asianTraveler Magazine

How is it to live like a king? This question pops in my mind when the plane I’m riding starts its descent on Bangkok’s sleek and modern Suvarnabhumi Airport. What elaborate feasts do they eat in every meal? Are they often pampered with a massage?

I’m headed for Hua Hin, a beach town about two and a half hours south of Thailand’s capital and home of the summer palace of the Thai royal family, so naturally, my imagination wanders, visualizing the lifestyle of the gilded class.

My destination: the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, which, as I will discover, gives guests the full royal treatment. What follows is an account of my stay there.

Day 1, 2:00 P.M.

A vast, stunning lobby sets the tone at the Sheraton Hua Hin. Flanked by thick columns and bedecked with flowers in full bloom, it overlooks the turquoise waters of the sea. The view is magnificent; I couldn’t have asked for a backdrop more awe-inspiring than this.

A receptionist hands me a lemongrass-scented face towel and a glass of iced tea. I am instantly soothed. Arrivals should be like this—smooth as silk, as their national airline puts it.

2:30 P.M.

Most hotels employ a drab and neutral color palette in an attempt to please the status quo. I’m amazed how my room here is splashed with warm, bright hues. The curtains have broad orange, yellow, and green stripes. Artfully arranged on a couch are throw pillows set in a similar color scheme. The overall effect is uplifting.

My plush bed, Sheraton’s signature “Sweet Sleeper”, looks inviting. Enticed, I lie down on the crisp sheets and cover myself in a soft blanket, drifting off to a pleasant nap.

4:00 P.M.

I wake up, ready to roam around the resort, my joie de vivre restored. First stop: the fitness center. Open 24 hours a day, it is a boon to night owls who want to sweat it out in the middle of the evening. Then there’s the Kid’s Club, where children up to 12 years old can play. Fun activities such as batik painting and making a “save the world” bag are held to keep the young ones occupied.

Sauntering to the beach, the wide expanse of the lapis lazuli sea greets me. A family frolics on the shore, delighting in the sun and sand. A couple, perhaps in their honeymoon, walks leisurely, hands clasped to each other. In the distance, an array of local boats called rue prepares to dock, bearing the day’s catch, a harvest of fruits de mer.

This peaceful scene brings a smile to my face. I order a mojito from Luna Lanai, the cozy beachfront bar, to savor this moment.

7:00 P.M.

With my appetite all worked up from walking around, I decide to eat dinner at InAzia, the resort’s featured restaurant. A hostess leads me to my table and I couldn’t help but admire the contemporary Indo-Chinese décor used here. The ambience is elegant, the lighting soft and flattering.

InAzia’s menu showcases the best of pan-Asian cuisine with authentic dishes from India, Japan, Indonesia and, of course, Thailand. My meal starts with Moriawese, a combination platter of sashimi and sushi. Superb, I thought. The freshness of the ingredients underlines the simplicity of the food. Next is Sunomono, mixed Japanese seafood salad with seaweed and cucumber in vinegar sauce. Light and delicate, the salad is very refreshing, a perfect antidote to the summer heat.

To satisfy my carnivorous taste, I ask for Fabulous Tandoor, lambchops baked on a spit in a clay oven and served with garam masala. The tender meat is perfectly done, its flavor enhanced by the spicy sauce that accompanies it. It’s lip-smacking goodness, each bite an explosion of flavors in my mouth.

I cap the excellent meal with a cup of vanilla-infused green tea, feeling like a king who just ate a sumptuous feast.

Day 2, 7:00 A.M.

Parting the curtains in my room upon waking up, I behold a lovely sight: my own private balcony, which has direct access to the swimming pool. And I must gush about the pool because it is sui generis—unlike any other and in a class by itself. It’s rare that a pool becomes the defining feature of a resort, but at the Sheraton Hua Hin, this is exactly the case.

Inspired by the majestic waterways of Old Bangkok or Sukhotai, the 200 meter-long lagoon-style pool (with a total circumference of 560 meters) winds through the resort, making it such a delight to swim in and explore. And with only a few steps separating my bed and the pool, I’m tempted to dive in and take an invigorating dip.

I give in to this primordial impulse and swim in the pool’s clear, sparkling waters. Oh joy!

3:00 P.M.

Exhausted from swimming all morning, I hop over to the resort’s in-house spa for a much-deserved treat. Aspadeva promises to be a heavenly retreat, as “deva” means angel in Thai.

My blissful journey to rejuvenation begins with a Nurture Bath. I soak myself in the chromatic jacuzzi filled with a combination of fresh locally-sourced milk and rose extract. Crimson rose petals float around me while I am mesmerized by the gradually changing colors of the jacuzzi light—cerulean, vermillion, peach and other luscious hues glowing underwater. Emerging from this luxurious bath fit for a king, I notice right away that my skin feels soft and fully moisturized.

Then I continue with the spa’s signature Aspadeva Massage, which fuses aromatherapy and traditional Thai massage. My therapist applies an aromatic blend of oils (bergamot, lavender, and chamomile) to my body, gently coaxing me to feel at ease through the rhythmic, fluid motion of her hands. It doesn’t take long for me to be totally relaxed, as she works her magic on my tired muscles.

Finally, she gives me a facial specially designed for me, Skin Vitality. I doze off a bit as she proceeds to pamper me, but when she rouses me from sleep, my face looks supple, as though half a decade has been taken off my age. I leave Aspadeva, calm and serene, fancying myself as a celestial being in harmony with the world.

Day 3, 2:00 A.M.

After catching a few hours of zzzz’s, I’m up, since I’m scheduled to catch a plane in Bangkok and fly back to Manila early in the morning. I sit for a while in my balcony, taking the night in and its dark silence.

Being treated like royalty by the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa is an exquisite experience that will always be embedded in my memory. For now, I at least have an idea of how it is to live like a king.

Sidebar

It’s not a surprise that the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa has honed the art of hospitality and fine living to perfection. After all, it’s part of a prestigious global brand, known for its unwavering commitment to excellence. What amazed me was how it was distinctively Thai and rich with local color, which made my stay here vivid and memorable.

I sat down with Sitthirat Hothongkam, the resort’s Executive Assistant Manager, who plays a major role in running the operations of the Sheraton Hua Hin. He introduced me to Khao Neow Ma-muang, the quintessential Thai dessert of mango sticky rice steeped in coconut milk, and we talked about several aspects of keeping this five-star establishment in tip-top condition. Below are some highlights from our conversation.

On service: “We want to emphasize service that comes from our heart, satisfying our guests without expecting anything in return.”

On maintenance: “The pool’s condition is checked at least six times a day, ensuring that the right pH balance is maintained.”

On aesthetics: “The colors that we use are warm, as a way of energizing those who stay here.”

On vision: “Our resort is perfect for groups and families, a place for them to enjoy and do things together.”