Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Thai Village Resort is brand new and offers a high standard accommodation and a space which favours relaxation, a way to compensate the small weakness of its location, a bit far from Ao Nang beach.
In Ao Nang, around 12.5 miles west of Krabi, by the Andaman Sea. Krabi airport is around 22 miles away, which is around 40 minutes by car.
Differently from the majority of other similar hotels, the Thai Village Resort offers only one room category (120 total units, all oriented towards the gardens). However, nothing to regret, as the internal arrangement of the accommodation benefit, as the external architecture, from a very particular care. The surface is generous (more than 323 square feet), quality furniture and very seducing decoration with its profusion of panellings and fabrics. A central control panel on the bedside table allows to control from distance all "technical" facilities of the room. Special mention for the sanitary space/bathroom, isolated from the room by a wooden sliding panel and definitely vaster than the average current standards.
Set back from the beaches of Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara, surrounded by rubber tree plantations, the Thai Village Resort is a brand new complex inaugurated in December 1999. It is composed of around twelve imposing buildings on two or three floors, distributed around a vast central space accommodating swimming pools and gardens. Particular attention is given to the external architecture of the constructions, blending the traditional Thai style with Chinese influences. The water tower of the site is a proof of such effort: while other hotels would have left the concrete structure visible, here it has been "dressed" with a covering which perfectly blends with the general architecture. 13,5
This can be the weaker point of the hotel. Of course, three restaurants and two bars are available to the guests (they serve respectively Italian, Thai and international cuisine) and their services are globally fair; nevertheless, you have the feeling, both with regard to the setting and the content of the plates, that the catering of the hotel has not been the object of an effort of sophistication comparable to the infrastructures. In high season (winter months), a buffet is offered each evening outside around the swimming pool and classic Thai dance shows are organised twice a week.
You have to earn the sea when you stay at the Thai Village Resort. In fact, the closest beach, Nopparat Beach (a ten minute walk and a road to be crossed), if it is not ugly, it has the inconvenience of being almost all covered with dead corals. To find the beach, you need to walk a few more minutes to the other beach of the surroundings, which is Ao Nang beach. No problems here: lovely decoration dotted with karst relief typical of this part of Thailand, good quality of the water and satisfactory level. In addition, Ao Nang beach is vast enough to let you find relaxation even during busy touristic periods.
To compensate the distance from the beach, the hotel offers to its guests a free shuttle to go to the seaside (four times a day in low season, nine times a day in high season). The Thai Village Resort belongs to the Thai family hotel group which also owns the Siam Beverly in Bangkok. The road leading to the hotel was asphalted in 2002; in fact, another big hotel establishment was built just opposite the Thai Village Resort.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
gym, aqua gym, beach volley, mountain bike, fitness, sports
Away from the most visited beaches, the Andaman Holiday Resort, in the region of Krabi, is set as an alternative to the large tourist masses; its main advantage is the lovely beach of Klong Muang.
Close to the beautiful beach of Ao Nang, in the region of Krabi, the Ao Nang Pakasi Resort compensates its relative distance from the beach with its calm and excellent quality accommodation.
Withdrawn on a peninsula naturally isolated from the outside, the Rayavadee Premier Resort displays a hotel offer of grand luxury in a splendid environment. Sophistication is omnipresent.
The Sharaton Krabi occupies a 40-acre estate, so you will be happy to know that you can ask for a golf car to get around it! The hotel opened in 2003 and was built in the same vein as the other hotels belonging to the group, with comfort and high quality facilities and services being essential. It is just a shame that there is not an Asian touch in sight.
As its name suggests, the Tubkaak is a charming little hotel located in Krabi. It opened in 2003 and the few facilities dotted around its 6-acre property have been designed to provide guests with the highest levels of comfort. It is worth bearing in mind that the hotel is not recommended for children though, and its clientele actually consists entirely of couples.
With just 57 rooms, the Amari Vogue Resort is a small, modestly-sized establishment, its various buildings stretch (lengthwise) down towards the sea. This, of course, means that there are lots of steps around the resort. Given that the hotel offers no facilities for children, apart from a small swimming pool, this establishment is better suited to couples. The hotel's clientele consists primarily of French, English and American guests.
The Centara Grand Beach Resort, opened in 2006, has taken over from its predecessor, the Central Krabi Bay Resort. Set in the heart of nature and surrounded by high karst relief, the only way to get here is by boat. Its strong point is its beautiful undisturbed beach, where you can relax in an isolated, idyllic setting.
The Sofitel Phokeethra opened in 2007 and it faces Klong Muang beach, in Krabi. It is a shame that it is not directly on the seafront, but sports enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the nine-hole golf course next to the establishment. This Sofitel, like the other hotels of the group, offers a good level of facilities, but the impressive building it is housed in does not blend in seamlessly into the beautiful countryside of this part of Thaïland.
Withdrawn on a peninsula naturally isolated from the outside, the Rayavadee Premier Resort displays a hotel offer of grand luxury in a splendid environment. Sophistication is omnipresent.
As its name suggests, the Tubkaak is a charming little hotel located in Krabi. It opened in 2003 and the few facilities dotted around its 6-acre property have been designed to provide guests with the highest levels of comfort. It is worth bearing in mind that the hotel is not recommended for children though, and its clientele actually consists entirely of couples.
With just 57 rooms, the Amari Vogue Resort is a small, modestly-sized establishment, its various buildings stretch (lengthwise) down towards the sea. This, of course, means that there are lots of steps around the resort. Given that the hotel offers no facilities for children, apart from a small swimming pool, this establishment is better suited to couples. The hotel's clientele consists primarily of French, English and American guests.
Close to the beautiful beach of Ao Nang, in the region of Krabi, the Ao Nang Pakasi Resort compensates its relative distance from the beach with its calm and excellent quality accommodation.
The Centara Grand Beach Resort, opened in 2006, has taken over from its predecessor, the Central Krabi Bay Resort. Set in the heart of nature and surrounded by high karst relief, the only way to get here is by boat. Its strong point is its beautiful undisturbed beach, where you can relax in an isolated, idyllic setting.
Away from the most visited beaches, the Andaman Holiday Resort, in the region of Krabi, is set as an alternative to the large tourist masses; its main advantage is the lovely beach of Klong Muang.
An entry standard level option on the road to Krabi. Penalised by a not very appealing architecture, the Phra Nang Inn compoensates this weakness with its location by the water on the lovely beach of Ao Nang.
