Krabi

[jimbowx 341]

Anyone have recent experience in Krabi? Like to hear about hotels you were happy with, good restaurants, as well as things to do. Since everyone wants details, I am taking a lady (so don't need help there or maybe I do but not on the forum). I'd like a nice hotel/resort on or near the beach. I'd like to stay under $100.00 a night but would pay more if the place was worth it. Any ideas?

 

My plans for January are evolving. As it stands now "A" and I will go to Krabi for 5 or 6 days. Then I will meet Noy in Phuket Hilton Resort for a week. I also plan 2 nights in Bangkok and 3 night in Pattaya. It should be fun.

[Grandpollo 366]

Oops, sorry by the post title I thought it was about my ex-wife.

 

One of my doctors swore by Krabi but he was paying $400 plus a night and the first time I went to Thailand the army was evacuating tourists by helicopter from Krabi, not a great promotional tool.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

I've been to Krabi a number of times over the years. You probably want to stay in or around Ao Nang. Ao Nang has few hotels actually on the beach though. The area basically consists of Noparathara beach and Ao Nang beach separated by Krabi Resort, with Krabi Resort having its own beach. But I would not stay there again. it's a worn out Thai style hotel.

 

Both Ao Nang Buri and Srisuksant hotels are middle of the of the road (price wise) hotels on the Noparathara beach side. This used to be the quiet area, but it's getting built up quite a bit. Both of these hotels have expanded over the years.

 

A higher end, nicer hotel is Mercure. It's also not too far from these two hotels, but you would need to rent a motorbike for convenience of getting around town, which I recommend in any case. I really liked the Mercure, but I paid for it with hotel points I had and not sure what the price is. I do remember the breakfast was ridiculously expensive at around $20-$30 PER PERSON!

 

I stayed at one of the Best Westerns in town and didn't think it was bad, but I think Ao Nang Buri is better.

 

I've also stayed at Krabi Heritage hotel which is a very basic hotel, but in a good location with a nice beach and restaurants all within walking distance.

 

If you want the island experience you can stay on Railei Beach. It's on a peninsula, but is only accessible by boat. It's got very nice beaches. I've never stayed there, I've only visited, so I cannot recommend a hotel. But I saw some nice hotels there.

 

Another option is to stay near the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort. This was the resort they used in the movie Hangover 2. Beautiful place, but expensive. I stayed in the area once but left after one night because I found it rather boring.

 

My favorite restaurant to eat is "Krua Thara" restaurant. It is on the far end of Noparathara beach so you will need a motorbike or take a taxi (50 baht I think). If they don't know the restaurant tell the driver to take you to the restaurant with the two short women. It's a reasonably priced seafood restaurant with good Thai food as well.

 

While there, you can do a "four island tour". This will take you to Railei beach, Koh Poda, Koh Gai, and one other place. Ask around at different tour desks as the price varies quite a bit. Another favorite tour I liked was the Hong Island tour. It also does a few islands/beaches for snorkeling, but includes Hong Island which is quite unique. It's farther away so expect to pay more.

 

If you do rent a motorbike, you can drive to Tiger Cave Temple which is outside of Krabitown. It's got a cave, but no tigers. There's also a strenuous hike up to the top of the mountain via a stairway that offers a wonderful view when you reach the statue at the top.

 

Another long enjoyable motorbike ride is to Emerald Pool. It's in a national park so expect to pay the 200 baht farang rate for yourself. Not too far from that is also another place with hot springs. You can take a dip in a stream of very hot water. Not sure of the price. When I went, I was charged the Thai price for some reason.

 

Shell Beach isn't really worth it. It's basically some sedimentary rock with lots of exposed fossils.

Edited November 15, 2013 by BeerBelly

[jimbowx 341]

Thanks beerbelly, great information.

[Gary 4,100]

I usually stay at the Ao Nang Beach Resort. I like the location because it's right at the center of everything and directly across from the beach. Very convenient to catch a boat to Railay. That should be a must see. This hotel in not top shelf and expensive but it is comfortable.

[jimbowx 341]

So I got to looking and was surprised to find I had some Holiday Inn points. I guess i lost track as I normally stay at the Hilton chain. I can get the Holiday Inn in Krabi for $40.00 (1200 baht) per night using the points. It is next to the AoNang Buri and Srisuksant that beer belly mentioned. Normal rate was 4250 baht so I am going to book that. I'll let everyone know how it is but is rated good on Agoda and Tripadviser.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

I know you already booked, but I wanted to add one more hotel. Once I stayed at http://www.aonangayodhaya.com/ . It's supposed to be a five star hotel, but I found the service and quality of the construction of the hotel to be below par.

 

I went during high season, but managed to get a very good rate ($125). It was the largest room I've ever stayed in Thailand. Each room is a suite room. Huge room and bathroom as well as a sitting room. Nice swimming pool, average breakfast. But there were not that many guests and as a result, they had to cut back on staff.

 

Regarding the build quality, examples include steps that must have been built without the use of a measuring tape as each step was a random height varying by inches. I nearly twisted my ankle on more than one occasion. Also, the shower had an architectural feature that left an opening between the shower stall and the rest of the room. Just inside the room, however, was the hair dryer. So the hair drying would get wet while taking a shower.

 

From what I understand this hotel is owned by a Thai Chinese family and they must have chosen the cheapest architect and construction company. The hotel does look nice though build in the form of a large temple.

[pinoydave 210]

Anyone know about availability of girls?

[BeerBelly 1,026]

Anyone know about availability of girls?

 

There are three poorly populated areas with girls. I made a P4P map before, here it is http://goo.gl/maps/fQr25 .

[pinoydave 210]

That map is real clever, thanks. Made any others that might be of interest??

[Gary 4,100]

Maybe I'm not as fussy as some but I have never had to sleep alone in Ao Nang. I am of the opinion that if you can't find a suitable bed partner in Ao Nang that you are far too fussy.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

Maybe I'm not as fussy as some but I have never had to sleep alone in Ao Nang. I am of the opinion that if you can't find a suitable bed partner in Ao Nang that you are far too fussy.

 

Never had a problem either.....the last time i was there the girl could not speak a word of English...now thats not being fussy.

 

Been Krabi twice taking a taxi from Phuket.

Stayed Best Western...good pool and also Beach Terrace..which has restaurant on the beach which was nice view during breakfast.

 

Hired motorbike but for only one day as there was not much to see. ...A ride into Krabi town and towards the other end of the beach...thats about it.

Couple of girly areas as indicated on the map...If you follow the Tsunami signs out of town to higher ground there is an Irish pub up a side street on the left hand side before you reach the girly bars on the right...good for a guinness, steak pie and live football.

 

Take the long tail boat taxi around the bays, see the limestone rock formations and get dropped off at Railey and Tonsai beaches to explore...see them rock climbing and find a quiet bar.

 

Also took the bigger boat from Krabi to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and back to Phuket...worth a thought if you have time and the sea is calm.

 

Few photos.

 

 

[BeerBelly 1,026]

That map is real clever, thanks. Made any others that might be of interest??

 

Started to make one for Samui, but my memory was crap since I'd only been there once in 9 years, so I abandoned it.

 

Thought about making one for Pattaya. Since it uses Google Maps, it's easier to figure out where something really is compared to a drawn map with now scale. Also, one can get real directions. The reason I wanted to do it for Pattaya was the nicknames for sois that are not shown on Google Maps;

[BeerBelly 1,026]

I just climbed the 1,237 stairs at Tiger Cave Temple yesterday. As an overweight out of shape guy, it took me 90 minutes up and 45 minutes down. Wiki says it is 600m, but that would make each step about a 1/2 meter high. Some are high, but not that high. My guess it's 600 feet bottom to top. I've got much nicer pictures than this, just not uploaded yet.

 

Here's also a poor shot at the Emerald Pool. It was much farther away than I'd remembered. But since I like riding motorbikes, I didn't mind. But you will be on a big road for a while to get there.

 

The Holiday Inn looks nice. It was built under a different name IIRC. They are currently expanding it, but I think construction will end soon.

 

 

[MM 6,562]

You did the climb up wat tham seua...good for you!

I did that with a lady friend when i was 56 yo and it was a challenge. it would probably kill me now.

Some of those steps were a bit high.

Fucking monkeys attacked our lunch bags and got away with everything.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

 

You did the climb up wat tham seua...good for you!

I did that with a lady friend when i was 56 yo and it was a challenge. it would probably kill me now.

Some of those steps were a bit high.

Fucking monkeys attacked our lunch bags and got away with everything.

 

Yes I made the climb. I did it 10 years ago and again yesterday. About 100 steps up, I wasn't sure I could manage it and my companion wanted to go on without me, then 500 steps up, my companion wanted to give up. I just made many stops (about once every ten steps) to let my heart rate come down. Some of the steps were like climbing a ladder they were so steep. Thankfully there is water at the top as I went through my 1.5 liters on the way up. Today my thighs are stiff, but my girl's calf muscles are in a lot of pain.

 

The monkeys were very aggressive. On the way up, I didn't have any trouble, but on the way down there was a bunch sitting on the steps that wouldn't move. In fact, one of the monkeys climbed on the railing looking at my and waiting for me. I threw my bag which only had water in it to the side and he went after it. They don't like water though, so he was kind of disappointed when he checked it out.

 

Here are some more pictures from the day.

 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100393320857423739587/albums/5950412324167339425

 

And this is a picture of the sunset on the beach across from Srisuksant hotel (two hotels away from Holiday Inn).

 

Edited November 26, 2013 by BeerBelly

[BeerBelly 1,026]

Here are some more pictures I took in Ao Nang.

 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100393320857423739587/albums/5950426018838365825

 

Most are from yesterday when I hired a longtail boat for six hours to do a "five island tour". The five islands are Koh Gai, Koh Tub, Koh Poda, Raiely Beach and Pranang Beach. The last two are not really islands but they are only accessible by boat. The cost was 2200 baht. I gave the driver a 300 baht tip because he was very good at slowing down and back tracking to get better pictures without even asking.

 

If you do the tour, it will be 1,400 baht for two people, but you will be on a boat with 25 people, but at least it includes lunch.

[jimbowx 341]

Anyone done any diving in Krabi? I have not been in a long time and it might be fun to get a couple dives in. Looking for a dive shop recommendation.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

Anyone done any diving in Krabi? I have not been in a long time and it might be fun to get a couple dives in. Looking for a dive shop recommendation.

 

I haven't done diving in from Ao Nang in years, so I can't recommend any shops. However, what I do remember was I didn't like how long it took for the boats to get out to the dive sites. I think Phuket is better. But now that Ao Nang is getting crowded, they might have some faster dive boats.

 

By the way, I did something new while I was in Ao Nang this week. While I was walking along the water in Krabitown, longtail boat drivers came up to me to offer a tour. I'd been to Krabi at least 10 times, but never did this. Basically, for 500 baht, the driver takes you to a cave on the opposite side of the river, then through the mangroves to a fish place, then back. All about an hour.

 

The cave had a 30 baht entrance fee. While I was there, they had some fake cave paintings and some statues of people representing cavemen and archaeologists. I read some of the stuff there that said there were real paintings in other caves. So I looked online and found Tham Phi Hua To (Big headed ghost cave) in Au Luek about 60km from Ao Nang. So the next day my girl and I rode up there.

 

Again, you need to rent a boat, either a long tail or a kayak. There are two caves, one called Tham Lot (Tai) which has a river that runs through it. Our driver told us he wasn't sure if he could go in because the tide was high. He did manage to do it even though the bow of boat was higher than some of the stalactites were hanging. After that we went to Tham Phi Hua To and enjoyed the cave with just the two of us. There are about 70 paintings there about 3000 years old.

[jimbowx 341]

Thanks beerbelly I owe you a drink.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

Thanks beerbelly I owe you a drink.

 

I'm thinking of heading back to Ao Nang in January, so maybe you can buy one for me then.

 

Here are the cave pictures.

https://plus.google.com/photos/100393320857423739587/albums/5954913156638671089?authkey=CLm5nIjtpJexcQ

 

And here is an album from a longtail trip around Phi Phi Lei.

https://plus.google.com/photos/100393320857423739587/albums/5954908822135496833?authkey=CLfA5d3FpZqUBg

[jimbowx 341]

The plan is I will be there from the 14th through the 19th. If you are there I will make good on the drink promise.