Cha Am or Hua Hin

Cha-Am, Tha-Yang, Kaeng Krachan, and Petchaburi. Discussion on areas north of Hua Hin.
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lisa88
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Cha Am or Hua Hin

Post by lisa88 »

I am resposible for organising a holiday for myself, my husband and another couple. (all in our 40's) Spending 7 nights in Thailand.

Have been to Koh Samui recently, so I am expecting similar looking places, people, shops etc.

I amnot sure wether to base ourselves in Cha AM or Hua Hin as we will hire a car and travel up and down the coastline sight seeing. From what I read, they are about the same in attractions etc Is this correct.?

Can you laze by the beach in Hua Hin? (staying at the Hilton). What time do the shops close, and what are the shops like? Market style?

Cheers Lisa
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buksida
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Post by buksida »

If you want shops, attractions and entertainment it has to be Hua Hin.

Cha-am is a quiet Thai-style beach town with not a lot to do during the day (or night).

You can laze by the beach at both places but you've got the best idea with the car hire, more info on beaches in the area here:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/hua-hin-beach.htm
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dan
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Post by dan »

I've a condo on the beach 5km south of Cha Am and 18km north of Hua Hin. The beach reminds of Hua Hin's 20 yrs ago....that is to say not full of horseback vendors, jet skis and still fairly clean. There are a number of hotels to choose from....The Veranda, Springfield, Regent Cha Am, Beach Garden, Novotel and cute little boutique hotel called Casa Papaya. There are plenty of places to dine on the beach and in the village of Baan Kwai.

OK, it may be a bit far to Hua Hin and the roundtrip taxi fare has skyrocketed to 400 baht but I like being out in the hinterland. Fewer people on the beach, more wide open spaces to ride my bicycle and significantly closer to my two favorite golf courses.

Enjoy your stay.....
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Post by silverbird »

[quote="dan"]I've a condo on the beach 5km south of Cha Am and 18km north of Hua Hin. The beach reminds of Hua Hin's 20 yrs ago....

I can just agree with Dan - the area from Springfield to Golden Sands (nowadays Novotel) is great. Around Golden Sands a small village has been built up with plenty of good restaurants - some years ago the only good place was Platoo which still is excellent value for money. So it seems the need to go to HH for dinner is not any more a must. Many families with children seem to enjoy this area.
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Post by Limey711 »

Stayed in the Regent Cha Am, nice place, but it is in the middle of no where, stayed in the Hilton, superb hotel, situated in the middle of Hua Hin and everywhere you might want to go within Hua Hin is within walking distance, plus there are local shops and bars right on the door step.
Where ever you decide to stay, I am sure that you will have a superb time. If you like shopping, the night market is only ten minutes walk from the Hilton.
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Post by Wesu »

Nothing except good beach in Cha-am. If you want anything else, stay in Hua-Hin, you can easily visit the Cha-am beach anyway, but the HH has a beach and beaches closer too, on it's own. So, not a difficult choice if you want to do something else in addition to going to (Cha-Am) beach.
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Post by Onlyme »

Huahin is great if you liked Spanish beach resorts in the 80's.
I made the BIG mistake of going there last week for a few quiet drinks.
Couldn't get away from the hawkers. In one bar within 15 minutes I was accosted by18 rose sellers, 4 Mickey mouse watch salesman and numerous bargirls ( must be my looks :wink: .)
And it's not even peak season!

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Post by Jaime »

Onlyme wrote:Huahin is great if you liked Spanish beach resorts in the 80's.
Ahh... Spain in the eighties..... halcyon days! I made almost the same point on this forum once but needless to say I was shot down in flames.

But Lisa, I have met very few people who don't like Hua Hin, except those who insist on bartering with cowrie shells, eating insects as a main course, becoming born again Buddhists and generally engaged in a futile and self indulgent search for the imaginary place known as 'the real Thailand.' Writing as an oft-returning tourist who likes to do all the things you described, Hua Hin is a much better place to base yourself to do all those things IMO. Have a great holiday!

:cheers:
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Post by Norseman »

Onlyme wrote:Huahin is great if you liked Spanish beach resorts in the 80's.
I made the BIG mistake of going there last week for a few quiet drinks.
I once went alone to Lloret de Mar in the 80' and had a GREAT time.
Now I'm living in Hua Hin and experiences the equivalent to that elapsed time every single day.
Sorry you experienced a bad time here, but try once more.
We all agree that we don't need the flower sellers and the Mickey Mouse watches, but the bg's?
I intend to live forever - so far so good.
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Cha Am beach Condo

Post by norm »

We recently bought a Condo in the same area Dan mentioned ( between Verandah and Holiday Inn) and find it to be a great place for us. The beach is a real joy to walk and there are many places to walk to, both four star and inexpensive little beach restaurants. The beach is clean and not a hawker in sight.

The best part is you can still get a decent size Condo 255m2 with 3BR and Baths plus Maids Qtr and Bath. Four verandahs all with views that are truly a pleasure. The price is much lower than Hua Hin.

Had purchased a block of land at Palm Hills with the intention of building but the hassel of building and the uncertainty of land ownership we changed our mind and went for the Condo which we can legally own.

Norm
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Post by STEVE G »

Couldn't get away from the hawkers. In one bar within 15 minutes I was accosted by18 rose sellers, 4 Mickey mouse watch salesman and numerous bargirls ( must be my looks .)
And it's not even peak season!
Onlyme, thats because it's not peak season and you were probably the only potential customer in sight!
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Re: Cha Am beach Condo

Post by Nereus »

norm wrote:We recently bought a Condo in the same area Dan mentioned ( between Verandah and Holiday Inn)

Norm
Norm, thats the best move that you will ever make in Thailand! Good for you, enjoy! :cheers:
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