I recently took a one-day trip to Cha Am (Petchaburi Province) to enjoy the beach. It is in relatively close proximity to Bangkok, thus was a good quick escape to take in the sea breeze and soft sand that Cha Am is well-known for.
There are more than a handful of beachfront hotels and residences that stretch from Cha Am to Hua Hin so there are always plenty of options for places to stay.
This time, I stayed at the Regent Cha Am, which had good service and was comfortable. Once you check in, you don’t really need to leave the premises. There is a large pool and several restaurants and bars on site. We went with Peppina for some western food right on the beach.
The beach has a private feel, as it is away from the crowds and noise of the main Cha Am Beach zone. If you are looking for a more catered, relaxing experience, especially for families, then you may prefer the area around Regent.
Prices for the hotel do fluctuate, especially on long weekends, but there are often promotions where you only have to pay $40 for a room per night (with breakfast)! I always check Agoda first before booking (Please note that this is an affiliate link. If you use this link to book a room, I will receive a nominal benefit)