Best Party Hotels in Ao Nang, Krabi Province

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.

The Krabi La Playa Resort, contrary to its name, is not right on the beach, but a five- to 10-minute walk away. Set back on a small hill, the 79-room, mid-range Krabi La Playa is quiet, and with several adjoining swimming pools, feels like a holiday resort. Almost all the rooms face the pool, and have balconies or patios -- some of the higher-end rooms have direct pool access. Rooms are large, and decorated in Thai style. The poolside Spice restaurant, with a swim-up bar, serves breakfast, and beautifully presented Thai and seafood dishes.

The Phra Nang Inn is a medium-size, two-and-a-half pearl hotel that sits along some of the nicest stretch of beach in Ao Nang. The property, including its rooms, is somewhat worn and weathered, but the inn is within a few feet of the beach, and has a happening little beach bar. Some of the rooms look out on the glorious sunsets and islands in the bay. The inn is also near the best dining, drinking, and shopping in Ao Nang, and while its entrance is on the main road, most of the property fronts the pedestrian thoroughfare along the beach. Though the Phra Nang Inn has a prime location, it has fewer amenities than some of its nearby competitors, but its room rates are the same, or higher.

The 67-room Anyavee Ao Nang Bay Resort Krabi is a three-pearl hotel, located a short walk from the beach. The simple but pleasant rooms and bungalows don't have much wow factor, but they include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, and some have pretty soaking tubs. The lagoon pool is comparatively more impressive, with a sectioned-off kids' area and a large swim-up bar. There's also an on-site restaurant with a free but basic breakfast buffet and little extras include free on-site parking, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and a book area in the lobby. However, there have been some reports of maintenance issues in the rooms. Travelers wanting to be right on the beach but removed from the main part of Ao Nang town may prefer the Holiday Inn Krabi Ao Nang Beach.

Anyavee Ban Ao Nang Bay Resort Krabi is a three-pearl family-friendly resort, a short walk from Ao Nang's shops, restaurants, and beaches. The 111 contemporary rooms are bright and modern, and all have air-conditioning, furnished balconies, and compact but colorful bathrooms with walk-in glass showers. Family Rooms with bunk beds are also available. On-site amenities include a swimming pool and an adjacent restaurant where a free buffet breakfast is served daily. The hotel also hosts Christmas and New Years' Eve galas -- a common trend in the area -- though they cost extra and guests must pay whether they're attending or not. Travelers seeking ocean-view rooms should check out the nearby Golden Beach Resort.