My wife and I stayed here for a bit of R & R in May 2008. We stayed in one of the many pool villas, that have a small private pool, outdoor bathtub and sala, as well as an outdoor shower.

I had read some reviews stating that the pool villas(particularly the pool area) were dirty and the accommodation was of a poor standard. I think this is wholly unfair and that these guests do not understand the ethos of an eco-hotel. Evason have tried to use as much natural resources to furnish their rooms. This means unpainted stone and wood. It gives a very natural feel to the place and was one of the attractions for us. Also, the grounds are covered with trees and shrubbery so naturally each morning you will get some leaves etc in your pool area. If you can't be bothered clearing them up with the brush and net provided, then the maid will.

There is also very little lighting around at night, so as to give the impression of somewhere a little more secluded. It all worked very well in my opinion. There are a lot of pools and water features as well as trees and shrubbery, so you do get the impression of being closer to nature. Indeed, you often are, as you share the resort with toads, lizards, geckos and the odd little snake (harmless) etc. This just goes to show that the natural surroundings work well. Because of the water etc, there are a lot of mosquitos so take plenty of repellant. The hotel does provide natural repellants and coils in the room as well.

The resort is about a 30 minute drive from Hua Hin and just outside the small town/large village of Pranburi. There isn't much to do around the hotel and only one or two other little hotels if you fancy grabbing a cheaper bite or beer. Although dearer than your average Thai meal, the food at the hotel was excellent. The thai food in 'The Restaurant' was gorgeous as was the fusion style cooking in 'The Other Restaurant'. Also worth a try is 'The Living Room' which is the restaurant on the Six Senses Hideaway site.

The spa is lovely and does a good range of massages etc. There are also a few places along the sea front (turn right) if you fancy a cheaper massage in less personal surroundings!

The hotel has a small gym which is reasonably well appointed and it didn't get too busy when we were there.

Whether you organise it through the hotel or off your own back, it is worth doing the Hua Hin Discovery. Also, hiring a bike to cycle down to the fishing village (turn left along the sea front) and see a bit of real Thai life.

We can recommend the taxi company opposite the entrance to the hotel. Especially the father (owner) and his son. The hotel also use them for some excursions.

The hotel will not arrange a trip to the Tiger Temple in Kanchananburi (about 4 hours drive). Probably due to health and safety! We arranged a long day with the son of the taxi owner and arranged to go to the floating market (well worth a visit), the bridge over the River Kwai (worth a short stop but we didn't have time for the train ride or museum), before heading onto the Tiger Temple (as seen on Lion Man and various documentaries on Sky). The monks look after a number of orphaned tigers after originally taking in one cub. You can pay to have photos taken with them. All money goes towards the building of a new Tiger Island compound with a view to training the next generation to return to the wild. It was a fantastic experience. If you can arrange it, get there for 1pm (we didn't know this) and you can walk with the tigers as they head down to the canyon (where the photography and cuddling takes place). This is only open until 3:45pm when the tourists leave and the tigers get to play and have a swim!!! Do NOT wear orange or pink as you will not be allowed entry.

www.tigertemple.co.uk for more information on the Tiger Temple.

Overall we had a great time at Evason and loved the hotel and serene surroundings. If you fancy a bit more nightlife, we would suggest you stay in Hua Hin itself. The beach (public) isn't great here and there are often a lot of jellyfish but there is a decent pool area adjacent to the beach. That is if you can be bothered to leave the privacy of the pool villa of course!!!!!

We stayed for 7 nights at he Evason Resort in Hua Hin and absoltely loved it. Our pool villa was perfect and we enjoyed the entire stay very much.
The service staff was highly professional (best we have seen in 5+ star resorts so far) and were always available if needed. That being said, there is one thing that some of the other reviewers (and guests at the resort) might not fully understand. The staff will do their utmost to make your stay perfect. But you as a guest have to ask for those things that will do so. The butlers are avilable 24/7 but do not hover around you all the time. If there is something you want or expect, just ask them.
The resort itself is definetly something for people who want their peace and quite. It is very far from Hua Hin center (eventhough there is a shuttle service). There is not much to see or do around the resort. If you are looking for a lot of activities and nightlife in town, this is the wrong place to stay.
With respect to the prices in the resort for everything from spa treatments to drinks and food only this: It's a 5+ star resort. Prices are higher than at a local bar in a tourist destination. Just because it's Thailand, it does not mean that you get everything on the cheap. Looking at what you get for your money (perfectly kept facilities, highly professional staff, excellent food and drinks) the prices are very, very reasonable.
In conclusion, the Evason Hua Hin is the perfect destination if you want a perfect holiday experience with the chance to really relax and just enjoy yourself. For getting away from it all, for your honeymoon, etc. this is just perfect. We will defintely return to this resort as soon as possible and will also check out the other Evasons.

If you want typical tourist activities or have to pinch every penny, don't go there. For people with children I would not recommend it either because the little ones might get bored rather easily (even though the Evason seemed to have an excellent child care programme).

We stayed at the Evason resort in Pran Buri from the 4th May to the 14th May.We booked our holiday through Thomas cook and flew with Eva Airways.
A very good airline with good food and good service. The Seating arrangements for the plane are 3.3.3 but at the back of the plane are 3 rows off 2 seats, you cant prebook these seats until you check in. I would recommend asking for these seats if you are a couple.

When we arrived at Bangkok airport we were met by a Thomas Cook rep who sorted our transport out to the Evason, Which is also a 3 and a half hour drive.
When we arrived at the Evason we were greeted with a warm welcome with cold towels and a welcome drink.
They sorted our cases to go to our room and when
we got there we were greeted by our butler.
Our butler over the holiday wasnt really helpful and didnt show us around the resort when we got there or where each restaurant was.

We had paid for a pool villa room which is defintely worth the extra money. A good sized room and with a reasonable sized pool.The maids were really good, always clean and tidy when they had been in. Also tidied our clothes up and folded nicely.

Between the Evason and the Hideaway there is 6 Restaurants.
In the Evason there is The Bar. The Restaurant and The Other.
In the Evason Hideaway there is The Beach Restaurant. Thai Bites which was closed all the time we were there and The Living Room.
The Evason for food - You cant fault the food but a little on the Expensive side but still good for a 5* hotel. A 5* in London would be alot more expensive.
If you have a big appetite and drank alot it would add up alot over the holiday.

Breakfast is served in the Restaurant which is buffet style, lots of choice. Homemade jams, fresh juices, fresh fruit, hot food like bacon etc. This was 1500 baht for the both of us, didnt feel we got our moneys worth if not very hungry.
On the Evason hideaway property The living room serves a la carte breakfast.
which would be better value if only want to pick one thing on the menu. Didnt find out about this a la carte breakfast until our last day . If our Butler had shown us round better we would have known about this. when we asked about room service our butler said there wasnt any but this was untrue.
The living room would be alot nicer place to have breakfast surrounded by lily ponds.
We had some nice lunches in the bar chicken caesar salad which was really nice and was 300 baht. We tryed a few of the sweets , i would recommend the banana Brulee.
Also the fresh coconut juice from there was so refeshing in that heat.
We had lunch a couple of times in the Beach Restaurant again nice food.
Overpriced the cocktails in there though 390 baht there and 190 baht in the bar but only 50 metres apart.
The Bar was the more reasonable place to eat than all the other places. A snack would cost in the region of 250 - 300 baht plus service and tax.
We ate in the Living room restaurant a couple of times. It is 1km from the main resort. Ask any of the staff and they will call a buggy to come and fetch you.
The setting is lovely there and very quiet we literally had our own private waiter due to the low season.
They bring you a apptizer before your meal with hot bread and dips. Salmon which I had was very nice and for sweet we both had Crepes suzette with choc sorbet this dish was to die for. Definately try this.

The main Evason Resort did themed nights most nights which you wouldnt get value for money unless you are a big eater.
BBQ Night- 1400 each
Sizzling Night - 1200 each Plus the service and tax.
They also do private in room BBQ and this is 5000 baht per couple plus service and tax again unless your a big eater expensive.
There is also a happy hour at the hotel from 5.30 pm - 7pm when there is 30% off all drinks.

More about the resort, the Evason gave us a 30 min free spa treatment, you could choose from a head, back, hand or feet massage. Very nice and nice settings.
The Spa treatments were expensive, but to the left of the Evason on the beach next door to sings beach bar is a massage place. very friendly girls and good prices. 300 baht for a foot massage and 300 baht for a thai massage. As it was out of season no one there when i was having my massages done.

We Ventured into Hua Hin twice bought some nice gifts from the night market.
The second time we went there got bit by mossys, It was when they were cooking the food, protect yourselfs against it when you go into Hua Hin.
Didnt have a problem around the Evason with them.
There was a stall on the market which an australian man sold photography pictures of Thailand. Paid 1200 baht for a picture.
He also recommend this restaurant by the fishing pier called Sang Thai which we had 1kg of Thai king prawns bbq for 950 baht.
The Beggars on the market are a pain though and the smell from the food was not very nice and couldnt eat anything from them.
We were glad we were not staying in Hua hin and staying in the Evason.
We organised the taxi from just outside the Evason to the left 600 baht return. The man dropped us off and told him to come back in 2 hours time and we didnt have to pay until the return journey.
If you arrange transport through the hotel they will be expensive.
The locals are really nice and try use them for things like taxis and tours.

There was a small thai restaurant to the right of the Evason, we thought we would try it. When the food came the sweet & sour chicken tasted more like tomato ketchup. We looked on the ceiling and there was a few lizards around. needless to say we didnt go back.
Next to the Thai house restaurant there is a little bar called Windys with cocktails at 90 baht and singha beer 50 baht and the locals are really friendly in there, also sky sports tv in there.

To the left of the Evason on the beachfront is a beach bar called sings bar, really nice setting in front of the sea.
Pina colada cocktails just as good as hotel 100 baht each and singha beer 50 baht.
Some nights they did BBQ here really nice and tasty, didnt have a problem with the food here.
Mr Sing Also does taxi tours and trips.
We booked jet skiing through him and for 2 jet skis for 1 hour was 3400 baht. They took us to the nearby area of Khao Kalok really nice scenery down there. There is a national park there but didnt go there.

Another day we hired quad bikes with a guide for 2000 baht. They took us around the local area of Pran Buri past the pineapple plantation, mangrove forest park, local beach and around Pran Buri Local town.
The guides were really nice too taking lots of photos of us together. A definite must.
We also had our own private taxi off Mr Sing for the day .They took us to see the big Budda, Pala u waterfall, The Elephant village and Khao Takaib to see the monkeys. To ride the elephants this was 800 baht each.
This trip worked out alot cheaper than booking through the hotel. The hotels trips are expensive , if you are on a budget i would use local people.
If you going all that way i would explore the local area and go and see a bit of Thailand.

The area of Pran Buri is not commerlised at all unlike Hua Hin. If you want somewhere quiet and relaxing with no nightlife and just a short taxi ride away to local town then pick the Evason Hua hin as your holiday.

Take a look at some of my photos of the local area.

I always wanted to drive from Phuket to Chiang Rai and see the countryside of Thailand. Around Songkran (Thai new year) 2008, I finally took time out, rented Thai’s national car (Honda Jazz), armed with Michellin Thailand Map and Google Maps on my iPhone and headed north. Google Maps, other than for the purpose of calculating the distance and estimated driving time, was a non-starter because all geographic labels in Thailand were in Thai.

With the exception of Thailand’s experiment with U-turn systems which defy international norms (“U-turn Bridge” flanked on either side by “Frontage Roads”, mix for instant spaghetti of traffic, and U-turn on through-traffic speed lanes, must-culprit of hundreds of accidents yearly), I found Thailand highway driving easy. On the primary and secondary highways, all signs were in English (avoid anything four digits).

I am contributing a series of hotel reviews accompanied with short observations of the cities I visited during this driving trip. My itinerary was:

Phuket >Evason Hua Hin > Conrad Bangkok> Ananda Museum Galley Hotel, Sukhothai, Centara Mae Sot> Phu Chai Sai Mountain Resort Chiangrai>Orchid Hibiscus Guesthouse Sukhothai>VN Guesthouse Kanchanaburi>Evason Hua Hin>Phuket .

First, Evason Hua Hin

Location
First of all, Evason Hua Hin is not in Hua Hin but located halfway between Hua Hin and Pranburi. I stayed here twice, both ways up and down highway 4 but struggled to find it both times. If you exit at Hua Hin on Highway 4, it’s 25km drive south (that’s in addition to the 20km to Hua Hin before I discovered that Evanson Hua Hin is not in Hua Hin). If you exit from xxx, chances are you will not find it and resort to returning to Hua Hin only to trace your way back to Pranburi on the local road.

How I booked it
I called up the hotel, told them I live in Thailand, asked for discount for B&B. Amazing how this still works in the new millennium. I paid B3,500 including VAT and Service charge (which adds up to 17.7%).

Rooms and facilities
Once you get here, the resort sprawled across 20 acres of lush gardens and everything in earth tones offer a real hideaway. I always admired the natural reinterpretation of Evason’s (or Six Senses which is their umbrella brand) resort experience. I say “re”-interpretation because today’s typical luxury resort design is so predictable and recycled, the old-world and back-to-basics charm of Evason’s design is in fact refreshing. Sitting by the poolside, their white sunbrellas, lush and thick sun-chair futons, earth-tone concrete pool all seemed so at ease with the resort experience than the uber-chic resorts we come to take for granted.

Breakfast
In its pleantifulness and quality, this is the second best breakfast in Thailand after Sheraton Grande Laguna, Phuket. I only discovered their egg station on my second stay (look for it outdoors toward the lounge around the corner from the pastry station).

Crowd
A lot of well-heeled ADULTS. Evason must have a super-agent in Germany... Lots of Russians, as always, in their D&G tops and Puma pants (I actually saw a dude with Superman T-shirt with Shell logo shorts today).

Wireless
Wireless is available only in the common areas, by the pond and the pool. These are the central points which connect the beach, the pool, restaurants and shops etc. I’m sure there’s excuses like unplugged resort experience etc. etc. but not having in-room wireless in a luxury resort today has no excuse.