also the first-ever resort under the Anantara brand and will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.
Despite being renovated late last year, the resort has retained its design style of an ancient Thai village, alongside a beach. It is one of those resorts that are a rare find these days, simply due to the sheer expanse of it. A rather long driveway ensures that it is situated well off the main road and you’re in a resort bubble by the sea.
The lobby is open-aired bright and breezy, and is detailed in Thai architecture and design. Also part of the welcoming committee is the resort’s rescued gold and blue macaw called Rocky. Though you are forbidden to touch or feed Rocky, he is willing to pose for a picture with you and will respond when spoken to. How’s that for an usual welcome?!
Anantara Hua Hin has 171 newly renovated rooms and suites, and is pet-friendly. Though word of warning, not all the rooms are pet accessible. The resort has low-rise buildings, each with a ground floor and first floor that are amidst lush, landscaped gardens. So no matter which room or suite you choose, you’re surrounded by green and after the concrete jungle that we live in, green is a much-needed escape.
An addition to the resort after the renovation are the pool-access rooms and who doesn’t love going from balcony into a pool? I know I do. Though in this case, I much rather be in a suite on the first floor with Cathedral ceilings and beautiful woodwork, overlooking one of the many lagoons with water lilies and lotuses. The suites have teak flooring, indigenous textiles and are incredibly spacious, complete with a private balcony that has a cantilevered daybed with lagoon vistas. One of the best things about the suite, is that it comes with a bathtub large enough for four people.
It would not be fair of me to mention that because this is an older resort, it is not necessarily disabled friendly and there are a lot of stairs, especially if you choose the suites. Though the pathways are cobbled-stoned for a bit of acupuncture.
If you’re not a beach person, like me, you have a choice of two swimming pools. Yes, you read that right. One is an adults-only swimming pool and is in a corner of the resort. Perfect for some peace and quiet. It also flows into a larger lagoon and is the place to watch the duckies float by. The main pool is in the centre of the resort and despite being large it may feel a tad crowded on a sunny day.
While, the resort offers the usual yoga on the lawn, Muay Thai classes and other activities, the highlight of it being an older resort is that it has tennis and padel/pickleball courts. A game of tennis with an in-house coach is just what the doctor ordered! Next to the courts is a well-equipped gym and across the road is something fun for the young ones, including the child in us. The Mini Farm is home to a few Pygmy goats, Silkie chickens, peahens and a peacock, bee hives and more. It is here where the kids can feed, pet and collect eggs and learn more about the animals. There is also a Little Farmer Kids Club where the children can play once the sun gets too hot.
All these activities make one hungry, but you’re never far from a restaurant in the resort. Anantara Hua Hin has five restaurants, with the signature Sea Fire Salt being on the beach and offering views of the ocean. The hint of what’s on the menu is in the name and there’s a bit of everything here. The Thai restaurant is Rim Nam and is open only for dinner, while Loy Nam offers day-time bites if you’re around the pool. Issara Cafe is the breakfast restaurant, and is partially indoors and outdoors. The breakfast spread is substantial, though do venture inside for the fresh juices and things that need to be kept cold. Kasara Lounge is the club lounge and offers the usual fare. If you’re by the Lagoon Pool (adults only), the bar has a few good offers. Daytime drinking, you exclaim! Pff, I say, you’re on holiday!
If you rather learn to cook what’s being offered at Rim Nam, then Spice Spoons is for you. It’s the resort’s cooking school and is conducted in a sala on the lawns. Village-style coming into play here.
I’ve left the best for last and at Anantara Hua Hin, the crowning glory is its spa. A visual treat, the spa’s design is unique. There are six treatment rooms that are like mini suites, complete with outdoor bathtubs and showers. While the body massages are excellent, it is the Indian head massage that you’re after. The best Indian head massage outside of India! After a massage, sip tea on the terrace overlooking a lagoon to continue the relaxation and if I were allowed to move in, I would!
Anantara Hua Hin is the resort for a quick weekend getaway, if only to replenish, restore and renew you… it is a new year, after all!
