• By GROVE
  • | Nov 02, 2015

1. Play with adorable Shiba Inus

Shiba Inu dogs are super cute Husky-like Japanese pooches and Hua Hin now has a cafe where you can hang with 12 of them.  Inu Cafe (www.fb.com/inucafehuahin) doesn’t stand out for its standard industrial decor (bare bricks, dangling light bulbs) or menu (burger with cheese-filled meat patty—yum). In fact, they stopped serving coffee because patrons were feeding the caffeinated drinks to the dogs. Instead, you’ll have to settle for smoothies and sodas like the Passiony (passion fruit and honey, B75). The adorable Shiba Inu make it all worth it, though. Planning on bringing your own mutt? Call ahead as the Shibas can be naturally territorial.
 

2. Pamper yourself at the new organic spa 

The brand behind one of our Bangkok spa favorites (Panpuri Organic Spa at Gaysorn Plaza) has branched out to Hua Hin with Yuthika Well-Being Spa (www.yuthikawellbeing.com). Covering 300 sq meters of a fisherman’s village-themed resort, the spa boasts seven treatment rooms and over 20 treatments, including Thai massage, Swedish massage and facial treatments. The spa’s “follow the sun” concept tailors each package to the body’s different requirements for every time of the day, from the rosy-scented morning massage oil to the uplifting, minty daylight treatment and relaxing sunset-themed treatment with lavender. 
 
Vana Nava

3. Get some action at these two water parks

Hua Hin is not all cafes, spa treatments and lazing about. Jungle-themed Vana Nava (www.vananava.com) boasts Thailand’s tallest waterslide, Boomerango, as well as the country’s first “Abyss,” an award-winning slide that allows up to six friends to soar from a height of 28 meters. Other highlights include a bodyboard and surf simulator and the AquaLoop, which reaches speeds of 60km/h. Entry fees are  B1,000 for adults and B600 for children and seniors. Across town you’ll find the faux-Greek village-themed water park Santorini (www.santoriniparkchaam.com), whose highlight is Ares’s King Cobra, a huge slide that lets two people race on tubes through the twists and turns of the snake’s back, hitting speeds of up to 50kph before appearing to be swallowed into the snake’s mouth. Tickets are B700 for adults and B400 for children, while children under 90 centimeters get in for free.
 

4. Shoot down some zombies

Recently-opened shooting range Siam Milsim (www.siammilsim.com) is divided into two sections: one for regular shooting practice, where players are also trained about security measures; and another where shooters are tasked with beating the clock to shoot targets set up around various obstacles. The venue also specializes in simulation games. “Zombie Infection” sees players needing to stop the spread of a zombie virus. Heightening the excitement, the game is held in a secret location decked out with ATVs, boats and real buildings. Tickets is B4,000 including food and drink buffet.
 
My Way Hua Hin

5. Check in at a themed hostel 

Of course, Hua Hin has no shortage of luxe resorts (see #7), but recently it’s welcomed a slew of low-key hostels that target the cool crowds, whether it’s cyclists, shutterbugs or musos. My Way Hua Hin Music Hotel (www.mywayhuahin.com, from B1,200/night) takes its music theme seriously: each room is decorated in dedication to different music legends, from Elvis and The Beatles to Santana and the Rolling Stones. Remix Photo House (www.remixphotohouse.com, from B1,500/night) reflects its owner’s love for photography with bathrooms designed to imitate dark rooms and vintage film cameras on display throughout. Meanwhile, The Bike Loft (www.thebikelofthotel.com, from B1,150/night) aims to be the perfect stop off for cyclists. Decked out in artwork made from real bicycle parts, this industrial-style hostel is also located uphill above an ideal bike path. Check out BK’s full roundup at ow.ly/TEMFI.
 

6. Kick back at Hua Hin’s first serious beach club

Hyatt Regency Hua Hin just unveiled its Wave Beach Club (www.thewavebeachclub.com) last month. The bar lets you enjoy a cocktail whipped from a fully-stocked while reclining on a sunbed and listening to house beats during the day. When the sun sets on the weekends, the venue also functions as a restaurant, serving light dishes ranging from crab rolls to mini-sliders, before transforming into a mini outdoor club.  
 

7. Roll back the years with this retro-tastic beach party

This weekend, Veranda Hua Hin resort and Chivas Regal team up with one of Bangkok’s most happening nightclubs, Do Not Disturb, to host a 1950s-themed party, dubbed DND Beach Bash. The party will feature guest artists including Bee Peerapat and ETC, plus a host of dance music DJs. Tickets are B3,000 per person, which covers one complimentary room at Veranda (3 people/room) and a free bottle of Chivas Regal Extra. Don’t miss the chance to dress up like you stepped out of Pearl Harbor! See more on Facebook: DND Club

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