or centuries a sleepy seaside Fishing village, Hua Hin was first discovered by Thai royalty when hunting wild game over 80 years ago. The royal family admired its serenity, its lush tropical beauty, and long sweeping white-sand beaches; and a few years later, King Rama VII built a palace here to enjoy the cool sea-breezes during Thailand's hot season.

Not much has changed since then, except now it is an easy-two-and-a-half hour drive from Bangkok. His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej today still makes Hua Hin his summer retreat, and the resort has kept much of its original character. Fishermen still ply their trade. The main mode of transport remains a bicycle rickshaw. Its natural beauty has not diminished, and tranquillity still rules the spirit.
The Royal Garden Village is located directly on the beach in a secluded tropical oasis.

The moment you enter the vast tropical gardens of the front lawn, something special starts to take hold. From the sweeping open-air lobby, appointed with exquisite Thai furnishings, antiques and statuary, to the village itself with its lush sculpted gardens, and on to the private white-sand beach, every single detail strengthens an aura of absolute contentment.

The village comprises seven intimate clusters of Thai-style two-storey "homes", each with its own separate identity, based on a garden theme, such as lotus flowers or palm trees. Each guest is personally escorted to one of the resort's 162 deluxe rooms or suites. Every room includes a private balcony or terrace, IDD telephone, coffee- and tea-making facilities, bathrobes, slippers and international television programming. Spread out over 5.7 hectares, all rooms have a private terrace with garden or ocean views. The rooms provide pure comfort with teakwood and rattan furniture, Thai silk bedspreads, and all the amenities of a luxury resort.

But the village is much more than a hotel resort. It is a constant reaffirmation of the tranquillity and beauty that is uniquely Thai. Everywhere you turn, you will feel it. Strolling past a flower-bedecked sculpture of a fantastic creature from Thai mythology ... at the lily pond beside the children's playground ... gazing onto the village's own bird sanctuary ... all around you, a serene spirit pervades. The resort's open-air lobby is filled with turn of the century antiques which immediately gives the visitor an impression of times gone by. There are no crowds here. No hustle or bustle. You will enjoy many private moments on the beach or on your terrace.

These moments of exceptional quietude are truly unforgettable. It's why so many guests return here every year. From spicy Thai salads to hearty European roasts, Royal Garden Village offers a veritable smorgasbord of Oriental and Western cuisine. Hua Hin is justly renowned for its exquisite seafood, and we recommend you discover why for yourself. The Rim Nam restaurant, under the stars, specializes in freshly caught seafood, prepared in classic Western or spicy Oriental flavours. Or discover the real pleasures of Thai cuisine at a dinner served in the uniquely Thai way in the elegant Suan Luang, to the accompaniment of classic Thai music and dance.

The Orchid Cafe can satiate your appetite at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its delicious dinner buffets change nightly from Chinese to Italian to international. For on-the-beach or pool-side fare, the Sai Thong offers grilled barbecue specials and light snacks daily, and you can always enjoy a quick meal or quench your thirst in true holiday resort fashion right at the swim-up bar. For special occasions, magnificent banquet feasts can be arranged on the grand front garden lawn or right at the beach. East truly meets West for drinks in the Sala Chomnatee bar, a warm and exotic setting under a Thai sala, with live Western-style music nightly.

The Village is indeed special. It offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel and the facilities of a world-class resort. One feels free to spend the day lounging around the hotel's magnificent pool or an occasional stop at the swim-up bar. For the more active how about a game of croquet or petanque on the resort's beach-side lawn. Get fit, relax, have some fun in the sun or stay cool in the shade.

A good place to start any day's activities is at the enormous palm-fringed pool, one of South-East Asia's largest and most beautiful. Or save the pool for later and go directly to the magnificent sea. With white-sand beaches, a cool sea-breeze and year-round sun, the resort naturally offers a complete range of first-rate water sports, including water-skiing, sailing, and parasailing. Or take a break any time and succumb to a genuine Thai massage on the beach under the shade of a Thai sala.

Hua Hin boasts Thailand's first golf course and recently has become a world-class golf destination with five championship courses in and around town. Each one is quite distinct, giving you five very singular days of golfing pleasure. The resident PGA golf-pro provides advice and takes care of all your golfing needs. The Village offers daily organized activities that range from cultural classes in Thai language, cooking, and boxing to children's games and team sports like beach-side soccer and volleyball. Or breeze around town on a rented motorcycle or bicycle.

Luxuriate in a Thai traditional massage. Play a game of tennis in the floodlit courts. With so much to enjoy, it is still no problem to find the time to do absolutely nothing here. However, you can always just stop, take in a little sun, and let the restorative powers of Hua Hin soothe and ' invigorate your spirit. Certainly an important aspect of the resort's activities is the way it caters to conventions, meetings and incentives. The dramatic architecture of the Royal Garden Village inspires creativity, making it a truly unique meeting place that offers ultimate relaxation combined with facilities that encourage great results.

Backed up by up-to-date equipment, the resort provides the professional expertise to ensure the success of meetings, presentations and seminars. Whether it is a simple meeting package or a complicated tailor-made programme, it is your choice and the hotel considers it a privilege to be of service. For the ultimate incentives, creativity has no limits at the Royal Garden Village. Specially designed theme parties can be arranged both indoors and out. Anything is possible for the helpful and friendly staff.

Hua Hin is just a little over two hours by car from Bangkok. i Daily flights from | Bangkok's airport take just 25 minutes. A complimentary transfer is provided from Hua Hin Airport to the hotel and takes only ten minutes by car or shuttle van. A scenic train-ride departing regularly from Bangkok arrives in four hours. Hiring a private car can be arranged through the resort. There is much to see and do in and around Hua Hin, and there are daily tours to take you to all of them. Here are just a few of the most popular.

The Night Market is a traditional Thai market which hustles after sundown. Good buys include locally produced silk and cotton. It is worth a visit for the food alone! Hua Hin is especially known for its exotic sweets and fresh seafood. The Royal Summer Palace, built in 1928, is an official royal residence. King Rama VII named it Klai Kongwon, which means "far from worries" — an apt description for all of Hua Hin. Khao Sara Roi Yot (Mountain of 300 peaks), a beautiful national park south of Hua Hin, comprises 90 square kilometres of scenic sanctuary for numerous birds, mountain goats, porcupines and monkeys.

The Floating Market, the largest, most active and celebrated river market, is just 45 minutes away, outside of Ratchaburi. The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Thailand's first, had serious hazards, such as tigers, when it was first built in 1924. Now a much tamer course, some unusual hazards still remain ... like the ball-stealing monkeys! Hua Hin also hosts four additional championship courses. The Palace on the Mountain, built in 1851 and a fascinating landmark of 19th-century styles — from Greek and Roman to Thai and Chinese — is just a half hour's drive away in Phetchaburi.

The weather is fairly steady all year round in Hua Hin, with lots and lots of sun with maximum highs near 32?C (90?F). During the hot season, which lasts from March through to May, Hua Hin's cool sea-breezes keep the air comfortable. Thailand's rains have very little effect on Hua Hin. There is a good reason the King maintains a summer palace here. The weather is almost always accommodating, and the atmosphere is absolutely tranquil.

Anantara Hua Hin
43/1 Phetkasem Beach Road,
Hua Hin, Thailand 77110
Hotel booking