Lake View Hotel & Golf Club (Mountain-Lake course)

Lake View Hotel & Golf Club (Mountain/Lake course): Formerly known as Imperial Lake View, an excellent variety of enjoyable golfing challenges are provided by the 36-holes of championship golf here at Lake View near Hua Hin.

The very good Mountain-nine (A) and even better Lake-nine (B) include wonderfully tree-lined and contoured holes, set in a typically lush Thai environment. The Desert-nine (C) and Links-nine (D) are somewhat different in style, much more open and linksy.

On the Mountain/Lake combination, palms and many other tree varieties line the fairways, along with good earthmounding and attractive bunkering. Many of the water hazards are defined by red rocky frontages, not least at the par-3 14th, which is played from island tee-boxes, which are surrounded by the same small lake as the island green.

The quiet naturalness of this location and the picturesque backdrop of the region's jungle-clad hills can be enjoyed from many parts of the course, nowhere more so than when you are putting out on the 11th green. The short par-4 7th is another memorable hole, beautifully framed by the surrounding hills, and a driveable green heavily defended by excellent bunkering. para & line space:

Maintenance standards are generally good, although one or two fairways and greens were a little patchy when we visited. With several nicely dog-legging holes and a pleasant though never excessive contouring to the course, this is one of the region's most attractive layouts and one that's definitely worth a visit.