LaRio Hotel Krabi

Since its 2017 opening, LaRio Hotel Krabi has been a hit with guests for its spotless rooms and public spaces, helpful management and front-desk staff, fair rates, and pleasant location set back from Ao Nang's busy main road. The hotel has visual appeal, too, with a clean coastal-inspired design defined by raffia lamps, dried shells, and pale blue walls. That look extends to the hotel's rooms (ranging from studios to six-person family rooms) and common areas, which are few -- just a lobby, breakfast room, and tiny outdoor pool. Another public space is found on the hotel's rooftop, which is split between a wooden sundeck and artificial turf. LaRio plans to add a small bar up there in high season.Such limited features could be considered a drawback, but the hotel and its slight offerings tend to suit most guests just fine, as they are mostly out on excursions during the day. The average stay here is two to four nights, though it's not uncommon for guests to try to extend their stay and for parties to book one full month. During its first high season (end of 2017/early 2018), the hotel operated at nearly 100 percent capacity -- this in an area where the hotel supply outweighs the demand. Word of mouth and consistently positive reviews on TripAdvisor have helped LaRio carve a name for itself in Ao Nang's crowded hotel market.  

LaRio Hotel Krabi is set on a side street off of Ao Nang's main road. The distance between 4203 and LaRio makes a big difference: LaRio and its environs are noticeably quieter than the nonstop motorcade of the highway. And once guests walk two minutes from LaRio's front door toward the road, they'll find all manner of restaurants (many halal), bars, tour operators, currency exchanges, juice/smoothie bars, pharmacies, and minimarts. The location's main shortcoming is that it's about a 20-minute walk from the beach, though the hotel will drive guests to the beach at no cost. The driving time between the hotel and Krabi Airport is around 25 minutes. As LaRio is a new hotel off the main road, and in an area choked with hotels, it's likely that taxi and tuk-tuk operators won't know it by name, so be sure to map its location on your smartphone in order to show drivers. 

Guest rooms at LaRio have the same simple, chic look found in the lobby, with splashes of teal, blue, yellow, and red livening up the light-wood floors and furnishings. On the wall above the beds are sweet clusters of wooden embroidery hoops, some filled with blue fabric, some with traditional Thai patterns, and others intentionally left empty. Hanging rattan lamps, seagrass mats, and bamboo bathroom shades add a bit of beachiness. Many items found in all rooms, including pillowcases, slippers, and beach bags filled with pool/beach towels, are made by local artisans.The hotel's 25 rooms are broken into seven categories, all similar in terms of style and amenities. These start with the one-person Deluxe Special and the two-person Deluxe Twin, both around 250 square feet. These entry-level categories have one and two twin beds, respectively. Deluxe Queen Studios are the same size, but have one queen bed. LaRio has two Deluxe Family categories, one for four to five people and another for six. The four-to-five-person version offers one queen bed, one set of bunk beds, and one twin, while the six-person option has two queens and a set of bunk beds, plus nearly 50 percent more space over the lower Deluxe Family category (750 square feet versus 495). Separate bunk-bed rooms have their own flat-screen TV, plus toys for kids.There are four bi-level, 495-square-foot Duplex Studios, which have a living room on the lower floor and a bedroom/bathroom on the top floor. But note that the stairs in these units are steep and their laminate covering is quite slippery. They're also designed without handrails, so the Duplex units are not good for young children or anyone prone to falling. Finally, there are the King Suites, which are popular with couples as they have king beds and all-teak bathtubs set out on their balconies. This is the only category we saw with a full, walkable balcony; most rooms have Juliet-style balconies too shallow to actually walk out on.For all the square footage and bed configurations, the rooms' amenities are largely the same. All have flat-screen TVs with satellite (albeit, entirely Thai-language) channels. All have personal air-conditioning units, free safes, umbrellas, and free Wi-Fi. There are minibars, electric water kettles with free coffee and tea, and free bottles of drinkable water. Roll-up rattan curtains give the peek-a-boo bathrooms some privacy, but the doorless walk-in showers (found in all rooms) do not. Hot water is not a given. Neither is counter space, though some room types have a sliver of surface for placing dopp kits. Waffle-weave bathrobes and slippers, disposable toothbrushes, and cotton buds are provided in all room types.

LaRio's primary feature is its teensy pool area, which features a slender rectangular pool designed for dipping and cooling off, not actual swimming. On one end of the pool there is just enough space for two lounge chairs, and on the other there are two wooden tables and chairs, plus a small fountain. The pool area is attractively walled in by a green hedge.Facing the pool is LaRio's breakfast room, which is decorated with rattan chandeliers, pale furnishings, and a wavy design on the tile floors. A free breakfast of croissants, fruit, juice, eggs, and sausage is served in the mornings. The hotel does not offer lunch, dinner, or room service, but it does put on the occasional barbecue night by the pool, plus it allows guests to use its kitchen.The only other common space is the top-floor terrace, which has synthetic turf and a sundeck with benches. The rooftop provides great views of the town, the jagged cliffs to the south, and the green hills to the north. To the west, one can make out the sea past the golden-onion-domed Ao Nang Mosque.Laundry service, airport transportation, and excursions can be arranged at reception. Hotel staff will also drive guests to the beach, free of charge. For purchase in the lobby are locally made woven mats, bags, and blankets. Wi-Fi is free throughout.