Where To Stay In Krabi: Ao Luek Nature Lodge

My partner and I are complete opposites. I grew up surrounded by nature and worked full time as an outdoor camp instructor before we met. Fazwan on the other hand, is not a fan of rural areas and will always choose sleeping in an air-conditioned hotel over sleeping in the mountains.

They say your true colours will show when you’re out of your comfort zone so seeing that this was our first trip as a couple, I booked this accommodation to see how he would behave when brought out of his comfort zone. I ended up marrying him so he definitely passed with flying colours! 🤣

If you are looking for something more luxurious, check out this Panoramic Villa in Ao Luek instead!

Where is it located?

Situated within the subdistrict of Ao Luek, this Nature Lodge is the perfect spot for those who are thinking of disconnecting from the outside world. Ao Luek is 40 minutes away from Krabi Town / Ao Nang, so you’ll be far from the touristy areas for sure. We booked via Airbnb and requested for the host to pick us up from the airport for an additional 800baht (SGD33) per car. It took about an hour to get there, so it's definitely cheaper, faster and safer than hiring private taxis from the airport itself. 

 

Ao Luek Paradise
99 / 22 Moo 2 Ao Luek Tai, Ao Luek, Krabi, 81110, Thailand
Period of stay: 2 Days 1 Night
Room booked: Private Bamboo Cottage
Room Price: ฿539 (SGD22) per night

Although this accommodation is located in a more rural area, there are buses available at the main junction of Ao Luek. There is a nearby village called Bor Tor (which we visited for our kayak expedition) as well as a North Market which sells daily necessities and local food for super cheap prices. Unfortunately, Fazwan and I only stayed for one day and one night, so we didn't get the chance to check that many things out.

Are the rooms big and clean?

Each private bamboo cottage has two floors with a mini bamboo bridge over a small drain right at your doorstep. The first level consists of a small seating area on the outside and an enclosed changing room. The top floor has a balcony / empty landing area and of course, the sleeping area itself that is equipped with two single mattresses, a fan, mosquito netting and one power point.

This may be a concern if you are travelling with someone who is not able to climb the high ladder, up to the second floor. Fazwan and I had tough time climbing up and down whenever we needed to go to the toilet in the middle of the night, but other than that it was pretty cool living in your own cabin. It kind felt like we were staying in a tree house.

What other facilities were there? 

There were only about five to six bamboo cottages within the vicinity, together with the bar area, the kitchen, a playing area / volleyball court, four communal toilets, six communal showers and what I assume to be the main building because the hosts and staff went there a lot. That's about it. It's a plot of land that is self-contained, with everything you may need within reach. There are also quite a number of cats within the vicinity!

What can you do there?

When Fazwan and I first arrived, we didn't really have anything planned out. Yoke (the co-host) saw us loitering around at our balcony and he suggested that we went on to explore Ao Luek with him instead. There were many activities for us to choose from so we decided to go on the kayaking + caving expedition, which lasted for almost five hours and gave our arms a really good workout. 

This is Yoke, one of the co-hosts of this accommodation who also doubles up as our driver, cook, bartender, kayaking instructor and tour guide. He was so chilled and accommodating, which definitely made our stay memorable right from the moment we landed at the airport until we reached our next destination. Genuine hosts are my favourite.  

Are there meals provided?

Seeing that it is a self-contained accommodation, all of your meals are available on site, upon request. The owner checked our dietary preferences when we arrived, then you simply let the owner know that which meals you require and he will prepare it for you, then add the total amount to your bill, which you will only settle when you check out. 

Surprisingly, we only ate one meal throughout the entire day, which was dinner. The meals here are served based on a fixed price, with an all you can eat "communal buffet" style. There will be rice served with 3 - 4 trays of different dishes at their main counter where you just grab a plate and scoop whatever you feel like having. 

What did we like about the stay?

We really enjoyed how disconnected we were from the outside world and how close you can be to nature. The hosts were super friendly and accommodating too. The vibe of the whole place was so laid back and quiet, it felt quite surreal having the whole world just slow down its pace. There were many activities available on site too, you just need to consider the costs when planning your budget.

What did we dislike about the stay?

You definitely need to come prepared and learn from our mistake. We were totally unprepared so we forgot our power adaptor, toiletries and snacks. There were no convenient stores nearby so you really need to come equipped. Another thing to take note is that the bar serves alcohol.

Would We Stay Here Again?

Probably, yes. However, we would stay for a minimum of two nights and come prepared with necessities, try out more of the activities offered and visit the village's night market too. It may seem like there isn't anything much to do but there is actually quite a number of interesting places to explore if you have your own vehicle or come prepared to spend some money on the activities. It was definitely a good experience for the both of us!