Top Longstay Destinations

This older style resort town is on the opposite side of the Gulf of Thailand to Pattaya – about three hours’ drive to the southwest of Bangkok.
	Part of the quiet charm of this area is due to the fact that it has long been a favourite destination for the Thai Royal Family, and to this day His Majesty the King and his family often reside and work from their Hua Hin residence for extended periods.  Because of its status as a firm royal favourite, over the years many other prominent Thai families established residences there in order to be of service when required, thus ensuring the growth and prosperity of the surrounding area.
Hua Hin is a quieter and much different area than the predominantly tourist-focussed resort-towns such as Pattaya and Phuket.  Beaches in the area consist of long stretches of sand with mile upon mile of safe swimming areas.  There are excellent facilities for golfers in the area, and because of the long beaches many restaurants are right beside the water. The main rail link to Malaysia and Singapore passes through the town; at one time travelling by rail was perhaps the best way to reach the area, and this popularity gave rise to the gloriously colonial-styled Sofitel Hotel (previously the more pragmatically-named Railway Hotel).  Still the perfect place for a quiet beverage on the terrace to stir memories of bygone ages.  Which is really the tone of the Hua Hin area as a whole:  the alternative for the longstay visitor looking for a more relaxed pace of life without sacrificing the pleasures of fine food, soothing sea breezes, and close proximity to Bangkok.