Krabi is a large province in South Thailand and is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country. The region is known for its beautiful beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, and lush jungle. It is a great place for lots of activities such as swimming, island hopping, rock climbing, and hiking.
You’ve probably heard of some popular spots in Krabi such as Ao Nang, Krabi Town, or Railay. But there are also dozens of other beautiful islands in the area region, like Phi Phi Island, Koh Lanta, Hong Islands, and plenty of smaller ones that are just as amazing.
In this article, I will share with you the places to stay in Krabi Province, including the 8 best areas and islands and the best hotels in each area. If you are looking for where to stay in Krabi, Thailand, keep reading.
I’ve stayed in several places throughout Krabi, including Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta. I rented a scooter to explore many places and took long-tail boats to nearby islands like the Hong Islands and Railay. This allowed me to experience the area firsthand and offer honest, personal insights.
See more:
- 27 Things to Do in Ao Nang and Krabi
- My 5-7 Days In Krabi & Ao Nang Itinerary
- My 2-3 Days In Koh Phi Phi Itinerary
- My 2-3 Days In Koh Lanta Itinerary
Best Areas to Stay in Krabi
The three main best areas to stay in mainland Krabi are Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Railay. If you want to stay on an island in the region, I recommend staying a few nights at Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta. Some other quiet beaches to stay include Tubkaek, Klong Muang, and Ao Nam Mao Beach.
Ao Nang is the best overall base to stay in Krabi, especially for first-time visitors. It is the tourist hub of the region, and has a convenient location to explore other beaches, islands, and inland attractions.
All major attractions in Krabi like the four islands, Railay, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Tiger Cave temple, and Dragon’s Crest are all within a short distance from Ao Nang. Additionally, this area has a wide range of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. It has a great nightlife, dining, and shopping scene.
If you want to do rock climbing, Railay and Tonsai beach (located a few minute long tail boat ride from Ao Nang) are excellent locations to stay. They also offer a more relaxed atmosphere, a quieter nightlife, and more picturesque beaches than in Ao Nang.
If you want a more local atmosphere, authentic food, you can consider staying in Krabi town. It is also a great base to explore inland attractions such as the Hot Springs, Tiger Cave temple, and Emerald Pool. The downside of staying in Krabi Town is that it is not within walking distance from the beaches.
If you stay in the Krabi region for a long time, you can consider splitting your stay in both Ao Nang and Krabi Town to experience both sides of the region. One is right on the beach and one with a more local atmosphere and food.
If you stay in an area that is only accessible by boat like Railay and Tonsai, you’ll need to wade through shallow water to reach the shore if taking local long tail boats. It is best to travel light, making it easier to carry your luggage when disembarking.
I visited Krabi as a female solo traveler and looked for budget-friendly accommodations. I stayed at Fah sai Hostel and Koko Party Hostel in Ao Nang, and Banto Guest House in Krabi Town. You can read more details of my stay in Krabi at the end of this article.
My top hotel picks in Krabi/Ao Nang:
- Luxury: Anana Ecological Resort
- Mid-range: Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort
- Budget: Phu Pha Aonang Resort
Best Places to Stay in Krabi, Thailand
1. Ao Nang
Ao Nang is the best overall area to stay in Krabi for tourists, first-timers, and those who enjoy nightlife, shopping, and island hopping. It has a strategic location, making it a good base to explore both the sea and inland attractions of the region.
Ao Nang is located around 30 minutes drive from Krabi International Airport. It is also easily reachable by speed boats from other islands on Andaman Sea like Phuket, Koh Yao, Koh Lipe, and Koh Phi Phi.
As the tourist center of Krabi province, Ao Nang is packed with hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops. You can find everything on the main street 4203 running through this area.
There are travel agencies, night markets, motorbike rentals, fast food chains like Mc Donald, Burger King, and convenience stores in the center area of Ao Nang.
Ao Nang has a lively nightlife scene. In addition to a range of independent bars and restaurants, this area is home to several night markets, including Ao Nang Landmark Night Market, and the night market at the corner of the main road 4203 and Khlong Hang Road.
Ao Nang Beach might not be the best beach in Krabi, but it is a great place for chill, watching the sunset, doing yoga, and enjoying the beautiful views of the limestone karts rising above the crystal clear turquoise water.
The beach is around 1.5km long and is lined with lots of restaurants, shops, and massage parlors. The middle section is the busiest part of the beach. It is packed with long tail boats where you can buy tickets to the Four islands, Railay, Tonsai, and Hong islands.
From the central area of the beach, you can walk along Ao Nang Soi 17, to check out the Monkey trail. This is a short but steep bamboo trail connecting Ao Nang Beach to a smaller and quieter beach called Pai Plong Beach. Pai Plong, in my opinion, is a must see attraction in Krabi.
In addition to Ao Nang Beach and Pai Plong, Ao Nang is also home to the 2km long Nopharat Thara Beach. This beach is a good spot for watching the sunset, taking a walk along the shore, and eating seafood.
You can take speed boats to other islands from Noparatthara Pier. The boats will take you to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, and Koh Kradan.
From Ao Nang, you can easily take boat trips to other islands on Phang Nga Bay and Andaman Sea. There are popular day trips to Hong islands, the Four island, or Koh Phi Phi. It is also a good base to explore inland attractions like the Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi Town night markets, and the Emerald Pool.
K offers many advantages, including its convenient location, vibrant nightlife, and wide range of tourist amenities. But, as a popular tourist destination, it has some downsides, such as overpriced food and drinks, as well as crowded and noisy surroundings.
Where to stay in Krabi in Ao Nang:
Anana Ecological Resort
Anana is a popular 5-star hotel in Ao Nang, located in a quiet area, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and natural beauty. It is around a 5-10 minute Grab and Bolt Taxi ride to Ao Nang Beach and Ao Nang Main Road. The hotel also offers a free shuttle bus every hour to Ao Nang Beach.
Anana is an excellent base in Ao Nang for families and couples who want a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the town center. They have a beautiful swimming pool and gardens. You can enjoy the sunset at the rooftop bar.
Panan Krabi Resort
Panan is a 4-star hotel located near the main road, and is within 5-10 minutes walking distance to Ao Nang Beach. It is surrounded by many restaurants, bars, and shops. It has well-equipped and clean rooms. You can choose rooms with ocean views.
The resort has a nice rooftop pool and bar area, which is a great place for sunset and chill. I recommend this hotel for families and couples who want central location, close to everything, and easy access to the beach.
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi
Centara Grand is a beautiful 5-star luxury hotel located on the secluded area of Pai Plong Beach. It is a good place to stay near Ao Nang for families and couples who want a peaceful holiday but still close to major tourist amenities in Ao nang.
You can reach the hotel by a 5 minute long tail boat ride from Ao Nang Beach. There is also a steep hiking trail connecting Centara with Ao Nang Beach. You can walk for 10-15 minutes on this Monkey trail to reach Ao Nang main road with hundreds of shops and restaurants.
The resort has excellent facilities including swimming pools, and spacious rooms with stunning views of the limestone karts. The breakfast buffet has a wide range of dishes for all tastes.
Aonang Inn
Aonang Inn is a budget option and good value for money in Ao Nang. It is set in a prime location only 3 minutes walk to the beach. The guest rooms are clean and spacious with comfortable beds.
You can easily walk to the main area of Ao Nang Beach and enjoy the fireshows at night. The hotel can help organize island-hopping tours to Railay Beach, Phi Phi island, Hong island, or the four islands.
See more: Where to Stay in Ao Nang
2. Krabi Town
Krabi Town is one of my favorite places to stay in Thailand. It has relaxing nightlife, authentic food, budget-friendly hotels, and a local atmosphere. Since I’ve been traveling all around the country and was getting a bit tired of touristy places, I decided to stay in Krabi Town for a few nights.
If you don’t stay in Krabi Town, no need to worry as there are many day tours that will take you to the night markets and Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi Town. You can also take Grab, Bolt, or InDrive to get to Krabi Town Night Markets for around 300 baht.
Krabi Town is located 30 minutes drive from Ao Nang and 20 minutes drive from Krabi International Airport. It also has a Bus station, located just 10 minutes drive from the town center. Bus from Bangkok, Phuket, and Surat Thani terminated at this station.
The town is known for its wide variety of night markets, where you can enjoy local food at much lower prices than in touristy Ao Nang. There are City Night Market, Weekend Night Market, Black Crab Night Market, and the Chao Fah Park Night market.
It is also home to some local attractions such as Wat Kaew Korawararam, the Mangrove Broad Walk, and The Mud Crabs Sculpture. The town is located along the Pak Nam River, a great spot for a relaxing stroll or to unwind by the river promenade.
Krabi Town is an excellent location to explore inland attractions in Krabi Province like the Wat Tham Suea, Emerald Pool, Krabi Hot Springs, Mountain Buddha Temple, and Shell Cemetery.
If it’s your first time in Krabi, I definitely recommend staying in Ao Nang first and then taking a trip to Krabi Town. If you have a long holiday, for example a week in the Krabi region, you can consider splitting your stay between Ao Nang and Krabi.
The downside of staying in Krabi Town is that it’s farther from the beaches, so you’ll need to take a taxi, ride a tuk-tuk, or rent a motorbike to get there. Its relaxing nightlife can be too quiet for some people.
Krabi Town has a good range of budget-friendly family-run guest houses and hostels. It doesn’t have big brand resorts like in Ao Nang. You can expect a more personal and authentic experience during your stay.
Where to stay in Krabi Town:
Family Tree Hotel
Family Tree Hotel is a good hotel centrally located in downtown Krabi, within walking distance to the river and the night markets. It has clean and nicely decorated rooms with a complimentary mini bar.
There is a nice cafe shop downstairs serving delicious cafes and pastries. Just be mindful that there is no lift in the hotel, you’ll need to climb the staircase to reach the room. You can ask the staff to carry luggage for you.
The Brown Hotel
This is a nice 3-star hotel located in the middle of Krabi Town, near Maharaj Road. It is close to everything and is within walking distance to the local markets, restaurants, 7-eleven, Vogue Shopping Center, and river park.
It has 11 small rooms but is clean and comfortable. You can choose to stay in a room with a balcony for the best experience. Like many other mid-range and budget hotels in Thailand, The Brown Hotel does not have an elevator.
Lada Krabi Residence Hotel
Lada is a popular hotel in central Krabi Town, within walking distance from the walking street, the night markets, the river, and Vogue Shopping Center. Lada makes a convenient base for a night or two if you’re traveling between Ao Nang and Krabi Airport.
See more:
3. Railay Beach
Railay is a popular area to stay in Krabi for beautiful beaches and rock climbing. It is only accessible by boats and is a 10 minutes long tail boat ride from the central area of Ao Nang Beach.
Many people stay in Ao Nang then take a day trip to Railay. But if you want a remote location that is surrounded by beautiful beaches, you can consider staying in Railay. It offers dozens of resorts and hotels, mostly in the mid-range to upscale category.
Railay has three main beaches, including Railay West, Railay East, and Phra Nang Beach. All of these beaches offer stunning views of the striking limestone cliffs.
Railay West and Phra Nang Beach are best places to enjoy water activities such as swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
Railay West is packed with long-tail boats, as it serves as the main arrival and departure point for boats traveling between Railay and Ao Nang. There are no boat docks at Phra Nang Beach, which gives it a quieter atmosphere, free from the noise of long-tail boats.
Railay East is lined with mangrove and murky dark water, so it is not suitable for swimming. The long floating pier is located in the middle of the beach, and it is the arrival and departure of speed boats between Railay and Krabi Town and nearby islands.
The southern end of Railay Beach is the Natural rock climbing area. If you like challenging, you can do rock climbing by yourself at East Railay Viewpoint and the Lagoon. Since most rock climbing places in Railay require taking a course with a professional guide, this is a great opportunity to climb without one.
Railay West is around 15 minutes walk from Railay East via the Walking Street. The walking street is a lively area of Railay, lined with restaurants, bars, convenience stores, massage parlors, tour agencies, and rock climbing schools.
There are lots of free hiking opportunities around Railay. There is a hidden trail at the southern end of Railay West beach, the trail to Tonsai Beach at the northern end of Railay West Beach, the trail to Bat Cave at the northern end of Phra Nang Beach, and the trail to Railay East Viewpoint.
Other attractions in Railay include the Princess Cave (free ticket) and the Diamond Cave (ticket 200 baht for foreigners). I didn’t pay to go inside Diamond Cave, just admire its Stalactites and stalagmites from outside.
Where to stay in Krabi in Railay Beach:
Railay Phutawan Resort
The Phutawan is a great value for money 3-star resort located in a quiet and beautiful area within only 2 minutes walk from the Diamond Cave. Railay is generally a small area, you can walk within 10-15 minutes to the walking street, Railay Beach West, and Phra Nang Beach.
They provide shuttles to the pier, which is a bonus if you have lots of luggages. It is located on the hill and offers beautiful views of the surroundings. The outdoor pool and its stunning views are the highlight of the resort.
As it has a hillside layout, there are stairs and uneven paths throughout the resort, it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. There can be mosquitoes, so be sure to bring insect repellent with you.
Railay Bay Resort & Spa
This is a mid-range 4-star resort conveniently located right on Railay Beach West. It is just a few minutes walk away from the longtail boat pier in Railay West and 15 minutes walk from the floating pier in Railay East. From this resort, you can easily explore the beaches, the walking street, viewpoints, and caves on foot.
It has an onsite restaurant and a beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the ocean and the stunning limestone cliffs. They offer complimentary minibars with soft drinks and snacks daily.
Rayavadee
Rayavadee is a beautiful 5-star beachfront hotel located right on East Railay Beach and Phra Nang beach. It is a good base for a relaxing holiday for couples, honeymooners, and families.
The resort is home to The Grotto, which is a lovely restaurant located within a cliff-side rockface. It is a huge resort, but they offer complimentary buggy service to get around.
See more:
4. Tonsai Beach
Tonsai Beach is the neighboring beach of Railay. It has a quieter, more laid-back, hippie vibe compared to Railay. It is also a great rock climbing destination. If you are looking for a wonderful place to relax surrounded by nature, Tonsai is a good choice.
You can reach Tonsai within a 10 minutes long tail boat ride from Ao Nang. There is also a walking trail from Railay West Beach to Tonsai. It is around 10 minutes walk along the trail.
The beach has golden sand and it is a bit grainier than Railay Beaches. It is less crowded, and is a great place to chill, swim, and sunbathe.
There are a handful of resorts and hotels in Tonsai. You can find some local restaurants and bars along the main road inside the village.
The long tail boat is located at the west end of the beach. You can buy a ticket from here to get to Ao Nang. Most big resorts have golf carts to help to transfer you and your luggage from/to the boat station.
Where to stay in Krabi in Tonsai Beach:
Tonsai Bay Resort
This is a 3-star beachfront resort on Tonsai Beach of Krabi, surrounded by greeney, quiet beach, and limestone cliffs. The resort has an onsite bar and restaurants, which are good places to enjoy the meals and drinks and watch the rock climbers.
Tinidee Hideaway Tonsai Beach
This is a popular good value for money beach resort on Tonsai beach. It has a beautiful ground surrounded with greenery and palm trees, and direct access to the beach. The resort has an outdoor pool next to the beach as well as an onsite restaurant and bar.
You can find several local dining options inside Tonsai Village, or walk for 10-15 minutes on the jungle path to reach Railay for more restaurants.
Garden View Resort Tonsai
This is a budget-friendly accommodation located far up the hill in Tonsai Village, within a few minutes walking distance from Tonsai beach. You will need to walk up the stairs to the room. If you are on budget and don’t mind the stairs, this is a good choice.
5. Tubkaek Beach
Tubkaek Beach is a quiet beach area located right next to Dragon’s Crest (Ngon Nak Nature Trail). The beachfront is home to several luxury resorts, making it a great base for a luxury peaceful beach holiday.
Tubkaek Beach is located 30 minutes drive from Ao nang, 40 minutes drive from Krabi Town, and is 50 minutes drive from Krabi International Airport.
The beach has a laid-back atmosphere with shallow, crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views of the limestone karsts, and nearby islands.
The beach has a different vibe at high and low tide. At low tide, you need to walk very far to be able to swim. It is a beautiful place to watch the sunset.
Where to stay in Krabi in Tubkaek Beach:
Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
This is a 5-star luxury beachfront hotel located on Tab Kaek Beach. If you want a luxury and tranquil retreat away from busy Ao Nang, The Ritz-Carlton is a great choice. The hotel has 5 restaurants serving both local Thai and western dishes. The infinity pool is huge and beautiful.
Banyan Tree Tubkaek
Banyan Tree is a 5-star luxury retreat on the coast of Tab Kaek Beach. The resort offers immaculate grounds, beautiful rooms, excellent facilities, and very friendly staff. I recommend this hotel for families and couples who have a great budget and want a relaxing holiday on the beach.
Tup Kaek Sunset Beach Resort
This 4-star hotel is located on Tab Kaek Beach, very close to Dragon’s Crest Mountain. It is a good choice if you are looking for a mid-range place to stay to relax. The hotel has spacious rooms, outdoor pools, and steps away from the beach. You can rent a kayak for free at a hotel.
6. Klong Muang Beach
Klong Muang Beach is a quiet beach area located just 10 minutes drive south of Tubkaek Beach and 20 minutes drive from Ao Nang. Similar to Tubkaek, Klong Muang offers a peaceful beach holiday but with a wider range of hotels and restaurant options.
The beach has white sand and calm water, making it a good place to swim and sunbathe. There are several restaurants and bars along the shore, where you can enjoy the meals and the sunset.
There are enough tourist amenities such as restaurants, massage shops, cafes, pharmacies, and convenience stores along the main road 6024, running through the Klong Muang Beach area.
Where to stay in Krabi in Klong Muang Beach:
Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort
Dusit is a beautiful 5-star hotel located close to both Klong Muang and Tab Kaek Beach. It is located within a 15 minute drive from Ao Nang and 40 minutes from the airport.
It is an ideal place in Krabi Province for families and couples who want a quiet beach holiday. This luxury beachfront hotel has a private beach area, multiple swimming pools and restaurants as well as a swim up bar and fully-equipped fitness center.
Loy Chalet
This 4-star hotel is located 10 minutes walk from Klong Muang Beach, 10-25 minutes drive from Ao Nang. The hotel offers a quiet atmosphere, with a lovely outdoor swimming pool and good breakfast.
It is a good place to stay to get away from the hustle and bustle. You can rent a scooter to explore the region or if you don’t drive, you can easily catch a taxi or local songthaews to get around. There are 7/11, a supermarket, and a handful of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel.
Varana Krabi Hotel
This is a luxury hotel located in Klong Maunga beach of Krabi. They offer clean, comfortable and spacious rooms. The onsite restaurant and beach club provide amazing food, and the service is outstanding.
7. Ao Nam Mao Beach
Ao Nam Mao Beach is a quiet beach area located just 10 minutes drive from Ao Nang, and 20 minutes drive from Krabi Town and the airport.
The area is home to Ao Nam Mao Pier, where you can take boats to Railay East Pier, Four Islands, Hong island, or Ton Sai Pier Phi Phi Island.
You can find the Shell Fossil Beach and Shell Cemetery at the eastern end of Ao Nam Mao. The ticket is 200 baht for foreigners. I parked my scooter in the parking area, walked around to have a look but didn’t buy a ticket to go inside.
The beach has golden sand and stunning views of the limestone karts. There are lots of shade along the shore with several good restaurants and bars.
If you want to swim, check the tide before you go to the beach. At low tide, the water goes very far.At high tide, the water rises so close to the mangroves that the strip of sand nearly disappears in some areas. Early and mid-morning is the best time for swimming.
Where to stay in Krabi in Ao Nam Mao Beach:
BeachHouse Pool Villas Krabi
This is a good accommodation located near Ao Nam Mao beach Pier. The hotel offers direct access to the beach. It has villas with a shared pool or private pool. It is best to rent a scooter or use riding shared services such as Grab or Bolt to explore the region.
Na Sook Wellness Resort
This hotel is located in a quiet area in Ao Nam Mao, in the middle jungle, walkable to the main town. It is a good base to relax and unwind. You can consider renting a scooter, taking Grab or using InDrive to get to Ao Nang within a few minutes.
Avare House Krabi
This is a peaceful place to stay in Krabi to chill out and relax. It is close to Ao Nam Mao Pier, which is convenient to get boats to Railay Beach. There are numerous cafes, shops within a 5-10 minute walking distance to the hotel.
8. Phi Phi islands
Oh Phi Phi is only around 1 hour speed boat ride from Ao nang, so it is easy to take a day trip to Koh Phi Phi when staying in Ao Nang. Most people do this when they have a short holiday in the Krabi region.
If time permits, consider spending a day or two on the island to experience its vibrant nightlife and discover what a day trip alone can’t offer.
A day trip will usually take you to visit famous sights like Maya Bay, Pi Leh Bay, Viking Cave on Koh Phi Phi Leh, as well as Monkey Beach and Tonsai Village on Koh Phi Phi Don.
If you stay overnight on Phi Phi island, you can explore the lively nightlife scene with lots of restaurants, bars, and clubs. You can do lots of hiking, visiting the viewpoints, checking secluded beaches on the north like Nui Beach, Loh Lana Bay, Loh Ba Kao Bay, and Laem Tong Beach.
If you like to be in the middle of the action, it is best to book a hotel in Ton Sai Village, or Loh Dalum Beach. If you want a quieter vibe but within walking distance to the main village, you can consider booking a resort in Long Beach. For a more remote vibe, head to Laem Tong and Loh Ban Kao.
Where to Stay in Krabi in Koh Phi Phi island:
Viking Nature Resort
Viking Nature is a popular place to stay in Phi Phi. It is a good value for money resort in Long Beach, near the main village and main pier of Koh Phi Phi, only 25 minutes walk away.
The resort has beautiful bungalows with a comfortable bed and clean bathroom. There is also a private beach, onsite bar/ restaurants, and beach massage services. They can help you organize a private boat tour to Phi Phi Leh to visit major sights like Maya bay and Pileh Bay.
Panmanee Hotel
Panmanee is a popular hotel located in the main town of Koh Phi Phi. It is only a couple of minutes walk from TonSai Pier, which is convenient for arriving and departing from the pier.
You’ll be within easy walking distance to the nightlife on Loh Dalum Bay. I recommend this hotel for all visitors including solo travelers, couples, and families.
Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
CoCo Beach Resort is a beautiful 4-star accommodation in the central location of Koh Phi Phi. It is within walking distance to the pier and the nightlife action of the island.
See more: Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi
9. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is located around a 2 hours speed boat ride from Ao Nang. If you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday away from the crowds of mass tourism, spending a few nights on Koh Lanta is a must.
The island is home to many beaches with laid-back atmosphere and authentic local life. The island is relatively flat, so it is easy to rent a scooter to get around.
Most beautiful beaches are located at the south of the island. My favorite beaches in Lanta are Kantiang Bay, Nui Bay, and Klong Nin Beach. If you want to stay in Sala Dan Main Village and the main pier, you can consider staying near Long Beach or Klong Dao Beach.
In addition to the beaches, you can enjoy hiking at the Mu Ko Lanta National Park, visit the Klong Chak Waterfalls, explore the Walking street in Saladan, or drive around Koh Lanta Noi, the little sister of Koh Lanta Yai. See more: Where to stay in Koh Lanta.
Where to stay in Krabi in Koh Lanta:
Nirvana Beach Resort
Nirvana is a great base on Koh Lanta. It is located on the central west coast on Klong Nin Beach, which is a great location to explore the whole island.
Baan Thai Lanta Resort
Baan Thai is located on the west coast of Koh Lanta, on Klong Khong Beach.The resort also has nice facilities including an outdoor pool and lovely villas. It provides a quieter atmosphere while still close to many restaurants and shops.
Twin Bay Resort
Twin Bay is conveniently located on the northern part of Koh Lanta, in Saladan Village. This is a convenient location to access the main pier.
Where did I stay in Krabi – My personal experience
I traveled to Krabi in the high season, in mid January. I also booked the accommodations just a few days in advance, so I didn’t have many options. Most hotels are sold out, and prices also spike during the peak season from November to May.
I was looking for safe and budget-friendly places to stay in central areas of Ao Nang. Koko Party Hostel and Fah sai Hostel were available at the time of my booking, so I chose them.
After a few nights in the busy Ao Nang, I wanted to stay somewhere quieter with a local vibe. I booked a stay at Banto Guest House in Krabi Town for a few nights and rented a scooter from them to explore the region.
These are not the best hotels in Krabi but they are generally good and safe places to stay for budget travelers. They were the last options I had when I booked spontaneously. I highly recommend booking in advance at least a few weeks for more quality options for all budgets.
Koko Party Hostel
Location
Koko Party Hostel is located in the heart of Ao Nang, right on the main road 4203, 5 minutes walk to Ao Nang Beach. It is close to everything.
Lots of tourist amenities are just steps away from Koko. You can easily walk to hundreds of restaurants, eateries, and bars, tour agencies, massage parlors, souvenirs shops, convenience stores, MC Donald, ATMs, bike rentals, and laundry shops.
Amenities
My room was the 6 bed room female dormitory with the bathroom inside the room. The bed has a curtain so it can block the light. There is also a big locker inside the room for each bed, so you can put your medium suitcase on it.
The bed had some stains and wasn’t very comfortable, but it was acceptable given that it was my last option and I was only staying for one night. The hostel does not have a lift, but the staff helped to carry my suitcase to the 3rd floor when checking in and I carried it down when checking out.
The highlight of the Koko is the breakfast buffet included in the room price. This isn’t something you typically see in a hostel. It was served from 7-11am with a good selection of food like toasties, fruits, and yogurt.
As its name suggests, it is a party hotel. The music is loud in the evening, and lots of backpackers gather here to enjoy the nightlife. If you are into a party, young, and want to meet other fellow travelers, Koko is a good choice.
Fah sai Hostel
Location
Fah sai Hostel is located in the central area of Ao Nang, just 2 minutes walk to the main road, where you can find all restaurants, bars, and shops. From Fah Sai, I walked for 10 minutes to reach Ao Nang Beach and the boat ticket counter where I can book long tail boats to Railay and Tonsai Beach.
Other popular places like Ao Nang Landmark Night Market are only a few minutes Grab or tuk tuk ride from Fah Sai. This hostel is a good choice if you are budget travelers and want to stay where everything is happening.
Amenities
I booked the 8-bed mixed dormitory room, which has a shared bathroom located outside the bedroom. My bed is comfortable and quite big with a thick curtain. Their common areas with stunning views of the limestone mountains.
There is a small swimming pool with bedchairs on the ground near the reception area. It is a good place for chilling, reading books, and sunbathing. The onsite bar/ restaurant on the 2nd floor is also a good place for relaxing. You can refill the drinking water for free.
Some people complain that it is loud from the neighboring party hostel, but my room was a bit further away from it so I didn’t hear anything.
Ban To Guest House
Since Ao Nang is a popular and expensive tourist destination, and I booked my hotel at the last minute, I couldn’t afford a private stay. After a few nights in Ao Nang, explored most parts of this area and took a boat trip to Railay, I decided to move to Krabi Town. I wanted a quieter and more local atmosphere.
Location
Ban To is conveniently located in the central area of Krabi Town. It was within walking distance to all major points of interest in the town center, like the night markets, the river, and local temples.
From Ban To, I walked to the City Night market, weekend night market, Vogue Shopping Center, Black Crab Night Market, the Mud Crabs Sculpture, and Wat Kaew Korawararam.
Other places like Chao Fah Park Night Market and the Mangrove Walkway can be reached within a few minutes drive on the scooter or Grab Bike/Taxi.
There are several bars and restaurants near Ban To Guest House, and the nightlife here is much more relaxing than in Ao Nang.
Amenities
I stayed in the twin bed room with air conditioning, a fan, and a private bathroom. The room has basic amenities like table and chairs and bottles of water. It also has a big window, which makes it feel bright and airy.
The highlight of this hotel is that it is a small family-run guest house, so it feels really homey and welcoming. The lady owner was very friendly and helped me to organize activities and book a trip to Koh Lipe.
I rented a brand new scooter from them and visited many places in the region like Wat Tham Suea, Dragon’s Crest, Ao Nam Mao Beach, Shell Cemetery, and Wat Phu Khao Phra Maha Phothisat.
Ban To Guest House isn’t perfect, but I recommend it for the price and homey feel. If you want something more quality, you should book elsewhere a few weeks in advance.
There you have it, the best areas, beaches, and islands to stay in Krabi province of Thailand. Ao Nang, Railay Beach, Krabi Town, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta are some of the most popular places to stay in Krabi.
Ao Nang, in my opinion, stands out as the top area for first-timers because it is the region’s tourist hub and it is close to both sea and inland attractions. You can easily take island hopping tours from Ao Nang. If you want a more local authentic Thai atmosphere, you can consider staying in Krabi Town.