Hi Everybody,
My Wife and I are going on trip to Asia in December. I have traveled all over Asia but never Thailand. Does anybody know where we should stay in Krabi. We want upper end but don't want to spend a fortune.

A bit more information would be helpful such as price range and type of place (small vs large). You'll most likely want to stay outside Krabi in Ao Nang, Railay, or perhaps Lanta. December will be high season with premium prices as well as often minimum length of stay.

Here's a couple links to look at:

http://andaman-island-hopping.com/hotels/thapvarin.htm

http://www.kohjumonline.com/tingraibay.html

http://www.gokrabi.com/indexhotels.htm

http://www.railay.com/railay/accommodation/railay_bay.shtml

http://www.talesofasia.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297927-i9287-k682326-Help_deciding_Layana_Nakamanda_Tubkaak_Zeavola-Krabi.html

Hi Everybody,
My Wife and I are going on trip to Asia in December. I have traveled all over Asia but never Thailand. Does anybody know where we should stay in Krabi. We want upper end but don't want to spend a fortune.

Try either the Pimalai (http://www.r24.org/5starthailand.com/krabi/pimalai/details/) of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World - for a bargain price. Actually on Koh Lanta - just down the road from Krabi.

Or,

The Rayavadee (http://www.r24.org/5starthailand.com/krabi/rayavadee/details/) - near Krabi at Ao Nang - pricey but world class.

For the price - Pimalai!

Try either the Pimalai (http://www.r24.org/5starthailand.com/krabi/pimalai/details/) of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World - for a bargain price. Actually on Koh Lanta - just down the road from Krabi.

Or,

The Rayavadee (http://www.r24.org/5starthailand.com/krabi/rayavadee/details/) - near Krabi at Ao Nang - pricey but world class.

For the price - Pimalai!

Thanks for the help. We are going to be there for about 7 days during Dec. We are looking for something uperend and some what secluded. Although I relixe this time of year is Hi season we want to stay there fro around $275-325 a night if possible.

The Pimalai - is probably the best choice in that price range.

Krabi Area Resorts (http://www.r24.org/khaolaklovers.com/krabi/hotels/) can spoil you for choice - check the "details" page for each resort for lots of photos.

The Pimalai - is probably the best choice in that price range.

Krabi Area Resorts (http://www.r24.org/khaolaklovers.com/krabi/hotels/) can spoil you for choice - check the "details" page for each resort for lots of photos.

Looks Like where going to book with the Pimalai. Thanks for the help....... :cool:

I've stayed at the Sheraton in Krabi and thought it was pretty impressive - not expensive at all, and pretty good quality (maybe not the high-class that you are looking for).

I've stayed at the Sheraton in Krabi and thought it was pretty impressive - not expensive at all, and pretty good quality (maybe not the high-class that you are looking for).

Before I book another friend of mine spoke well of the Sheraton. Is it in Krabi or around the area?

Before you finally decided on Ko Lanta or Sheraton....

....Go to Railey :-: :-: :-: :-: :-: .
It is about 10 miles from Krabi by boat. Railey is a small peninsula but it has no access by road/overland (high cliffs cut it from the mainland), you need to reach it by boat. Therefore no cars, no polution and much less people.

The Rayavadee is actually in Railey (and NOT in Ao Nang as above FTer posted :rolleyes: ) and it sits on the best place of Railey's 3 beaches. There are just 3-4 other small establishments-hotels (which are actually just small cluster of villas/huts - no high buildings at all) facing Railey West beach.
Railey has grown a bit last years but it won't go any further as the landscape won't allow any more houses.

If you saw "The Beach" movie then you can imagine the scenery. The movie was actually filmed not in Rayley (they filmed in Phi Phi island 20 miles away) but location (high cliffs hugging 1/2 mile beaches of white sand, rocks out in the sea, very secluded bay) look exactly like in the movie.

To tell you my story, we discovered Railey 5 years ago. From first moment this is our favourite place in Thailand (if you take beach locations with easy access) and we go there every year.

There are day trippers from Krabi town and nearby Ao Nang but they come and go so the beach is generally peaceful. It could be crowded during day hours of Xmas-NY season but I guess you will be there before.
Rayavadee hotel has restaurants (nice but expensive) and there are 2-3 local restaurants and bars on the beach. Thai food and seafood. Pizzas and hunburgers are also available (but I wont comment on this ;) )

If Rayavadee is too expensive (very much depends on the season - check their website as they can be fully booked), try other "hotels" in Railey West beach (Railey East places are worse and beach is too maggy for swimming). Just select the best villa/hut you could see. It won't be as spectacular villa as Rayavadee but you will have all neccessaties (aircon, hotwater, tv, fridge, daily service etc) fro a fraction of Rayavadee price. www.krabi.com has lots of info.

In summary, I recommend you to try both Ko Lanta (I have never been there but pictures told me not to go) and Railey locations. I think you can hire a speedboat to move between hotels (thus no need to go to Krabi town which is a bit damp).

hope this helps. I only think about Railey and I want to be there now :)

Any opinions on the difference between the Sheraton and the Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi?

Looking for a peaceful place for a couple and the Rayavadee seems a bit too pricey.

what would the weather be like there in July???

Never stayed at the Sofitel but its further down the road from the Sheraton (away from town)

Sheraton has direct access to the beach, has larger grounds and there are shops and restaurants at your doorstep. The Sofitel is across the road from the beach and there arent many shops/restaurants in the immediate vicinity of that hotel. From the exterior the Sofitel looks slightly more upmarket and may have a better view of the sea compared to the Sheraton which is one of the most "simple" new Sheratons and the accomodation blocks are set so far back you probably just get a glimpse of the sea.

I believe the raining season has already started.

I stayed at the sheraton its nice but definitely not over the top - its got the solid basics and recommend like a 4* level, secluded and stay was extremely relaxing. For the island comment above (from '06) - we rented a boat and driver for the day who picked us up at the hotel and took us around to a number of islands where we swam and snorkeled, including railey, lunch was provided and we had an altogether good time for the day.