Yaiya Hua Hin

Yaiya Hua Hin Resort welcomes guests with a lotus pond out front, hanging bird cage lights in the foyer, and a comfortable reception and lobby area off to one side. Large sliding glass doors on all sides with wooden shutter blinds allow plenty of light, and stylish teak wood chairs and large cushioned sofas offer a place to relax prior to check-in. The space is homey and welcoming, with stocked bookshelves and a grand piano in one corner, and paintings and sculptures arranged all around (all of which are for sale, as the owner is both a collector and an art dealer). Everything is airy and cheerful, and the hotel attracts a mix of Thai and foreign tourist clientele. The bar area is also a real design gem, with a giant missile-like light fixture in the middle that's lit from inside at night and surrounded by a square bar with a glowing emerald top. The bar abuts the swimming pool, where guests can swim right up and order a drink or take it back with them to lounge on the wide terrace. It's obvious that a lot of thought has been put into making this hotel a visual delight.

The Yaiya Hua Hin Resort is located along a quiet stretch of beachfront north of Hua Hin city. The location is perfect for those looking for a serene city escape, as the beach here is long, empty, and has decent white sand. However, Yaiya is not a good choice if you are looking to take in all the restaurants, bars, and shopping of Hua Hin, unless you've got your own transport, as the hotel's shuttle service isn't the best, and taxis can be an expensive option. The resort lies off the main Cha Am-Hua Hin highway, but is down a quiet side road, and there is not much traffic around. There are no restaurants, bars, and shops located here; you'll need to go back out to the main highway to find a convenience store or other options, a 10-minute walk. The closest major airports are in Bangkok, which can take two hours or more to reach by road.

There are 40 contemporary rooms at the Yaiya Hua Hin Resort, and they range from Deluxe Terrace and Deluxe Sea Terrace Rooms to private Pool Villas in the garden leading down to the beach. Rooms here are spacious, bright, and airy, and even the Deluxe Terrace Rooms offer 65 square meters (700 square feet) of living space. Each includes four-poster beds with pretty, draped mosquito netting plus patterned Chinese silk bedspreads, snazzy writing desks and lamps, dark wood furniture, and an abundance of white -- from the polished concrete floors to the walls. One bold accent wall provides a pop of color in most rooms, and all feature flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and electric kettles. There are also nice balconies with large daybeds. Bathrooms have rainfall showers, and provide bathrobes, slippers, and tote bags for the beach. Guests should know that in many rooms the sinks are exterior to the main body of the bathroom, and are only separated from the main guest room by a partial privacy wall. The Pool Villas are the best accommodations here, with over 150 square meters (1,615 square feet) of space, including a private garden and pool, along with a sala living area which has a daybed and relaxation area. The villas also come with bathtubs in addition to the rainfall showers. All accommodation options here include free Wi-Fi.

Yaiya Hua Hin Resort has both a lovely long swimming pool, as well as an almost private beachfront, with lounge chairs, parasols, and plenty of space. The pool is set in a garden, and at one end of the pool there is a swim-up bar, which is one side of the square Kangsadan Bell Bar and Lounge, with both upstairs and downstairs seating. For dining, the resort's Thai Pas restaurant serves not only free breakfast buffets, but also does traditional Thai dishes for lunch and dinner, along with tapas plates and western meals. The resort also operates a small bakery with homemade pastries and ice cream. There is a small massage spa on premises, plus rooms for seminars and conferences, but the resort doesn't have a fitness center. Activities on offer include cooking classes and yoga, though guests should check with the resort regarding fees. There is a free area shuttle offered and Wi-Fi is free throughout.