Cera Resort Chaam

The Cera Resort Chaam is a charming boutique hotel. While it's actually a mid-sized property, with 70 rooms spread over two wings, it feels much more intimate. The buildings are white, with bright orange, green, and blue letters announcing the name on a quirky white bean out front. Artsy ceramic tiles -- made at Tao Hong Tai Ceramics Factory in Ratchaburi -- are shaped as cats, elephants, and other animals, and are found throughout the hotel. The reception area isn't much more than a desk and a bookshelf, but there is a cute open-air sitting area used as the lobby and as a place to sit and enjoy a coffee or drink from the Coffee Bar. The bright and airy feel is a welcome change from many of the old and staid resorts around here, which often look rather forlorn. In addition to ceramic art pieces, the hotel also decorates with painted ceramic rocks that are interspersed throughout the grounds. They are most attractive on the man-made beach area adjacent to the pool, where the sand has been raked and rocks placed to replicate a Japanese Zen garden. Throw in a large tree in the middle of the grounds, benches and colorful seats to relax on, and you've got all the makings of a friendly-on-the-eyes vacation destination that draws couples and families. 

The Cera Resort is located along the Gulf of Thailand, about seven miles outside of Cha Am. It's accessed via a paved side road about half a mile from the main highway to Hua Hin. While the resort is on the ocean and the rooms have fabulous sea views, there really isn’t a beach here, so don’t expect an expanse of white sand. The area is quiet, although not remote, as there is a small village just up the lane with a good selection of restaurants, bars, and shops geared to tourists (the Novotel and Regent Beach hotels are located in the vicinity). It’s a 15-minute drive to the train depot, bus, and minivan stations for onward transport to Bangkok. Parking at the hotel is free and easy. The hotel also runs a free shuttle for guests to Hua Hin several times per day, as well as to the Cha Am Wednesday night market.

There are 70 rooms at the Cera Resort, and they are all large, bright, and cheery. The majority of the rooms look out to sea, but the wing with the Deluxe Rooms is the best, as it offers some of the prettiest ocean views you'll find in Cha Am. Balconies are furnished with a table and chairs, and look out towards the beach, sea, and swimming pool. Each room has white walls and bright colors appears in an abundance of ceramic furniture, like free-form tables and cute bathtubs that represent handmade pottery. Accent colors vary from aqua to purple and green, and there is a playful, creative vibe about the rooms. The white-on-white design includes white bed frames with white duvets, white walls and floors, and white rattan desk chairs. The rooms have open floor plans -- and in fact feel somewhat too open in some cases, with lots of unused space -- and spacious bathrooms feature separate tub and shower units, plus a traditional Thai water vat and stool for anyone who wants to take a traditional Thai bath. Rooms all have flat-screen televisions, minibars, safes, free Wi-Fi, and writing desks. The excellent Suites have four-poster beds and an extra sitting area. For a real splurge, go for one of the Grand Suite Rooms, which have a living room and bedroom.

The Cera Resort has a mid-size swimming pool that includes a children’s section. While there really isn’t a proper beach at the resort, the hotel has created their own sandy sitting area with sand set back from the sea wall. It runs all the way up to the swimming pool, and is divided into two parts. The section near the pool is quite neat, as it resembles a Zen garden, with raked sand and colored faux rocks, along with a few beach chairs. There are also sun terraces up on the roofs of the hotel's two wings.

For dining and drinking, the Cera has a small restaurant that serves free breakfast, and then Thai and international cuisine for the rest of the day. They also do a Thai cooking class, and there's a homemade bakery with a takeout window just next to the restaurant. The Coffee Bar near the lobby serves drinks and snacks, and uses the colorful open-air lobby area as a place where guests can enjoy cocktails.

The hotel has a small massage area, but no fitness center or full spa. There's a function room for seminars or meetings, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel offers a free scheduled shuttle into Hua Hin and the Wednesday night market in Cha Am.