Ao Nang: Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra – Hello Paradise!

Back again from my Patpong detour I had enough of Bangkok, so I started browsing Hotels.com to see what Krabi had to offer hotel wise. I settled for a posh looking Sofitel resort for 2500THB/night.

The price was less than half of the price to stay there during peak season, so even though I am not usually a resort person (too expensive and too predictable), I decided to go for the resort.

I got up early this morning and went to the airport for my Krabi flight with Air Asia. Air Asia is a Malaysian based low cost carrier and the flight was conducted in an old B737-300. I did not really notice the service standard on board, as I was sleeping tight just after the wheels left the ground.

I was a bit concerned about what the weather would be like down there, because September is in the middle of the rainy season. It turned out, I had absolutely no reason to worry: The sun was shining from a clear blue sky, as I walked out from the airport terminal building around noon. I took a taxi to Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra and after a 45 minutes ride, I stepped into the lobby of one of the most beautiful resorts, I have ever seen.

Since my suitcase was a bit too heavy for the 16kg Air Asia baggage allowance, I decided to leave it at the baggage storage at Subvarnabhumi (Bangkok Airport). I only brought my backpack with the most necessary stuff with me to Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra, so Standing in the lobby of this gorgeous hotel, I felt slightly under-dressed in my flip flops and the dress I had bought at Chatuchak Market.

While I was waiting for the staff to find my reservation, I was served a cup of tea in the lobby, which had a gorgeous view over the lush pool area and a glimpse of the sea. I was then escorted to my room, which was absolutely stunning with a balcony and sea view.

A fruit platter was waiting for me in the room, and it had this very strange fruit, which I have never seen before. The skin was hard and rough, but after peeling it, the inner part of the fruit was very tasty. But enough about the fruit, -I was there for the sun! I changed to bikini and went to the giant pool area.

I was only sharing the pool with a couple from India, so I could really splash around. Feeling a bit hungry, I ordered one of my favorite Thai dishes, spicy glass noodle salad, from the pool bar. “You want it spicy?” the chef asked, and I nodded. Of course I want it spicy. I’m a seasoned traveler, used to Thai spicy food.

After the first mouthful, my tongue was burning, and I felt the heat running to my face.

“Are you okay?” the chef asked and I nodded. I am a seasoned traveler used to Thai spicy food…..or not!

“Your face is all red” the chef noticed in a concerned voice, and the waitress hastened to serve me a glass of ice water.

Ok, next time, I’ll have that non-spicy…

Though non-spicy is not good either. Read about my lunch at Som Tum Der i Bangkok when I had a papaya salad without any chili at all

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf and Spa resort, 200 Moo 3 T. Nongtalay, A. Muang Krabi