Krabi
where to stay?
Krabi province lies in the south part of the east coast of Thailand. Krabi is a popular holiday destination for both tourists and local Thais. The province lies mostly on the mainland and the rest covers 154 islands, the best known of which are Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Krabi is mainly known for its iconic limestone cliffs that attract climbers from all over Asia.
Krabi also includes some of the most beautiful marine national parks – Hat Noppharat Thara National Park (where Phi Phi islands are located) and Mo Koh Lanta National Park. National parks have stunning beaches and offer some of the best snorkeling and diving sites in Southeast Asia.
For more information about Krabi, how to get there and ideas for trips please click here:
13 Things To Do In Krabi And Aonang
Since Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi are destinations on their own and deserve a minimum of 3-4 days of stay, we will focus on the part of Krabi that is on the mainland.
Krabi mainland can be simply divided into three most popular locations:
KRABI TOWN
Krabi Town is the capital town of Krabi province and the official and administrative center. It has an immigration office, town hall and is the closest tourist center to Krabi Airport.
In my opinion, Krabi Town is suitable for 1-2 days maximum and I would say that it is rather a transit location. If you have an early morning flight from Krabi or arrive late, I would recommend Krabi Town as a place to sleep. There is a small market, shops, restaurants and nearby are some nice places to visit – Tiger Cave Temple, White Temple (What Khew) and Hot Springs.
As the name suggests, there are no beaches in the town. Certainly none worth visiting. There are no luxury hotels in Krabi, but there is a good selection of quality boutique hotels at a very reasonable price.
ADVANTAGES OF STAYING IN KRABI TOWN:
distance from the airport (about 30min), cheap and quality hotels, good base for excursions.
PLACES TO VISIT AND DO IN KRABI TOWN:
Tiger Cave Temple, Hot Spring & Emerald Pool, White Temple.
Boutique Hotels
Location is near night market, and Krabi riverside is around 5min walk away.
- modern rooms
- central location
- the hotel is located above an excellent bakery cafe
Superb location, very friendly staff, beautiful, sparkling clean room.
- very tastefully decorated
- lovely stylish room and building
- location in the middle of Krabi close to all the market
Within Krabi Town, near to night market and shops.
- close to the Krabi weekend night market
- free bus between the other hotel where you can used the pool
- modern, clean rooms
Location is near night market, and Krabi riverside is around 5min walk away.
- modern rooms
- central location
- the hotel is located above an excellent bakery cafe
from 2,200THB a night
Superb location, very friendly staff, beautiful, sparkling clean room.
- very tastefully decorated
- lovely stylish room and building
- location in the middle of Krabi close to all the market
from 1,200THB a night
Within Krabi Town, near to night market and shops.
- close to the Krabi weekend night market
- free bus between the other hotel where you can use the pool
- modern, clean rooms
from 2,000THB a night
Budget friendly hotels
Clean, friendly staff and very close to markets but still quiet.
- basic, clean rooms
- in the center of Krabi town
- near restaurants and market
Located beside the Krabi Town Night Market. Central location.
- clean big room with AC
- bike rental in the hotel
- convenient location
Well-known sociable dorm room, perfect for single travelers.
- nice facilities and space, the beds are so spacious and comfy
- meeting new people
- 5min walk to the town
Clean, friendly staff and very close to markets but still quiet.
- basic, clean rooms
- in the center of Krabi town
- near restaurants and market
from 600THB a night
Located beside the Krabi Town Night Market. Central location.
- clean big room with AC
- bike rental in the hotel
- convenient location
from 500THB a night
Well-known sociable dorm room, perfect for single travelers.
- nice facilities and space, the beds are so spacious and comfy
- meeting new people
- 5min walk to the town
from 500THB a night
AONANG
Aonang is a more tourist part of Krabi with more built infrastructure and more hotels and resorts. Aonang itself is not somewhat breathtaking, but the town serves as a good base for excursions in the area. I recommend staying a maximum of 2-3 days, depending on how much you want to explore the surrounding area.
As for the beaches, the main beach on Aonang and Nophara Thara Beach are more “town” beaches. You can swim here, but do not expect any azure sea and white sand. For nicer beaches, you will have to head out to the west coast or take a taxi boat to Railay Beach.
In Aonang, you will find a very good offer of accommodation – hotels, villas, bungalows, and resorts for all budgets and expectations.
ADVANTAGES OF STAYING IN AONANG:
a large selection of hotels from luxury to cheap hostels, nightlife, a good base for excursions.
PLACES TO VISIT AND DO IN AONANG:
Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint, kayaking trip in Thalane Bay, snorkeling trip to 4 islands.
Luxury Resorts
A fabulous resort is recently built, in a peaceful location.
- stunning views
- set under the limestone cliffs
- shuttle bus to the beach
Beautiful setting with a lovely swimming pool.
- stunning view of the cliffs
- free shuttle to the beach
- free bicycles to go to the town
The villas are modern, clean, and had everything you need.
- peaceful and relaxing setting
- beautiful views
- sustainable eco-resort
A fabulous resort is recently built, in a peaceful location.
- stunning views
- set under the limestone cliffs
- shuttle bus to the beach
from 3,300THB a night
Beautiful setting with a lovely swimming pool.
- stunning view of the cliffs
- free shuttle to the beach
- free bicycles to go to the town
from 3,000THB a night
The villas are modern, clean, and had everything you need.
- peaceful and relaxing setting
- beautiful views
- sustainable eco-resort
from 3,800THB a night
Economy
Lovely and clean resort with a small pool in the garden.
- friendly and cozy environment
- close to everything but without the noise
- beautiful garden
Located in Ao Nang Beach, within 2.1 km of Nopparat Thara Beach.
- comfortable wooden bungalows
- friendly atmosphere
- free shuttle to the beach
The location is off the busy road, but still within close walking distance to the town.
- peaceful, relaxing gardens
- beautiful views from pool area
- fantastic value
Lovely and clean resort with a small pool in the garden.
- friendly and cozy environment
- close to everything but without the noise
- beautiful garden
from 1,000THB a night
Located in Ao Nang Beach, within 2.1 km of Nopparat Thara Beach.
- comfortable wooden bungalows
- friendly atmosphere
- free shuttle to the beach
from 800THB a night
The location is off the busy road, but still within close walking distance to the town.
- peaceful, relaxing gardens
- beautiful views from pool area
- fantastic value
from 2.400THB a night
RAILAY
Railay is a peninsula between Krabi and Aonang and is only accessible by boat. Separated from the mainland by the iconic limestone cliffs and jungle, Railay offers a cleaner sea for swimming and beautiful beaches. If you want to feel like you are on an island and want to enjoy the beaches, Railay is your ideal location in Krabi.
I would not recommend Railay if you want to do a lot of excursions, trips, and activities on the mainland. From Railay, you will need to take a taxi boat to Aonang or Ao Nammao pier, which can limit you financially and time-wise.
Accommodation on Railay is limited in quantity and more expensive than in Aonang or in the town. You will find cheaper accommodation options, but the quality of accommodation will not be the same as in Aonang or Krabi Town.
If you are looking for a more secluded part of Railay without tourists, I recommend Tonsai Beach. Tonsai Beach is about 30 min walk from the main part of Railay and is accessible by foot or taxi boat.
ADVANTAGES OF STAYING IN RAILAY:
beautiful beaches and bathing, no cars or motorbikes, a central location for rock-climbing.
PLACES TO VISIT AND DO IN RAILAY:
Tonsai and Prang Nang Beach, rock-climbing, Railay Viewpoint and Lagoon.
Luxury Resorts
Luxury 5* resort, surrounded by tropical gardens and beaches.
- amazing views and garden
- spa and wellness available
- fine dining restaurant
A modern resort, set among beautifully arranged gardens, with a fabulous pool.
- quiet area
- near the walking street
- large modern rooms with bathtub
A very cozy, and tastefully decorated resort.
- pool access rooms are available
- relaxed evening atmosphere
- local eateries and massage shops nearby
Luxury 5* resort, surrounded by tropical gardens and beaches.
- amazing views and garden
- spa and wellness available
- fine dining restaurant
from 19,000THB a night
A modern resort, set among beautifully arranged gardens, with a fabulous pool.
- quiet area
- near the walking street
- large modern rooms with bathtub
from 3,500THB a night
A very cozy, and tastefully decorated resort.
- pool access rooms are available
- relaxed evening atmosphere
- local eateries and massage shops nearby
from 1,900THB a night
Economy
The hotel is surrounded by greenery and cliffs, 1-min from Tonsai Beach.
- quiet, relaxing atmosphere
- secluded beach
- kayaking and rock climbing are available
The resort offers beautiful gardens and amazing cliff and ocean views from the pool.
- 10mins walk to the beach
- quiet hideout on the beautiful Railay
- hotel pick up and drop off
Located away from the town with amazing views of the limestone cliffs.
- 15-minute walk to the beaches
- great value for money
- you can easily walk everywhere
The hotel is surrounded by greenery and cliffs, 1-min from Tonsai Beach.
- quiet, relaxing atmosphere
- secluded beach
- kayaking and rock climbing are available
from 1,000THB a night
The resort offers beautiful gardens and amazing cliff and ocean views from the pool.
- 10mins walk to the beach
- quiet hideout on the beautiful Railay
- hotel pick up and drop off
from 2,000THB a night
Located away from the town with amazing views of the limestone cliffs.
- 15-minute walk to the beaches
- great value for money
- you can easily walk everywhere
from 700THB a night
Follow my INSTAGRAM @phiphiisland_diary
