Best 5 Resorts in Cha Am Thailand

Have you heard of Cha Am in Thailand? It would not be surprising if you hadn't as most people have not.

Cha Am is one of the best kept secrets in Thailand, but it won't stay that way for long.

Situated only 2 hours from Bangkok by car or publc transport, Cha Am is just north of Hua Hin, a better known and more lively beach town. Cha Am has a steadily growing number of beautiful boutique resorts, many of them offering private pool villas, the ultimate in privacy and relaxation.

I have compiled below my list of the best 5 Cha Am resorts for your perusal.

Alila Resort was the first designer hotel to be built in the quiet beach resort of Cha Am. It has gone from strength to strength and was listed on the prestigious 2008 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List. This recognition will put this hideaway resort firmly on the map of travelers seeking a little peace and tranquility to recharge their energy.

The resort was designed by leading Thai architect, Duangrit Bunnag. The simple design with opaque glass walls, calm water and open spaces is very Zen and peaceful. Each visitor is greeted by the impressive sweeping staircase leading up to the open-air lobby of the hotel. There are touches of natural limestone and marble throughout, to enhance the feeling of luxurious well being. Each spacious room and villa is privately arranged around the pool and gardens of this tropical Eden. Whilst the design remains simple and understated, the amenities are state-of-the-art. Each room has an Apple TV and guests can download movies and music to suit their own taste. There is an Ipod docking station, with an infinite choice of music, and a well-stocked mini bar for those who simply want to enjoy their own company.

All the 72 deluxe rooms and 7 pool villas enjoy full length windows, their own personal outdoor space, and are truly private retreats. The opulent bathrooms have a soaking bathtub and a separate shower. There is a comfortably furnished private balcony or terrace each with its own private pool for two.

The Alila Resort is designed with couples in mind, and offers a calming environment in which to chill out and be recharged. There are several pools around the gardens, with comfortable lounge chairs and seating for relaxing and enjoying the calm reflections.
The beautiful landscaped gardens have winding paths for strolling down to the beach, where there are cabanas for resting or enjoying a massage. There is a full Spa, with highly trained therapists who offer a whole-body health experience through their skills and knowledge.

The signature Alila Restaurants offers a delicious array of local Thai delicacies and fresh seafood, created by the Kiwi chef and his exceptional team. Al fresco dining is available poolside at Motion. Alternatively Clouds loft is situated high above the rooftops under the stars. There is also a comfortable bar/pub for socializing with other similarly minded guests.

For a relaxing tropical getaway, Alila Resort offers unadulterated luxury in a calming environment with exceptional staff.

For a tropical beach holiday with fine cuisine and wonderful service, the Aleenta Resort and Spa at Cha Am is hard to beat. This intimate 4½ star luxury resort is perfect for lovers, honeymooners and dreamers looking for a relaxing vacation. The interesting design of this boutique resort offers a range of rooms, villas and suites all with their own private pool and ocean view. The crossover architecture and interior design is in harmony with the calming simplicity and romantic luxury of this Resort.

Within the small and welcoming Aleenta Resort there is a central lobby, an elegant Spa and a Bar with wonderful views over the Bay of Siam. The delicious fresh seafood and international cuisine is prepared by an award winning chef in the beautiful restaurant, or enjoy the most wonderful breakfast in the privacy of your own suite.

The small Frangipani wing has 5 family rooms with private balconies around a delightful infinity pool. The remainder of the Resort is adult-only, and focuses on quiet relaxation. All the accommodation features luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy towels, cotton bathrobes and complimentary slippers. From the Penthouse to the Pool Suite, the decoration is modern and understated, with natural tones and materials everywhere. All the suites have air conditioning and are equipped with an Ipod dock and Ipod for guests to select their own choice of music in harmony with their mood. There is also a fully stocked mini-bar, 24 hour room service and WiFi throughout the Resort.

Guests can simply chill out on their private sundecks, or choose one of the activities offered at Aleenta Resort. There are Tai Chi and Yoga classes which are appropriately offered at sunrise and sunset. Other activities include Thai cookery classes, Thai boxing, Meditation, kite surfing and cycling. There is also a luxury Spa offering a range of pampering treatments guaranteed to relax and restore both body and mind.

For a beautiful location and time out from the real-world, Aleenta Resort and Spa offers luxurious accommodation, wonderful Thai service and all the facilities expected of a top resort, at a very reasonable price.

In a country known for its hospitality, gentle manners and smiling service, Yaiya Resort offers the very best in luxurious comfort. Yaiya Resort and Spa is the newest luxury Resort to open in Cha Am. It already has that top essential for a wonderful holiday – a great location. Yaiya Resort is right on Thailand’s longest white sand beach, in a situation straight from Paradise. This luxurious four star Resort Hotel has all the features offered by other top-notch hotels, but is much more affordable than equivalent resorts elsewhere in the world.

The Yaiya Resort and Spa was designed to offer a traditional Thai experience. Accommodation is airy and spacious, with a choice of hotel rooms or private pool villas, which have wonderful ocean views. The 23 deluxe hotel rooms are modern and beautifully finished. They are minimalist in design, with furnishing featuring local natural products and tasteful colors. The sumptuous, cushioned beds have beautiful covers designed by Khomapastr, the well-renowned local cotton house. There is a separate dressing area, a study desk and a daybed on the balcony for total relaxation. As you would expect in a top resort, all rooms enjoy WiFi internet access, tea and coffee-making facilities, refrigerator, satellite TV with DVD and an in-room safe. The elegant bathroom has a refreshing rain shower and separate bathtub. Each room has a spacious balcony or sundeck from which to enjoy seeing the sunrise over the Gulf of Siam.

For that special anniversary or honeymoon, why not spoil yourself with a Pool Villa. As well as enjoying a private plunge pool, the 8 one-bedroom villas have a living room with a tropical day bed draped with a mosquito net, and an electric fan. Families get a great deal in the 2 bed, 2 bath pool villas, as children under 12 stay free. The 3 bed villa is designed around its own 32-foot private pool with sundeck, for the ultimate family holiday. There is air conditioning, and a dining suite, as well as all the usual comforts of a luxury villa.

The 6 Sea Terrace suites, 2 of which have wheelchair access, have 2 daybeds, one on the balcony and one in the living sala. A dining table also makes a romantic private dinner an easy option.

After settling into your room, step outside and enjoy all the facilities of this beautiful resort. Relax by the pool on one of the cushioned lounge chairs with convenient poolside bar service, or enjoy a meditation or yoga class. For the more active, Tai Chi and Thai boxing instruction is offered, and bicycles are available to explore the local area and the market. On the beach you will find all the usual water sports including kite surfing. The beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Siam are warm and inviting for swimming and sporting activities.

The renowned AKA Spa Chiang Mai offers wonderful Spa treatments at the Yaiya Spa, using its own high-end products. Indulge in a massage or beauty treatment to really make the vacation special and memorable.

There are several restaurants at Yaiya resort including the superb Thaipas restaurant, which specializes in delicious Thai cuisine. For casual dining, cocktails and more, there is a lounge, a bar and a friendly pub. For a tropical sunshine holiday, in idyllic surroundings with excellent cuisine, the wonderful Yaiya Resort in Cha Am has it all.

If your dream vacation is a private pool villa with staff, overlooking a tropical beach, then the Veranda Resort and Spa was made for you. This luxurious four star resort has an enviable position on beautiful Cha Am beach, and no expense was spared in creating the finest accommodation surrounded by exotic and colorful gardens.

The Lobby Lounge has a comfortable social area, a range of beverages and specialty coffees and full Internet facilities. There is also a business center and shop for all guests’ requirements.

The Veranda Resort offers just 13 luxury pool villa suites which open right onto the white sand beach. Sleep soundly under the drapes, and open your eyes to the beautiful sunrise over the Gulf of Siam. You will feel that you are truly in paradise. Your own private pool and sundeck ensure a totally relaxing day in comfort and seclusion.

Further accommodation at the Resort includes the Jacuzzi Sea View rooms, each with a Jacuzzi and 2 sun beds on the private balcony, or the Veranda deluxe hotel rooms with stylishly modern décor. Alternatively the 22 beautifully furnished rooms in the Veranda Sea Wing offer a sumptuous king-size bed and a spacious private balcony with a further daybed. This is the ultimate relaxing holiday. Enjoy a quiet breakfast on the balcony with guaranteed sunshine and breathtaking ocean views. There is an open-style bathroom, a separate rain shower room and a pop-up satellite TV. 

If you can tear yourself away from your private haven, take a comfortable lounge chair by the beautiful infinity swimming pool, complete with its own artificial beach, bubble jets and water slide, and enjoy a drink from the poolside bar. Stroll around the 5 acres of Feng Shui gardens, and see the exotic flowers and lilies which bloom in this tropical climate.

For the more adventurous, there is a fitness center, tennis courts and a host of water sports including dinghy sailing, jet skiing, kite surfing, banana boat rides and kayaking. Try mountain biking around the area or explore the local market nearby. The resort shuttle bus takes guests into Hua Hin town for souvenir shopping. Further afield is the Sam Roi Yod National Park, and the elephant village at Pa L-U Waterfall National Park, for those who want to experience more of the beautiful Thai countryside and culture.

The Veranda Resort welcomes families, and has a daily kids club with a host of activities and programs. Parents can relax and enjoy the peace of the resort, knowing their children are being happily entertained with suitable activities. Adult activities include Thai cooking classes, which is a most entertaining way to learn more about Thai cuisine. There is also batik art and T-shirt painting fun. For a more leisurely treat, visit the Spa for a massage or signature beauty treatment.

Part of the pleasure of a vacation in Thailand is the wonderful cuisine. The Veranda Resort has a wonderful restaurant for fine dining, with an open-style kitchen and a grill and noodle station. For cocktails and drinks there is a comfortable bar/pub and the Rabiang Lay Beach Bar has a marvelous menu of local seafood dishes in an open-air setting. The upmarket bar offers fruit smoothies and shakes or a choice of wine to accompany your meal, and is often featured in magazines and on TV.

For a totally relaxing vacation “away from it all” in quality surroundings, The Veranda Resort and Spa will not disappoint. Whether you choose a deluxe room or a Pool Villa with private butler, the prices are very competitive, and the standards are second to none.

The Grand Pacific Sovereign Resort and Spa is a grand title for this palatial five star resort in Cha Am. Overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Gulf of Siam, with a beautiful beach setting, this elegant hotel is simply the best. From the grand seating in the wood paneled restaurant to the casual outdoor Pool Bar, there is something to suit every mood and taste.

The 224 sumptuous bedrooms and villas have the latest clean lines and modern décor. Sophisticated luxury with a contemporary finish would best describe this top resort. The polished wood floors, opulent bathrooms with soaking bathtub, and ceramic bowl sinks, subtle natural color schemes and wood finishes make the Grand Pacific an impressive 5 star resort. Each room enjoys air conditioning, with a balcony or terrace. There is a tea/coffee maker, hairdryer and in room safe. Fluffy towels and cotton bathrobes add to the feeling decadence. The rooms have WiFi Internet access, a mini bar and plasma satellite/cable TV. Private pools are also available to make the vacation a romantic and relaxing getaway for couples.

Enjoy breakfast in your room, or in one of the three restaurants, and then take a stroll into the gardens. The outdoor infinity pool is a beautiful blend of Thai pagodas, steps, fountains and Asian ornaments, with a decorative pool bar. Enjoy the gym fitness facilities or enjoy a morning walk along the sandy beach. The Sukko Spa is a haven of tranquility offering a range of relaxing body treatments and massages.
On the fourth floor is the Bellevue coffee shop, with tempting delicacies served throughout the day. There are also three 5 star restaurants offering a gastronomic delight of cuisine from all over the world. Try the excellent Dim Sum at the Fu Lue Chinese restaurant, or traditional Italian dishes served in the Celestino Restaurant along with a fine choice of wines. The himaya Japanese Restaurant has a sushi bar and private rooms for entertaining. Pre-dinner cocktails and drinks are served in the Lobby lounge, or at the pool bar. As expected, the smiling staff are exceptionally well-trained to make your stay absolutely perfect.

Thailand is a beautiful and interesting country, full of surprises. Take a trip to see the local national parks, or the royal Summer Palace nearby, which was built on stilts. Bangkok is only two hours away by car, and is a totally different experience to the quiet calm of Cha Am.

Five star resorts maintain a certain standard the world over, but they are more affordable in Thailand, so if you have never indulged before, now is the time to enjoy the ultimate luxury holiday in the sun.