Varana Krabi Hotel

For the price, Varana offers a lot of wellness activities and good service. There are two breakfast restaurants, both with peaceful views of nature, one toward the mountains and one toward the sea. Breakfast was okay, with the soups and local fruit especially good. We tried the cafe's Thai dishes several times, and its food was as good as what we found outside. The mocktails were expertly made, some of the best I've had. You can follow marked walking paths, count calories on the stairs, use outdoor spaces for pull-ups or circuits, and try the reflexology path. The daily schedule includes activities like yoga and Pilates, mostly free. There's also a fully equipped Muay Thai area. Classes cost a small fee, but I thought they were worth it. A few things disappointed me: the property's dull gray, industrial paint clashes with its natural setting; the beach club has a party atmosphere and DJ that doesn't fit the wellness feel; and the in-room amenities are basic and limited. Even so, the activities, service, and price make it a place I'd recommend.

NAAM Wellness and FAA Spa were my favorite parts. I left feeling rested and happy. It was my first visit to Krabi and a really lovely experience. The room was beautiful and comfortable, and the staff were warm and welcoming. I'd recommend it to anyone coming to Krabi.

The hotel sits in a quiet area, and taxis make it easy to get around. Our room was spacious, and having a choice of pillows was a nice touch. The food was fantastic, with plenty of cuisines to choose from, and the amenities were great. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We'll definitely be back.

We stayed two nights and would have stayed longer if the resort hadn't been fully booked. With half board, we got to try a few of the on-site restaurants. The resort was lovely and seemed fairly new and well maintained, but the service didn't always match what we'd expect from a five-star place. The quiet beach and a row of shops are just outside, and local restaurants are an easy walk away. Ao Nang is about a 15-minute drive, and there's a 7/11 within walking distance. At the beach club, the complimentary beanbags on the sand made for a relaxing visit, and the food and drinks were excellent. Our modern, comfortable room had a stunning ocean view. Breakfast was enjoyable, though not among the best we've had at a five-star resort; service at Sala was better than at Kin. The half-board dinner at the beach club was excellent. We could order from the full menu, with 900 baht per person covered and any extra paid separately. At Sala, the half-board menu was a much smaller set of starter, main, and dessert choices, mostly seafood. We don't eat seafood, but staff kindly offered alternatives from the regular menu. Even so, I wouldn't choose half board there again because of the limited selection. There weren't enough loungers for everyone. The four pools filled up fast, even though we visited at the end of high season, and more children were around than we expected. All pools welcome children except the Olympic pool. Each room got one beach towel, and getting fresh ones each day was difficult. The daily class schedule was limited and uneven, with no low-intensity option like meditation, stretching, or gentle yoga every day. Most staff spoke less English than we'd expect at a resort of this level. We've paid half as much at smaller resorts and had better English and service. At the Kiosk, there were times staff didn't notice me waiting even when I tried to get their attention.