Stepping into the Amari Hua Hin, you could be anywhere – a Hampton’s holiday home, a Greek villa or a colonial mansion – but the bright, airy and fresh blue, silver and white reception, is a perfect welcome to this newly renovated hotel.
Before you can even drop your bags and take a seat in one of the inviting peacock chairs, you’ll be whisked up to your room, which, if you’re one of the lucky ones, will have an amazing azure sea view or be overlooking the pool, both of which make for a tempting way to start your lazy holiday mornings.
Once you’ve settled into the hotel, we recommend taking a wander down to the Coral Lounge, where you can tuck into mini wraps, sandwiches and sweet treats – the cake pops are just to die for!
A day spent lounging down at the Shoreline Beach Club is a must. Get yourself a cabana and relax by the sea, with attentive waiters on hand to wait on you hand and foot, a beachside barbecue is a perfect lunchtime choice.
In the evening, book a table in the ultra-relaxed Reef Deli. The selection of seafood is, as suggested by the name, absolutely delicious, and the tuna steak and wasabi sandwich might be one of the most delicious things we’ve ever eaten.
If you’re more of a keep-the-sand-away kind of gal, grab a lounger by the enormous pool, where you’ll be in prime position to get up and tuck into some of the delicious food from the poolside restaurant, Aqua. The cute (and custom-made for the hotel) street-food stand whips up perfect Pad Thai and delicious Mango sticky rice for you to tuck into. Street food without even leaving your lounger – bliss!
But it’s not all about the eating, drinking and lounging. Check into the Breeze Spa for some R&R, where you can enjoy a personalised massage, adjusted according to your mood. Or, if you’re feeling lively (you energetic thing, you), set your alarm early and head over to one of the Fitball classes where you can work off a few of those delicious beachside dinners.
Inside info
If you’re staying in the hotel with a couple of friends, the Fully Loaded Baguette at Reef Deli is a must-try. The 70cm sandwich bonanza can be filled with all your favourite food, including smoked turkey breast, smoked chicken, tuna or salmon steaks, cheese, avocado… the list goes on!
Details
Amari Hua Hin, 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae, Hua Hin, Thailand. | +66 3261 6600 | www.amari.com/ huahin
Germany
Frankfurt Christmas Market
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and nowhere is that more true than in Frankfurt, where their Christmas market is in full festive swing. Running until December 23, the festival is one of the biggest in Germany and you can sample delicious food, stock up on cute Christmas gifts, marvel at their a 30m tall Christmas tree, and of course, sip on a few mugs of their famous mulled wine. It’s the perfect place to kick off your Christmas 2012.
Römerberg, Frankfurt | www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
UK
Bounce, London
The whole of the UK seems to still be reeling from Olympic fever, with all-things-sporty taking over everything, including the capital’s night life. If you rate yourself as a dab hand on a ping pong table, Bounce is the bar for you. The inner-city hot spot lets you play table tennis to your hearts content, as you sip on a few drinks in the so-hip-it-hurts bar. You can book ahead for six or more people, or just walk straight in and onto your first rally, but fear not, if there’s no table available you can enjoy a drink at the bar, check out the action from the viewing gallery or dine in the restaurant, we hear that their White pizza with mushrooms, spinach and truffle oil is to die for.
121 Holborn, London | www.bouncelondon.com
