Vogue Resort & Spa Ao Nang

Part of the Mosaic Collection chain, as of summer 2015, this resort was undergoing some room upgrades and renovations. The hotel itself consists of several pagoda-style buildings with traditional red-tile roofs set in a thick tropical garden. The lobby is situated in a huge open building with wooden beams underneath peaked ceilings with lime-colored stained glass accents. The entry is marked by a pair of bejeweled Thai dragons and the space is filled with elegant wooden chairs and benches plus a beige, blue, and maroon-colored mosaic tile floor. There is a long corridor leading to the elevator that goes to some rooms while others are accessed by a stone pathway winding through the property. The main restaurant and bar, Wine V Bar & Bistro, is a chic and trendy space with subway tile walls, an open kitchen, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the street. The spa is ornately decorated with wooden walls and doors and silkscreen artwork depicting Thai scenes from days of yore. Guests -- who include families and couples -- also gather around the outdoor pools, the larger of which is flanked by a trio of stone elephants. 

Situated in Ao Nang in Thailand’s southern Krabi Province, the Vogue Resort is tucked into gardens full of palm trees that's a seven-minute walk from Ao Nang Beach. It is located on a busy but pedestrian-friendly street surrounded by other resorts and across from a McDonald’s and several souvenir shops, currency exchange offices, banks, and restaurants. Krabi Town is a 20-minute drive away and Railay Beach is about 15 minutes away by ferry or long-tail boat. Krabi Airport takes 35 minutes to reach by car and Phuket Airport is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.

There are 78 rooms at the Vogue, and while they are modern, these aren't the most stylish and contemporary digs to be had in the area. Starting at 42 square meters (or 452 square feet), all rooms have modern comforts including free Wi-Fi, a private balcony overlooking the tropical grounds, air-conditioning, 32-inch LCD satellite TV, minibars, safes, and coffee/tea-making facilities. Decor is minimal and a bit outdated -- think ceiling fans with wicker panels, soft-colored wall art, and outdated paint jobs -- but light tile floors are clean. Furniture is the generic, mid-tone variety, including a pair of chairs, a small table, a desk, and wooden headboards in most rooms. The balconies also come with a pair of solid wooden chairs and a table. Grand Deluxe Rooms have spectacular views of the beach and surrounding limestone karsts as well as a four-poster bed and private jacuzzi tub in the room. Bathrooms and slippers are included with all rooms and most rooms have spacious tiled bathrooms with a shower/tub combo.

One of the highlights here is the trendy, contemporary on-site restaurant and wine bar, Wine V Bar & Bistro, which serves delightful local fare and seasonally fresh international dishes with a tropical touch. A buffet breakfast (not included in most room prices) is served daily. There is also a poolside bar serving drinks and light snacks, and room service is available daily until late. The hotel offers free parking and free Wi-Fi access throughout the property. There is a large outdoor pool surrounded by a wide deck and a smaller children’s pool, plus a small fitness room with limited cardio and free weight options. The spa offers a large selection of massages and beauty treatments and is equipped with a bubbling indoor jacuzzi. There is a computer for guest use as well as a gift shop, and the hotel offers transportation, tours, babysitting and laundry services upon request.