Hi,

I was thinking about going to Samui for our honeymoon in November 2007, but the nice people over in the samui forum advised that the weather is not at it's best in November. Krabi looks like it is usually good weather in November so we're now considering visiting Ao Nang for 2 weeks.

We've been to Bangkok & Phuket twice before (last visit was in March 2006). We stayed at the Peninsula and the Pathumwan in Bangkok, and the Novotel Coralia at Patong in Phuket.

For our honeymoon we thought that we want to try some place different, but we're hoping that wherever we try has everything that Phuket has to offer. Is Ao Nang in Krabi comparible to Patong in Phuket?

We like to be close to shops and restaurants, as we do get bored staying in the hotel all day. We'd also like it to be near a nice beach, etc. Can anyone recommend any 4-5 star resorts in excellent locations in Ao Nang?

Also, for those of you that have been to Phuket, what are the restaurants and shopping areas like in Ao Nang? Are they similar to the Bangla Rd area in Patong? My Fiance` likes to buy all the copy handbags, etc. and I don't mind going for a walk around the shops… I'm just wondering if there is enough to do there without getting bored in a 2 week stay.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Cheers,

Peter - Australia.

Hello Peter

Just got back from Krabi after a wonderful week's break staying at the 3-star (more like 4) Andaman Holiday Resort. Right next door is a 5-star Nakamanda resort. My Thai g/f and I usually rent a motorbike and take off exploring but the resort was so nice that we only had the bike for one day. Lots of stunning greenery. We stayed in the cottages because we were on a budget but the standard was good.

I suppose it's different strokes for different folks but when we visited Ao Nang we were put off by the commercialism. Great for an evening out but otherwise we would rather a secluded beach sitting under palm fronds. We took a frisbee and ball which was fun for the beach and pool.

Restaurants outside are fine. I asked the owner of the restaurant opposite the resort for some oysters. He went to the market and bought them for that evening. Delicious.

Every day at 3pm opposite the Sheraton a 4-yr old elephant comes out to play and swim. Great. Tip the mahout and he will let you climb aboard.

Transport is provided to take you to Ao Nang (about 20 mins) and back if you wish and long-tailed boats will take you out on a variety of trips. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2-in-1 day package Kayacking/Elephant ride. The mangrove swamps were gorgeous and the elephants HUGE!

We met some nice people, which always makes a holiday and can't wait to go back again in April.

Here's some reviews...

http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/krabi/an...day_resort.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g2...sort-Krabi.html

Just a couple of minor beefs. We got nipped in the sea on one day by sand fly larva but it never happened again. (This could happen at any of the hotels and beaches).

There are some shallow areas when the tide goes out that are rocky underfoot. Same for the other resorts.

The cottages are very quiet and on our last night the next door cottage walls were falling in as an overweight gentleman snored the night away contentedly. If you have the budget, stay in the villas. Otherwise turn on the aircon!

Hope this helps.

Paul

Hi. Well I like Krabi Resort at the northern corner of Ao Nang beach - it's old but has a lovely pool and fantastic breakfast buffet with stunning views in an air con dining room.

Ao Nang is very small, mainly one road, and very commercial but not as 'in your face' as Patong. I think it's a great place to stay as you can scoot over to Railay Beach and Ao Pranang Cave or some of the other islands. I think you might get bored with two full weeks there though to be honest. Why not one week in Krabi then one week on Koh Lanta - just down the road?

Do they rent unbrellas and chairs at the Klong Muang beach (Andaman Holiday Resort) like the Phuket beaches.

On honey moon and worrying about getting bored.......

I wasted thousands on a resort in Jamaica never got out of the room.......

that was ten yrs ago and still together..

Krabi has some cool stuff for when you need a rest....

Ao Nang is quiet...can't compare it to Patong

Hong Island is nice for a day trip, Railay Beach...overated and packed.

I'd go for 3 days to Ao Nang, 3 days to Phi Phi...then go back to Phuket for a week or fly from there to Samui.

Enjoy your honeymoon

RAZZ

Do they rent unbrellas and chairs at the Klong Muang beach (Andaman Holiday Resort) like the Phuket beaches.

Rent? Actually I don't know. I always threw down a towel and lay with my Thai g/f under a leafy palm. Lots of envious looks from the men and grinning through clenched teeth from the women.

There isn't really a deck chair scene on this beach. The resorts provide chairs, umbrellas and loungers around the pools.

I love Central Krabi Bay Resort.

But maybe it's not perfect if you're going on shopping spree as the hotel is in it's secluded bay and private beach.

You're gonna need boat transfer from resort to Ao Nang.

Honeymoon In November.. will we get bored in 2 weeks?

honeymooners get bored nowadays?

Do they rent unbrellas and chairs at the Klong Muang beach (Andaman Holiday Resort) like the Phuket beaches.

No beach beds or umbrellas to spoil the view on Ao Nang....................we bought a couple of cheap hammocks (around B300 for a large one if you bargain) and slung them under the trees in the shade..................fantastic. When we wanted to tan, either strolled up 'n down the beach (around 2Kms) or did the towel on the sand bit......no probs.

If you go up the beach towards the "Last Cafe" there is a row of massage stations - we called it "Massage Alley", and if you park yourselves by one of them, they will bring you fresh fruit (bananas and pineaplle) in the hope you will have a massage with them. They will usually offer you beach mats and/or plastic chairs and will bring iced drinks (B20-30) all day long. They also keep the beach clean, sweeping up fallen leaves etc. We always camped out in front of Massage Station No. 12, the lady is lovely.........massages are great, whole body, foot and/or face........all around B200/hr.

Around lunch time we would stroll along to the "Last Cafe" (lunch for 2 around B200) leaving our stuff behind as the beach is very safe and the Massage ladies take care of things.

The scenery is gorgeous, cliffs, jungle, sea and sand. Around the end of the beach there's a pack of wild monkeys that play by the side of a small stream.

The resort, generally is low key no big malls, no high class shops mostly just the usual tourist stuff. So my advice there would be......... take a day or two extra in Bankok and get the shopping out of your system and then head for Krabi.

We don't like tourist-type restaurants, so the nightmarket at behind the headland suited us fine. Ate there most nights, really good Thai food (hot) and never paid more than B450 for the two of us.

Most of the entertainment is pretty low key too, which is one of the greater attractions for us. We had planned to do all sorts of stuff, trips, hire car, visit Wats etc., but when we got there we found it was sooo beautiful we just couldn't be bothered so we chilled for the 11 days we were there..........and we absolutely loved it.

We have been to both Phuket (twice) and Samui (twice) and loved them both.........but...........for us, the bestist place we have been to on Thailand is Krabi and we can't wait to get back (Jan 08).

Hope this helps.