Where to stay in Ao Nang Krabi – The Best Ao Nang Hotels
Are you visiting the tropical beach paradise Krabi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast? If so, you’re probably considering using the Ao Nang area as a base. Its central location, many amenities and countless hotels make it a great spot for all budgets and interests. Do you want to be bang in the centre of town within walking distance of the bars and restaurants? Or would you prefer to relax in a luxurious beach resort a short taxi ride from town?
In this guide, we cover exactly where to stay in Ao Nang. We share the pros and cons of each of the main areas, taking into account getting around, costs and holiday interests. We also give recommendations on some of the best Ao Nang hotels for every budget.
We hope you find our where to stay in Ao Nang guide useful and can use it to help plan your trip!
The different areas to stay in ao nang
Ao Nang beach and town
Ao Nang Beach and the long road that leads from it to the airport is the most central place to stay in the Ao Nang area. Hotels here are surrounded by countless restaurants, shops, cafes and bars. It’s the hub of all that’s going on in Ao Nang and it’s also where you’ll find the biggest nightlife scene.
Many people choose the Ao Nang Beach area to stay in Krabi as you can walk to pretty much anything. The boat tour pier is easily accessible, as is the night market, plenty of restaurants and transportation to the wider area. You’ll also find hotels for everything budget, from 5-star luxury to budget backpacker hostels.
In our opinion, the only downside to Ao Nang’s town and beach area is how touristic it is. It feels very built up, with McDonalds, Starbucks and other tourist-focused places to eat. You won’t find many authentic Thai restaurants or local culture.
Nopparat Beach / Chiang Mai Night Market
Nopparat Beach is a great place to stay in Ao Nang for those that want to be in close proximity to the nightlife, restaurants and lively town scene, but without the busy tourist crowds. The long stretch of Nopparat Beach has some nice sea-view hotels. It has a more ‘couples and family-friendly’ atmosphere. You can walk to the busy Ao Nang beach area in 30-minutes and Nopparat Thara Pier in less than 20 minutes. This is where a lot of organised tour boats depart.
Another major attraction to the Nopparat Beach area is the night market. Every evening the market has a vibrant collection of food stalls, shopping stalls and live music.
Nopparat Beach is slightly quieter place to stay in Ao Nang. It’s not as beautiful as the other areas we’ll share with you below and it’s not as central as Ao Nang Beach. However, it’s a good happy-medium between both options.
Klong Muang Beach
Not strictly in Ao Nang but classed as the Ao Nang area, Klong Muang Beach is the perfect place to stay in Ao Nang for those that want a large beach resort with tranquil beach vibes. Klong Muang Beach is located a 17-minute drive from the centre of Ao Nang town. Stay here and you’ll have a good selection of 4 and 5-star hotels. They’re all located right on the beach and boast a number of facilities, though, the prices are higher than the other areas we’ve mentioned.
Most of the hotels in the Klong Muang Beach area are luxury resorts that cater towards couples on their honeymoon and families. Multiple swimming pools, gorgeous beach views and lots of activities on-site appeal to those that want to spend lots of time in the hotel. They’re ideal for a relaxing beach holiday! For tours, activities and nightlife, you can catch a taxi to Ao Nang town in around 18-minutes.
Tubkaek Beach
Tubkaek Beach is very similar in atmosphere to Klong Muang Beach. It’s located a little further north of Klong Muang and a 25-minute drive from Ao Nang town. It’s a popular place to stay for those that want a luxurious beach retreat on an idyllic white-sand beach. Some of the resorts here are gorgeous! Think high-end hotel chains and boutique resorts with private pools.
Tubkaek is a secluded place to stay in Ao Nang, but that’s the beauty of it. The water activities and beach relaxation here is unbeatable! It suits those that want lots of resort and beach time, only venturing away from the hotel for some day trips. You can get to Ao Nang town in a 25-minute taxi ride.
Ao Nang Beach hotels
Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
The Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive places to stay in Ao Nang and it’s had that reputation for some time. Most of Ao Nang’s luxury hotels are located outside of town in some of the other areas we’ve mentioned. However, the Centara is right in the middle of Ao Nang town, only a short walk from the beach. This gives you the best of both worlds. You have a high-quality place to stay and are only a short walk from Ao Nang’s nightlife, attractions, restaurants and boat trips.
The Centara Ao Nang is a large resort with white furnishings and a typical beach-resort-style appearance. In our opinion, it actually feels a lot like Caribbean resort. Rooms are bright and welcoming, with some of them featuring private plunge pools. Balconies face inward to the large swimming pool, and it has a ‘community’ atmosphere. It’s a welcome escape in the chaos of Ao Nang.
The Centara isn’t the same calibre of some of the other 5-star hotels we’ve listed, but it’s a good compromise between quality, value and location.
Panan Beach Resort (Moderately priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
We stayed in many hotels during our travels around Thailand and Panan was one of the best. A 4-star rated hotel, it has the facilities and quality of any expensive 5-star resort, but without the price tag. The hotel is located in the centre of Ao Nang, only a 5-minute walk from the beach. It features a large swimming pool in tropical surroundings and an additional rooftop infinity pool with a view of Krabi’s limestone cliffs.
Other facilities include a rock-climbing wall, gym, an evening fire show and a kids club. Panan suits all types of travellers, from couples to families and singles. It feels luxurious and is nicely themed, with a number of different room options to choose from. Best of all? You’re in the heart of Ao Nang town and for all of the daytrips, bars, restaurants and beaches that await.
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort is located slightly further up the road from Ao Nang Beach is a secluded location away from the main town. This gives you tranquil surroundings and a good value accommodation option. Nevertheless, you’re only ever a short walk away from all the action. The design of the resort is unique, with a winding river-style pool area throughout the resort. It’s great for those that want to spend some time relaxing in the sun!
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort is very popular with families due to the resort amenities, affordable cost and spacious family rooms. The resort style here is completely unique; a big draw for those who enjoy a hotel that’s a little different.
Nopparat Beach hotels
Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort (Moderately priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Located a short walk from Ao Nang Night Market and directly opposite the beach, Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort is a top choice hotel for families. Its location means that you’re not right in the centre of the hustle and bustle of Ao Nang Beach, but you’re within walking distance to it when you want to go out on an evening. The atmosphere of Nopparat Beach is more relaxed and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort itself is a decent-sized, reasonably priced resort for the number of facilities on offer. Its swimming pools cover a huge area, with options for both adults and kids. Parents will also be happy to know if has a water park area for children, as well as a playground, family’s activities and a ball pit. It has lots to do for the little ones. The food options are great for the whole family too!
Holiday Inn Resort Krabi (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Another hotel that’s located near Ao Night Market, which is also great for families, is the Holiday Inn Resort. You’re probably familiar with the Holiday Inn brand and have likely stayed in one of their hotels in another destination. However, the Krabi hotel is particularly excellent. Rather than a basic budget hotel, it’s packed full of facilities, including large swimming pools, lots of relaxation areas, and even bike rental facilities.
Its affordable nightly rates make it a good choice for those who want a well-located and reliable hotel in a central area. You have the long stretch of Nopparat Beach on your doorstep. Ao Nang Beach is then only a 20-minute walk away. The Holiday Inn Express Krabi hotel is one of the best places to stay in Ao Nang for families and couples on a budget.
Klong Muang Beach hotels
Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Dusit Thani is a beach resort that appeals to everyone. Families, couples and singles alike are catered to in this sprawling beach-side hotel. 5-star rated; it’s located around a 15-minute drive from Ao Nang town. It gives you the best of both worlds, the nightlife, shops and restaurants of Ao Nang town in a short taxi ride. You then have the beautiful Klong Muang Beach on your doorstep.
It’s a luxury hotel that suits those that want lots of beach and resort time, but also activities and excursions. The hotel itself operates a number of wellness and water sports adventures. It even offers Muay Thai boxing lessons! Dusit Thani is one of the highest rated hotels in Krabi. It’s not the cheapest 5-star resort, nor is it the most expensive. It provides well-rounded luxury no matter what type of traveller you are.
Anyavee Krabi Beach Resort (Moderately priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4/5
Anyavee Krabi Beach Resort is a newly renovated hotel right on Klong Muang Beach. Formerly named Bann Chom Le, it’s a great-value-for-money place to stay in Krabi. The resort is basic but beautifully designed, featuring bamboo décor, wooden villa-style huts and a tropical-beach theming. Its restaurant and bar area are the highlight of the resort. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day on the beach.
Anyavee suits travellers who want lots of beach time during their stay in Krabi but don’t want to pay the expensive prices of the nearby 5-star resorts. It’s a good happy medium between budget and luxury. You’re only a 15-minute taxi ride from the many attractions and restaurants of Ao Nang town.
Tubkaek Beach
The Tubkaek Krabi Boutique Resort (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
If you want a really special place to stay in Ao Nang, look no further than Tubkaek Krabi Beach Resort. This small, intimate and charming hotel is right on one of Krabi’s best beaches. Reservations are very hard to secure, and it often books up quickly, which gives you an idea of its popularity. It’s a top choice for couples on a romantic break or honeymoon.
Everything at this resort is centred around romance and relaxation. Large villa-style rooms with private plunge pools, a dimly lit restaurant, tranquil spa area and lots of couples’ activities will keep you entertained for days. Aside from beautiful design of the hotel, a key reason people choose to stay here is the beach. It’s quiet, peaceful and unbelievably picturesque. The only reason you wouldn’t stay at this hotel is if you want lots going on nearby, and the price tag. It certainly doesn’t come cheap!
Banyan Tree Krabi (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
If you’ve heard of the Banyan Tree chain of hotels, you’ll know that they’re renowned for high-end luxury. The 5-star Banyan Tree Krabi is much the same, but it fuses luxurious, modern design with Thai tradition. Every aspect of the hotel has been designed to appear authentic to Asia, with wooden furnishings, pointed pagoda-style rooves and large, open-plan suites.
The highlights of this hotel include the opulent, grand rooms; some of which have access to the pool from the bed. It also has a large swimming pool area, direct access to the beach and a selection of high-quality restaurants. You’ll feel like royalty the moment you step foot in this hotel. The difference between the Banyan Tree and Tubkaek Beach Resort is the in-your-face, grand luxury that it offers. Tubkaek is more laid-back, smaller and intimate.
Amari Vogue (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
The above hotels are some of the most premium hotels on Tubkaek Beach. As you can see, luxury beach hotels are the main accommodation options in this area. If you want a very nice hotel in Ao Nang, but without the huge price tag, consider the Amari Vogue. This top-rated 5-star hotel shares the same gorgeous beach as the other hotels, but with more affordable prices. It provides an intimate environment that’s perfect for couples, with a traditional Thai design.
Highlights of the Amari Vogue include the large lobby area and open-plan dining areas. You have a nice view of the beach no matter where you are in the hotel. It also features a bar on the beach, a sea-view swimming pool and activities such as romantic dinners by the shore. The Amari Vogue hotel is one of the best places to stay in Ao Nang for couples. It’s adults-only and suits those that want a quiet, romantic hotel in a secluded location.
The best Ao Nang hostels
Are you a budget backpacker or looking to meet other travellers during your visit to Krabi? The following Ao Nang hostels are some of the best rated and most-centrally located. They’re ideal for venturing out on daytrips or exploring the local nightlife scene.
Our top tips for finding a place to stay in Ao Nang Krabi
- Location is very important in Ao Nang. If you’re someone that wants nightlife, lots of bars and restaurants, and to basically be within walking distance of everything in town, stay near Ao Nang Beach. Equally, the touristic atmosphere in Ao Nang Beach isn’t for everyone. In which case, consider staying in a hotel just outside of town. This can make or break your trip!
- Not all hotels in Ao Nang and the surrounding area have good reviews. There are some quite poor places to stay here. Therefore, always make sure you check the Tripadvisor or Google reviews of a hotel before booking. There are a lot of budget-friendly hotels with excellent reviews.
- If visiting during peak season, book your accommodation in advance. When booking in advance, you often get better rates and a wider selection of hotels.
- Some hotels include breakfast in the nightly rate. In others, you’ll have to pay extra. Keep this in mind when comparing hotel options.
- It’s important to take into account transport and eating out costs when choosing a hotel. In some of the quieter beach areas, you’ll have less options for eating out. Taxis to reach Ao Nang town are expensive too! This is a key consideration if you want to spend lots of time in town but don’t want to stay there.
- Some hotels offer complimentary activities and day trips. Be sure to check this out when deciding on a place to stay.
FAQs
Thanks for reading on guide on where to stay in Ao Nang Krabi. We hope we inspired you with a good hotel option and you can now focus on planning all of the exciting activities you’d like to do. Be sure to check out our guide on the best places to visit in Krabi.
If you have any questions about any of the hotels we featured or the areas we talked about, be sure to post a comment below. 😊
By Ricky
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.
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