Wora Bura Hua Hin Resort & Spa

The Wora Bora was built in accordance with the classic colonial, palatial style, and the quintessentially Thai vibe is apparent both in the decor and in the traditional attire of staff members. The lobby is housed in a red-roof structure, designed inside in an opulent blend of black, white, and honey-colored marble tiling, cream-and-black upholstered chairs with purple throw cushions, and lovely teak ceilings supported by off-white colonnades. A large model ship stands off to one side, and large windows with latticed arches look out on the tropical gardens, filled with manicured shrubs, frangipani trees, and a large fountain. Most guests at this elegant resort are tourists, namely couples and families, though there are business facilities aimed at corporate travelers. 

The Wora Bura is located in Hua Hin, a seaside resort town about three hours by car southwest of Bangkok. It's right on the beach in an area dominated by other resorts, with a few restaurants and bars in the immediate area, and a 15-minute walk from the main road. Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle is a 10-minute drive from the resort, while the Sam Phan Nam Floating Market takes 15 minutes to reach by car. Wat Huay Mongkol, a temple dedicated to a locally revered Thai monk, takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. Pa La-U Waterfall is an hour and a half away by road. It's a 20-minute drive to the Hua Hin Airport.

The Wora Bura offers five types of lodging, from entry-level, 44-square-meter (474-square-foot) Deluxe Rooms up to 115- to 130-square-meter (1238- to 1399-square-foot) Villas with one or two bedrooms. Colonial-style decor includes dark hardwood floors, off-white walls with wood accents, Tudor-style trim, elegant dark-wood furniture, and vintage-inspired pieces like ceramic sculptures and old-fashioned phones. All units have furnished balconies or terraces with lovely views over the property's sprawling gardens. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, robes, and slippers. Bathrooms follow a similar decor scheme as the rooms, with lots of dark-wood paneling, large countertops with vessel sinks, walk-in rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs. In some units, bathrooms have shuttered windows that open straight out onto the living/sleeping areas.

Wora Bura offers a ton of amenities, and there's enough going on that some travelers may prefer not to leave the resort at all. While there is a lovely beach right next to the property, many guests opt to lounge by and swim in the huge lagoon pool, which features a blue-tile bottom, a shallow splash area, and a number of fountains. It's flanked by plush lounge chairs and tropical greenery, and extends out from the resort to the sand. There are also a hot tub and pool bar, Chonlamark, which serves drinks and light lunch items. Other dining options include Chulamongkut Restaurant, where a varied international buffet breakfast is served daily (included in room rates) and gets rave reviews from past guests. For lunch and dinner, Rak Talay offers Thai and international fare, including fresh seafood. The restaurant's main seating area is on an al fresco terrace looking out on the bay, with a mix of dark-blue patio furniture and beanbag seating. There's also a small bar next to a gazebo overlooking the beach, but the restaurant closes early and there are no late-night drinking options on the property. The fitness center features a few pieces of modern cardio equipment, free weights, and a resistance training machine in a lovely space with hardwood floors and garden views, but it's not open 24 hours. The spa is among the hotel's standout features, offering Thai and Western massage modalities. There are five treatment rooms, plus separate men's and women's relaxation areas, each with a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. There's also a colorful kids' club offering activities during the day. Although there's no proper business center, the on-site library does have a guest computer, along with a table for working and plenty of books that guests can borrow. Meeting space for up to 300 people can be rented, and audiovisual equipment is provided. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but a number of past guests have complained of poor connection speeds. There's plenty of free on-site parking.