Thailand - Krabi hotel suggestions during holidays

I'm looking for suggestions of places to stay in Krabi between Xmas and New Years.
I've only been in the Krabi area twice and in both cases it was in the off season when deals were easy to be had. We've stayed at the Layana Resort on Koh Lanta and the Amari Vogue at Tubkaak. We'd love to stay at either one but are on a bit of a budget on this visit and have the challenge of doing it during the height of peak season.
That said, what would you recommend given the following criteria:

• Staying Dec 25th - 30th
• Ok to stay near but not in Ao Nang
• Rate of USD 150 per night maximum
• On or close to beach

Your input is appreciated.

One of those in Klong Muang? However, for the price range you suggested at Christmas some are out of the question, like The Nakamanda, The Tubkaak.

Sofitel is lovely, but it is over the road from the beach (you have to cross the road, although there is a guard to help you and it's not hugely busy). Very good value, colonial style. They give free speed boat trips to an island off shore (great fun) that is lovely with clear water and some fish to see when snorkelling and they give you water, towels and beach mats - no shade on island. Other tourists go there on paid day trips.

Sheraton Krabi - on beach but could be slightly more expensive at that time.

Thanks Aphro. I was considering the Sofitel but they exceed my budget.

I did some searching and found that there is a newly opened property in Krabi by the Accor Group, the Mercure Krabi Deevana. It looks interesting as does the Beyond Resort Krabi which I'm also looking into.

Wat about Centara?

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/package/CentaraAndaDheviIntroSale.asp

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/WebSaver.asp

Wat about Centara?

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/package/CentaraAndaDheviIntroSale.asp

http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/WebSaver.asp

Thanks for the suggestion, kkl. Looks interesting. Of the two properties they have in Krabi, the Centara Anda Dhevi seems like it comes closest in price though they too are jacking up the price from Dec 25 - Jan 12 and imposing a 5 night minimum. I meet the 5 night minimum so I'll keep it in mind.

Before I started piling up Starpoints I used to stay at Ao Nang Villa. Great pool and location. LINK: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1507054-d308736-Reviews-Aonang_Villa_Resort-Ao_Nang_Krabi_City_Krabi_Province.html

Before I started piling up Starpoints I used to stay at Ao Nang Villa. Great pool and location. LINK: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1507054-d308736-Reviews-Aonang_Villa_Resort-Ao_Nang_Krabi_City_Krabi_Province.html

Thanks WJ, I'll check Ao Nang Villa out.

I recommend the Krabi Tropical Beach Resort.
Here's a link: http://details.seasiahotelier.com/Hotel/Krabi_Tropical_Beach_Resort.htm

Despite the generic name it is really quite nice, and right on the beach.
And I expect that you'll be able to find a promotional rate that will be within your budget, even at Christmas-time (though it might come with restrictions like advance booking and no refund if cancelled).

Enjoy your trip!

By the way, have you considered a couple of days on Koh Yao?

It might be that you prefer to stay put in one hotel, but it's a lovely ferry ride there in December and is verrrrrrrrry different from Krabi. Secluded, Muslim-fisherpeople island, traditional Thai village life.

Or even Lanta. Much busier, but depending on which accomms & beach you choose, a different perspective to Krabi.

Now I think you should stay in Railay with the backpackers. It's a physically awesome location with some fun bars and restaurants and the best beach. The beach in Ao Nang looks good, but it's 2 feet deep a 1/2 mile out. wj

PomPalm:
Thanks for the reference to Krabi Tropical Beach Resort. Looks like most of the negative reviews on TripAdvisor are related to when people stayed there during the renovation. I may consider this one.

aphro:
Thanks much for the further suggestions. Yes, Koh Yao has interested me for a while and I looked into it briefly again for this trip and I could't find a place that fit the cost / quality ratio for this season. I'd really like to hit it in the off season.
Similar story for Koh Lanta. We've previously stayed on Koh Lanta at the Layana during off season. It was then $98 a night then and well worth it. Since it was in June it was really quiet but we enjoyed our time there. If we were to go there this time, I think considerations for cost and transport would make it a long shot.
We're mostly favoring Ao Nang area for accessibility and immediate options with different expectations due to the season. The short list has the Mercure Krabi Deevana at the high end and Sunda Resort somewhere below that.

I appreciate the input!

Now I think you should stay in Railay with the backpackers. It's a physically awesome location with some fun bars and restaurants and the best beach. The beach in Ao Nang looks good, but it's 2 feet deep a 1/2 mile out. wj

Thanks WJ - agree that for swimming @ Ao Nang is not so hot. Even the main strip is a bit spoilt in part due to being the farang epicenter for the area.
I hadn't really considered Railay much but will check into it. As a rule I avoid the backpacker areas in SEA (Pham Ngu Lao, Khao San, etc.) but agree that it's probably worth looking into.

I'm also looking for hotels for early january. The process is quite frustrating since last time I was in Thailand, it was august and I never had to make a booking, simply walk into place and they would have great rates.

I'm actually not set into the precise place, would like to do something like 3 nights in each Koh Lanta, Ao Nang/Railey and Phuket, supposedly more beach casual in the first two and party oriented in the third. But I'm more than willing to consider other places that would procide a good 8/10 days itinerary.

In Bangkok, I'm booked at Anantara in a top floor 1-bedroom suite for 2700 Bath (85 $), and I would like to keep the hotels in that price range. Any suggestions on this board ?

Cannot go wrong with Mercure, its brand new. :)

Any suggestions on the relative pros and cons of a beach to stay at with a 4-year old kid? Ao Nang or Railey?We'll be there from Dec 25 to 29. Thanks

Cannot go wrong with Mercure, its brand new. :)

Yes, in the end I booked the Mercure Deevana. I'll post my thoughts after I've checked it out.

My friends are staying there, I think they arrive tomorrow!

We are actually staying near Ao Nong tomorrow for about 5 days.