Where to stay, what to do?

I'm taking my (Thai) gf on holiday, from our home in Koh Phangan, for a few days and I'd be grateful for some advice. We are not particularly energetic, but enjoy a bit of sightseeing and nightlife (good choice of food etc). As we're flying in and out of Krabi, would it be feasible to stay in Phuket for 2 or 3 nights in between stays in the Krabi area? We'd like to take a couple of boat trips, to where and with whom is the question.

Your ideas will be much appreciated.

No, do not bother with Phuket if you are flying in and out of Krabi.

Most people head over to Ao Nang which is the main tourist zone but tell you what, Krabi Town very underrated and I think your TGF will enjoy that better.

Rent a boat on the river for cave tours. Enjoy seafood on the seafood restaurants there on the river also. Walk about around town, there is a temple but lots of stairs. Basically prices everywhere much more palatable than overpriced, tourist zone Ao Nang. But if you want to hit Ao Nang for a sunset beer on the beach (get beers at 7/11 walk across street and sit on beach wall or benches) there is transportation over there (and back).

Google things to do Krabi Town. Outside of town day trips to The Emerald Pools, there are boats to outer islands and Railei (another bit of a tourist trap), maybe after four days get a van to Koh Lanta.

Thanks grumpy, I was thinking about Koh Lanta as well.

Look 3/4's of the way through post #39 when he touches on Krabi Town.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897362-summary-after-three-days-in-phuketkhao-lak/page-2#entry10636724

As far as driving to Khao Lak from Krabi, I'd say heading south to Lanta would be a better call.

Taking a boat to Phuket is a pleasurable journey. One leaves Ao Nang for Phuket town every day about 15:00, but it's a steep 700 baht. The same pier has boats to Lanta for less (about 400 baht as I recall).

While Krabi Town itself deserves couple of days stay, I'd suggest rent a car and drive around the region. If you are nature lover, Khao Sok is must but you can't do it in a day trip. I suggest to arrive at afternoon in the area, stay one night, explore the park for 1-2 days and go back or at Khao Lak for similar exploration.

I would personally avoid Phuket.

Look 3/4's of the way through post #39 when he touches on Krabi Town.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897362-summary-after-three-days-in-phuketkhao-lak/page-2#entry10636724

As far as driving to Khao Lak from Krabi, I'd say heading south to Lanta would be a better call.

I like Lanta!

No, do not bother with Phuket if you are flying in and out of Krabi.

Most people head over to Ao Nang which is the main tourist zone but tell you what, Krabi Town very underrated and I think your TGF will enjoy that better.

Rent a boat on the river for cave tours. Enjoy seafood on the seafood restaurants there on the river also. Walk about around town, there is a temple but lots of stairs. Basically prices everywhere much more palatable than overpriced, tourist zone Ao Nang. But if you want to hit Ao Nang for a sunset beer on the beach (get beers at 7/11 walk across street and sit on beach wall or benches) there is transportation over there (and back).

Google things to do Krabi Town. Outside of town day trips to The Emerald Pools, there are boats to outer islands and Railei (another bit of a tourist trap), maybe after four days get a van to Koh Lanta.

Once made the mistake of going to Koh Lanta in August for 7 days with my TGF.....we arrived at hotel (via a taxi & two ferries from the airport) booked through Expedia to find it was under complete renovation and we and one other couple were the only 4 guests in the 200+ room hotel!!!.... The other couple left next day. After settling in (sic) we headed out and it was like a ghost town.... we found a bar down a back alley owned by an English guy and his Thai wife where we had some great home cooked food. The owner said it was off season and that even when in season it was mostly Scandinavian families that came to visit..... we stayed for one more day and blew out our other 5 days and headed for more lively surroundings....that was about 4 years ago... never been back to Krabi since and no plans to either.....

in krabi, i always prefer railey beach, no cars, no traffic, and wonderful beaches, especially pra nang beach, and lots of full-day boatstours everywhere on offer, i liked the 4-islands and the 5- islands tour. i would recommend 5 days there.
then maybe 2 days peepee, and 3 days lanta, several ferries everyday in high season.
you can also stay 1 night at ko poda, near ao nang, with only 1 resort there, and beaches like in the karibik. after the many motorboats have left, you have the whole island for youself. google fotos of the island.
http://globetrottergirls.com/2015/08/koh-poda-thailand/

Can't stay on koh poda anymore ,the army took the resort down,people always talk about ao nang and railey beaches when discussing krabi,if you like being in a heavily populated over commercialised tourist area these are ok,but imho there are much better beaches in the area .

No, do not bother with Phuket if you are flying in and out of Krabi.

Most people head over to Ao Nang which is the main tourist zone but tell you what, Krabi Town very underrated and I think your TGF will enjoy that better.

Rent a boat on the river for cave tours. Enjoy seafood on the seafood restaurants there on the river also. Walk about around town, there is a temple but lots of stairs. Basically prices everywhere much more palatable than overpriced, tourist zone Ao Nang. But if you want to hit Ao Nang for a sunset beer on the beach (get beers at 7/11 walk across street and sit on beach wall or benches) there is transportation over there (and back).

Google things to do Krabi Town. Outside of town day trips to The Emerald Pools, there are boats to outer islands and Railei (another bit of a tourist trap), maybe after four days get a van to Koh Lanta.

Once made the mistake of going to Koh Lanta in August for 7 days with my TGF.....we arrived at hotel (via a taxi & two ferries from the airport) booked through Expedia to find it was under complete renovation and we and one other couple were the only 4 guests in the 200+ room hotel!!!.... The other couple left next day. After settling in (sic) we headed out and it was like a ghost town.... we found a bar down a back alley owned by an English guy and his Thai wife where we had some great home cooked food. The owner said it was off season and that even when in season it was mostly Scandinavian families that came to visit..... we stayed for one more day and blew out our other 5 days and headed for more lively surroundings....that was about 4 years ago... never been back to Krabi since and no plans to either.....

eastendanto, clearly you did not do your homework before making that fateful excursion.

What you learned, yes, August in Lanta you can fire a cannon off in Saladan Town and no one would notice. West facing beaches that are white sand wonderful December-May, sand is gone and there is howling onshore winds (thus "low season").

It's easy to get roped in through a booking website, a place that has pictures taken during high season, also, many of the first resorts you see upon entering are leased year-in-year out, new owners come in spend money "upgrading" (in low season) lose their shirts, wash rinse, repeat, Thai owners couldn't give a hoot they rent to the next wannabe resort owner punters in.

Next time (if there is, sounds like the mistaken journey soured you) go in February, get a room on the beach and a renown resort (Best Western Maya, Lanta Casuarina et al) and you'll do a 180 on your opinion, guaranteed .

No, do not bother with Phuket if you are flying in and out of Krabi.

Most people head over to Ao Nang which is the main tourist zone but tell you what, Krabi Town very underrated and I think your TGF will enjoy that better.

Rent a boat on the river for cave tours. Enjoy seafood on the seafood restaurants there on the river also. Walk about around town, there is a temple but lots of stairs. Basically prices everywhere much more palatable than overpriced, tourist zone Ao Nang. But if you want to hit Ao Nang for a sunset beer on the beach (get beers at 7/11 walk across street and sit on beach wall or benches) there is transportation over there (and back).

Google things to do Krabi Town. Outside of town day trips to The Emerald Pools, there are boats to outer islands and Railei (another bit of a tourist trap), maybe after four days get a van to Koh Lanta.

Once made the mistake of going to Koh Lanta in August for 7 days with my TGF.....we arrived at hotel (via a taxi & two ferries from the airport) booked through Expedia to find it was under complete renovation and we and one other couple were the only 4 guests in the 200+ room hotel!!!.... The other couple left next day. After settling in (sic) we headed out and it was like a ghost town.... we found a bar down a back alley owned by an English guy and his Thai wife where we had some great home cooked food. The owner said it was off season and that even when in season it was mostly Scandinavian families that came to visit..... we stayed for one more day and blew out our other 5 days and headed for more lively surroundings....that was about 4 years ago... never been back to Krabi since and no plans to either.....

eastendanto, clearly you did not do your homework before making that fateful excursion.

What you learned, yes, August in Lanta you can fire a cannon off in Saladan Town and no one would notice. West facing beaches that are white sand wonderful December-May, sand is gone and there is howling onshore winds (thus "low season").

It's easy to get roped in through a booking website, a place that has pictures taken during high season, also, many of the first resorts you see upon entering are leased year-in-year out, new owners come in spend money "upgrading" (in low season) lose their shirts, wash rinse, repeat, Thai owners couldn't give a hoot they rent to the next wannabe resort owner punters in.

Next time (if there is, sounds like the mistaken journey soured you) go in February, get a room on the beach and a renown resort (Best Western Maya, Lanta Casuarina et al) and you'll do a 180 on your opinion, guaranteed .

spot on grumpy??

Can't stay on koh poda anymore ,the army took the resort down,people always talk about ao nang and railey beaches when discussing krabi,if you like being in a heavily populated over commercialised tourist area these are ok,but imho there are much better beaches in the area .

very sad, that you cant stay overnight at ko poda anymore.

i have forgotten ko jum island, here are also very good beaches, but the most spectacular beaches in krabi, imho, are sureley in railay. after sunset almost no tourists on the beach, all are eating in the restaurants. the scenery is just breathtaking, often some rocks are illuminated at night. just look at the 1. foto here:

http://thailandtravelbag.com/best-beach-locations-krabi-province-thailand/

http://www.thinkstockphotos.de/image/stock-foto-limestone-cliffs-of-railay-beach-by-night-in/502847244