Where to Stay in Krabi

What is the best area to stay in Krabi?

The long-tail cuts its engine, and you step onto sand below a wall of limestone. No cars, no road, just the sea. For a luxury stay, the best area in Krabi is Railay for scenery, or the Tubkaek coast for quiet villas. Klong Muang suits families and golfers, and Ao Nang suits guests who want to walk to restaurants. Krabi Town is not a luxury base.

Krabi is an Andaman province east of Phuket, with limestone cliffs rising from the sea and dozens of islands offshore. Its luxury hotels run from boat-only Railay in the south to the quiet Tubkaek bays in the north.

The areas, side by side.

Railay. Dramatic cliffs, no cars, calm at night. Best for couples; our pick is Rayavadee.

Tubkaek and Nong Thale. Quiet and green, with island views. Best for villas and long stays: Banyan Tree Krabi or Phulay Bay.

Klong Muang. Big resorts, golf and long beaches, for families and groups: Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort.

Ao Nang. Lively, with restaurants and island boats: Avani Ao Nang Cliff.

Krabi Town. A provincial river town for a market evening, not a stay.

Split the trip, with two nights on Railay for the cliffs and three on the Tubkaek coast for space and calm. With a private car and boat, the move is easy. Read our Krabi guide for the full picture of the province.

How to choose by type of trip. For a honeymoon, start on Railay, then move to a pool villa on the Tubkaek coast. For a family with young children, choose a resort with a kids’ club, such as Banyan Tree Krabi or Rayavadee. Keep the number of moves low. For a group of friends, Ao Nang or a private villa above Klong Muang keeps the evenings easy. For a golf trip, stay in Klong Muang.

Think about the boat, too. Railay is wonderful, but every arrival and departure is by boat. If you dislike boats, or travel with a lot of luggage or a wheelchair, choose the Tubkaek coast. There, the car takes you to the door.

Railay: cliffs and beaches you reach by boat

Railay is a peninsula with no road access: you arrive by boat. Thailand's government portal says long-tail boats run from Ao Nang beach or Ao Nam Mao beach. Our verdict: Railay is the most beautiful place to stay in Krabi. You get limestone cliffs, clear water and calm evenings after the day visitors leave.

Railay West faces the sunset, Railay East the mangroves and most boat landings. Phranang, at the tip, has a cave and cliffs above the sand. There are no cars, only paths.

Rayavadee. The luxury resort of Railay. It sits on the tip of the Phranang peninsula, on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park. Its 26 acres of gardens lie below the cliffs, the resort says. Guests stay in two-storey pavilions and a small number of villas. The largest villas, the Rayavadee Villa and the Phranang Villas, are 417 square metres. The Phranang Villa has three bedrooms and a private pool.

Rayavadee is reached by boat from Nong Nuch pier. The airport is about 20 minutes by road to the pier, then about 20 minutes by boat. It is also about 2 hours 15 minutes by road from Phuket airport to the pier. Read our full Rayavadee review.

Dining is part of the experience. The Grotto serves casual lunches and a twilight set dinner beside the beach, under the cliffs. Krua Phranang is the Thai restaurant and Raya Dining the international one. None is in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.

Families are welcome. Rayavadee opened Raya Kids' Club in April 2026, open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, and it offers Family Pavilions and 345-square-metre Family Villas. A refurbishment project is planned for 2026, so ask us which areas are affected on your dates.

Bags travel by boat with you, and at low tide you may step off into shallow water. The team handles bags, but wear shoes you do not mind getting wet.

With babies or toddlers, boat landings and the lack of cars are harder. Start on the Tubkaek coast instead and visit Railay for a day by private boat.

Railay suits couples, honeymooners and lovers of scenery and quiet, not guests who want shopping or day trips by car. See our page on Railay.

Kayak along the cliffs early, when the water is flat, and swim at Phranang before the day boats arrive. Watch the climbers, or take a private lesson with a certified guide. The viewpoint walk is steep and slippery after rain, so go with a guide.

Tubkaek and Nong Thale: quiet villa coast

Tubkaek, in the Nong Thale area north of Ao Nang, is Krabi's quiet luxury coast. It is home to Banyan Tree Krabi and Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Both look across the sea to the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. Banyan Tree Krabi says the airport is 40 km and about 45 minutes away.

The coast is calmer than Ao Nang and greener than Klong Muang, with resorts between the forest and the sea. It suits families, long stays and anyone who wants a pool villa with a view.

Banyan Tree Krabi. A beachfront and hillside resort on its own stretch of Tubkaek Beach. All 72 suites and villas have a private pool, the resort and Banyan Tree's directory say. Rooms run from the 99-square-metre Premium Ocean Pool Suite to the 387-square-metre Two-Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa.

Banyan Tree Krabi is our top pick for families on this coast. Its Kids' Club takes ages 4 to 12 from 08:00 to 18:00. There is a kids' pool with a small waterpark, and babysitting. The spa has 8 treatment rooms and The Rainforest, a hydrotherapy circuit that the resort calls Krabi's first. Saffron serves Thai food at two dinner seatings, and Bird's Nest offers afternoon tea and dinner with a sea view. Read our Banyan Tree Krabi review.

Kredkaew Bar on the beach opens from 11:00 to 23:00, and the resort sets private beach dinners from 17:30. The ballroom seats up to 120 guests for a wedding, and we plan the rooms and boat days around it.

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. One of only a few hotels in Thailand with Three MICHELIN Keys in the 2026 guide. Choose it for the grandest stay in Krabi, a honeymoon or a stay where privacy matters most.

The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort. A smaller boutique resort on the same coast. It suits couples who want the Tubkaek view and calm in a more intimate setting.

The Hong Islands lie just offshore, in Than Bok Khorani National Park. The Department of National Parks charges foreign adults ฿300 to enter. A private boat from the Tubkaek coast reaches the lagoon and beaches early, before the day boats arrive.

Klong Muang: resorts and golf

Klong Muang is the coast between Ao Nang and Tubkaek, with large beach resorts and a golf course nearby. Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort says it is 40 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from Ao Nang. It suits families, golfers and groups who want a full resort with space.

Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort. A large resort on Klong Muang Beach, with 240 rooms and suites and two beachfront pools, Dusit International says. It is our family pick in this area, because it combines a calm beach with easy access to Ao Nang for evenings out.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort. A grand resort of 276 rooms and suites, Accor says. Its name tells you its strengths: golf and a spa. It suits large groups, golf trips and families who want many facilities in one place.

Nakamanda Resort and Spa. A smaller resort on the Klong Muang coast, on our luxury list. It suits couples who want a quiet beach and a spa, with the larger resorts close by.

Klong Muang sits in the middle: quieter than Ao Nang, closer to restaurants than Tubkaek. The beaches are long, and the sea turns shallow at low tide, so check the tide before a swim.

We book the tee time, clubs and car for a golf day, with lunch at a beach restaurant after. Groups can add a second course in Phuket.

For a family reunion, a villa above Klong Muang works. A typical choice is a 5-bedroom pool villa on the hillside, with a chef, a housekeeper and a driver. Breakfast on the terrace, a boat day, and dinner at home as the islands turn pink.

Ao Nang: the walkable base

Ao Nang is the busy beach town of Krabi, with restaurants, shops and boats to Railay and the islands. Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort says it is about 40 minutes and 27 km from the airport. Stay here if you want to walk out to dinner every night.

The beachfront road is lined with restaurants, bars and shops, with long-tail boats on the sand. It is the easiest base for island trips, but not the calmest, and the beach is busy.

Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort. A resort in Ao Nang, and the one we'd choose for a walkable base. It suits couples and friends who want to explore on foot and take boats to the islands each day.

Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Krabi. A beach resort near Ao Nang on our luxury list. It suits families who want a full resort with Ao Nang close by.

Ao Nang is the main starting point for boats to Railay, a short ride. We book a private boat, so you leave when you are ready.

Evenings are relaxed rather than glamorous. For a special dinner, book a larger resort's restaurant or a private beach dinner.

The classic island-hopping trip visits Railay and Poda by long-tail. Shared boats fill by mid-morning, so a private boat at sunrise shows you empty beaches and gets you back for lunch.

Is it better to stay in Ao Nang or Railay?

Stay on Railay for scenery and calm after the day boats leave; stay in Ao Nang for choice of restaurants and easy trips. For most luxury trips, Railay is the better stay. If you want both, spend two nights on Railay and two in Ao Nang or on the Tubkaek coast.

Railay's magic is in the early morning and evening, when the day visitors have gone. You walk on almost empty beaches below the cliffs, and the only sound is the sea. That is something Ao Nang cannot give you.

Ao Nang's strength is convenience, with restaurants, shops, pharmacies and boats a short walk from your room. It is more practical for older children or friends who want nights out.

The long-tail ride between them is short, so stay in one and spend a day in the other. We book private boats both ways, timed to the tides.

Our usual advice: if Krabi is your only stop, choose Railay. For a week, start on Railay and finish on the Tubkaek coast, and visit Ao Nang for an evening.

Krabi Town: worth a night?

No, not for a luxury stay. Krabi Town has no hotel on our luxury list. It is worth an evening visit by car for the local markets and food, then back to your resort. It is also the gateway to some of the province's inland sights.

Krabi Town sits on a river estuary near mangroves and limestone hills. A driver and guide take you to the best night-market stalls and explain what you eat.

An evening in town makes a good contrast to resort life. Combine it with an early dinner by the river and a drive back to the coast before it gets late.

Nearby is Wat Tham Suea, the Tiger Cave Temple. Its stairway of 1,237 steps climbs to a viewpoint at the top, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says. Go early, take water and cover your shoulders and knees.

For a gentler morning, explore the mangroves by private long-tail with a guide who explains the birds and fishing villages. You are back for lunch.

Islands near Krabi: Koh Lanta, Phi Phi and Koh Yao

Krabi is the gateway to some of Thailand's finest islands. Koh Lanta has Pimalai and the adults-only Layana. Phi Phi has OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort, still in its soft opening. Six Senses Yao Noi sits in nearby Phang Nga Bay. Add two or three nights on an island to a Krabi stay.

Koh Lanta. A long, calm island south of Krabi with beautiful beaches and a slower pace. We'd choose Pimalai Resort and Spa for families and couples. Layana Resort and Spa welcomes only guests aged 18 and above, the resort says. We'd choose it for a quiet couple's stay. Cars reach Lanta by ferry from Ban Hua Hin pier until the mainland bridge, due in 2029, opens. For Koh Lanta, read where to stay on Koh Lanta.

Lanta is also the starting point for some of the best snorkelling in the region. The Department of National Parks and the Tourism Authority of Thailand list a special fee of ฿400 for foreign adults. It applies at Koh Rok, Koh Ngai, Koh Haa and Hin Daeng-Hin Muang. A private boat from Lanta reaches these islands in comfort.

Phi Phi. The famous islands of Maya Bay and Phi Phi Leh. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists the national park fee at ฿400 for a foreign adult and ฿200 for a child. The former Zeavola is now OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort. OUTRIGGER says some villas, the restaurant, the dive centre and the spa are still being finished during its soft opening.

Koh Yao Noi. In Phang Nga Bay, between Krabi and Phuket, with views of the limestone islands. Six Senses Yao Noi holds Two MICHELIN Keys in the 2026 guide.

A private boat lets you leave early, before the day boats, and choose your stops. For a full day on Phang Nga Bay, see our Phuket yacht charters, which also serve the Krabi coast.

Maya Bay closes each year from 1 August to 30 September, the Department of National Parks says, and is busiest from late morning. Leave early by private boat.

How many days in Krabi?

Four to five nights is enough, with two on Railay and two or three on the Tubkaek coast. Add two or three nights on Koh Lanta or Phi Phi if you want an island too. A week gives you time to rest between boat days.

Example plan for five nights in Krabi. Nights one and two on Railay: walk the beaches, climb to a viewpoint if you are fit, and watch the sunset from Railay West. Night three: move to Tubkaek by private boat and car. Day four: a private boat to the Hong Islands. Day five: rest, spa and a beach dinner.

With children, two nights in one place is the minimum and three is better: more pool, less packing.

For a longer stay, add a rest day inland with a driver and guide: forests, hot springs and emerald pools.

When to go, and the sea in monsoon

The best time to go is from December to March, the dry season on the Andaman coast. The Thai Meteorological Department's figures for Phuket, the nearest station, make February the driest month and September the wettest. From May to October, the sea can be rough.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand warns of large waves and rip currents on southern beaches during the south-west monsoon, from May to October. A red flag means do not swim. In those months, swim in your pool or in sheltered bays, and ask the beach team every morning.

In the dry season the Andaman is usually calm and clear, perfect for boats, snorkelling and kayaking. It is also the busiest time, so tell us your dates early.

Rain often comes in short bursts, and the cliffs are at their greenest. Boat trips can be cancelled in rough seas, so keep plans flexible.

What to pack: light clothes, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for boat landings. Sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben are banned in national parks, the Department of National Parks says, with fines up to ฿100,000.

Getting there and between areas

Fly into Krabi International Airport, which opened its new terminal on 23 September 2026. From there, Ao Nang, Klong Muang and Tubkaek are about 40 to 45 minutes by car. Railay is a short drive and a boat ride. Phuket is 176 km away by road, the Department of Highways says.

A private chauffeur is the easiest way to move between areas on land. For Railay, we book a private long-tail or speedboat, timed to the tide and your arrival. Bags travel with you on the boat.

We book a private meet-and-assist service: a host meets you at arrivals and walks you to your car or boat.

Krabi pairs well with Phuket: fly into one and out of the other, or cross Phang Nga Bay by private boat with island stops.

Public boats link Krabi, Phi Phi and Lanta in high season, but schedules change. A private speedboat is faster and leaves when you are ready.

For an evening flight, we plan a late check-out or day room and a car timed to the traffic. From Railay, we add the boat and a tide buffer.

Plan your Krabi stay with Tanner

Tanner plans your Krabi stay around the right areas for you. We book the hotels and the private boats and cars between them. We add the island days, beach dinners and a yacht day on Phang Nga Bay.

Tell us your dates, your party and what you want most, and we hold every booking, from the airport car to the last sunset table.

One guest, a couple or a group of 30: there are no packages. One planner shapes the hotels, boats and cars around who is coming, the season and your budget. Our Thai team works in Krabi, and we say so when a resort is not worth the boat transfer.