Destination Hua Hin: Of Wines, Food and Radisson Blu

Hua Hin is located some two and a half hours away on road via Route 35 and Route 4 or longer by train from Bangkok. It is located in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. What used to be a quiet fishing village is now an idyllic seaside vacation town for both local Thais and foreigners. It is ideal for getting away from the metropolis of Bangkok and city environment that most of us call home.

We recently visited Hua Hin with Carlson Rezidor, the hotel group that has Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Readisson Red, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites under its brands. We were introduced to some of the points of interest

The Railway Station

One of Thailand’s oldest railway stations is situated in Hua Hin. The Royal Waiting Room was built to welcome the King and his court whenever he visited. It was designed in the same style as the Maruekkhathayawan Palace. There is no fee to visit this station. Other points of interest here include an old steam train,

As this is a fully operational railway station, you can purchase tickets to different parts of Thailand. The railway line gets you to and from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station which takes at least 3 hours 21 minutes on the Special Express DRC. There are also Ordinary, Rapid, Special Express and Express trains which take different durations. You can also take the train from Bangkok Thon Buri Railway Station or Bang Sue Junction Station to Hua Hin.

Don’t forget to take a photo in front of the Hua Hin sign with the Royal Waiting Room in the backdrop.

 

 

Monsoon Valley Wine Tour

A visit to the 560-acre Monsoon Valley Vineyard is a must when you are in Hua Hin. It got its name from Thailand’s monsoon season from June to December where the water from the rain is used during the dry season to cultivate land.

Previously known as Hua Hin Hills, Monsoon Valley Wines was founded in 2001 where the first vineyard was at Tab Kwang, in Khao Yai, a region known as the ‘traditional’ grape-growing region of Thailand.

In 2003, a former elephant corral where wild Asian elephants were once domesticated was converted into what is today Monsoon Valley Vineyard. Varietals such as Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Sangiovese, Rondo, Shiraz, Muscat, Dornfelder, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc have been harvested here. Its close proximity to the sea offers cooler nights with fresh breeze from the hills and soil enriched with shells and fossils gives the wine minerality and freshness. The grapes here are harvested between mid-February and March.

Four categories of wines are created by Monsoon Valley Vineyards – Classic, Premium, Signature and Flagship.

Under the premium range, Monson Valley’s Chenin Blanc Medium Sweet is a new hit while the Colombard is one of its best selling with an aging potential of up to two years after vintage. Other varietals of the premium range include the Sangiovese Rose, White Shiraz Rose and Shiraz.

The Chenin Blanc Late Harvest and the dark salmon pink Muscat Fortified Wine are part of the Flagship dessert wines Range. There are also two Flagship sparkling wines – Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blancs and a Sparkling Extra Sec Rose.

The Cuvée de Siam Flagship range features Cuvee de Siam Rouge and Cuvée de Siam Blanc.

Learn more about the vineyard with one of the paid scheduled tours. Mountain biking is offered around the 3km or 4km trail for trained cyclists.

 

Wine Pairing at The Sala

The Sala is the restaurant at Monsoon Valley Vineyard. Here you can enjoy al fresco dining and wine pairing with a view of the vineyard.

I got to try the Spicy Seafood Salad for appetiser and the Pad Thai Goong Sod which is a dish of stir fried rice noodles Thai Style with Phad Thai sauce and two large succulent River prawns.

End off the meal with the homemade grape yogurt sorbet.

 

Thai Food at Alpaca Restaurant

One would have not expected to come into contact with Alpacas in Hua Hin. These cute creatures are the pets of The Alpaca Restaurant Cha-Am which serves up delicious Thai cuisine. The Alpacas are not part of the cooked dishes.

Located in a small cool room are some alpacas. They are usually resting or just eating and drinking. Who can resist these cute creatures?

 

Enjoy pork or prawn dumplings, Tom Yum soup and other traditional Thai dishes with fragrant Thai rice in this hipster restaurant.

 

 

Enjoy – Radisson Blu Resort Hua Hin

Radisson Blu Resort Hua Hin is a beachfront resort that opened just last year. Step into a world of blue when you arrive at the hotel. Sculptures of bronze birds that are native to Hua Hin can be found around the resort. Don’t even think of taking one home. We tried. They were too heavy to even lift.

The uncluttered entrance and lobby offer a free-spirited experience as water droplets trickle down a collection of metal ropes and are collected in a pool in the middle of the lobby.

With only 118 rooms and suites, your stay here will not be overcrowded. Stay in one of the 22 Deluxe Pool access rooms if you like to step out of your bedroom straight into the pool. More about the room I stayed in below.

One-bedroom suites with your own private pool facing the beach are also available if you prefer a larger room to call your home for a few nights.

The resort transforms into a beautiful hue of blue in the evenings. So pleasing to the eyes. I think it must have been the peace and tranquility of Hua Hin that gives this resort a rather relaxing and luxe feel.

We were treated to a seafood buffet dinner party on the beach right in front of the hotel property. The sea breeze kept us cool. We kicked off our slippers and walked barefooted on the sand, making our own cocktails at a cocktail making workshop and just had lots of fun with our travel companions. Whilst this is not something the hotel does regularly, it is something that can be organised for you and your travel companions.

Breakfast and ala carte lunch or dinner is available on the property at The Exchange which is located just next to the lobby reception. Located across from the restaurant is the bar where you can enjoy beers, cocktails, wines and other spirits while playing a game of pool or just relaxing.

Spa ESC has different spa treatments to choose from. A resort vacation is not complete without a spa treatment and Spa ESC has just the right treatments for you.

 

The Rooms at The Radisson Blu Resort Hua Hin

The rooms in the main hotel area of Radisson Blu Resort Hua Hin are housed in blocks of three levels. The pool level rooms have direct access to the dipping pools that connect both blocks of rooms. I got the top floor which means my room did not have pool access. The rooms on the top level had balconies instead. You can take the stairs from the ground floor or just use the elevators.

The room I stayed in was 2302 and it was very spacious. Step into the room and you can feel and see how spacious it is. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom with a glass panel and the balcony at the end of the room overlooks the sky and the block across.

The queen size bed definitely looks so inviting the moment you step into the bedroom. I like the bench below the television. Here’ you can leave your luggage on it freeing up space on the floor. Since the bench is a long one that spans across the room, that gives you a lot of space to put your things and bags on. A work desk at the end is next to the balcony so that sunlight brightens up the work area. The work desk opens up to reveal a mirror and the hair dryer.

The Radisson Blu’s standard bath amenities are from the UK’s thisworks.