The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa is located south of Bangkok on the western shores of the Gulf of Thailand . The property’s address is technically in Cha Am, however the resort is situated south Cha Am and just north of Hua Hin.
Getting There: Scheduled fights operate a few times a day between Bangkok airports and Hua Hin. However, the drive is only about 2.5 hours depending on traffic, reliability of vehicle including driver and “starting point”. On a Sunday afternoon starting from Suvarnabhumi airport the driver of our private car (3500 THB OW, 6100 THB RT via a reliable travel agent) chose to drive through downtown Bangkok on the toll way but it was smooth sailing all the way.
Upon Arrival: After waving your way through two security checkpoints, you’ll find yourself arriving at the large circular drive in front of the spacious , open-air lobby. Traditional Thai service and hospitality ensues with a “welcome drink” of herbal Thai tea while check-in formalities are processed from the comfort of a plush sofa or chair.
Property: The property is approximately 100 meters wide, running from the main highway to the gulf of Thailand. Closest to the highway is Blue Lagoon Condominium development developed by the same company (Grande Asset Management) as the Sheraton Hua Hin. On a side note, Grande Asset also owns the Westin Grande Sukhumvit. Conveniently enough there was a feature in the Bangkok Post on Grand Asset during my stay.
According to the hotel specs, The SHH boasts 240 guest rooms and 12 suites. The resort is built in a horseshoe configuration. At the bottom of the “U” is the main lobby and restaurant area.. The rooms and suites are spread across eight low-rise two-story buildings that run along either side of the property from the main lobby to the Gulf.
In the middle of the “U” there is nothing but tropical foliage, lagoon/river pools , and the pool restaurant/bar “Salas”. The lagoon view and lagoon access rooms face the inside of the “U” while the garden view accommodations face the neighboring properties (which seem to be in the early stages of construction)..
Lagoon Rooms (Inward facing): Inward facing room s are designated as either “lagoon view” or “lagoon access.” The difference being the lagoon access have a standard “pool ladder” from the veranda into the pool. While the “lagoon views” are located on the second floor. There’s a privacy tradeoff of course. The buildings 1 thru 4 on the north side of the property are sunny most of the day while the south wing’s lagoon rooms offer a shaded veranda for non-sun-worshipers. An additional note, for the “lagoon access” room is a good idea for travelers with children to note. The four buildings (3,4,7,8) closes t to the Gulf have no barrier between your sliding door and the pool/lagoon . Closer to the bottom of the “U”/lobby but further from the beach the “lagoon access” rooms do have a glass and rail barrier to keep the little ones from being able to get to the water from the veranda. The barrier is aesthetic and similar to that on all of the 2nd story rooms. Not something to avoid, but something to request if you are traveling with kids.
Ocean Rooms: In terms of Ocean Front there are 16 rooms by my estimation. All have veranda facing the Gulf. Downstairs units (incl. suites) have a small garden and direct access from the veranda to the Ocean Front lawn area. There are two standard Ocean Front rooms “sandwiched” between the 2 suites designed specifically to create a 2-bedroom suite via connecting doors. My only guidance regarding “Ocean Front” is that it’s really not worth paying extra for.
Garden Rooms (Outward facing): Truth be told, you want to avoid these rooms if you’re budget allows. These rooms offer little or no “good view” and the downstairs units’ gardens seem less than desirable. The veranda offers a place to smoke and dry you swimsuit however the garden room veranda’s didn’t seem inviting enough for evening cocktails in my view.
Suites: At the SHH any suite is sweet. The 12 suites include eight Ocean and four Lagoon divided evenly in buildings 4 and 8. Unless you specifically want veranda pool access , put in a request for upstairs. On my way to the room bellman advised me that I had the best room in the house. (8211 see pics) .In reality the suites are double wide compared to the standard rooms. Half dedicated to “living” and half “bedding”. They also sport amazing bathrooms and more closet than you really need. You can’t go wrong here with cash, points, or status. Get into a suite at the SHH and you’ve scored big time.
Service: As of Dec. 2007 after 4 months of operation, the SHH staff is still in the process if earning their stripes without a doubt. Certainly the ethic that makes Bangkok one of the leading hotel destinations in the world is visible. If Today’s traveler can accept that there’s a learning curve involved it would make for far less aggravation. Over the course of a stay expect nice surprises but also expect to need to ask twice on occasion. In addition while most staff speaks some English, communication is a “two-way” exchange Keep this in mind, leave you’re attitude at home, and make a genuine effort to make yourself understood.
Food & Beverage: All outlets on property seemed to be up and running as of Dec 2007 (Opening Aug 10, 2007) “The Deck” offers-Indoor/Outdoor Breakfast buffet. The buffet is sufficient covering all the bases. Made to order eggs, pancakes or waffle station (varies daily) fruits, juices, salads, breads as well as Asian fare. No SPG Platinum freebies here but hopefully the $20 will get you through to dinner.
“Salas” was the favorite! Located in the middle of the property’s lagoon/river area. During the day it served as the kitchen for the pool/beach lawn area. The lunch and dinner offerings seemed a bit redundant and the offerings were not very expansive. However, aside from the main seating this outlet offered many cozy sala seating areas set for 2-4 people.
“InAzia” would best be described as “Pan-Asian” as opposed to “Asian-Fusion”. The SHH’s signature restaurant, it ‘s good but didn’t differentiate itself from any other F&B outlet onsite. The menu had offerings, from Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, etc but it just didn’t stand out and wasn’t compelling enough to visit more than once during a 5 night stay.
“The Beach Bar” is cool for drinks and put’s on a BBQ buffet a few times a week. In addition there’s a market café adjacent to the spa for light snacks/bakery goods. “Pantry-The Deli Shop” should be thought of as “snackshop” not Starbucks .7-Eleven is a much better bet if you are going to venture offsite.
Last but not least the lobby bar “Sundara” offers live music in the evening and somewhere nearby is “Ink Supper Club” but I did not visit either of these outlets. If your stay is longer than a few nights only creatures of habit could avoid dining off property.
Activities: The No. 1 activity at the SHH is sun worship! The only catch is that this is done poolside or from the beach lawn. Forget about chair on the sand. It just isn’t going happen here. If you need to feel the sand between your toes, go somewhere else. The beachfront area is level lawn area approximately 40m X 90m behind a retaining wall. Chaise lounge and umbrellas abound with palm trees here and there all within a stone’s throw from the Gulf. You can take a walk on the beach for sure, but you just don’t “sit on the beach.”
There’s a fitness center with basic equipment and published calendar of activities including yoga. Of course let’s not forget the pool. The best word to describe it is “epic”. Every morning a “lap” of the property was requisite. This is not just any old lap, it’s a lap of a 5000 square-meter pool. The largest resort pool in the Hua Hin area. A huge open area (great for lap swimmers) by main lobby doubled as a reflection pool at night. Oceanfront the infinity edge pours into the lawn just a few visual meters from the Gulf. Connecting the two bodies of water are the river ways that hug the structures from beach to lobby. Meandering enough for an great feel but straight enough to swim for exercise if you look where you’re going.
Kids: The SHH is set up to offer a great family retreat. Near the lobby there’s Kid’s Club detached structure housing TV screens, PC’s, games, crafts and supervision. in an air- conditioned (I’m sure) environment. The club also sports kids pool, jungle gym and lawn. Evening childcare also seemed to be available.
SPG Elite Recognition: It’s difficult to comment on elite recognition in terms of room upgrade due to the fact that our suite was confirmed with points prior to arrival. I will comment that there is no happy hour, no free internet, and no free breakfast offered based on status.
Local Area: Getting to town was a taxi ride of 250 THB to the Clock Tower and 300 THB to the Market Village shopping center. Taxi’s do not operate on a meter so you must agree on price with driver prior to departure. You’re in a pretty weak position to bargain when you’re standing in the lobby of the SHH. Return via Tuk Tuk and you can save 50 THB.
Hua Hin is considered Thailand’s golf “Mecca” and Palm Hills is basically across the street. That being said my clubs took this trip off so I cannot comment on course quality or fees. Next time for sure.
Overall: I really enjoyed my time at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa and I plan to return. You really need a minimum 2 nights to make it worth the trek from Bangkok, but you’ll be happy when you arrive. As with other properties in Thailand I feel that that the property’s category is discounted one level based on its location relative to the rest of the world. Redemption rates are fabulous , the property is brand new and they are pushing to establish themselves in the Hua Hin corridor. When you add these factors up, you’re left with a high-value proposition.
Review submitted by schoflyer.
Posted at January 1, 2008 3:40 PM