Escape to Paradise: Aonang Baan Suan Resort Awaits in Krabi!
Escape to Paradise? Krabi's Aonang Baan Suan Resort: My Messy, Honest, & Mostly-Positive Take!
Alright, let's be real. Trying to review a resort based on a laundry list of features is a nightmare. But hey, that's what you, my lovely reader, need, right? So here goes my crack at Aonang Baan Suan Resort in Krabi, warts and all. Prepare for a wild ride… and maybe a slight obsession with the pool.
(SEO & Metadata, Here We Come!)
- Keywords: Aonang Baan Suan Resort, Krabi, Hotel Review, Thailand, Accessible Resort, Wheelchair Accessible, Swimming Pool, Spa, Aonang Beach, Free WiFi, Family Friendly, Restaurant, Breakfast, Cleanliness, Safety, Value for Money.
- Metadata Description: Honest review of Aonang Baan Suan Resort in Krabi, Thailand, covering accessibility, facilities, dining, cleanliness, and more. A mix of pros & cons, personal anecdotes, and raw opinions. Is this paradise? Let's find out!
(Accessibility - The Real Test)
Okay, let’s start with something important: Accessibility. I wasn't personally using a wheelchair, but I always pay attention to this. The resort claims to have "Facilities for disabled guests." The website shows some photos, but let's be blunt: actual, real-world accessibility can be tricky. It's Krabi. Think pathways, slight slopes, and possibly some stairs. I peeked around (nosey me!), and saw the promised elevator, so that's a plus. But deep down, I’d love to hear from someone actually using a wheelchair. I can only say it seems a fair attempt… but always call ahead for specifics!
(On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges):
I saw easy access in the main restaurant and pool bar, which are major wins. The buffet area, which is where you'll find your meals, has plenty of space for maneuvering.
(Internet - The Lifeline)
Ah, the internet. The modern-day oxygen. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Score! And honestly, it worked. No buffering during my desperate YouTube tutorials on how to make a decent Pad Thai (more on that later). Strong and Reliable. The free Wi-Fi worked perfectly. They also have LAN connections, if you want a more secure setup, but frankly, the Wi-Fi was fine.
(Eating & Drinking - Fueling the Fun)
Okay, let's talk about the most important thing: food!
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Now, this is where things get REALLY interesting. Asian Breakfast, Western Breakfast, Buffet in Restaurant – all there, all sprawling, and all… overwhelming. More than anything, the breakfast buffet became the center of my entire existence. I kid, I kid. But it was good. The selection was HUGE, and the quality was decent. The chef (I'm pretty sure he was a chef) was always smiling. The pastries were a highlight. The fruit was fresh. You could get both the Asian and Western options. Honestly, I started the day with a plate piled high with both. I am not ashamed.
- Restaurants and Dining: Beyond breakfast, there were restaurants. Asian cuisine, International cuisine - it's all there. The food was generally good, but not mind-blowing. The prices were reasonable. And the poolside bar? Essential. More on that later.
- Room Service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after those late-night adventures (or just plain laziness). The menu was extensive. I'm definitely a fan.
- Poolside Bar: Okay, here's where I confess my deep, abiding love for this resort. The pool bar! The happy hour! The cocktails! The view! During my stay, it transformed from merely a bar to an essential part of my reality. I’d spend ALL day there. The staff quickly learned my usual order. The cocktails were strong. The view was spectacular. This is what a holiday is all about.
- Snack Bar: Convenient for satisfying those midday cravings. I definitely took advantage.
- Vegetarian Restaurant: Though I am not vegetarian, the option is available.
(Things to Do - Relaxation & Fun)
- Swimming Pool & Pool with View: Oh, the pool! The crown jewel! It's big. It's beautiful. It’s clean. There's a swim-up bar (bliss!). The pool is the resort's biggest asset. I might have spent, oh, 80% of my waking hours in or around it. The view? Stunning. I could stare at that pool all day.
- Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Spa: I gave the spa a miss, but the options were plentiful: massages, body scrubs…all the usual pampering. I was tempted. My poor neglected body after the pool shenanigans. They are available if you want a more relaxing experience.
- Fitness Center, Gym/Fitness: I am here for the truth… I didn't go. I was too busy, ahem, "relaxing" by the pool. But it was there, and it looked like a decent setup.
- Things to do: They offered things like trips. I did one of the boat trips but was too focused on enjoying the pool.
(Cleanliness & Safety - The COVID Era)
- Hand sanitiser: The staff are all wearing masks and wearing gloves.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw staff cleaning constantly. Reassuring.
- Rooms sanitized between stays. This is also comforting.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely noticed.
- Safe dining setup: Tables were spaced out, and staff followed hygiene rules.
- Cashless payment service. This is a bonus, especially during this current time.
(Rooms - My Little Paradise)
- Air Conditioning - In all rooms!!! Thank goodness.
- Free bottled water – Always appreciated.
- Free Wi-Fi – As stated above, very useful!
- Balcony/Terrace – My room had one, and it was lovely.
- Safe box: Kept my valuables secure.
- Shower is excellent, and clean.
- Towels are fresh.
- Bed is super comfortable.
(Services - The Extras)
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Good.
- Laundry service, Dry Cleaning: Efficient.
- Car park [free of charge]: Bonus. Always makes traveling simple.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
- Front desk [24-hour]. Peace of mind.
(For the Kids - The Fun Factor)
- Family/child friendly: Definitely. I won't be bringing any kids myself, but the resort seemed very well equipped.
- Babysitting service: Available.
(Getting Around & Location - Krabi is Beautiful)
- Airport transfer: Available. Easy booking, convenient.
- Car park [on-site] Easy parking, very convenient.
- Location: Aonang is a tourist hub and the resort is slightly away from the main area.
(The Little Annoyances - Because Nothing's Perfect)
- Small things that don't matter? Okay, here's where I nitpick. The shower pressure could have been a bit stronger. And one day, the Wi-Fi cut out briefly. But honestly, those are minor quibbles. I'm being very picky here.
(My Emotional Verdict: LOVE!)
Look, Aonang Baan Suan isn't a perfect resort. No place is. But it's a damn good one. It's comfortable, convenient, and the pool is pure heaven. The staff is friendly, the breakfast is huge, and the overall vibe is relaxed and welcoming. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Especially for that pool bar. If you're looking for a comfortable, well-equipped resort near Aonang Beach, with a focus on relaxation and a healthy dose of fun, then this is a strong contender. Go. Relax. Drink the cocktails. Jump in the pool. You won't regret it. Just… make sure you try the breakfast. And tell the bartender I said hello
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (The pool brought it up a notch!)
Paradise Found: Riu Palace Costa Rica - All-Inclusive Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my slightly chaotic, totally honest, and hopefully hilarious chronicle of a few days at Aonang Baan Suan Resort in Krabi, Thailand. Prepare for rambling, opinions, and the usual travel foibles. This ain't your perfectly curated Instagram feed – this is the messy reality, friends.
Aonang Baan Suan: My Krabi Catastrophe (and maybe some Paradise)
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and a Questionable Papaya Salad
6:00 AM (Thailand Time… or is it?): Wake up. No, seriously, wake up. My internal clock is screaming "IT'S 6 AM, YOU FOOL!" while my lizard brain is still convinced it's midnight back home. Jet lag is a monster. I glare at the adorable gecko clinging to the ceiling of my bungalow. He looks smug. Bastard.
7:00 AM: Breakfast. The resort breakfast buffet is… ambitious. There are fresh fruit (yay!), pastries that look suspiciously like they've been sitting out since the dawn of time (hmm…), and a noodle station manned by a woman who seems to communicate entirely through pursed lips. I think she's asking if I want eggs? I nod. I think.
8:00 AM: Explore the resort. It's seriously pretty. Lush greenery bursting with life, swimming pools that shimmer, and bungalows that actually look like the pictures (a rare thing!). I manage to get lost immediately. Apparently, my sense of direction is as reliable as a politician's promise.
10:00 AM: Officially melt. The humidity hits you like a warm, wet blanket. I wander into my bungalow, strip off all my clothes and crawl under a fresh clean sheet. It is like stepping into heaven.
12:00 PM: Lunch. Okay, first mistake. I ordered the green papaya salad from the resort restaurant. It looked amazing. It smelled amazing. But after the first bite, my mouth felt like someone had lit it on fire and then sprinkled it with habaneros. Tears streamed down my face. I was sweating profusely. The waiter, bless his heart, just smiled and brought me a gallon of water. Lesson learned: always ask for "mai phet" (not spicy).
2:00 PM: Nap. Thank god. The food coma, exhaustion, and chili pepper burn are all combining perfectly.
5:00 PM: Sunset views! Aonang Beach is beautiful, with long stretched of golden sand meeting the calm, clear sea. This is a moment of complete bliss. I watch the sunset. It’s as if someone is painting the sky with oranges, pinks, and purples. Everything is calm.
7:00 PM: Dinner. This time, I play it safe and order pad thai. Delicious. Life is good again. I see some cats lounging on the pavements. They are all chubby and seem content.
9:00 PM: Sleep. Hopefully, I'll learn to sleep better and adjust to the new time zone.
Day 2: Island Hopping and the Great Longtail Boat Scare
8:00 AM: Breakfast. Noodles and coffee are the perfect cure for my first day exhaustion.
9:00 AM: Island hopping time! I booked a tour to the famous Railay beach, Phra Nang Cave Beach, and Chicken Island. Honestly, the water is that perfect turquoise colour you see in all the travel brochures. It's like swimming in liquid sapphire. Pure bliss.
10:00 AM: Phra Nang Cave Beach. The beach is pure paradise, the sand is like sugar. The monkeys steal your food if you don't pay attention. But the actual views are amazing. I'm in heaven.
11:00AM: Chicken Island! The rock formation that resembles a chicken is a bit cheesy, but the snorkeling is fantastic. I saw rainbow-coloured fish, clownfish (Nemo!), and even a sea turtle!
1:00 PM: The Great Longtail Boat Scare. Okay, this deserves its own paragraph. Heading back from the island, the ocean had turned choppy and it started to rain. My longtail boat, which was already rickety, began rocking violently. The driver smiled reassuringly, but the waves kept crashing over the side of the boat. I swear, for a good five minutes I was convinced I was going to die. I started praying to every god I could think of, promising to be a better person, to give up chocolate (yeah, right!), and to never take travel for granted again. Eventually, we made it back to shore, soaked, shaken and humbled. I hugged the ground when I got off the boat. Seriously, I spent the rest of the day drinking Chang beers and mentally reliving the experience.
4:00 PM: Return to the resort. Change clothes, drink tea while thinking about the longtail boat.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. After the boat incident, I needed something comforting. Ordered a massaman curry. Delicious and the perfect balm to settle my nerves.
8:00 PM: I actually watch a movie on my phone and go to sleep.
Day 3: Massages, Monkeys, and Misadventures
9:00 AM: A well deserved massage. The spa at Aonang Baan Suan is a slice of heaven. I opted for a traditional Thai massage. Intense. But my muscles are so relaxed, I feel like a floppy noodle.
11:00 AM: Hike to Tiger Cave Temple. It's a steep climb, 1,237 steps! My legs were screaming (and my ego was slightly bruised by the numerous younger, fitter people who breezed past me). But the view from the top is incredible. Absolutely worth it.
2:00 PM: Monkey business. The monkeys at the temple? Not messing around. I saw one snatch a woman's sunglasses right off her face. Another tried to steal my water bottle. They’re adorable but be warned, they are crafty little buggers. Keep your stuff secure!
3:00 PM: Swim and Sunbath in the resort pool. After walking and monkey fights, I am exhausted.
6:00 PM: Dinner. I find a good restaurant near the beach. Food is delicious.
8:00 PM: Stargazing. The sky here is incredible. A million stars and a full moon.
9:00 PM: Sleep. More sleep.
Day 4: Departure and the Bitter-Sweet Goodbye
7:00 AM: Breakfast. The buffet seems less overwhelming today. Maybe I am adjusting.
8:00 AM: Last swim in the pool. I try hard to memorize all the good things in the trip.
9:00 AM: Packing. Sad face.
10:00 AM: Check-out and travel to the airport.
12:00 PM: Depart.
1:00 PM: Arrive.
So, Aonang Baan Suan. It was a mix of pure paradise and slightly chaotic adventure. There were moments of absolute beauty, moments of terror, and moments of pure hilarity. The food was fantastic (except for that papaya salad, the memory of which still haunts me), the people were lovely, and the memories are forever etched in my mind (and probably my stomach). Would I go back? Absolutely! But next time, I'm bringing a translator for that noodle lady, a monkey-proof backpack, and a life vest for the longtail boat. Until next time, Krabi, you beautiful, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable place!
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Escape to Paradise: Aonang Baan Suan Resort – FAQ (With a Healthy Dose of My Opinion)
Okay, spill the tea. Is Aonang Baan Suan REALLY as dreamy as the brochures make it look?
Alright, let's be real. Brochures? Bless their airbrushed hearts. Look, Aonang Baan Suan has its moments, you know? There's the whole "lush tropical gardens" thing. That *is* true. Waking up to the sound of… something… chirping? Definitely birds. Or maybe geckos arguing. Either way, it's pretty darn peaceful. But "dreamy" is a strong word. It depends. My first thought when I arrived? "Wow, it's… green." Which, obviously, is a good thing! But dreamy? Let's say it's *charmingly* green.
I had this one morning, right? Sat on my little balcony, sipping instant coffee (more on THAT later…), and this HUGE butterfly, like, the size of my hand, just landed on the railing. That, my friends, was pretty dreamy. Then a mosquito bit me. So, yeah. Dreaminess comes with a side of insect buffet.
The rooms... give it to me straight – what's the vibe? Modern, rustic, what-have-you?
Okay, the rooms… Hmm. Let's say the vibe is "Thai-ish." Think… dark wood furniture (which, in the Thai humidity, always makes me wonder about mold), some traditional artwork, and… a slightly dated feel. It's not exactly a minimalist Scandinavian paradise, alright? There’s a certain… *lived-in* quality. Which, hey, it's a resort, not The Ritz. It's not terrible! The bed was comfy enough, and that's half the battle, right? The bathroom? Functional, but the water pressure was a bit… polite. Like, it asked before it washed. I'm being picky, honestly. It does the job. I just think I prefer water pressure.
And the pool? Is it Instagram-worthy or more like a glorified oversized puddle?
The pool! The pool… Okay, the pool is actually pretty good. It’s not *puddle*-like. I spent a good few afternoons just bobbing around, pretending I was a millionaire with nothing to do but float. (Note: I am not a millionaire.) It's got a nice, refreshing temperature, and usually, it’s not *too* crowded. There were a couple of kids doing cannonballs, which, honestly, is part of the charm, isn't it? It's the sound of *holiday*! I enjoyed this part. It's definitely Instagram-able. Especially if you get a good angle and filter out the slight chlorine smell. I can't lie, there were a few moments where I thought "Yes, this is the life."
What about the food? Is the on-site restaurant any good? Should I even bother?
The food… Okay, here's the deal. The restaurant is… convenient. Let's just leave it there. Convenient in that you don't have to leave the resort, especially if you're feeling lazy, which, let's face it, *is* the whole point of a vacation, right? The breakfast buffet was… predictable. Eggs (which were not actually that bad, in fact), toast, some fruit, and… yeah. Pretty standard. I had the Pad Thai one night for dinner, and it was… fine. Edible. It filled the gap. Did it blow my mind? Nah. Would I go back? Maybe, if I was too tired to walk anywhere else. (And let’s be honest, that would be, like, 80% of the time.) I mean, I'm not saying the food was bad. It just wasn't a *culinary* experience. You know what the best part was? The fresh fruit you could get from a street vendor for a fraction of the price. Get that!
Location, location, location! How's the resort situated in relation to Aonang Beach and other attractions?
Okay, the location is… pretty good. It's not *on* the beach. You'll need a short walk, or, even better, a tuk-tuk ride. Tuk-tuks are part of the experience, embrace it. It's a decent walk (say, 15 minutes) to Aonang Beach, and it's easily doable. It is also about a 5 mintue walk to the shops and bars. It's far enough away from the main drag to be peaceful, but close enough to be convenient. To get there, you can walk through a maze of little shops, which is fun, or you can take a tuk-tuk (which will cost you, like, two dollars). There are some great restaurants close by too, so, win-win! Plus, you are close to plenty of mini-marts for snacks and things, gotta love that.
Tell me one thing that really, *really* bothered you about the place. The tiny thing, the unexpected hiccup.
Oh, okay. Here we go. This is petty, I know, but it just *grated* on me. The Wi-Fi. Oh, the Wi-Fi. I spent more time staring at the loading circle than I did watching the sea. I mean, I know, you're supposed to "disconnect" on vacation, right? But I actually needed to do *some* work. (Don't judge me, there were deadlines!) I ended up having to go to the nearest coffee shop or, like, McDonalds, just to actually get work done. Which, let's be honest, ruins the whole tropical escape vibe and makes you feel a little bit like a sad, tethered balloon. The WiFi. It was the one thing that truly annoyed me. I'd go back… but I'd bring a better mobile-data plan.
Okay, on the flip side… what was the *best* thing? The thing you are still thinking about?
Oh, easy. The *feeling*. The feeling of the air. The heat, the light, the… *humidity*. (Okay, the humidity might not be for everyone, but it felt… right.) It's the kind of heat that just settles into you, melts away your worries, and makes you want to nap after lunch. The whole vibe of Thailand, is just… different, you knowUptown Lodging
