Thailand｜Hua Hin: A Perfect Little Town for Daydreaming

Spent three days in Hua Hin—here are some thoughts. Hope it helps someone. ❤️ 1️⃣ Safety With all the recent buzz about safety in Southeast Asia and Thailand, it’s important to stay cautious. While nowhere is 100% safe, minimizing risks is key. For this trip, I booked flights, hotels, and private transfers through Taobao and Qunar—only restaurants were chosen on the spot. Don’t go for the cheapest option; compare prices and pick reasonably priced services. Hua Hin has far fewer Chinese tourists compared to Phuket, Bangkok, or Pattaya—it’s more of a "giant retirement home for Western expats." Stayed three nights, wandered out after dark, and felt completely safe—just avoid sketchy alleys. 2️⃣ Accommodation The big names here are Marriott and InterContinental. The InterContinental has the best beach access (cleanest in Hua Hin and swimmable) and is just minutes from the mall. I stayed at Putahracsa Hua Hin Resort 🏝️. The resort is split by a road—villas by the sea, standard rooms around a big pool. To reach the beach, you have to cross the street (a bit inconvenient). The famous seaside restaurant is also in the villa area. Decent for under 800 RMB after taxes, but not worth paying more. 3️⃣ Food 🍽️ The town is small—most hotels have restaurants within a 10-minute walk (Western, Thai, Japanese). And yes, 7-Elevens are everywhere. Night Markets: Night Market (Daily) – Standard tourist spot with food, souvenirs, and cheap massages (haggling expected). Tamarind Market (Tuesdays only) – Mostly locals, feels like a Thai wet market (cheapest prices!). Cicada Market (Fri-Sun) – Artsy vibe (missed it this time, so no review). 📍Just search the names on Google Maps. 4️⃣ Shopping & Extras 🛍️ Not much to buy here—Hua Hin Shopping Mall is just average (food court on the 4th floor). Don’t go out of your way for it. Hidden Gem: 💆 Ruen Boran Thai Massage – A small, well-established massage spot (search on Maps). ~120 RMB for 60 mins. As a long-time massage enthusiast, I could tell the auntie’s technique was special—firm but not painful, just perfect. Final Thoughts Hua Hin isn’t flashy, but that’s its charm. It’s real, it’s natural, and it doesn’t judge. You can lounge at the hotel all day, wander aimlessly, or get a random massage—no one cares. Here, everything is optional, and that’s the beauty of it. 🌿 #ThailandTravel #HuaHin #HiddenGem #SlowTravel #BeachVibes #SafeTravels