We decided it was time to slow things down for a while – and Hua Hin turned out to be the perfect place to do it. We spent a full week at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, trading road-trip adventures for a bit of luxury, beautiful beaches, great food, and plenty of time to simply enjoy the resort. From Bangkok, Hua Hin is south in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province and directly on the beach.
We checked into a premium suite and immediately settled into vacation mode. The extra space made the room feel like a home base rather than just somewhere to sleep, and the welcome treats waiting for us were a nice introduction to the week ahead. The resort has several pools, and we quickly developed a routine of swimming, finding a comfortable spot in the sun, cooling off in the water, and doing it all over again.
A Morning on the Beach With the Monks
One memorable morning began before sunrise. We walked along Hua Hin Beach as Buddhist monks made their way down the shoreline collecting alms. We stopped to make merit and offer food to the monks as they continued their morning walk. It was a simple experience, but one that felt very connected to everyday Thai life. Watching the sun come up over the beach while participating in this centuries-old tradition was one of those travel moments that doesn’t require a sightseeing attraction or an itinerary. Sometimes, you just have to be there at the right time.
Breakfast Buffet
Another highlight was breakfast. Every morning we enjoyed the resort’s premium breakfast buffet, with an enormous selection of both Western and Asian dishes. There were enough choices that we could have eaten something completely different every day – and probably still wouldn’t have tried everything. For us, a great hotel breakfast is an important part of the experience, and Marriott definitely delivered. Breakfast became another leisurely part of the morning rather than something to rush through before heading out for the day.
Relaxing at the Spa
We also spent some time at the spa, taking advantage of the sauna and steam rooms. After traveling, walking, swimming, and hiking, it was a great way to unwind. There was something particularly satisfying about going from the heat of the Thai sun to the steam room, cooling down, and then heading back to the pool. This week was definitely less about checking things off a list and more about enjoying the moment.
Dinner on the Beach – and a Fire Show
One evening, the resort put on a barbecue dinner right on the beach. Fresh food, the sound of the waves, a beautiful evening under the stars – and then a fire show to finish things off. The performers brought flaming props onto the beach and put on a spectacular show as the evening unfolded. It was exactly the kind of experience you hope for when staying at a beachfront resort in Thailand.
Hua Hin Beach
Just outside the resort, there are horses waiting to be ridden. My girlfriend took advantage of one of Hua Hin’s classic beach experiences: horseback riding. She headed out onto the sand for a ride along the beach while I stayed closer to the resort and captured some of the experience. It’s hard to imagine a more quintessential Hua Hin activity than riding a horse along the shoreline.
Exploring Beyond the Resort
Although it would have been easy to spend the entire week without leaving the Marriott, we did venture out for some local food. We walked to nearby restaurants and enjoyed Korean and Italian meals during the week. One of our stops was The Chocolate Factory, which gave us another excuse to get away from the resort and explore the area around Hua Hin. That’s one of the things we liked about the location: the resort gave us the luxury and amenities of a five-star getaway, while restaurants and local attractions were still within easy reach.
One Week of Doing Almost Nothing
After all the driving and exploring we’ve been doing around Thailand, our week at the Hua Hin Marriott was a completely different kind of adventure. There were no long drives to waterfalls, no rushing to make the next ferry, and no trying to squeeze five attractions into one day. Instead, we had mornings on the beach, leisurely breakfasts, afternoons by the pool, time in the sauna and steam room, good food, a little horseback riding, and evenings watching the sunset and enjoying the beach.
Sometimes the best part of traveling is realizing you don’t have to go anywhere.