Wintering in Thailand - I Loved Where I Stayed

I flew from Bali to Bangkok with hotel reservations for 2 weeks & no set plans beyond that. I hoped to avoid this winter in New England & with a son and grandson in Thailand, this seemed a good choice. I wanted to be accessible to Bangkok for weekend visits.
This was my first post pandemic visit back to Thailand. In Bangkok, I once again stayed at the Sheraton Royal Orchid. It’s been my favorite Bangkok hotel and location and once again did not disappoint. You can read more about it in my 2018 & 2019 entries. With its amazing location on the Chao Phraya River, two resort pools, complimentary hotel riverboat shuttle, upbeat Chaoren Krung neighborhood, and super Club Lounge with breakfast and evening cocktails and buffet for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum & above Members, this reasonably priced hotel can’t be beat.

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I decided that the beach town of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Siam about a 3 hour taxi or Grab would work out best. I rented a comfortable condo, thanks to meeting Jib, a competent, honest real estate agent & 8 weeks in Hua Hin did not disappoint.
I was so lucky to stay at the Hua Hin Sheraton Resort & Spa.

I posted this Review on Trip Advisor:
Spectacular Quiet Beach Resort 20 Minutes From Hua Hin Town
I’ve been at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa for a month & I’m still pinching myself to see if it is real!
I am a solo senior woman traveler with family in Bangkok. I arrived December 20, stayed 9 nights until the 28th. My family joined me with a separate room over Christmas the holiday. Since checkout, I’ve since been staying in a nearby condo rental & I took a monthly membership to the Sheraton Gym that comes with classes & resort amenities.

That’s Jib and me enjoying dinner at Ogen in Hua Hin. He’s at Hua Hin Living by Rattakit & his LINE contact is 095-597-1444 if you have real estate needs for sales, purchases or condo rentals in Hua Hin.

Today, in late January, I’m watching the huge palms sway under a clear blue sky as I listen to the Gulf of Siam waves break. I have already exercised in the pool lagoons & soon I’ll go change for yoga at 5 in the Sheraton gym.

The 2 story resort rooms traverse two sides of the large courtyard type property between. In addition to the large infinity pool, there are lagoon pools and the 1st floor poolside rooms have pool access from their private balcony. (Recommended.) There is a sandbox pool for little ones and a Kids Club too.


This resort is spacious. Since I’ve been here, there have been several weddings & birthday events extravagantly decorated. Even on event weekends, the resort accommodates a crowd without feeling crowded or noisy at all. Last night, I watched fireworks while others celebrated a wedding.


That lovely horse is waiting to bring a groom to his lovely bride at the start of their wedding ceremony!

Breakfast is a huge International buffet with eggs to order & Western & Asian Food. The Sundara Restaurant & Lobby Bar & the beachfront Luna Lanai both serve lunch & dinner. The Sala Restaurant with a Pizza & Italian Menu along with other Thai & Western offerings opens on weekends. In the month I have been here I have had countless satisfying meals. Tip: The Snapper Sandwich at the Lobby Bar, the Poke Bowl & Grilled Pineapple with Chocolate Chili Pepper Mousse are favorites.
As a Titanium Marriott Member, I had a room upgrade to a pool access room, which I enjoyed. Platinum & Titanium Bonvoy Members have complimentary coffee & tea, iced or hot all day at the Lobby Bar, and I had a free cocktail or wine certificate to enjoy also.

Location: Reviewers mention the location between Hua Hin and Cha am, 20 minutes from either Hua Hin town or Cha am Beach & town. In a rideshare, Grab or Bolt, or driving, it’s only 15 minutes to Hua Hin town near the Night Market, & 20 minutes to Market Village, 25 minutes to Blueport Mall, Cicada & Tamarind Markets, & nearby Soi 94.

Tip: if you enjoy a quiet pool & beach vacation, as I do, stay here. There is a great local massage kiosk down on the beach, and a few other resorts walkable from the beach for restaurant variety. I am happy admiring the beautiful gardens that are abundant with flowering trees & orchids, where I can watch & hear the birds & enjoy quiet beach walks without crowds or vendors.

If you prefer a busier beach resort location walkable to off property restaurants & shopping, I recommend the Marriott Resort & Spa (best) or other hotels in that area. I first stayed there while looking for a monthly rental. Within the Marriott it’s quiet, & it is also a great hotel. The street, sidewalks & neighborhood bustle with traffic noise & activity if that’s your thing.

The Sheraton Hua Hin Resort Staff is so lovely & helpful. I’ve surely missed someone, but these lovely Sheraton guest service employees welcome me & make me feel at home at the resort every day.
At Reception, Niyom, Patarapon, Nahm, Orajit & Paa. Khun Ekalok up is the very helpful rooms division manager.
The lead Housekeeper for the 3000’s Room wing is Dada -Kannita. She is the best!

Taiwan once hopped off his bike to help me move chairs & umbrellas. At the Pool Towel & Drink Bar Khun Oo & Khun Ratchapol are helpful every day! All of the Staff at Luna Lanai, the restaurant overlooking the beach waves, are terrific, overseen by Khun Wittaya (Art) who also manages Sala, the weekend Italian Restaurant. Rungsia (Ray), & Arik are particularly helpful at both restauarants. At Sundara & the Lobby Bar everyone is also great. I have enjoyed getting to know Prem, she is efficient, sweet, helpful.


Each time I arrive at the resort entrance I am greeted by Bellmen
Piroon Knock, Peck (Damri) or Roon. They help me get a taxi when rideshare is sparse & they have carted my luggage around. They regularly give me golf cart rides to my condo & they take guests to the end of the resort road at Petchkasem Rd, where it’s a 5 minute walk to 7/11.
The Sheraton Shine Spa is large & very pretty. I booked a 2 hour monthly promotion that included a 30 minute matcha scrub, 60 minute aromatherapy massage & a 30 minute express facial. The room had two massage tables and an in room shower and dressing room. Khun Gai was my wonderful therapist. I was comfortable & relaxed during & after my treatment. The products were top notch & I have to say that the 30 minute facial here was the most effective, maybe the best I have had anywhere.

Shine Spa at the Sheraton Hua Hin

All Beaches in Hua Hin are Public, unowned by the resorts. There is a local Beach Massage Place just steps from the Sheraton on the Beach.
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I am a bit embarrassed to tell my friends that I am “living in a resort” while avoiding this harsh New England winter. You won’t go wrong with a winter beach vacation at this resort, that is only a 2-3 hour taxi, Grab or private ride transfer from the Bangkok airports or Bangkok city locations. I for one am planning to return again next winter!