The Best Hotels to Stay at in Krabi

Surrounded by gardens overlooking the karst-dotted seascape of the Andaman Sea, the Anyavee Tubkaek Beach Resort features 79 modern rooms and villas – all fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and either a private balcony or terrace. Cool off in a choice of two outdoor pools – one with a sea view – then dine al fresco and sip ice-cold cocktails at the beachfront or roof terrace restaurant, accompanied by live music. Still not relaxed? A massage service, spa and jacuzzi are all available, too.

Expect elegantly furnished villas and pavilions with walk-in wardrobes, rainforest showers, private jacuzzis and garden-view verandas at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Choose from five restaurants with something for every taste, including authentic Thai, Mediterranean-inspired and locally sourced seafood options. You can also enjoy alternative dining experiences, such as wine tasting or even personalised dinners cooked to your taste. With 11 treatment rooms, a wellness cafe and a vitality pool, the lavishly equipped spa offers a serene spot for reflection and rejuvenation. Combining innovative design with a soft ambience, Phulay Bay guarantees an all-out-luxury experience.

If elegant rooms, fine dining, arty cocktails and idyllic sea views are at the top of your must-have list, you’ll be more than satisfied with a stay at the ShellSea Krabi on Fossil Shell Beach. The Otium Spa offers a range of massage treatments and aromatherapies, plus a jacuzzi, a steam room and a relaxation lounge. All rooms and villas come with opulent living areas, private balconies or terraces and spacious bathrooms stocked with luxury toiletries. If you’re keen to stay active, make use of the cutting-edge Wave fitness centre, swim in the family-friendly or adult-only pools, borrow kayaks or join a Thai boxing class.

The Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort is certainly a mouthful, but it’s one of the grandest resorts on the Andaman Sea. Not only is it a stone’s throw from the ocean, but it’s also equipped with a whopping 7,000sqm (75,347sqft) pool that’s supposedly the largest pool in Thailand. The resort also has tennis courts, a spa with 12 treatment rooms, a nine-hole golf course and top-of-the-range restaurants.

With direct access to a private stretch of Tubkaek Beach, the rooms at Amari Vogue Krabi subtly combine modern decor with traditional Thai art and craftwork for an authentic, homely feel. Tuck into a delicious breakfast buffet at the Lotus Restaurant, which offers an à la carte Thai menu in the evenings, or head to Marco’s Restaurant and Bar for pan-Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and cocktails in a relaxed beachfront setting. On-site facilities include a choice of three swimming pools, a spa and a fitness centre. The nearby Koh Hong islands are easily reachable by longtail boat, while Ao Nang and Krabi Town are just a 25- and 40-minute drive away.

On the outskirts of the Krabi National Marine Park, Rayavadee is one of the most pristine and private places to stay in Krabi. The suites here on the Phranang Peninsula are bang on the money – think luxurious Thai-style bungalows equipped with interior design magazine-style decor. Each room has ample natural lighting and is equipped with either floor-to-ceiling windows or large double doors that open up to sweeping views. The resort is very popular, so be sure to stay at least one night at Rayavadee to see what all the hype is about.

On Railay Beach, one of the most unspoilt white-sand beaches in Thailand, is the Sand Sea Resort. This Krabi hotel has panoramic views of the surrounding limestone cliffs, and the jungle hugs the resort on all other sides, offering absolute privacy. There are two outdoor pools to cool off in – unless you’d rather bathe in the Andaman Sea. The Sand Sea Resort is a great place for families, too – owing to the free kids club on-site, free cribs, a kiddie pool, and even babysitting and childcare options to allow parents a romantic night to themselves.

Beachfront properties don’t get much dreamier than those at Beyond Resort Krabi, equipped with no less than 170 rooms. The extravagant resort sits right along the Andaman Sea, so you can grab your spot on the beach early unless you’d rather spend the morning by the sprawling outdoor pool. There’s also a fitness centre and a full-service spa, and many of the top sights in Krabi are just a short drive away when you’re ready to explore.

The Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Krabi is one of the most private resorts in the entire province. It has its own bay and is only accessible by boat, giving you all the privacy you could want. Comfortable lounging chairs line the beach, and limestone cliffs provide the backdrop. As for the accommodation, each suite is seemingly more luxurious than the last, designed for families and honeymooners. From outdoor jacuzzis to 360-degree views of the Andaman Sea, you can’t go wrong with any one of the 10 room types here.