The ultimate retreat

With sister boutique hotels in both Siem Reap and Luang Prabang, you know in advance that the Hotel de la Paix Cha-am Beach-Hua Hin is going to be special. Officially rebranded on November 1 last year (it was formerly called the Alila Cha-am), the hotel is de la Paix’s brand’s first seaside property and features the stylish aesthetics of Duangrit Bunnag, Thailand's leading architect.

From the geometrical landscaped courtyard to the grand marble steps leading to the large and open air lobby, the whole structure is impressive but still in touch with the surrounding nature. The sea breeze lightly ruffles the surface of the reflective pool and reminds you that you are just a few metres from the beach. 

Climbing the marble steps to the lobby, you see the property as an oblong shape with two low-rise buildings lining both sides of the reflective pool and the fine dining restaurant Clouds Loft at the other end. From the lobby, you look out over the sea but are left wondering what’s underneath the pool.

For that you need to take the long walkway along the stone wall to the beachfront. There you’ll uncover the mystery: it’s the Spa Indochine, a relaxing space with extensive rejuvenating Asian treatments. The Chill Pool, a turquoise, for adults-only pool near the spa, is surrounded by a stone wall, and located next to the Red Bar. Next to the Red Bar is a library with cool air-conditioning, lots of books and two sleek iMacs. 

Continue to the end of the path and you pass Motion, an all-day dining restaurant next to the Active Pool – a seaside pool designed for families. The powdery beach is right here too, along the northern stretch of Cha Am and almost deserted as there are no other hotels nearby.

The hotel features 48 Horizon, 24 Garden Terrace and seven Pool Villas. All come with high ceilings, plenty of space with luxury modern design. The Horizon and Garden Terrace room are 60sqm metres while the Pool Villas are 260sqm with a proper size pool that you actually swim in.

All the guestrooms are of modern contemporary design, yet cool, bright and airy. Much of the pleasure here come from the different materials – wooden chairs, marble table top, warm fabric curtains big glass windows and whitewashed concrete floor. And of course, you get a large flat screen TV, Apple TV with music and film collections and free Wi-Fi with a strong signal.

Each pool villa is comprised of two buildings, one functioning as a bedroom with a bathtub and huge rain shower suspended four metres high while the other is designed as a living area. Both are connected directly to the pool. The architect allows the whole wall to be fully opened (or closed), transforming the area into one space with no boundary between the inside and the outside.

Nigel Tovey, general manager and Greg Seddon, director of sales & marketing, lead the management team of this newly rebranded property, and stress this a most unique five-star hotel in the Cha-am area.

Wedding couples walk around the hotel in their finery every afternoon doing their pre-wedding photography. Their special costumes and broad smiles suit the place and foreign tourist couples watch them with interest.

With two main restaurants at the hotel, and plentiful of fresh seafood in Cha-am, you don’t really need to go to Hua Hin town for dinner at all. This beach hotel is near enough to Cha-am beach where a night market is being held every Wednesday though it’s geared towards local people. It’s pleasant to blend in with the old vibe of the seaside town after a day at a hip hotel. 

 

      At a glance

This beautiful and stylish hotel is definitely a real surprise for those looking for a chic, five-star property in a secluded location two hours away from Bangkok.

Low Point: It’s little complicated to get there if you are not familiar with the area. Driving to Hua Hin for some nightlife takes up to 30 minutes – and the road is dark coming back.

Find it: 115 Moo 7, Tambon Bangkao, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi 76120 Thailand

Pay for it: From Bt4,500-Bt13,120 a night. 

Book it: [email protected]

Browse it: www.HoteldelapPaixhh.com

Phone it: (032) 709 555