Introduction I recently stayed 5 nights at the So/ Sofitel Hua Hin and to be honest I am somewhat conflicted about this hotel, it just was so so. I have no idea what qualifies this hotel to be a So/ which after all is supposed to a be a lifestyle moniker.Anyway on to the review... Check In Check in was not prepared, nor was the room ready at 3pm. That is despite hotel having requested details of my arrival in advance. Check in is done in the outdoor lobby and I did not get any sense of a Platinum arrival. Various staff running around but nobody taking charge. I was in holiday mood so not easily annoyed but it it lacked any recognition.No upgrade was offered (next higher would have been a 2 bedroom villa). A number of drink vouchers were handed out and despite these usually being for 2 drinks it turned out these were valid for one only. Anyway, once all the formalities were done we were escorted to the pool villa.(priority check in, unattended)Welcome drinkView from the reception Room The villa was very nice indeed, clear cool design and largely functional. A large living room with an uncomfortable sofa a dining area, Illy coffee machine, minibar and then, separated, the sleeping questers with a bathtub, shower, plenty of storage and a large comfortable bed.Outdoors featured a dining table, lounge area and three sun beds (later one was removed for unknown reasons), oh and a private pool.Some issues: Limited TV choice, aircon was blowing directly onto the bed, not comfortable. The "free" minibar included water and some obscure juices, no real soft drinks (mor about that later). Service Service was so so. Nothing was as such bad but some of the staff were a bit uncoordinated. Dining We had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel. There are two main food outlets: the main restaurant where breakfast is also served and the beach bar, serving small bites and cocktails. The breakfast was not good, or at least in parts it wasn't. The cooked elements and hot buffet were ok but the bread and pastries were stale. A sad state of affairs for a French owned hotel. Offering stale croissants is just not on. When I mentioned this to guest relations they offered me fresh ones, they were arrived the next morning when I had finished breakfast.....The restaurant's dinner service was ok, nice and tasty Thai fare, but not cheap, about double what you would pay in Hua Hin. It also wasn't exactly popular as for the time we were there only few diners availed of the restaurant, at lunch it was even more deserted.The food at the beach bar was also good, a more international offering.Oddly coloured pancakes, not freshly made but out of a tupperware box.cocktailsbeach bar Location This hotel is nowhere near Hua Hin. There is literally nothing around so you can forget about going for a walk to another restaurant or a shop. During daytime you can rent a bike but at nighttime you rely on either the hotel shuttle to Cha Am and Hua Hin. Cha Am is about 15 minutes by car, Hua Hin about 30 minutes. The last shuttle leaves Hua Hin at 21h, far too early. Taxis are a challenge as some drivers have no idea where this hotel is. The shuttle is supposed to be free for Platinum members but somehow I was charged at check out (though they reversed this when challenged).It takes about 2-2.5h to drive to/from Bangkok, depending on traffic. Costs for a car and driver are about €60 one way. I used Hua Hin Cars. Loyalty Experience Don't expect much as Platinum member at this hotel. There is no lounge (the deserted bar on top of the restaurant would make a good lounge, nobody ever went there). What they do offer is a drink voucher per member per day, but I got 6 for 5 nights, despite being two people in the villa. Confusing. The hotel used to have a Platinum happy hour (free drinks) but no more.When I checked in was told that they could stock the (free) minibar with other things. When I order some tonic water I was initially charged a whopping €3.20 per can. Again this was reversed after some words and tonic was now free flowing....The GM was nowhere to be seen throughout my stay.The welcome amenity was somewhat underwhelming: So very expensive.... Pools the hotel was a variety of pools, new and old.Adult poolNew all ages poolOld all ages pool Overall Overall the stay was ok but did not wow in any shape or way. The room was nice but lacked some Thai touches, the private pool was nice too but could do with some tropical planting. It all felt a bit too functional.The main problem with this hotel is that it is in the middle of nowhere and extremely quiet. Finishing dinner at 22h and we were the only ones in the restaurant. Having a night cap at 23h at the beach bar and its you and the staff.... And the hotel was apparently busy. If you travel with kids and have to be in bed at 22h this is your choice.The hotel is not cheap but I failed to see how some of the costs justified (drinks and food), at times I felt taken advantage of because of the remote location.The hotel could also do with a lick of pain throughout, the building's wood paneling looked dilapidated and so did the sun loungers at the beach. Not very 5*.Friends of mine were staying at the same time in a regular room, avoid those, balconies are tiny and not dressed, some even have bird netting. If you decide to stay here choose a room in one of the new blocks with pool access or junior suites or a villa.Would I return? Unfortunately it is a no from me. There are much nicer Accor beach resorts in Thailand. What makes this a So/ eludes me.