Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin

Overview

Normally, we see 'gardens' on the list of hotel facilities and do a big fat yawn. Internally, of course. We're not rude. But the gardens at this place are actually worth writing about - mainly because they're big enough to get lost in and they're filled with giant topiary animals. That's right, folks. We're talking elephant-shaped hedges. Did someone say best game of hide and seek ever? Although you'll probably be WAY too busy dunking in the pool (you've got four to pick from), tucking into a Thai afternoon tea and taking advantage of the 24-hour room service to play games. Singapore Sling, anyone? That's a cocktail, FYI, and it's just one of the many on the menu here. We might have taken one for the team by sampling a few...

Location

• Smack-dab right along that sandy beach

• Bangkok International Airport is just over 3 hours away, by car

Rooms

• You've got everything from light and breezy Family Rooms with a lodge-like feel, to Premium Deluxe Rooms with big, sweeping canopies over the bed (two words: bou. jee.), and even fancy Suites and One Bed Villas with their very own pool

• All room types come with...

  • Air con

  • FREE Wi-Fi

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

  • Ceiling fan

  • Hairdryer

  • Tea and coffee facilities

  • Minibar

  • Safety deposit box

  • Comfy bathrobes

  • Full-length mirror for those last-minute 'fit checks

  • Telephone

  • Pillow menu (doesn't get much fancier than that)

Food & Drink

• Railway - don't worry, you won't be getting served vending machine snacks and grab-and-go meal deals here. The restaurant is inspired by the Hua Hin Railway station from the 1920s, open for breakfast and dinner with a stacked Thai menu

• COAST Beach Club & Bistro - open from morning 'til late (11pm with last orders at 10:30pm), perfect for meat and fish fresh off the grill, washed down with a local beer or cocktail

• The Museum - your one-stop shop for an afternoon tea fix, whether you want to go for the classic British option with quiche Lorraine and scones, or the Hua Hin twist, with pork salad, sticky mango rice and coconut panna cotta

• Suan Bua - a Thai fine-dining restaurant, open Thursday - Sunday from 5pm 'til 10pm, with a menu that showcases locally-farmed meats and home-frown veggies

• Hagi - modern Japanese food is the name of the game here, from fresh sushi to crispy tempura and live teppanyaki stations

• 24-hour room service - so you can enjoy breakfast pastries in bed, lunch on the balcony or a late-night fish and chips

Sports & Entertainment

• 4 pools - including a quiet zone, so whatever you're into, you'll always have somewhere to chill

• Spa Cenvaree - did you even go to Thailand if you didn't get a Thai massage while you were out there? The answer is no, so this is your place to do it. Or at least go for a dip in the Jacuzzi.

• Kids' club - with arts, crafts and games to keep the kiddos well and truly entertained

• E-zone - decked out with video games which will score you some serious parent points from the older kids (and give you a bit of peace and quiet, but don't tell them that)

• Mini golf - perfect for a good ol' family argument. Sorry. We mean tournament.

• Fitness room - because apparently some people actually want to exercise while they're on holiday? Can't relate, but there's a gym here with all the essentials, so knock yourself out.

• Topiary gardens - maintained by the hotel's gardeners, a stroll through these bad boys is like a stroll through the greenest, most unproblematic zoo you've ever come across. Look out for giant topiary elephants, birds and everything in between.