Family-Friendly Guide To Hua Hin, Thailand
Where To Stay+Play+Eat
If you’ve not been to Hua Hin, then it’s time to pack your bags! This seaside resort town is a hidden gem that will appeal to families looking for a more chilled, laid-back vibe away from party-goers and busy traffic. Previously, one had to fly to Bangkok before driving or taking public transportation to Hua Hin. Since 2018, a direct two hours flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Air Asia will take you to the charming coastal town of Hua Hin. Located 200km from Bangkok, Hua Hin became popular with local Thais as a holiday getaway after the Thai royal family built a summer palace here in the 1920s. Here is our family friendly guide to Hua Hin to help you navigate your way here on your next beach getaway!
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HOW TO GET TO HUA HIN:
Currently, only Air Asia operates daily direct flights to Hua Hin from Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, from Bangkok, one can hire a car or take the public transportation such as the bus from Bangkok for approximately three hours or the train if you don’t mind a longer ride to get here.
Air Asia, www.airasia.com
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GETTING AROUND HUA HIN:
Getting around is not difficult with taxis or Grab cars readily available or one can book a car rental to self-drive. Alternatively, if you're keen on some local flavor, try the Songthaews (mini trucks) and tuk tuks but be sure to ask for the rates and have small change ready before you hop on as payment is strictly by casb only. Private car drivers can also be hired for day trips to popular attractions.
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WHERE TO STAY IN HUA HIN WITH KIDS?
From luxurious to basic, Hua Hin caters to all budgets. For luxurious digs, V Villas Hua Hin-MGallery oozes sophistication with 28 exclusive pool villas each with a private butler to attend to your needs. Family-friendly international resorts equipped with kids’ club can be easily found here, just take your pick from Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa or Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort, among others. The Holiday Inn Vana Nava is perfect for older kids as the Vana Nava Water Jungle sits right in front and hotel guests will enjoy unlimited free access throughout their stay. Further down south, family-run Dolphin Bay Resort offers basic comforts and tranquility with its beachfront location and laid-back vibe at a budget-friendly price.
V Villas Hua Hin – Mgallery, www.vvillashuahin.com/
Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/hyatt-regency-hua-hin/huahi
Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhqmr-hua-hin-marriott-resort-and-spa/
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hhqsi-sheraton-hua-hin-resort-and-spa/
Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort, https://huahin.intercontinental.com/
Holiday Inn Vana Nava, https://vananavahuahin.holidayinnresorts.com/
Dolphin Bay Resort, www.dolphinbayresort.com/
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WHERE TO EAT IN HUA HIN WITH KIDS?
If you’re visiting Hua Hin, the local seafood is a must try. For lobsters, oysters, crabs, fish and more, the best place to find them is the Hua Hin Night Market. Seafood restaurants line the streets here with fresh seafood on ice are displayed right at the front while enthusiastic restaurant staff beckon you in. For light snacks, just roam around the night market and pick up some local street food at one of the many stalls. On weekends, head to Tamarind Market for al fresco dining under the stars and get a taste of the variety of local delights at the food stalls here. If you’re looking for a fancier experience, Let's Sea Hua Hin's Beach Restaurant is perfect for a special occasion with its sea-facing panoramic views while The Tea House offers an elegant French-style interior perfect for afternoon tea.
Further up north at Cha-Am where the tourist attractions are located, make a pit stop at 1000 Sook Food and Farm for lunch and check out their mini market for Thai snacks and souvenirs to bring home, as well as the mini farm at the back for some photo-taking and don’t forget to feed the friendly farm animals. If you happen to visit Santorini Park, don’t forget to stop by Miffy’s Garden Café where the Dutch bunny can be seen throughout the café including the MIffy-shaped iced tea cubes, pancakes and more to complement the life-sized Miffy statues in the garden.
Tamarind Market, www.facebook.com/tamarindmarkethuahin/
Let's Sea Hua Hin's Beach Restaurant, www.facebook.com/letussearestaurant/
The Tea House, www.facebook.com/Theteahouseofficial/
1000 Sook Food and Farm, www.facebook.com/1000sookchaam/
Miffy’s Garden Café, www.facebook.com/miffysgardencafe/
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WHAT TO DO IN HUA HIN WITH KIDS?
This beach town seems well catered for tourists with a number of recreation cum amusement parks that will appeal to Instagram addicts and kids. Santorini Park sports a Greek-themed architecture with the familiar stone-paved path and white and blue buildings which also houses a boutique hotel features numerous Insta-worthy backgrounds as well as the adorable Miffy’s Garden featuring life-sized Miffy and friends, perfect for photo-taking along with attractions such as a carousel, bumper car, Ferris wheel, indoor playground and more.
Close by is Camel Republic where children can feed the animals like the camels, sheeps, birds and ducks, or ride the ponies while at the Swiss Sheep Farm, plenty of kitschy fun awaits with an assortment of gigantic sculptures, horse carts, farm animals like sheeps and rabbits to feed and even a small 3-D museum. Hua Hin also offers two other water parks, the Vana Nava Water Jungle and Black Mountain Water Park. Over at Kui Buri National Park, watch wild elephants grazing in their natural habitat.For more details on the top sights in Hua HIn, check our our top 10 picks – Click here for all the details.
Top 10 Things To Do In Hua Hin With Kids, Click here
Santorini Park, www.facebook.com/SantoriniPark/
Camel Republic, www.facebook.com/camelrepublic/
Swiss Sheep Farm, www.facebook.com/LoveSwissSheepFarm/
Vana Nava Water Jungle, www.vananavahuahin.com/
Black Mountain Water Park, www.blackmountainwaterpark.com/
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