Hua Hin, Thailand's oldest beach resort, has a special character all its own. It is located on the Gulf of Thailand, 200 km. South of Bangkok, presently a 2 ½ hour drive. With the soon to start construction of two new motorways, this will be reduced by almost one hour.

Hua Hin, which literally means stone head in Thai, is still very popular. Clean white sand, crystal clear waters and a tranquil atmosphere has continued to attract tourists in search of peaceful and relaxing holidays. No doubt that, with over 2 million visitors in 2005 (35% of them being foreigners) attracted by a very quiet, peaceful and family destination, Hua Hin is booming.

Hua Hin became popular as a rainy season retreat in the 1920's with the construction of the railway line from Bangkok. The beautiful, colonial style Railway Hotel (today known as Sofitel) was built near Hua Hin's famous rocks in 1923 by the State Railway Authority, which also built Thailand's first public golf course in Hua Hin in 1924. In 1926, King Rama VII built the Klai Kangwon Palace on the beach a few kilometers north of the Railway Hotel and this palace is still frequently used by the Royal Family. This set the stage for Hua Hin's popularity and unique ambiance which remains till this day.

If you like golf and are planning to buy your holiday home in Hua Hin you are definitely coming to the right place. Many retirees decide to buy a property in the exclusive beach - golfing town in the Thailand gulf.

Thailand, and especially Hua Hin, are becoming well known around the world for their golf courses, and that is as it should be. Hua Hin can now boast the highest density of world class championship golf courses anywhere in Thailand including the first championship golf course in Thailand, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course built in 1922. Green-fees and other associated costs are still among the lowest in the world, while course maintenance and services are superb. There is great golf to be played here, in addition to the many activities available to the non-golfers in the family.

In Hua Hin, you can find an international hospital, 2 international schools, 2 international universities plus 3 Thai universities. Rapidly improving infrastructure is giving Hua Hin all the facilities of any modern community, including big shopping complexes.

Hua Hin spas have been receiving rave reviews for their top notch service, excellent signature treatments and employing state-of-the-art technology. Most international spa chains are located in hotels, however, local brands are also worth experiencing.

There are more than one hundred, 3 and 4 star hotels in Hua Hin, and several 5 star luxury resorts like the Hilton Hotel Hua Hin, Sofitel Central Hua Hin, Anantara Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Evason Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, Chiva-Som Health Resort Hua Hin, but also many smaller guesthouses in and around Hua Hin and Cha-Am.

Hua Hin also offers modern pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and international schools. Several other major international hotel chains, such as Holiday Inn and the Sheraton are planning to open hotels in Hua Hin.