This review is so over due, but here goes.

Stayed for a week in April 2011. This was when southern Thailand (the islands) experienced terrible storms, airports were closed, there was a massive mudslide in Krabi, the navy were brought in to repatriate tourists from the stricken islands.

We were in fact supposed to go to Koh Samui, but, it was impossible, so our 3 days in Bangkok became 6! But with the amazing support & efficient services of Trailfinders (won't book with anyone else now - they went the extra mile in terms of service) we re-booked for the Centara Grand Beach Villas & Resort, in a Deluxe club room.

From the moment we arrived it was perfection. The hotel is simply stunning, colonial, 1920s, old railway hotel, beautiful manicured gardens with amazing topiary animals, even a hedge maze. We were taken straight to the club air-conditioned office for check in and given iced drinks & cold towels, whilst the manager completed check-in details & provided us with information regarding the club, timings for food & drinks etc.

Our room was stunning, an oasis of calm, hardwood floors, two double beds with pure white Egyptian cotton bedding, amazing pillows, excellent sized bathroom with L'Occitane products, walk-in wardrobe with separate air-con unit and a good sized safe. The room was ground floor and the double doors opened onto a private patio with a frangipani tree outside, the patio was furnished with teak wood steamer style chair/beds and a teak wood clothes dryer.

Steps from the patio was the pool, the setting was stunning, elegant & inviting, surrounded by frangipani trees and cascading water features, a jacuzzi pool complete with waterfall was at the far end of the pool. It was low season, so there were only a smattering of people around. Each bed area had a sun parasol complete with buzzer to alert the waiters should you require drinks or food. The staff were efficient & friendly, they worked hard, delivering drinks, collecting empties, and regularly bringing around cool towels, fruit etc. the pool area was immaculately maintained.

Because it was low season we were able to use the Baht Bonanza scheme, where we deposited a certain amount of Baht with the hotel & they added about 50% more, this could be used within the hotel for food, drinks & the spa. We dined a few times at Hagi, the Japanese restaurant, which was delicious and a great atmosphere also excellent value for money. The Seafood Pavillion & Terrace has a superb location right next to the sea, we dined here outside under candlelight, to the sound of the waves. Service was superb, efficient but unobtrusive, the lobster was melt in your mouth. Salathai over by the villas served mouthwatering Thai food either inside or alfresco, it was very relaxed & very well priced. We only dined in the Railway once, it was late and we were the only patrons, so the atmosphere was lacking, it had also been a buffet evening & the staff were busy clearing away so this detracted from a "romantic meal" setting. The steaks were good, but a little pricy.

The Club, we used daily, breakfasts were a delight, Eggs Benedict to die for. Didn't always make high tea, but when we did, the miniature scones, jam & cream were delicious. Cocktails & canapés between 5-7pm was our favourite time of day, there's nothing quite like a cool Gin & Tonic whilst watching the sun go down and the canapé presentations were a delight & varied daily with a good selection of both hot & cold temptations.

To sum up, this is the most beautiful hotel we have stayed in, with regards to the architecture and the decor in both the public & private rooms. But more importantly we felt so pampered & relaxed. It was truly a 5 star experience, but not stuffy or pompous as can be experienced elsewhere.

We like to travel and like a certain standard, it's a big world and there are so many places we still wish to see, but, we find ourselves returning to Hua Hin again in March for 12 nights, such was our experience last year.

I am not a fan of resorts; in fact, I have spent most of my adult life assiduously avoiding them, preferring to spend my travel time in other ways. Then, in January 2012, I spent 9 days at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Hua Hin with my family and, I must confess, my mind has been changed.

The Centara Grand Beach Resort is a beautiful historic property and a true treat for anyone who loves the ambiance and the architecture of the 1920's. The hotel has elegant large rooms that retain the original aura of the era but are also sympathetically renovated to modern standards. There are wide verandahs and generously large balconies that offer privacy and a cool and shaded spot to watch the relaxed sweep of life in the beautifully maintained and mature gardens and on the beach. I spend many hours just sitting in the recliners on the verandah resting and watching.

The resort has three large pools, each different in its own way; and many people spent their days swimming, dozing and grazing by the pools. The gardens are remarkable, offering advanced topiary, other intriguing flora and many nooks and crannies to explore.

The Centara Grand is located in central Hua Hin, and an easy and short walk to the plethora of bars and restaurants in the town, and both the night market and and the weekend only Cicada market.

The service at the Centara Grand is exemplary; the staff are thoughtful and attentive without being intrusive. We stayed in a Suite and so had access to the Club areas that provide a separate venue for breakfast, snacks throughout the day and canapés and cocktails at night, all at no extra cost.

The most surprising aspect of our stay was the extremely high number of guests we met who regularly return to Centara Grand, and have done so over many years. The long-term loyalty of so many people is a testament to the quality of the hotel and its staff. We have joined the ranks of those loyal guests, and will certainly return.

I had stayed at the Sofitel Hua Hin several times in the past, and it used to be a great hotel, and good value for money. But two things have changed, and I will not come again. First, the price has increased hugely: over 400% in 6 years (in US$). The hotel is now seriously overpriced. Second, there used to be little touches which made the hotel special: a (free) welcome drink, fruit in the room, the old snooker room, the petanque, etc. All of these things have now gone, leaving the impression that it is just an expensive chain-type hotel, and one which is aggressively money-grabbing (the fact that the room price of over $300 a night does not include free Wi-Fi access is one example.)

We have just had a fabulous 9 nights in Hua HIn at the Centara. Like everyone else has said - the staff are amazing - the grounds unique - and the overall atmosphere relaxing - as holidays should be. We had intended to spend daytimes exploring more of Hua Hin - but really found that apart from visiting the Hutsadin Elephant foundation and a 4 hour trip to the hairdresser opposite (the Chattaya) to get our daughters extremely long hair braided - we really didn't want to leave the resort during the day. We didn't even feel the need to explore the beach - as the resort pools were so pleasant and plentiful - and the view of the sea was enough.
At night time - the resort is close enough to easily walk to the night markets and to many very cheap trip advisor recommended restaurants, and eating in the resort was reasonable.
The one thing that we kept noting - though - was how many of the other guests had stayed previously - many over very long periods of time. In times where tourism is not an easy business to be involved in - I think word of mouth recommendation and happy returning customers says it all!!