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If you are trying to work out the best area to stay in Krabi in 2025 – look no further! When you are planning to visit a new destination, it can be very difficult to work out the best area to stay. You will find lots of articles telling you which hotels to stay in, but how do you know whether the hotels are actually situated in a good location? Different areas have different advantages in terms of atmosphere, activities, vibe, and amenities.
While maps are helpful, they don’t necessarily help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of different areas. What’s more, no matter how good you are at reading maps, it is very hard to work out the amenities, facilities, and the vibe of an area based on a map.
In this article, we are going to share our knowledge of this beautiful area to help you plan where to stay.
BEAUTIFUL BEACH HOTELS IN KRABI – Don’t miss these Amazing Beach Hotels in Krabi
Hopefully, our insights and tips will help you make the most of your time in Krabi. Talking of which – don’t miss our wonderful guide to The BEST things to see & do in Krabi
If you’re traveling all the way to Thailand, you want to make sure that you find the perfect area to stay. We have visited Krabi many times and explored the area extensively. In this article, we’re going to draw on our own first-hand experience and travel research to help you plan your own trip.
This is the iconic picture of Krabi – this photo is taken at Princess Cave on the Phra Nang Beach (on the Railay Peninsula). There are several resorts in the area but this area is quite remote…
Getting to grips with the geography of Krabi
Krabi is well known for it’s stunning beaches – find out more about the BEST beaches in Krabi
The pins on this map show the “CENTRAL AREA” of each of the different areas to stay around Krabi. This is kind of like the hub of the area. So if you find hotels close to these pins you are staying close to the heart of the area.
Find out about the best ways to get around in Krabi.
Krabi can be quite a confusing area to understand at first. This is due to the confusing names in the area. Krabi is actually the name of a large province in southwest Thailand. However, there is also Krabi town (which is the main town in the Krabi province). Located to the west of Krabi town, you will find Ao Nang town. Although Ao Nang town is smaller than Krabi town, it is a more popular spot for tourism and activities.
To add to the confusion, some people simply refer to Ao Nang as “Krabi”. We will distinguish between these towns by referring to them as “Ao Nang town” and “Krabi town” respectively. We’ve used the term “Krabi” to refer to the general area in the Krabi province. We hope this clears things up. Also, we have recommended some of the best hotels in each of the area to help you plan your trip. We love to help.
Now that we’re clear about terminology, let’s move on to look at some of the best areas to stay…
1 Krabi Town
Krabi town is a central and convenient area to stay. This town is less touristy than Ao Nang. It is easier to find authentic local food and experience Thai culture. Furthermore, prices are a little lower because there is less tourism in this town. However, there are some disadvantages of staying in Krabi town. The lack of tourism means that there are slightly fewer amenities and services for tourists in this area.
On average, prices are slightly lower in Krabi town, and you will get slightly more for your money in terms of accommodation. If you do manage to find a good hotel in the area, then Krabi town is a great place to stay. The main bus station is situated in Krabi town, which is slightly better for cheap local transport connections. If you book your transport connections with a local tour agent, they will generally include free pick up from Ao Nang or Krabi.
If you are hoping to explore Tonsai and Railay, you can take shared taxi boats to Railay East beach from the Ao Nam Mao Pier (100 baht per person each way). The Ao Nam Mao Pier is a short taxi ride from Krabi town. Find out more about getting to Railay Beach.
SOME OF THE BEST HOTELS IN KRABI TOWN
Play Poshtel & Cafe – Stylish, great facilities & luxurious rooms and suites. Find Poshtel Agoda and you can also find Poshtel on booking.com.
Into the Town Krabi – Trendy clean minimalist stylish accommodation – great location. Find Into the Town on Agoda or you can find Into the Town on booking.com
The Leisure Hostel – Great location in the centre of town AND excellent value for money including dorm beds. Book the Leisure hostel on Agoda. Or if your a booking.com person, you can also find the Leisure hostel on booking.com
2 Ao Nang Beach area (Ao Nang town)
Here is a picture of the Ao Nang beachfront area. There is a LOT of choice available here!
If you are trying to work out whether to stay in Krabi town or Ao Nang, we have a slight leaning towards Ao Nang town. Although this area is more touristy, it is also slightly more beautiful with stunning limestone cliffs and two long sections of beach. Prices are slightly higher in Ao Nang (compared to Krabi town), and there are more tourists in this area.
If you are happy to be around a lot of tourists, then this area actually has a very nice vibe. The increased levels of tourism mean there are more amenities and services for tourists. You can find more operators, and there are more shops and restaurants directed towards tourists. So although the prices are higher, this is a slightly nicer and more convenient area to stay compared to Krabi town. If you are hoping to explore Tonsai and Railay, you can take shared taxi boats to Tonsai or Railay West beach from each side of the Ao Nang beach.
TOP TIP Make the most of both destinations! If you are planning to take local tours or trips, they will generally include free pickup from anywhere in Ao Nang or Krabi town. It is also very easy and convenient to travel between these two towns, so if you are hoping to stay in Krabi, you can still make the most of the benefits of Ao Nang. A taxi between these two beautiful towns is likely to cost around 200 baht.
SOME GREAT HOTELS NEAR AO NANG BEACH
FULL GUIDE TO THE BEST HOTELS IN AO NANG TOWN – Amazing Ao Nang Hotels
Sabai Hotel Ao Nang – Stylish mid-range hotel, great facilities & an outdoor pool, dorms available. Book Sabai hotel on Agoda or book your room at Sabai Hotel on booking.com
Addjitresort aonang – Lovely resort with bungalows, an outdoor pool & wonderful views. Reserve Addjitresort on Agoda or reserve Addjitresort on booking.com.
The Dream Garden – Clean, comfortable, stylish & contemporary. Excellent location. Book early. You can find Dream Garden on Agoda and you can also book Dream Garden on booking.com.
3 Landmark Beach (Ao Nang town)
Here is a picture of the Landmark beach area close to the Landmark night market. This area is quite cosmo.
This is technically part of the Ao Nang Area. There are two beaches in Ao Nang – Ao Nang beach to the east and Landmark beach to the west. Landmark beach is also called (Hat Noppharat Thara). Both of these beaches are located next to each other, and it only takes around 10 minutes to walk between these two beaches. The main difference is that the Landmark Beach area is slightly more expensive and also slightly more developed. There is a large touristy night market situated close to the Landmark beach, and there are also plenty of hotels and resorts in the area. This area also has a commercial feel with some western brand shops. There is even an Irish Bar. If you are hoping to explore Tonsai and Railay, you can take shared taxi boats from the east side of Landmark Beach.
In our opinion, the best area to stay is either close to Ao Nang beach or close to the Landmark beach in Ao Nang.
SOME OF THE BEST HOTELS IN AO NANG LANDMARK BEACH AREA
Baan Habeebee Resort – Stunning resort with natural southeast Asian interior design theme. Lush and beautiful. Range of luxurious options. Find Habeebee on Agoda or find Habeebee on booking.com
Blue Ba You Resort – Trendy east Asian design, clean & super comfortable. Amazing staff & a great location close to the night market and beach. Book Blue Ba on Agoda or book Blue Ba on booking.com.
Mild Garden View Resort – Lovely resort with affordable & beautiful bungalows, outdoor pool & family options. Short walk from the beach & night market. Lovely staff! Reserve Mild Garden View on Agoda. You can also reserve Mild Garden View on booking.com.
4 Tonsai Beach
Here is a picture from the cafe on Tonsai beach. Notice how quiet this area is. Bliss!
If you are hoping for a more peaceful and tranquil experience, then we recommend a stay on Tonsai beach. It is important to recognize that this is a relatively remote location and it does feel cut off from the mainland. There are a couple of small shops and a few places to eat in this area, but prices are relatively high. Tonsai beach is cheaper and quieter than Railay beach.
There are fewer options to choose from on this beach; however, there are a couple of budget guest houses available. Although the beach is cheaper than Railay beach, you do not get a lot for your money here. For example, a very basic private fan room starts at around 20 pounds per night. For the same price in Ao Nang, you could get a nicer air-conditioned room. The main attraction for staying on the Tonsai beach is the remote, intrepid, and wild feel of this area. This is also a top spot for climbing, so if you are visiting the Krabi district for its climbing, then we highly recommend a stay on Tonsai Beach.
Find out more about Tonsai Beach – Full Visitor’s Guide to Tonsai Beach
TOP TIP: You can walk from Tonsai to Railay. So you can stay on Tonsai and easily enjoy all the advantages and attractions on Railay beach.
SOME GREAT HOTELS NEAR TONSAI BEACH
Tinidee Hideaway – Stylish and natural villas on a beautiful, well kept and tranquil beach front resort in Paradise. Reserve Tinidee on Agoda or Reserve Tinidee on booking.com.
Tonsai Bay Resort – Large luxurious and beautiful Resort, great value for money and very close to the beach. Reserve Tonsai Bay Resort on Agoda or Reserve Tonsai Bay resort on booking.com
Garden View Resort – Set further back from the beach an immersed in stunning jungle scenery this lovely resort offers affordable fan bungalows. Great spot to stay if you’re on a budget but want a taste of paradise. Book Garden View on Agoda or Book Garden View on booking.com.
5 Railay Beach
Here is an areal shot that captures Railay West Beach and Railay East beach. Notice the magnificent cliffs framing this area…
This is a very beautiful and iconic beach in the area. In fact, this beach is arguably one of the main tourist attractions in the whole area, and we highly recommend a visit whether or not you plan to stay on this beach. There are two parts to Railay beach: there is Railay East beach and Railay West Beach. It only takes around 5 minutes to walk between these two beautiful beaches, and this enables you to get an ocean sunrise or sunset.
There are also lots of other beautiful things to do in the area, such as sea kayaking, snorkeling, climbing, and jungle trekking. Alternatively, you could just chill out on the beach and enjoy the stunning scenery. The main disadvantage is that the resorts are relatively expensive in this area, starting at around £100 per night. There is a reasonable selection of cafes and restaurants around this beach. However, food prices are higher than in Ao Nang.
SOME OF THE BEST HOTELS AROUND RAILAY BEACH
Rayavadee Resort – One of the most unique, luxurious and innovative resorts around. High price. Truly superlative. Reserve Rayavadee on Agoda or Reserve Rayavadee on booking.com.
Railay Village Resort – An absolute beauty and much more affordable (compared to Rayavadee). We love the natural vibes of this lovely place. Reserve Railay Village on Agoda or Reserve Railay Village on booking.com
Railay Phutawan Resort – Very beautful & slighly remote resort perched on a hill, super photogenic, stylish & very luxurious.
6 The Krabi District
If you’re looking for a more peaceful and authentic experience you will need to get out of town. This does have some disadvantages…
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and get away from the crowds of tourists, you may want to stay in the broader Krabi district. BUT there are a few things you need to consider. If you’re planning to stay further afield in the Krabi district, then we recommend considering your transport options. If you do not have your transport, such as a car or bike rental, then we don’t recommend staying further afield. Many of the tours and activities in the area include free pickup in Krabi town or in Ao Nang. However, they will not generally include a pickup if you are staying further afield in the Krabi district.
Most of the interesting things to see and do in the area are in close proximity to Krabi town and Ao Nang (except for the Emerald Pool & hot spring). What’s more, if you stay further afield in the Krabi district, there are fewer shops, restaurants, and amenities.
Summary: What is the best area to stay in Krabi?
For most travelers, the best area to stay in Krabi is Ao Nang Town, close to Ao Nang beach, or Landmark beach. This area offers the best facilities, amenities, and services for travelers. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants in these areas, and there are also lots of tour operators. Staying in both of these areas allows easy connections to the best attractions around the area, and if you book tours or trips, they will include pickup from this area.
The main disadvantage of staying in this area is the high number of tourists. This is a busy area, so don’t expect to have the beach to yourself at any time of the year. In our opinion, the high tourism in the area creates a nice vibe. Prices are a little higher, but this area does have a peaceful and happy feel. If you are really looking for an authentic local experience and you want to escape the crowds, we recommend getting off the beaten track and visiting some less popular national parks in the south of Thailand (e.g., the Hat Chao Mai National Park or the Khao Pu – Khao Ya National Park). Both of these national parks are very beautiful and relatively quiet, and it is easy to escape the tourist crowds.
