Krabi Thai Village Resort

From the outside, the Krabi Thai Village Resort looks more like a temple than a hotel. The building is traditionally Thai, with sloping roofs and high slanted ceilings. The palatial lobby has a grand feel that includes exposed wooden structures, enormous marble columns, ornate wood-carved furniture, and large vibrant floral  displays. Staff are dressed in traditional Thai garments, creating the quote-unquote authentic vibe many travelers find appealing, while the beautifully manicured grounds have an abundance of natural greenery, beautiful trees, and well thought-out gardens and footpaths. It's certainly well-designed, though some areas are starting to show wear and tear. Most guests tend to gather around the outdoor pools during the day. The kids' pool, with its large slides, is the busiest and usually the noisiest. The main pool has a swim-up bar and attracts more adults, creating a slightly more chilled-out vibe. Even so, families with children are the most frequent guests due to the property's kid-friendly facilities.

The hotel has a quiet location away from the busy center of Ao Nang, making it ideal for those who want to be near the action but not right in the heart of it. Ao Nang Beach is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, with many shops, bars, and restaurants in close proximity, though tuk-tuks are easily accessible outside the hotel for those who prefer not to walk. There's a handy mini market opposite hotel, plus local street food stalls just a few minutes walk down the road. Nopparat Thara Pier -- for ferries to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta -- is less than a 10-minute drive away, making it an ideal basecamp for anyone exploring or island-hopping. Krabi Airport is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

All 120 rooms at the Krabi Thai Village Resort are quiet, spacious, and spotlessly clean. Each has traditional Thai-style decor that matches the rest of the hotel, with polished hardwood floors, neutral tones, and ornate gold details reminiscent of the inside of a temple. It can look a little dated, which isn't helped by older extras like bulky first-generation flat-screen TVs. The red wood-paneled hallways are an interesting feature, wrapping around the outside of the building in the style of a pagoda. The furnished balconies have the same design, offering lovely views of either the pool or gardens. Large double beds and seating areas are bonus, while generous amenities include spacious closets, air-conditioning, electric kettles, minibars, safes, phones, and robes and slippers. Semi-open bathrooms are small and simple, with white-painted walls, deep-soaking bath tubs, separate walk-in showers, hairdryers, and free basic toiletries. Family-sized rooms are also available. 

The main highlight of the hotel is its outdoor area, with three gorgeous free-form pools. They're all set in beautifully manicured gardens with tropical palm trees and greenery, surrounded by sun loungers for tanning. One of the pools has a swim-up bar selling ice-cold beers and light snacks, and there's a separate kids' pool with slides. Kids are also catered for with an outdoor playground at the kids' club, which also offers activities. Adults can unwind at the full-service spa with traditional Thai massage treatments and a steam room and sauna, or workout at the small fitness center.The attractive all-day restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and outdoor seating, serving a mix of Thai and European dishes. A varied breakfast buffet is available for a fee, consisting of freshly-cooked omelettes, pastries, cereals, tea, and coffee. Room service is available, but hours are limited. Hotel services include a 24-hour front desk, concierge, laundry, tour bookings, currency exchange, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. Guests can also use the free shuttle service that runs daily to the hotel's own private beach club.