The Sea-Cret, Hua Hin

Lovers of all things cute and kitschy will find The Sea-Cret charming, though others might be overwhelmed by the abundance of pink. The resort is reminiscent of a dollhouse or a children's play area, complete with life-size dolls, rosy walls, and pink accents peppered about the place -- including poolside loungers and umbrellas around the outdoor pool. Pink and purple walls in the small lobby match the pillows accenting black sofas, while ornate chandeliers dangle overhead. Colorful murals dot the property, including Andy Warhol-esque portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis, as well as Audrey Hepburn quotes painted against a pink backdrop. The hotel's pink-and-white restaurant has large rose patterns splashed across its walls, paired with neat white tables and chairs. The surrounding grounds are full of greenery, with fuchsia paper lanterns among the tees and hammocks strung about. Overall, it's a bright and cheery spot that mostly attracts Thai couples and families, though it gets a fair share of international tourists as well -- travelers should note, however, that past guests have commented on communication issues due to the staff's poor English.

The Sea-Cret Hua Hin is located in the south part of Hua Hin, a seven- to 10-minute drive into the center of town depending on the destination. This is where one can find the night market, the bar and restaurant scene, and plenty of shopping. The city's vibrant Cicada Weekend artisan market is about a 10-minute drive in the other direction, as is Chopsticks Hill, a hilltop temple that's home to lots and lots of monkeys. The resort sits just off the main road through the city, but is well hidden and insulated from noise and traffic as it sits down a gravel driveway that sees no traffic other than resort guests. There's not much in the area, however, aside from a couple of other hotels. A path through the hotel's grounds leads directly to the beach (about a two-minute walk), which is clean and quiet, though there is a large Jet Ski outfit right by the resort. There's no airport in Hua Hin, and the closest one is all the way back in Bangkok -- expect a three-hour drive on a good day, though traffic can be a nightmare, especially on weekends when city dwellers flee to Hua Hin in droves.

The hotel's 42 rooms are spacious and modern, with most set around the attractive outdoor swimming pool and featuring either direct access into the water or pink whirlpool tubs on private balconies. Contemporary decor is mostly tasteful, with simple white and dark wood furniture with clean, modern lines and colorful accents. Garden View Rooms are less desirable options, as they are housed in a separate building that does not overlook the pool. These can be a bit dark and do not have private balconies or outside sitting areas. Colorful walls, like the bright pink ones that we viewed, are not as tasteful as the neutral hues accented by vibrant tones in Deluxe Rooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, mini-fridges, electronic safes, and tea- and coffee-making facilities as well as free Wi-Fi. All-white bathrooms have large walk-in rainfall showers and a set of toiletries. Counter space is limited, though, and they are compact relative to the rest of the room.

The main attraction here is the large outdoor swimming pool, which has a kids' section and a hot tub area. Pink padded loungers shaded by matching umbrellas surround the pool. The partially open-air restaurant overlooks the pool. It serves free breakfast in the mornings -- reviews are decent and offerings generally include both Thai and Western options -- as well as Thai fare for lunch and dinner. Kids' menus are also available. A path through the hotel's grounds leads directly to the beach. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout, massage services, and a shuttle service for a fee.