Hua Hin, Thailand's first established beach resort area, has become renowned for its golf courses and spa treatments. 281 kilometers south of Bangkok, Hua Hin (which literally means "Head Stone" in Thai) is growing more and more in popularity amongst tourists seeking a quiet getaway on the beach only a short distance from Bangkok. Great restaurants and a variety of good accommodations on the beach makes it a convenient escape.

Clean white sandy beaches, clear waters and a laid back atmosphere, has attracted tourists, both local and from overseas, in search of peaceful and relaxing holidays within a 3 hour drive from Bangkok.

The town was originally known as Ban Samoe Rieng, or Ban Laem Hin (Stony Point Village). The construction of a railway station in the city as part of the Southern Railroad in the reign of King Rama VI resulted in making Hua Hin stand out from many quiet fishing villages. In addition, the construction of a Summer Palace of King Rama VII totally transformed the village into a high-society resort town for royalty. Even today, the Royal Family continues to reside at the Palace (located just a few kilometers outside the city center) for much of the year.

Hua Hin's main tourist evolvement came with the opening of the Railway Hotel (known today as the Sofitel Central Hotel), an elegant Victorian-style resort hotel. That and the opening of the country’s first standard golf course. A cluster of royal and high-society residences gradually became more visible, resulting in the transformation of the whole village into the first seaside resort of the country where visitors could enjoy swimming, fishing, and golfing.

Today, Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination with word-class facilities coupled with a true sense of Thai hospitality. Despite its expansive growth and development as a luxury beach destination, the splendor of Hua Hin remains intact and it continues to cater to the needs of budget travelers as well.

Despite the development of a number of major and high-end resort, spa, and golf cource properties, it continues to provide a peaceful and relaxed sanctuary within a picturesque coastal beach environment.