Back from my trip to Hua Hin. Summary: not bad just to relax and chill; stayed at HH center right by beach. Did one touristy thing for the day, and then spent rest of time chilling in cabana by beach (my hotel had a wireless device with a button. press it and a server would come to take your order) or eating or drinking. Thanks to YY for tips
Some highlights for others here:
1) Rent a car while in Hua Hin. Although you can take songthaews, too hot. Driving is easy, parking is easy, rates are cheap
2) Several places visited:
- Maruekathaiyawan Palace (Rama 8 built this. Rama 9 - recently deceased - apparently never used this and place fell into disrepair. Nice walk)
- Khao Hin Lek Fai (hill on top of Hua Hin. Good view)
- Seenspace (https://th-th.facebook.com/seenspacehuahin/) - "chill chill" (as Thais say) dining right by sea with HOBS beer house. Go at sunset. Must go)
- Plearnwan (easy to miss driving past. Nice throwback vibe. Not expensive)
- Venezia (waste of time. pass)
- Wat Huay Mongkol (30 minute drive west. OK if you are a devotee)
- Khao Takiab (seafood. Went to Chittra[12.5160651,99.9798178] but Pupen[12.5151079,99.9768966] also has good reputation)
- Restaurants near Pier(seafood. went to Chaolay. OK. More for view than for food)
- Train Station (of course)
- Night Market (several restaurants here: Lung Ja etc)
- Hilton (Hua Hin Brew Company) - best Thai band (indoor pub; outdoor pub is Filipino band)) that sings Thai contemporary songs
- Bar - Blue Monkey appears the only "young" bar in Soi Bintabhat. Young, college-age Thai/lukkrueng customers. (pass). Rest of Soi Bintabhat is old farangs.
Other details:
- Went to HH by bus (Sombat Tour. Pickup at their own terminal opp Central Lad Phrao). Bus will stop at the HH Clock Tower (they will ask) and further south at Soi 96 bus terminal
- Came back by van (rot tu) from the rot tu terminal at Soi 51. Rental car agency (Thai Car Rental) dropped me off - free - great customer service
- Journey either by bus or rot tu was around 3.5 hours. Rot tu journey was pretty safe but YMMV. Rot tu will stop at Mor Chit bus terminal but can drop off at BTS (driver will ask)