Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

The hotel's name is currently "Centara Sofitel Grand Resort & Villas" and we tried to visit there are see this most historic, luxurious, and famous hotel in the area, but friendly guards didn't let us go there, so both my photos are from outside. What a pity, I was planning that next time I check the hotel.

This is luxury hotel is stylish and located close to the beach. The hotel opened first time almost a hundred years ago and it's perfect for couples looking for romantic and peaceful place to stay. It's famous of the afternoon tea events.

The main building is Colonial Wing and has two parts: Railway and Colonial with rooms of colonial style. There are railway museum in the Railway side, of course :) Multiple restaurants, Railway is more international but there are Asian, like Thai and Japanese restaurants also.

Unique Quality: History: In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built his summer palace close by. The hotel was refurbished and re branded as Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and opened again to the public in 1988. The Edwardian-style Elephant Bar was featured in an October 1995 Newsweek magazine listing of "The World's Best Bars".

Movies like The Killing Fields and The Quest have been shot at the hotel.

Stayed here in October 2009. Total R&R heaven! Very friendly and welcoming staff. I tried one or two of the classes on offer - flower arranging, where I learned how to fold lotus flowers into beautiful arrangements, and Thai language. I was the only student and the teacher was so friendly and attentive. It was great to be able to learn a few words to use with the locals. Breakfast was inclued in our package and was excellent, we couldn't sample everything! Hard to decide whether to eat in or outside as the sun was very strong, but they move parasols & fans around for the guests.
The grounds are gorgeous and the pools were generally quiet while we were there. One area of the garden is designated silent, which is great if you want total peace. There are plenty of other areas where you can play.
The gym is small but not crowded and the spa is top standard.
We did not travel with children, but the kids club looked a cut above the rest - very interesting activites planned, including local art & craft and culture.
We had no problem with hawkers on the beach. (I learned the lingo!) A bit farther down the beach is a whole area covered in by parasols, where the locals or those not staying in either Hilton or Sofitel tend to gather. This part of the beach has numerous bars and snack shacks.
One caveat - you are staying in a 5 star hotel and any extras will cost you European 5 star prices. Internet access is extremely expensive, as are drinks. You might do well to consider an all-inclusive package. We didn't eat at the hotel as there are plenty of cheap really good fish restaurants in the locality (even a Macdonalds if you are so inclined!)
Another caveat - if you are staying in the villas you are overlooked by the towering Hilton next door.
Would certainly recommend this hotel to couples looking for some high class R&R.

Unique Quality: Excellent breakfast!

Directions: Very near the Hilton and overlooked by it.

We stayed here for our Honeymoon in September/October 2007. It was beautiful! We had the Deluxe Room which was lovely, roomy enough, nice marble bathroom and shower and bathtub. We had a kingbed and balcony which had two chairs and a table outside.
The resort was gorgeous, beautiful grounds and 3 great pools! the garden pool was the quietest and the nicest we thought, but the railway pool is also nice. the colonial pool is the one with all the kids at it but also the one with the pool bar and jacuzzi... hmmmm.
we had a thai massage at the spa which was heavenly.
One of the best parts of our stay was the Friday Night Seafood Barbecuse Buffet, gorgeous food, lovely service, beautiful surrounds and was very romantic for our first night here. The breakfast was also really nice.

Unique Quality: Didn't have to lift a finger for anything, pools are great food is outstanding.

This has been my 2nd visit to this hotel and wouldn't want to stay anywhere else in Hua Hin. There is nothing i can fault about this hotel - only there is no longer a happy hour in the bar :(
The turn down lady leaves delicious chocolates ! Recommended to families and couples alike. Staff are wonderful , friendly and always have a smile for you.

Unique Quality: Fantastic facilities, which include a choice of pools around the complex. The builing itself is a gem. The gardens are full of topiary which are kept perfect.

The Sofitel Hua Hin is the famous hotel located right on the beach and yet also close to the restaurants and shopping of Hua Hin. The rooms are very comfortable and the service is excellent. It is hard to beat the Sofitel Centara Hua Hin if you are looking for a luxury hotel in Hua hin that is both on the beach and also right if the town.

The Sofitel Hua Hin is now known as the Sofitel Centara Hua Hin. The rooms at the Sofitel Centara are excellent and there are now also the Pool Villas. The gardens are well cared for. The restaurants offer top class cuisine and very good service, and bars are good also. The Sofitel Centara was the original Raily Hotel in Hua Hin and has been a fine place to stay now sine the 1900's. They have retained the classic original style of the hotel but it also offers the most modern of ameneties and facilities.
The staff at the Sofitel Hua Hin are very attentive and efficient. If you want a luxury beach hotel in Hua Hin the Sopfitel provides a quality of service and style that is hard to beat. The swimming pool and garden areas are excellent and of course being right on the beach is ideal.

Unique Quality: Classic style luxury beach resort hotel in Hua Hin.

Directions: Central Hua Hin on the beach

For our honeymoon we backpacked around Thailand. Our one concession to luxury was the first few nights that we spent at this hotel.

We were here in April and it was very quiet.

The staff were fantastic (why can't we get service like this in Europe???!)

The room was wonderful, large, beautiful dark wood and a great terrace.

Maybe one day I'll get to come back...

Unique Quality: The hotel has all the facilities that you would expect from this class of hotel.

I also liked the little things, like the washing line that pulls out in the bathroom so you can put your wet swimmers somewhere!

The hotel offered lots of cultural talks, cookery classes etc.

The gardens are beautiful, the topiary is amazing and I loved the swimming pools, especially the one with the music piped underwater!

(Again sorry I don't know how much this cost as it was bought together with flights etc )

Directions: By the beach

Service and facilities are outstanding.
Expensive but very good.

Unique Quality: Quiet setting in a tropical garden. 50 mtr from the seaside.
With a large pool.

Directions: Beach

I've just got back from 10 days in Hua Hin at the Sofitel and loved every minute of it. The staff can't to enough to help, the facilities are first class and the food is wonderful. The hotel is sent in the most beatuful gardens, with manicured lawns and topiary - everything from 50ft elephants to small rabbits are carved in to the hedges.

If you're wondering where to stay in Hua Hin, I can't recommend this Sofitel highly enough.

Stayed in Hua Hin many times but our last stay at the Sofitel Central Hotel & Resort was the best. We arrived in the afternoon and where immediately welcomed in the beautiful lobby with a cool tropical fruit juice. Check in was arranged in a few minutes time and we where brought to our room. The room was wonderfully decorated in typical colonial style with a lot of silk. There was a beautiful desk and we found flowers and a box of chocolates on the bed. The bathroom was huge and very comfortable.

The grounds of the hotel are superb. Nice swimming pool, fitness rooms al surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and off course beachfront. The interior of the whole place is very classy with lots of pictures from the past. The building is still in its colonial style and the whole surrounding gives you peace and quiet. A 2 minutes walk brings you to the center of Hua Hin Town with loads of small restaurants and shops.

The high tea served in the afternoon is great and the breakfast the best we had in Thailand. The Sofitel Hua Hin is highly recommended.

And the staff, well they where the best and very helpfull with everything.

Rob

Directions: 2 Minutes walk from Hua Hin Town. Hotel situated in beautiful gardens and beachfront. Nice and quiet area.