“Excellent place to stay”

This really is a delightful hotel. Not the biggest in the area, but that suits us fine. Situated between Hua Hin City and Cha Am town in a small village called Bhan Kwai, the Cera Resort Hotel is by the beach although more on that later. Bhan Kwai itself is a delightful small typically Thai vill… more

This really is a delightful hotel. Not the biggest in the area, but that suits us fine. Situated between Hua Hin City and Cha Am town in a small village called Bhan Kwai, the Cera Resort Hotel is by the beach although more on that later. Bhan Kwai itself is a delightful small typically Thai village with a good number of eating places as well as a few bars, plenty of massage places, tailors and a 7/11 supermarket. The hotel is a 2 minute walk from the village. The hotel is very clean, has lovely staff from the manager down to the gardeners who work tirelessly to keep the grounds looking lovely. It is also very reasonably priced. The hotel has two blocks of accommodation, one over the reception area and the other 30 yards away the other side of the bar area. We have only stayed in the rooms above reception, so my comments are based on those rooms. The room was a very good size with a massive bed that could sleep four 😊 I’m a back sufferer, but I found the bed very comfortable. There’s a fridge, kettle with tea and coffee, hairdryer, coat hangers, TV and a good sized safe. They also supply dressing gowns and flip flops if you wish to use. The bathroom is also large with a small bath and large shower, just be careful in the shower as there are no slip mats and whilst we have had no problems, I am aware of two elderly guests who have slipped and fallen, but sadly that happens in a lot of hotels. Like the rest of the hotel, it is kept very clean. There is always hot water, but on odd occasions the temperature can fluctuate while showering, so take care if children are using as the hot water is very hot. Each day, two bottles of water are left in your room which was very much appreciated. POOL AREA The pool area is a delight and has a good sized pool which at its deepest is 1.6meters deep, so even a shorty like myself can just about stand up in it without taking in water. There is also a child’s pool attached which I found nice to sit in and read my book🤓 Pool beds are now the plastic sort and towels are collected at reception. Sufficient brollies around the pool and there is also a sanded and shaded area just off the pool area if you like it a shade cooler. You can also take the short walk (30 seconds) down towards the sea where there is another sanded area with pool beds and brollies. There are steps down to the beach and sea, although at the present time, the sea is right up to the wall most of the time, so if you want a beached area by the sea, you need to go left and you are soon on the long sandy beach. They have had to sand bag the beach for some distance, so the very best of the beach is a few hundred meters along towards the sailing club and the delightful Cha Am village bar and restaurant, a must visit if you are out there. BREAKFAST Breakfast is taken in the breakfast area just over a small road that leads down to the sea, the staff are efficient, polite and good humoured and there is a good selection of food on offer. However fussy you may be, I’m sure you will find something to fill you up for the day ahead, be it toast, cereal or chicken in a sauce with rice. Tea, coffee and various fruit juices are also on offer. On some days, banana pancakes are on offer😋 FOOD The food here is very good and evening meals can either be taken at the intimate setting of by the pool area, or you can go under cover by the bar area, just let reception know in advance if you wish to take an evening meal. You can also get food throughout the day as well as drinks and ice creams. Who goes to the Cera Those that do go invariably end up going back, often year after year. We went for three weeks, but many others go for a few months, it’s just that sort of place. English, French, Belgium’s Swedes, Finns, as well as those from other EU countries, but also at weekends there can be an influx of Thais who come up from Bangkok for a weekend away. On our latest trip there was also a group of Chinese😡 I will keep my comments to myself, but sadly there were some noisy and uncouth individuals in their party. There were few children staying whilst we were there and in fairness, whilst they would undoubtedly be warmly welcomed by the staff, it doesn’t particularly lend itself to 5 to 15 year olds who would be better placed at the Nova hotel or the Regents. The Nova is very kids orientated which is why we avoid it and the Regents we have stayed at, but far prefer the Cera as again it’s very big and can be noisy. Whatever you do, don’t be tempted by any all inclusive deals, Thailand doesn’t lend itself to that, besides you would miss out on visiting the wonderful restaurants in The Village of which Harry’s Bar tops the lot. Superb food lovely people. If you want to pop in to Hua Hin or maybe Cha Am, there are plenty of taxis that sit up in the village, I would suggest using those between the Cera and the Regents, we’ve always found them to be honest and reliable. 600 baht round trip to Hua Hin which is about £15 in English money these days. Worth a visit and plenty of places to change your notes, but remember to take your passport. Also, they won’t take any notes that have marks on them so be warned. The hotel is also an excellent base for golfers with at least nine good courses within easy reach. Wifi is also very good in your room and at the poolside. It is also well geared up for the disabled With disabled toilets poolside to the fore.

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