When in Hua Hin, rest on this 'Rock'
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| Morning at The Rock Hua Hin |
THE sand you walk on, the blue sea you swim in, the sunrise you wake up to and a "rock" you can rest on. This one is not at all craggy, but a bit more luxurious.
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| This Rock is not at all craggy. |
Hua Hin is a most precious and charming town, facing the seaside of the gulf of Thailand. Along its picturesque coast is a low-rise white building that catches the eye of the beachcombers-the Rock Hua Hin, an Agoda partner hotel. It's on this beachfront spa resort where you can start your days with a view of the rising sun over the blue sea, perhaps while dipping on the infinity pool that seems to connect with the ocean before you, or from the private terrace of your room while enjoying your first morning brew.
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| Relaxing. To view or swim in, the pool & sea is inviting. |
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| Morning dip with a view of the Hua Hin Beach & the Khao Takiab hill. |
The Rock derives its name from the Thai meaning of Hua Hin itself -- "Hua" is translated as "head" and "Hin" means "rock" or "stone." But contrary to what may be perceived, the beach where The Rock is situated, the famed Khao Takiab is not at all rocky. In fact, the sandy beach has none.
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| Beach access from the hotel. |
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| Hua Hin Beach is a famous shoreline in this resort town. |
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| The view from the Khao Takiab Beach area. |
What I like about The Rock is the privacy it emits. Only 26 rooms built in a three-floor contemporary structure, its look very much like a villa. Unlike its neighboring high-rise counterparts, the Rock blends perfectly with the private residences in area.
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| The hotel only has 26 rooms built in three floors. The ground floor rooms have private Jacuzzi pools. |
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| The low rise hotel in contemporary design looks like one of the private residential houses that line the Hua Hin beach. |
Spacious and wide are the rooms, not to mention well equipped with both traditional and modern amenities the luxury traveler may require-huge bath tub, separate shower area and internet connection are the few, not that you would really care for the latter in private escape such as this but if you must, your social media posts will make your followers quite envious.
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| The rooms are spacious-- & exciting. This suite has glass walls (with roll down shutters, of course). |
The ground floor accommodations are afforded with its own private Jacuzzi pools while the rooms on the upper two floors are fashioned with terraces that offer a view of the sea, a good spot to catch the first rays of the day and watch the skyline turn into a deeper hue at day's end. Coffee and wine will be in order.
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| The rooms in the upper levels of the 3-story contemporary building is fashioned with balconies that offer a view of the ocean. |
Both ends of the property present an exploration of opposite worlds, that is, if you can pull yourself out of your "private sanctuary". While the Khao Takiab Beach is a peace and tranquil stretch, the paved road on the parallel to it can take you to quaint coffee shops and small diners that offer local specialties. Within walking distance from your nest is the Khao Takiab temple at the "Monkey Mountain" and the posh night market of Cicada.
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| The Khao Takiab Temple with the 19-meter standing Golden Buddha on the Monkey Mountain can be reached on foot from the beach side of the hotel. |
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| The paved road side of the Rock are quaint offer shops & restaurants. |
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| I buy my favorite Sticky Mango with Rice daily from one of the family-owned eatery along the road. |
What can I say about this hideaway? I would say The Rock rocks! -- in a serene kind of way.
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| The surprise on this visit to the "Hamptons of Thailand"-- Dada Artawan is the Front Office Manager i& the in-house Yoga Instructor. He knows how to speak Visayan because he took up his Yoga training for 5 years in the Ananda Marga center in Buhangin, Davao City. |
For more photos about this story, and other travel and lifestyle stories, visithttp://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/ and http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 11, 2015.
