The Nine Thipthara Klongson Resort

The Nine Thipthara Klongson Resort is a beautifully landscaped boutique hotel that, since its late 2016/early 2017 opening, has been visited (and adored) by almost exclusively couples. Indeed, just about everything about the property is designed to have the look of a romantic paradise (the very word used by many past guests). Its remote location -- under the wary gaze of a nearby limestone mountain -- feels deep in the jungle, and its green garden setting, with pitched blue-metal roofs sticking out above bamboo and gnarled trees, feels lush and sequestered. Life-size, painted ceramic, or gold-leafed elephant statues dot the property, and can be seen as signs of good luck and fertility by the honeymooning clientele who come here. Rooms more than pull their weight on the romance front, as all are freestanding teak bungalows with indoor/outdoor bathrooms and private patios surrounded by greenery. For honeymooners or any couple looking for a quiet staycation close to nature and far from rowdy Ao Nang Beach, the modern and secluded Nine Thipthara is a solid pick that's better than most.

The Nine Thipthara is located in the Ao Nang backcountry, about a 10-minute drive north of Ao Nang Beach, an eight-minute drive east of Klong Muang, and a 20-minute drive west of Krabi Town. Many travelers see the rural location as a con, as it requires renting a car or motorbike, paying for taxis, or depending on the once-a-day hotel shuttle. Others find it a refreshing escape from the touristy hustle and bustle of Ao Nang Beach. The hotel is on a two-lane country road that cuts through palm tree plantations. The location is overwhelmingly rural, with little nearby besides a few pool villa properties, elephant trekking camps, and restaurants. The trip to and from Krabi Airport takes 27 minutes by car.

The Nine Thipthara's 17 rooms are all freestanding wood villas, split into three categories based on their views and location within the resort. The three 430-square-foot Superior Canal View Villas have access to the creek that runs alongside the rear of the resort. The eight Deluxe Garden View Villas and the six Deluxe Pool View Villas are identical in size (678 square feet) and set-up; the only differences are resort location and views. Rooms have far more similarities than differences. All have king beds (though two twin beds can be set up if needed), air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, free safes, and 42-inch flat-screen LED TVs that can sync to personal Netflix accounts. There are minibars and free glass bottles of spring water (replenished daily) in all 17 rooms, as well as coffeemakers with free coffee and tea. All have private front decks with Thai mats, where guests can meditate and listen to the sounds of the birds and insects.Both Superior- and Deluxe-level Villas have hand-carved, gold and silver mosaic-tiled double doors that lead to large, skylit bathrooms. Superior Villas have rainfall showers and large stone tubs, while Deluxe bathrooms have vanities, closets, separate jetted tubs, and indoor/outdoor waterfall showers surrounded by stone walls. Bathrobes, toiletries, flip-flops, and pool towels are provided. 

The Nine Thipthara has proportionate features to its small size. At the heart of the resort sits a petite garden pool. A wood-plank deck with loungers (there are also submerged loungers in the pool) and tables and chairs lines the pool on two sides, and Pool View Villas line its far side. Between the pool and the creek is an open-air pavilion for single or couple massages. Adjacent to the pool is Rakhang Thong Restaurant, where free breakfast is served in the morning. Breakfast includes made-to-order eggs, Thai dishes (pad Thai, chicken curry, fried rice), breads, cereals, fruit, and coffee. The restaurant stays open for the remainder of the day, serving Thai cuisine for a la carte lunch and dinner. Tables and chairs and a floating rough-hewn bar with barstools are set up by the creek for those who want to eat or sip a drink by the water.The hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the beach, but it doesn't depart the resort until late in the afternoon and the return is in the early evening. For Nine Thipthara guests who want to go to Ao Nang for dinner, it's convenient, but for those who want to have a beach day or get a taste of Ao Nang nightlife, it's limiting. More often, guests will have to pay out of pocket for a taxi or tuk-tuk to and from the resort.Wi-Fi is free throughout Nine Thipthara.