Nakamanda Resort & Spa

With a romantic and quiet seaside setting, the Nakamanda Resort and Spa has all the makings of a tranquil tropical getaway. This small resort utilizes a blend of traditional and contemporary Thai design elements throughout to create an attractive escape. Pathways weave through ponds and past vaulted Thai-style pavilions to the reception area. A large pitched roof pavilion hangs over stylish and modern wooden furniture in the lobby and welcome drinks are a nice touch. The atmosphere is quiet, with villas spread out throughout the grounds creating a sense of privacy, and architecture throughout has a typically Thai breezy quality, from the casual and rustic restaurant to the sleek spa. The resort draws mostly couples -- the multiple stairs throughout the property and rocky shores make it less accessible to families with children, though they stay here as well.

This resort is located on Klong Muang, where at low tide the Andaman Sea recedes and allows travelers to walk to a small island. At high tide the cove offers swimming and kayaking, though it's honestly not the nicest spot for the former. A nicer beach with a sandy shore is five minutes away on foot, near the Beyond Resort Krabi. A massage parlor, market, and shops sit across from the hotel, and there are a few restaurants and a 7-Eleven within walking distance. The front desk can arrange boat trips and excursions with packed lunches to the numerous islands that dot the scenic Phang Nga Bay and nature reserve. Krabi town can be reached in 30 minutes by car. Boat trips to Ao Nang Beach take about 20 minutes, and Railay Beach is 30 minutes away. Krabi International Airport is 40 minutes away by road and Phuket International Airport is more than two hours away. 

The resort offers five categories of villas, all with modern Thai decor that includes plenty of teak and large windows facing interior gardens or the sea, some have daybeds on "salas," or Thai terraces. Villas have hardwood floors, white walls, and warm hardwood furniture plus handsome wall art with Thai flourishes. Sala Villas have 56 square meters (560 square feet) of space, and some have outdoor plunge pools with whirlpool jets. One-bedroom Hydropool Villas have sectional sofas in living rooms and plunge pools. Jacuzzi Villas, with hot tubs on terraces, and one- and two-bedroom Pool Villas, with outdoor pools and hot tubs, come with kitchenettes that include microwaves and wet bars. All rooms come with coffeemakers, fresh fruit, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, air-conditioning, safes, bathrobes, and minibars. We did spot a good deal of wear and tear on furniture when we visited, and the furniture could use a bit of freshening up. Luxurious, spacious bathrooms have dressing areas, hairdryers, separate showers, toilets, and soaking tubs set against windows. 

A lovely pool overlooks the Andaman Sea and is backed by a brick wall with lounge chairs on a grassy lawn. The resort’s restaurant also sits seaside, with an open-air dining pavilion and a bar under a glass ceiling. "Sala" pavilions on ponds offer private dining by reservation. Breakfast is free. The small fitness center, with modern cardio equipment and free weights, is located by the lobby, and the hotel also has a luxury spa with a steam room and hot tub. Private and shared airport transfers can be arranged for a fee, though they are available at no additional charge for guests booked in Jacuzzi and Pool Villas. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.