Best Beach Hotels in Krabi, Thailand

Situated on the northern side of Ko Lanta Island, the 51-room, adult-only Layana Resort and Spa has direct access to Long Beach (Pra-Ae), which stretches for nearly two miles. This is the main feature of the luxurious hotel, though some guests have reported biting sand flies to be a nuisance. There are hotel lounge chairs set up along the sand and the water is warm and turquoise; it's exactly what most visitors imagine when they think of the Andaman Sea. There is also a small, stylish saltwater infinity pool looking out onto the sea. It's surrounded by a wide terrace with modern lounge chairs tucked under palm trees. Towels and poolside service are available, and the hotel can arrange scuba diving, snorkeling, and sea kayaking.

This grand luxury resort occupies most of the beach on beautiful Kantiang Bay in Ko Lanta. But Pimalai's 100 tropical acres sprawl across both sides of the road, so there is a beach side and a hill estate. Most of the rooms are clustered on the beach side, although there are luxury pool villas up on the hill. All rooms are large and include teak floors, rattan curtains, daybeds, furnished patios and balconies, and plenty of privacy. The resort offers two pools, one an infinity-edge pool overlooking the entire bay, plus a fitness center, spa, and tennis court. On-site restaurants and bars include Rak Talay on the beach, which serves Thai and seafood for lunch and dinner.

Surrounded by tropical forest with Hang Nak Mountain on one side and Tubkaek Beach on the other, this luxuriously rustic resort has a spectacular private beach, with long expanses of white sand, gentle waves, and sweeping views of the Hong Islands and Phang Nga Bay's limestone karst formations. The 59-room boutique resort offers boat and sightseeing tours in and around the beach, plus activities like including snorkeling and scuba diving, and golf outings. Beach towels are provided and kayaks are free to use.

Reachable only by boat, Rayavadee Resort has 102 luxurious stand-alone rooms and direct access to Railay, Nammao, and Phranang beaches. The setting is stunning; the massive main pool is located between Krabi's signature cliffs, on the edge of Railay Beach with uninterrupted sea views. Guests can borrow sea canoes from the resort’s Water Sports Center to explore the ancient rock formations and mangrove forests that hem the peninsula. Free snorkeling and windsurfing equipment is also available, and the hotel's concierge can book excursions throughout Krabi, including trips to the islands dotting Phang Nga Bay. Remote as the resort is, its beaches are public and can become crowded in peak season. All on-site restaurants have sea views.

A beautiful, private location on Tubkaek Beach is one of the 57-room Amari Vogue's best features (though note that there are many stairs to and from the beach). A delightful beachfront Italian restaurant is one of the dining options here; other features include spacious, handsome rooms (some with private hot tubs or plunge pools); a relaxing pool, and a fantastic, full-service spa with steam rooms. The beach has amazing sunset and Hong Island views.

Like most upscale resorts on the island of Phi Phi Don, Zeavola Resort has a stunning, secluded private beach -- but this property stands out thanks to its tastefully done details. The huge teak villas are decorated in rich fabrics, and come with modern conveniences like air-conditioning camouflaged behind slatted wood cabinets. Some have their own hilltop plunge pools and all have outdoor decks with bamboo privacy screens. Zeavola is far from town, requiring pricey boat transfers from the island's main pier, but once here couples tend to stay put.

Located on Klong Muang Beach, this family-friendly resort has a gorgeous, private beach that stretches for over a mile, and a water-sports center offering snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. All 240 rooms are stylish and contemporary and feature free Wi-Fi -- many have balconies with sea views and some suites even have private pools.

The 76-room, adult-only Twin Lotus Resort & Spa is located towards the northern end of beautiful Klong Dao Beach on the northwest coast of Ko Lanta island. Even in high season, Twin Lotus feels quiet and secluded. It also has considerably more facilities than most Ko Lanta resorts, including two pools (the infinity-edge Beach Pool looks over the sea) and several dining options, such as the relaxed, beachfront Baracuda Restaurant & Bar, which hosts seafood barbecues and offers a wide range of Thai and international dishes throughout the afternoon and evening.

The upscale, remote Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort merges luxury and a laid-back Thai atmosphere. The main attraction is the private beach with hammocks and sun loungers, and plenty of activities like snorkeling, boating, or scuba diving. The resort has its own PADI certified 5-Star Gold Palm dive center with a 30-meter boat that can accommodate 25 people on diving trips (for a fee that includes a free lunch). Guided boat tours of local attractions (like famous film locations) can also be arranged for a fee. The 70-acre resort is only accessible by boat, so it provides three restaurants, a cafe, and beachfront bars, a spa, fitness center, and tennis courts.