When I arrived at Avani+ Hua Hin on Sunday evening, the sky had already darkened. I came to a halt as I came across a crowded parking area where some guests were leaving for dinner. Thanks to the Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together) campaign, this elegant yet sleek resort has become one of the most popular weekend escapes for families and vacationers to enjoy the fresh cool breeze of the Gulf of Thailand during winter.
Just a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok to the tranquil Hua Hin beach, the resort is a stone's throw away from downtown and Klai Kangwon Palace, convenient for cafe hopping and daytime activities. It has 196 deluxe rooms, suites and pool villas, ranging from 33m² to 268m², with private balconies offering stunning views of lagoons, the beach and greenish landscapes. Apart from families and groups of friends, those travelling with dogs and cats are also welcome.
Overall Design
Spread over a 36-rai plot of land, this low-rise contemporary property is nestled in rich landscaped gardens full of trees and local plants to provide a relaxing atmosphere away from the noise.
The open-air lobby looks simple yet opulent with wooden architectural components, a white marble-like floor and a lotus pond, while the long walkway leads guests to its central lagoon.
Focusing on eco-friendly contemporary design, all rooms and villas feature classic woodwork to highlight Thai craftsmanship and are fitted with mini-fridge coolers and power system timers to save energy for smart living.
Room and Facility
Each room or suite has a large balcony, with access to a lagoon pool and garden. Pool villas provide a more luxurious holiday experience with a choice of one or two bedrooms overlooking the ocean.
For example, the 70m² Deluxe Jacuzzi room is popular among couples. Situated on the second floor, it is surrounded with a glass wall to give privacy and offers a spacious outdoor leisure space and jacuzzi, in which couples can sit and drink coffee in the morning or soak in the water and gaze out over the swimming pool during the day.
Ideal for families, the 188m² Lagoon Pool Villa is set in a secluded garden where guests can shower as if they were in a lush jungle. Guests can also take a plunge into a big private lagoon pool and sunbathe on a private sun deck only a few steps away from their bed.
I stayed overnight in a 33m² Deluxe Garden Access Room with Thai contemporary decor. To create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the bedhead is trimmed with flower-inspired weaving textile in turquoise and all furniture is made of wood.
A welcome amenity of chocolate, Thai sweets and fresh fruit was served in the work corner with USB hubs and sockets so that guests can charge their batteries or connect to the internet. For entertainment, there's a flat-screen television with satellite channels and complimentary WiFi that is strong enough to watch movies on Netflix and play games all night.
The closet has a laundry set, safety box, hairdryer and slippers, as well as a minibar corner with tea and coffee-making facilities. The bathroom is see-through and has a separate shower and a large basin as well as a collection of argan-based shampoo and shower gel.
In the morning, I had direct access to the garden through floor-to-ceiling windows and sipped some tea on a comfy sunbed on the balcony. During the day, I didn't miss the opportunity to jump into a lagoon pool, which was only a few meters from my patio.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of blue sky, the resort offers four swimming pools, all of which are favourite hangout spots for vacationers while kids can enjoy a fun programme of activities at AvaniKids every day. Meanwhile, AvaniSpa has crafted a selection of Western, Arabian and Asian spa treatments to soothe your spirits and AvaniFit offers a range of cardio machines and weight stations for workout routines.
Food
From 6.30am to 10.30am, Staa restaurant serves an international breakfast buffet, including American breakfast, dim sum, Thai dishes, a salad bar and freshly baked pastries. Overlooking the ocean, the beachfront Brezza restaurant is a good destination for dinner and serves a variety of contemporary Asian and European cuisine using local produce from nearby fishing communities like oysters and scallops to create unique dining experiences.
Security
Following disease control measures, all guests are required to take their temperature and wash hands with an alcohol sanitiser. My room had a keycard entry system as well as a smoke detector and a fire sprinkler.
Verdict
Avani+ Hua Hin is a good option for anyone wanting to relax and unwind in a peaceful environment. It's a short drive from Hua Hin downtown, making it easy for visitors to arrange a sight-seeing tour. Currently, Thai residents can save up to 25% on accommodation, which includes daily breakfast for two. The room rates start from 2,376 baht per night. There's a variety of packages to meet all demands such as "Blissful Beach Retreat", which starts from 3,400 baht and includes daily breakfast, a 60-minute massage, 15% discount on dining and spa treatments as well as complimentary minibar.
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort is located at 1499 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am, Phetchaburi. Call (032)-898-989 or visit avanihotels.com.
