CHERRY LAI heads to the iconic Anantara Hua Hin Resort, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangkok, to check out its refreshed look!
The frenetic energy of Bangkok slowly gave way to open fields and quiet roadside shops before we pulled up to the entrance of the Anantara Hua Hin Resort – flanked by two huge terracotta lion statues – looking every bit as majestic as we’d imagined.
No ordinary resort, this is the very first Anantara that launched the well known brand, which today comprises more than 50 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. The Bill Bensley-designed seaside gem opened 25 years ago and has just undergone its most extensive renovation to date.
Iconic architecture meets fresh design at Anantara Hua Hin Resort
Rather than a full reinvention, this one feels like a thoughtful refresh, preserving the resort’s original design – which inspired many other Anantara properties around the world – while elevating it with enhanced comforts and amenities. The aesthetic echoes traditional Thai seaside village architecture; you’ll spot distinctive gabled roofs with pointed eaves, terracotta pavilion-style buildings, tropical gardens and stone pathways at every turn.
Under the pointy roofs are 171 redesigned rooms and suites including several new accommodation types. Ours was the gorgeous Pool Access Room – incredibly spacious, with hardwood floors, light modern furnishings and a terrace (including a swinging daybed) that opens directly onto a semi-private pool we shared with just a handful of neighbouring guests. Bliss!
If you’re here with family and friends, consider the brandnew Two-Bedroom Family Suites, which have 128 square metres of space and two ensuite bathrooms, or the similarly sized Two-Bedroom Family Pool Suites that include private pools so you can take full advantage of Hua Hin’s sunny skies. The Garden View Rooms are the resort’s largest category with 45 units at 32 square metres each, while Deluxe Rooms offer extra-spacious balconies with garden and sea views.
Pet owners will love that select rooms now include dedicated spaces for four-legged companions, complete with shaded outdoor areas.
More than just lounging
What surprised me most was how much there was to do at the resort – that is, when we managed to pull ourselves away from our daybed! Our mornings started with yoga on the beachfront lawn, right where the sun comes up. An hour of stretching to birds chirping and the fresh scent of morning grass set our days up in the best way.
The refreshed main pool now features updated landscaping and generous lounging areas, alongside a connected children’s pool. On the opposite end of the resort is a new adults-only pool and bar for those seeking a quieter vibe. Overlooking a lotus-covered lagoon where ducks swim and a waterwheel turns, it’s a postcard-worthy spot for a few uninterrupted hours. When you’re ready for some action, the resort’s upgraded Active Zone now includes an indoor-outdoor gym, CrossFit equipment and a full schedule of daily classes.
We had so much fun at our rock-climbing session. There were just three of us and a very patient instructor, so we got to go up as many times as we wanted – or as our aching muscles allowed! Other options include tai chi, water aerobics, pickleball, tennis, cycling and even Muay Thai boxing in a dedicated ring.
Afterwards, we treated our tired muscles to a well-earned session at the award-winning Anantara Spa, a dreamy terracotta cocoon among lush greenery and lotus ponds. Treatments here, from the signature body massages to anti-ageing facials, draw on traditional Thai wellness practices. My 60-minute Anantara Signature Massage combined Eastern and Western techniques with a house-blended oil to release stubborn knots and ease tension from our exertions – I floated out of there feeling like a new person.
Plenty for little ones
It was no surprise to see how popular Anantara Hua Hin Resort was with families. The resort now boasts several new additions designed for little ones of all ages, including the expanded Kids’ Club featuring colourful indoor and outdoor play areas, a cosy reading corner, PlayStation gaming zone, play kitchen and even a treehouse with a slide. It was easy to imagine kids playing happily for a few hours then begging to return the next day.
Just beside the lagoon sits the newly introduced Mini Farm, laid out like a small walking trail. Here, guests can meet animals from silky chickens to ducks, pygmy goats, peacocks and more. And it’s not just for kids! We loved feeding the eager goats and watching the peacocks strut around. The farm even has a mushroom growhouse, and the chickens lay fresh eggs that are used in the kitchens.
Delicious dining at Anantara Hua Hin Resort
Speaking of kitchens, dining at Anantara Hua Hin Resort is a delight. There are five restaurants and bars so you’ll always be spoilt for choice. They include the newly redesigned Rim Nam serving up authentic Thai cuisine in an elegant setting, and Loy Nam Pool & Bar for casual bistro fare and cocktails by the water.
Then there are breakfasts at Issara Café – cheerful, lively affairs with an expansive spread and a buzzing atmosphere. The barista station was a welcome surprise, with proper caféquality coffee (oat milk mocha for me). No automated machines here! And here’s a tip: ask for an alfresco table by the main pool for the best view of the rosy morning skies.
On Monday evenings, Issara Café transforms into a Thai buffet extravaganza with live saxophone music and traditional dance performances. From freshly cooked pad Thai to scrumptious salads and rich curries, everything was delicious and left us wishing we had bigger stomachs.
Our final dinner was at Sea Fire Salt, the resort’s newly redesigned waterfront restaurant. Specialising in Himalayan salt-brick cooking, the restaurant prepares prime cuts and seafood on salt blocks heated to 200 degrees, infusing them with subtle, mineral-rich flavours. Our dry-aged steak arrived perfectly medium-rare, and with a deck that extends right onto the beach, it’s a gorgeous setting whether you’re dining as two or 20.
For something more interactive, Spice Spoon offers hands-on cooking classes led by expert Thai chefs. Celebrating a special occasion? Try Designer Dining for a bespoke dining experience in either lantern-lit lagoon gardens or a beachside sala. You’ll get to enjoy a personalised menu, wine pairings and even dedicated butler service.
Final word
From the beautifully refreshed surroundings to warm, attentive hospitality and fun activities for all ages, every little detail at Anantara Hua Hin Resort has been thoughtfully considered. It’s the type of place that soothes and reinvigorates at the same time. As we reluctantly waved goodbye to the terracotta lions, we knew it wouldn’t be long until we were back.
Anantara Hua Hin Resort
+66 32 520 250 | huahin@anantara.com | anantara.com/en/hua-hin
This article on Anantara Hua Hin Resort first appeared in The June 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.
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