It’s been over 15 years since we were last in Thailand which is why we desperately want a Thailand family holiday. Back then, we were young, free and single, travelling with our respective group of friends and island hopping back and forth through Bangkok over several months. In the capital, we spent most of our time off the Khao San Road, a famous hangout for backpackers, I learned to dive in Koh Phi-Phi Don (the famous setting for Alex Garland’s The Beach), partied at the Full Moon Party in Koh Pha-Ngan, took some time out in Krabi and Ko Lanta before exploring the northern half of Thailand including Chiang Mai.
We were slightly apprehensive about returning to a country in which we hold in such high regard – having fallen in love with it all those years ago. Which is why, perhaps, it took us so long to go back. Had the country changed beyond recognition? The thing is we knew we wanted to experience a Thailand family holiday.
Our Thailand Family Holiday – An Overview
Our destination to Thailand’s original beach resort of Hua Hin was only a few hours away by road. This was the main reason why we plumped for Hua Hin as the base for our Thailand family holiday. After such a long plane journey, we couldn’t face catching a connecting flight.
Hua Hin History
Where to stay in Hua Hin?
Hua Hin Beaches
Meanwhile, in comparison to our experiences of the seedier side of Thailand, Hua Hin wasn’t full of go-go bars and working women touting for business. At least, not on the main streets. The resort definitely has a more family feel to it and it was great to see so many other parents out with their children.
Is Hua Hin for kids?
Things To Do in Hua Hin
Hua Hin is full to the brim with upmarket hotels ranging from boutique luxury to grand scale international chains. It’s also well-known for its golf courses and famous Hua Hin night market. We spent a lot of time there, just pottering and taking in the sights and sounds (read here for the best Hua Hin attractions).
Hua Hin Night Market
It’s alive with noise, colour and life, the hub of central Hua Hin – everyone flocks there and all around in the surrounding streets you will find massage parlours (not the dodgy kind I hasten to add), restaurants, bars and tuk-tuk drivers lined up waiting for their fares.Hua Hin Food
If you’re prepared to go further afield there’s plenty outside of Hua Hin to explore from Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, temples, stunning beaches, water parks, elephant sanctuaries, and even a vineyard and winery. There are plenty of attractions in Hua Hin.
Our Thailand Family Holiday Was a Success!
Hua Hin is a Royal playground fit for the aristocracy as well as high-society Bangkokians – plus thousands of visitors from all over the globe. And you can see why.
Fantastic post and great pictures. Looks like you had such an amazing time and sees like the perfect place to unwind and just take it all in. We still haven’t booked our island part of the holiday and after reading this Hua Hin is definitely moving up the list.
Thanks Nisbah. For ease and a real flavour of Thailand I think Hua Hin has it all – although the beach isn’t as beautiful as the islands.
Looks gorgeous and the food sounds incredible!!
Oh the tiger prawns grilled on a BBQ were out of this world!
It looks fabulous – I haven’t been to Thailand since 1999 and I’d love to go back, though like you I do wonder how much it’s changed. Hua Hin sounds like a great idea with kids. And we haven’t done long-haul East. ..yet!
Yet! Exactly. I’m sure you’ll do it soon! Well worth it 🙂
Loved re-reading this – and hopefully have my trip East planned, although not Thailand. #citytripping
It’s always scary to go back to a place you fell in love with in the past, I could understand why it took so long to go back. But all in all, it doesn’t sound like you regret going there 🙂 The food looks really good !
Not at all now and we promised not to leave it so long next time. The food was awesome!
Hey guys, I don’t know if it’s my internet or your website has awful loading times, but otherwise I like the design very much. The article states that you haven’t been in Thailand for 15 years… for how long have you been travelling then? 🙂
You have me intrigued already about Hua Hin! I have heard so many good reviews about HH, and have been meaning to go there, and Thailand is quite close to Malaysia, no? 😉 HH is definitely on my bucket list now..
Btw, Ting, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to you! 🙂
Thanks so much Kat! And I am looking forward to reading all about Iran. That must have been such a fascinating place to go to!
A fascinating insight into a resort and country of which I have so little knowledge.
I love that photo of Monkey with that beautiful pinky blue sky behind him.
Thanks Trish, Thailand is so different in parts – the North is so green for instance. It’s a lovely country and I’m glad we got to go back. That photo makes me laugh, because Monkey decided beforehand he wanted a nap in his PJs, so when we went to the beach for a stroll, he still had them on!
The food looks amazing and it sounds like a sensible choice to have made for a family holiday. Am glad going back didn’t spoil your memories of Thailand – I have never been there so very interested to read all about it. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos too! 🙂
It really didn’t which is always the worry when you return somewhere. The food was pretty good – especially the huge tiger prawns! Thank you for popping over to say hi! I know you’ve been very busy travelling Europe.
Must have been a great feeling being back in Thailand after so many years, and now with Monkey <3
It looks like you had lots of fun.
Hua Hin looks like a paradise… would love to go there someday!
I think you would love it, plus the diving in Thailand is amazing. That’s where I learnt! It was great to take Monkey back with us this time. He keeps asking when we can go back! Ha Ha!
As a resident of Bangkok I was interested to read your take on Hua Hin. I’d say you summed it up really well, great post. I love your photos. The only thing I’d add is that people should be wary of the ‘elephant sanctuaries’ and other animal entertainment venues as they are almost always not treating the animals very well.
#sharewithme
Ah, thank you. From someone who knows the area that’s great you think I summed it up well. I didn’t go to the sanctuary but we were told one particular one was very well respected and treated the animals well. I think it’s best checking as I completely agree. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow it looks and sounds amazing. We’ve only very briefly ventured into Thailand on a boat ride but didn’t get to see any of it. I would love to go one day and just take in the culture and all the food. 🙂
Oh you’d love it. It’s a great country and so kid friendly.
I enjoyed reading your adventure in Thailand and this time with your son 🙂 Oh, just like Thai people, Indonesians also adore European children especially the mix race kids…and our friends’ children (Dutch with blond hair) were popular during their visit in Bali! Maybe someday Monkey will return to Thailand, perhaps will travel on your previous route 😉
Thanks lovely Indah. It did feel quite strange going back this time with our extra person 🙂 but good strange! I can imagine they love blonde kids, Monkey wasn’t impressed!!
I have always wanted to go here. You make it sound so heavenly too. Love your photos. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
Oh wow, amazing to see a post about Hua Hin. I used to live here!!
Cat
http://www.rockandrollpussycat.co.uk
Wow, really?? Did I give a good description? What did you do out there?
Enjoyed reading your post about Hua Hin and lovely photos! My husband and I are planning a family trip in early Oct for about 9 days, with our 2yr old toddler monkey. At first I am thinking maybe 9 days is a bit too long to spend in Huahin, but after reading your post gave me another idea that maybe 9 days is not too long, after all we just want to relax, having fun in the pool and nice food. Just wondering what are the places you would recommend to go for family with young toddler? Cheers :))
Hi Jing, thank you for taking the time to comment. There is so much to see and do in Hua Hin at a leisurely pace – I think 9 days would be perfect. Have you seen my other post: https://www.my-travelmonkey.com/top-things-hua-hin/ – there is plenty of other stuff I didn’t include too. Hope you have a wonderful trip 🙂
There’s a lot to be said for doing “nothing” on a holiday, short of relaxing and enjoying the local cuisine. This is the first story I’ve read about Hua Hin so it’s very interesting to see that there’s a place with a different ambiance. I really dislike the constant seedy in-your-face sex.
#citytripping
We’ve visited a few places in Thailand but not Hua Hin. Our neighbours rave about it and so it is definitely on our radar for the near future, I’m just looking for the perfect resort sounds like it could be built in the very near future.
I always think it’s so nice to be able to take our kids back to places we hold deep in our hearts, even if they’ve changed a bit. I need to get to Thailand – how have I not been there?! #citytripping
Your first experience of Thailand sounds very similar to mine Ting! I totally fell in love with it too. I have returned to the country but not since Mrs T – I’m looking forward to going with her at some point and Hua Hin is definitely somewhere to consider. It sounds great and good to hear it has a family-friendly feel to it without some of the more seedier areas which some parts of Thailand have. Thank you for linking to #citytripping
Just came across your post whilst we are in search for a summer holiday destination with our 7-years old “travel monkey” 🙂
Reading both your posts on Hua Hun makes me really want to confirm my flight and hotel right now!
Would you say 10 days is good? The hotel we are looking at is about 3 miles from ‘town’ is this good idea how easy is it to go in and out of town?
Would you wonder around at night (evening) with your little monkey in tow, as in is it safe?
Hello, thanks for stopping by. 10 days would be fine – where are you flying from? We felt very safe in Hua Hin and wandered the markets at night and in town without any problems. The Thai people love children. It’s pretty easy to get into Hua Hin – your hotel may run a shuttle bus, if not taxis are relatively inexpensive. Hope you have a lovely time!
We will be flying in from Dubai. What kind of transportation do you recommend us to take from BKK airport to Hua Hin?
Good to read you felt safe – it’s important.
Which hotel did you stay at, if I may ask? I am looking for a hotel that has a kids club to allow my us parents to have some time alone too whilst not neglecting our 7 years old. Suggestions?
We organised our own transportation with the company we booked the holiday through. I’m sure the hotel would be able to suggest a company. It takes nearly 2 hours. We stayed in two hotels – The Rest Detail and Centara Grand – both are reviewed on the blog. Both amazing in different ways. The Centara has a kids club.