SO Sofitel Hua Hin: a family-friendly getaway

SO Sofitel is one of the best family resort I have visited. Located in Cha Am, the resort offers artistic and spacious rooms with not one but four pools, beach access, and tons of fun activities. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday with your family or friends, it’s perfect with plenty to do for everyone.

> See here for more things to do in Hua Hin

SO Sofitel Hua Hin overview

SO Sofitel Hua Hin is about 2 and a half hours drive from Bangkok. It’s on the north side of Cha Am and an easy drive down to Hua Hin town center. There are 109 rooms, suites, and pool villas altogether in either the SO Arty or SO Nature theme, along with 2 onsite restaurants and one of the best breakfast buffet I have seen.

How to get to SO Sofitel Hua Hin

SO Sofitel is located in Cha Am, and there are 2 options for getting to and from there:

Private Car to SO Sofitel Hua Hin

You can hire a private car to get to SO Sofitel Hua Hin. The cost from Bangkok to Aleenta should be around 2000 baht, as the general rate for Hua Hin is between 1800-2000 baht, and SO Sofitel is located in Cha Am.

If you get a private car down, you can make it a road trip as well – see Bangkok to Hua Hin by taxi here.

Public Transport + Taxi to SO Sofitel Hua Hin

SO Sofitel can also pick you up if you take an airport bus (or any bus) that stops by Cha Am intersection bus stop. The taxi rate for around 2-3 people with medium luggage is 300 baht (as of 2024) and it’s only a 10 minutes drive.

You can easily arrange this with the concierge via email. We took this route when we left and it was very smooth and less costly option.

Restaurants in SO Sofitel Hua Hin

There are two restaurants in SO Sofitel Hua Hin, one by the beach and one by the pool:

White Oven

White Oven offers an all-day dining experience with a focus on authentic Thai cuisine. The restaurant’s design is inspired by traditional Thai kitchens, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a variety of Thai dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The open kitchen concept allows diners to watch the chefs in action, and there’s a choice between air conditioned inside seating and outside seating with shade.

Breakfast at White Oven

The hotel breakfast at White Oven is truly one of the biggest spreads I have seen.

Aside from the many tables inside the restaurant itself, there is also a noodle cart outside in the covered terrace and the cutest Kids table for children to get their own meal from a low table they can reach.

You can probably get away with eating breakfast and early dinner when you are there!

Lunch at White Oven

The portions are generous and the food delicious. My favourite is the tamarind sauce deep fried sea bass, and there are well-priced vegetable options as well.

Hot pot dinner at White Oven

We also tried their Thai hot pot dinner set which came with premium beef, seafood, as well as unlimited vegetables.

Beach Society

Beach Society is a beachfront restaurant that serves modern Western cuisine with creative twists. During the day, it offers a relaxed setting where guests can enjoy fresh seafood and light bites while taking in the stunning ocean views. 

They have a great afternoon tea set that is perfect if you have had too much for breakfast.

In the evening, Beach Society transforms into an elegant dining venue, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. The menu features a range of dishes, from grilled tiger prawns to ciabatta steak sandwiches, all complemented by innovative cocktails.

Rooms in SO Sofitel Hua Hin

SO Sofitel rooms are spread across 8 buildings in the resort with individual villas as well. The rooms are very artsy and spacious with a blend of vibrant colour but nature themed.  Here are the different rooms available:

SO Comfy

The SO Comfy rooms offer a blend of comfort and style with a choice of king or twin beds.  These rooms are designed in either SO Arty or SO Nature themes, providing a serene ambiance.

We stayed in a SO Comfy with a balcony overlooking the main pool and we both love the design so much! The beds are super comfortable, too.

SO Studio

SO Studio rooms are spacious at 56 square meters, designed in the SO Nature theme to evoke a beach vacation spirit. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light, a balcony with pool views, a round bathtub, and a complimentary minibar.

SO Family

SO Studio rooms are spacious at 56 square meters, designed in the SO Nature theme to evoke a beach vacation spirit. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light, a balcony with pool views, a round bathtub, and a complimentary minibar.

SO Family Kids House

The SO Family Kids House provides 68 square meters of space with a colorful ‘Kids House’ connected to the master bedroom. This dedicated area for kids includes bunk beds, an LED TV with cartoons, and toys, making it a favorite among families.

There are only 4 of these so they get sold out quickly!

SO Comfy Pool Access

These rooms offer direct access to the Signature Pool from a private terrace. Furnished in SO Arty or SO Nature style, they come with a king or twin bed setup.

SO Lofty Pool Access

The SO Lofty Pool Access rooms are bright and spacious, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace with an oversized poolside chaise lounge. Guests can enjoy direct access to the Signature Pool, making it perfect for unlimited fun and relaxation.

SO Family Suite

The SO Family Suite is a luxurious 60 square meter space with a king-size bed and a bunk bed for children. It includes a private balcony overlooking the Signature Pool, an en-suite bathroom, and a daily replenished non-alcoholic minibar.

One-bedroom SO Pool Villa

This villa offers 130 square meters of private luxury with a 3×9 meter private pool, an outdoor cabana with a sofa and sun beds, and a separate living and dining area.

Two-bedroom SO Pool Villa

Ideal for families or friends, this spacious villa features a separate living room and a private 3×9 meter pool. The villa is designed in the SO Arty style, providing a perfect setting for relaxation and private parties.

Two-bedroom SO Beachfront Pool Villa

This villa offers the ultimate beachfront experience with two bedrooms, a private pool, and direct beach access. It combines luxury and comfort, making it ideal for families or groups looking for a premium stay by the sea.

SO Sofitel Hua Hin Amenities

SO Sofitel has so much to do that I don’t think we managed to do everything even on our long weekend stay. Here’s an overview of what you can do:

4 Swimming Pools

Signature Pool

The Signature Pool is the main swimming pool of SO Sofitel Hua Hin measuring 16 x 60m. The highlight is the Wibit inflatable water adventure course right down the middle, perfect for kids and adults alike!

It goes from around 1m in depth to almost 2 at the far end. There is lifeguard on duty so kids can play there safely, too.

SO Family Kids House Pool

Tailored for families, this pool is adjacent to the SO Family Kids House, providing a safe and fun environment for children to splash around. It’s the perfect spot for little ones to enjoy the water while parents relax nearby, knowing their kids are having a great time.

Solarium Pool

Solarium pool is between the game room and the spa and an adults-only pool. It’s more tranquil and good for some quiet swim time.

SO Pool

Overlooking the stunning beach, the SO Pool is the place to be for those who love a good view while they swim. This pool is surrounded by comfy sunbeds and cabanas, making it the perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the serene beachfront vibes.

SO Spa

The SO Spa has one of the most tranquil decoration I have seen and offers a range of treatments designed to rejuvenate your body and mind. From soothing massages to revitalizing facials, they pen daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

I tried their signature oil massage, which not only comes with a choice of essential oil but also the preferred sound track!

It was a super relaxing massage and the starry-night space to relax in after was also stunning.

Game Room

The game room at SO Sofitel Hua Hin is a paradise for both kids and adults who love to play. Equipped with a variety of games, including billiards, table tennis, and video games. It’s an additional space for family or friends to spend time together and a great option during the occasional afternoon rain.

Kid’s Club House

The Kid’s Club House is near the Signature Pool with indoor playroom complete with  is a vibrant and exciting space designed just for the little ones. It features a colorful ‘Kids House’ with bunk beds, an LED TV playing cartoons, and a variety of toys to keep children entertained. The club offers a range of activities and games, ensuring that kids have a blast while parents enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.

Beach

Next to the Beach Society you have a beach section completed with deck chair that you can relax and enjoyed in. there are also sea activities on offer like banana boat but we didn’t try it. 

Activities in SO Sofitel Hua Hin

SO Sofitel has a wide range of activities on offer that would be great for engaging the kids but also fun for all ages. There’s enough to do for a full weekend and my mum approved of it, too!

SO Wonderland Adventure Golf

This 18-hole mini golf course is packed with quirky obstacles and lush greenery, with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

It’s free to play and you just need to go to the kid’s clubhouse to ask for the golf club and ball to play. It’s great fun and you might get to see the mascot as well!

Scooter or bicycle ride

There are scooter and bicycle rental in the resort to go around the track that loops the perimeter of the resort and also go into the garden area.

It’s great fun for those who want to tour the place. If you are a cycling enthusiast, there is a 16.5 km cycling route that takes you from the hotel to Tanod Noi Beach, you’ll get to enjoy the best of both coastal and countryside views. It’s a fun and active way to discover the local area at your own pace.

Waterscooter

Dive into some high-speed fun with the H2SO Water Scooter at the Signature Pool! 

These water scooters let you zip around the pool with 3 different models for different ages. I had a lot of fun with it too – so did my mum!

Sunset Bat Excursion

Our favourite activity at SO Sofitel Hua Hin has to be the sunset bat excursion. The team organise a small picnic and set off to a view point about 10-15 minutes drive from the hotel facing the karst mountains.

They set us up with rice paper rolls, soft drinks, and water along with binoculars and at first I was busy staring at the sunset. But as the sunset, hundreds of thousands of bats starting flying out from the karst mountains forming a black ribbon across the sky!

It was crazy to see the amount of bats and we stayed for about 45 minutes in total until it started to get dark. It’s one of the few places you can still see this many bats as they are slowly going extinct in the region!