Veranda Resort Hua Hin – Cha Am Mgallery by Sofitel

The beachfront Veranda Resort and Spa is a stylish boutique resort set amid lovely landscaped grounds that incorporate a layout using Feng Shui principles applying water, wood, metal, fire, and earth elements into the garden design. The resort buildings have traditional rice-barn style elongated domes. Inside, the main lobby opens to a reflecting pool with a fountain, sculptures, and artsy wire room dividers framing several sofas with colorful cushions. The front desk area is tastefully hidden to the side, with a collection of sea shells welcoming guests. There's also a second lobby across the street in the other building, with gleaming white couches balanced by pastel blue cushions and a blue pool set out front. As with many resorts in Cha Am, the property is narrow, with the lobby leading down through the grounds along a corridor to the pool and beach.

The Veranda Resort and Spa is located about five miles south of Cha Am (about a 15-minute drive), on a side road off of the main highway to Hua Hin. The tranquil location is right on the beach, but there's nothing much within walking distance, so guests need their own transport or have to rely on taxis if they want to go elsewhere. Hua Hin Airport is about a 15-minute drive away, and Bangkok is over two hours away.

There are a variety of boutique rooms and villas at the Veranda Resort, all of which are spacious and tastefully appointed with contemporary decor, dark furnishings, and sleek black tile floors that match the large headboards framing beds. Blue accent pillows provide a pop of color against crisp, white bedding. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, fully stocked minibars, safes, bathrobes and slippers, writing desks, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Modern, open-plan bathrooms feature stylish dark tiling and walk-in rainfall showers. Some rooms have lackluster views, however, such as the ones overlooking the main building from across the street, though these do have large whirlpool tubs out on private decks. Spacious Pool Villas are also available and are located by the beach. These feature private plunge pools and outdoor whirlpool tubs.

The Veranda Resort and Spa has lovely grounds that feature Feng Shui landscaping, with lots of water features and lush garden areas. There's a large outdoor swimming pool with a water slide, sand pit, bubble jets, water curtain, and even an artificial beach, not to mention lots of sun loungers and shaded areas to sit and relax in. There are a number of trees surrounding it, however, which means that the pool area can be filled with leaves. The pool leads right out onto one of the better stretches of beach in Cha Am, where horseback riding is available, along with jet skis and banana boats. There's also a chic pool bar with hanging swing chairs. This is the location for the I Sea restaurant as well, which serves both Thai and Western dishes and overlooks the beach, with both indoor, outdoor, and even rooftop dining. The hotel's other restaurant, the Dining Room, serves free buffet breakfasts as well as lunch and dinner and has a stylish bar. The on-site fitness center is small and offers only a handful of machines, and there's a small spa that offers massage treatments and a sauna. Additionally, the resort has a kids' club and a conference room for seminars and group functions. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though it can be spotty.