Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Province

Opened in 2016, the mid-range Centra by Centara Phu Pano Resort Krabi is a modern chain alternative to the many faded hotels packed along Ao Nang’s main road. The 158 rooms and suites, though compact compared to other hotel rooms, are minimalist and sharp and come with free bottled water, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. The hotel's good-sized pool faces the sheer rock face of the mountains, and the open restaurant serves all meals, including an extensive free breakfast buffet. Centra is set a short way's down a side road off of Ao Nang's main road, about a 20-minute walk from the beach. (Free hotel shuttle service is available.) Visitors wanting a modern option closer to the beach -- and willing to pay more -- could try Panan Krabi Resort.

The 52-room L Resort Krabi is a solid mid-range choice for all sorts of travelers -- families, couples, and friend groups -- in the heart of wild Ao Nang. After a year-long renovation, the resort reopened in 2016 with a contemporary purple-and-white design (though a few remnants of its pre-renovation self, like the odd outdated furnishing, remain) in its rooms and suites. All units have minibars and free coffee, tea, and Wi-Fi and most have balconies or terraces -- some swim-out. At the hotel's center are two landscaped pools, including one tiered with whirlpools. L Resort's central location is its best asset; just note that many of its neighbors are party hostels and nightclubs and late-night noise is likely, especially in high season. It's worth comparing rates at the nearby Phra Nang Inn, another ideally located beach-facing property, but the rooms there aren't as modern.

Although the small and quiet Aonang Phu Petra Resort sits a mere five minutes' from the main road through Ao Nang town, it feels worlds away. Surrounded by limestone karst mountains and plenty of greenery, this quiet, four-pearl spot is a welcome retreat from the noisy Ao Nang scene. 25 bungalows are spacious and have pleasant terraces to sit on, but mosquitoes can be an issue. Rooms set around the central swimming pool feel less private than those on the hillside. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi are nice perks.

One of the larger properties in Ao Nang, the Aonang Cliff Beach Resort is located right off the main road  and offers some of the best views in town. Built into a hillside up above the street, it feels private, yet fine dining and shopping are a short walk away and the beach is only five minutes down the street. The rooms here are spacious and all have open-air terraces or patios along with rainfall showers, and some even have panoramic ocean views. The resort has a sun-drenched natural saltwater pool with plenty of lounge chairs, a seafood grill restaurant, and a large shopping plaza downstairs. 

The Centara Grand Beach Resort sits alone on a private bay in the Andaman Sea, surrounded by limestone karst mountains. The rooms and villas here are huge, and all come with large balconies and open-plan bathrooms with soaking tubs and rainshowers. The luxury resort has four restaurants to choose from, along with a spa, a fitness center, a fun kids' club, several swimming pools, and even a library. However, the only way to town other than by boat involves a steep path over the mountain, and some guests might feel isolated here. However, with such great facilities, a long white sand beach, water activities, and spectacular views, those wanting to literally get away from it all will find little need to go anywhere else.

Aonang Fiore Resort is a beautifully landscaped hillside property at the end of Ao Nang’s main drag. The 70-acre property has several elements that make it a one-of-a-kind stay for the area: extensive organic gardens filled with flowers, fruit trees, and butterflies; an on-site zip-line park; and 79 hexagonal cottages built into the side of a mountain. These domed cottages and villas offer (alcohol-free) minibars, coffee/tea facilities, and private balconies looking over the lush property and the iconic Krabi cliffs beyond. Other notable property features include an infinity pool with splendid views, a halal restaurant focusing on seafood, and a coffee shop. No other Ao Nang hotel offers a comparable experience, but if beach proximity is a priority, go for a place like The L Resort Krabi or Aonang Buri Resort instead.

The lovely Ao Nang Phu Phi Maan Resort & Spa is a boutique halal resort located a 20-minute walk from Ao Nang Beach. The resort offers something that few area hotels do: quiet outdoor space -- all rooms have good-sized balconies, and there are two wonderful pool areas, an infinity-pool terrace and a garden pool. The 77 rooms, suites, and villas are stylish and spacious, with glossy wood floors, dark-wood furnishings, and big bathrooms. Some rooms have direct pool access or private infinity pools. The hotel also has two halal restaurants, a fitness center, a kids' room, and a spa. No alcohol is served on-site and it is far from the beach, so this isn't the place for partiers wanting to be in the center of the action. By comparison, L Resort Krabi has a central beachfront location, a pool bar, and alcoholic minibars in the rooms.

The upper-mid-range Deevana Plaza Krabi is a large hotel that attracts business travelers with its conference facilities and leisure travelers thanks to its long pool that's directly accessible from many of the rooms. All rooms have patios or balconies as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and picnic baskets that guests can use to transport food and gear to the beach. There are also a couple of bars -- one of which is poolside -- and a restaurant serving a breakfast buffet in the morning and a la carte selections at lunch and dinner. It's also one of the few hotels in Ao Nang with conference facilities and Wi-Fi is free throughout. However, it's not on the beach and the nearest stretch of coast is rocky and not good for swimming. Those wanting direct beach access should look elsewhere, like the Aonang Villa Resort. 

The Centara Anda Dhevi is one of Ao Nang's more elegant resorts. Located on a side street just up from the beach in central Ao Nang, the Centara is surrounded by other high-end boutique properties. Thai-style rooms have balconies or terraces as well as marble bathrooms with separate tubs and rainfall showers. There's a large swimming pool with a small waterslide, and the on-site Palm Court Restaurant is among Ao Nang's finest, serving gourmet international cuisine. The only major drawback beside the high room rates is that the nearby beach isn't the most pleasant in the area. 

The mid-range Holiday Inn Krabi Ao Nang Beach is hands-down the most family-friendly spot in the Andaman region. Family and Kids Suites have kid-size showers, and some rooms have private access to the communal pool. The hotel has the area's largest kids' club, and among the three huge swimming pools, one is completely designed for children, with waterslides, a playground, and plenty of shallow water. Couples will appreciate a swim-up bar and free breakfast buffet, along with a dedicated Couples Wing and adults-only pool. The Holiday Inn Krabi sits right across from the beach in the middle of the Ao Nang and Noppharat Tara Beach Road, but it's more suitable for sunsets than sunbathing. For the price, the resort offers excellent value for Ao Nang. 

The large, mid-range Peace Laguna Resort is hidden away from the bustle of Ao Nang, even though it's just off the main road. Although it is not on the beach, it's only a 10-minute walk to the sand, and its setting is dramatic -- it sits right under the towering limestone cliffs, and is surrounded by plenty of water. The resort includes three swimming pools, and its cute cottages sit along either side of a lagoon. The Standard Rooms are not as picturesque as the cottages, but they're spacious and peaceful, include mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, and cost less. For a price that isn't much more than its competitors', this is a good choice for those looking for a true resort feel close to all the action.

A 2018 arrival, the upper-middle-range Panan Krabi Resort has a chic, contemporary look that is sharp enough to stand out in Ao Nang. In addition to trendy decor, the 199-room hotel has an all-day restaurant with a great free breakfast, a kids' club, an activity program for all ages, and two pools with bars. The rooftop infinity pool is a noteworthy feature for downtown Ao Nang (few properties have this), plus it has, at this writing, some of the town's best and clearest views of the cliffs (which may be compromised by new construction). The large, air-conditioned rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. Some rooms have swim-out terraces connecting to the main pool, and others have private whirlpool terraces. BlueSotel is a comparably modern and priced property; it adds a spa, but is slightly farther from the beach and loses the rooftop pool and bar.

Although the mid-range Aonang Villa Resort is the oldest resort in town, it's still one of the most popular choices. Straddling the beach and central Ao Nang, the resort is in a prime location and is a short walk to eating, drinking, and nightlife options. Rooms are nothing fancy, but they are some of the most spacious you'll find in Ao Nang. The resort also has two large swimming pools, a modern fitness center, and a kids' club with a playground along with a couple of excellent restaurants and bars. 

The 206-room Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang is a mid-range property with views of Krabi's limestone karsts. Restaurants, bars, and shops are just outside the hotel's front door, and the beach is a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive. Rooms are compact, but they're contemporary and feature flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. Some have beautiful views of the cliffs from balconies -- the same views capitalized upon at the outdoor pool. There's also a kids' pool and a playground. The restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast, and drinks and tapas are offered at the bar in the lobby. As an alternative, the Aonang Paradise Resort -- with a fitness center and massage services -- is a bit more expensive, but is closer to the beach.