Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi

Krabi, Thailand

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396-396/1 Moo 2
Ao Nang
Muang
Krabi 81000
Thailand.

Tel: +66 (0) 7563 7789.
Email: ckbr@chr.co.th.
Website: www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

 

Where is it?

The resort sits within its own private bay, called Pai Plong Bay. Complimentary boat transfers operated by the resort take you to Ao Nang Harbour. It’s a short stroll from here to the stalls, restaurants and massage parlours that largely make up Ao Nang town.  You can also walk to town via an access track – but look out for monkeys! The resort is a 40-minute drive from Krabi International Airport.

Diving, snorkelling, and excursions to several beautiful offshore islands are all offered by the resort.

The Resort

You are going to love the dramatic nature of this first-class resort with its own private beach – it’s among the most beautifully positioned resorts in the world!

You arrive by speed boat – always a good look (your baggage goes on ahead of you). Then you climb onto a long floating pontoon, which makes getting there even more fun. The pontoon rocks and wobbles with the swell, and it’s bound to make you giggle as you try out your best balancing act.

You can’t miss the resort’s most dominant feature - a massive, crinkly limestone cliff face that towers above the 192 room and pool villa complex. Several smaller limestone formations stud the crystal clear bay.

The pool here is beautiful and inviting, and is fringed with tall skinny palm trees. Uphill pathways access most rooms, although electric buggies come to your rescue if you feel like taking it easy.

Rooms vary, but we recommend you try to secure a water view room, as it can make all the difference when you are lazing on your balcony. The rooms make extensive use of dark wood, and more expensive options have an outdoor Jacuzzi as well as a deep indoor bathtub. The king-size beds are very comfortable, and there’s Internet access in your room.

There’s a kid’s club and play areas here, and the resort faces onto a lovely golden beach. There are three restaurants, featuring general Asian cuisine, Japanese, and seafood/Thai. The food really is exceptional. A fourth eatery doubles up as a beachside bar, which is also perfect for an after-dinner cocktail or two.

The Spa

Housed in a separate building, and a short stroll from everything, is the Spa Cenvaree.  Guided by the three pillars of well-being, ‘Body’, ‘Mind’, and Soul’, the spa’s philosophy is based on the holistic theme of achieving life balance by treating these three pillars as one.

There are many wonderful massages, body wraps and polishes, pedicures and manicures, jet lag relievers and spa packages available. Some treatments are aimed specifically at men.

Try a Tibetan Pa-Lang Experience, using heated Himalayan river stone coated with drizzling, warm oils. Or an Enhancement Treatment Samunprai, which uses a rich blend of herb filled-poultices to relieve muscular pains, and stiffness through deep heat.

The Cenvaree Signature Journey begins with a ‘Tropical Elegance’ body scrub with papaya enzyme and freshly grated coconut, aimed at restoring your skin’s natural radiance. Next, succumb to a deeply relaxing experience with a river stone massage.

When to go?

High season around here is between November and March, when the weather is tropical and hot and there is little rainfall. The monsoon season starts in late May and runs into November. Things are generally cheaper, but expect some heavy rain showers and less water clarity.

The Verdict

One of the most dramatically positioned resorts in the world offers a great pool, a good beach, great food and an exciting welcome. Perfect for a relaxing break, especially if you don’t feel the need to rush around sightseeing.

Story by: Marc Llewellyn.