During a period of beautiful memories...

December 2003, after the wedding ceremony, we chose "Krabi Province" as the destination for our honeymoon trip. This place is a good memory that we always want to go back to.

Every time we think about going back to Krabi... "Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi" is one of the places we want to try to experience. With the stories we have read through various media before, the privacy and beautiful scenery... and the opportunity has come. When Centara Club offered this great opportunity, it allowed us to return to a place full of good memories and reminisce about old stories together after 11 years.

The original name of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi was "Central Krabi Bay Hotel". It opened on November 12, 2006. (This is why we did not stay there during our honeymoon in Krabi 11 years ago, as it was not yet open.) The name was later changed to Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi.

Upon arrival at Krabi International Airport, we boarded a shuttle bus to **Nong Thale Beach** for 150 baht per person. Since our accommodation was only accessible by boat, with no road access, renting a car and leaving it parked seemed unnecessary. This mode of transportation was not particularly inconvenient. The bus dropped us off at a three-way intersection leading to Nong Thale Beach, requiring a short walk to the pier. The distance was not significant.

Prior to arrival, after receiving confirmation of your room reservation, we will check the ferry schedule and contact the accommodation directly to inform them of your flight and desired ferry time.

Boat Schedule between Hotel and Haad Nappharat Thara Pier

Free service for hotel guests.

Link to Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi Boat Schedule

A speedboat whisked us across the sea, amidst the iconic limestone mountains that are a hallmark of Krabi. The weather was perfect, with clear skies and calm waves. After a short 10-minute journey, we arrived at the pier of the "Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi" in Ao Pai Plong Bay.

The first image of another dream location that we captured with our mobile phone and immediately checked in on social media upon arrival. We typed a caption calling it "Beach Paradise!!" because that was our initial impression (hence the name of this review). It felt like we had escaped to another world, like we were on a secluded island vacation (even though it wasn't actually an island, just inaccessible by road).

"The floating pontoon used as a pier, while potentially difficult to navigate in rough waves, is reportedly environmentally friendly and does not harm the ecosystem. It's worth noting that the pontoon here is quite large and features a central pole and rope, making it easier to walk on and providing support in case of strong waves. (I must confess that I've had to crawl on a floating pontoon elsewhere due to strong waves.)"

Upon arrival at the pier, we were greeted by staff who escorted us to the lobby for check-in. Refreshing cold towels and roselle juice awaited us, adding a welcoming touch. However, our first impression had already been made at the pier. A gust of wind sent my hat tumbling towards the beach (thankfully, it didn't end up in the sea). To my surprise, a foreign staff member, who appeared to be a senior executive, ran to retrieve it for me.

As we walked to our room, we chatted with the staff, having heard beforehand that there were "a lot of monkeys" here. The staff pointed out the electric fence at the back of the property, bordering the mountain, as the monkeys had caused a lot of trouble, including raiding minibars, breaking things, and disturbing guests. As a result, a fence had to be built to keep them out. However, if you want to see the monkeys, there is a designated Monkey Trail for viewing them.

The Deluxe Garden View room was our accommodation for this trip. It was located on the ground floor of the building and did not have a sea view. However, it was conveniently located with a walkway next to the room, providing easy access to the pool and beach. While rooms on higher floors might offer beautiful views, they would also require more effort to walk up and down.

The living space is quite large, featuring a dedicated workspace with a welcome fruit basket thoughtfully arranged. The exterior boasts balconies on both the front and side, complete with a spacious daybed and sunshade curtains.

The bathroom features a sliding door that opens to the bedroom, complete with a rain shower. The toilet is separate. A frequently asked question when writing reviews is whether there is a bidet. The answer is yes, there is a bidet available.

The bathroom amenities here are exceptional, offering sunscreen, which is a rare find. However, the addition of mosquito repellent would be highly appreciated, as the insect population at night can be significant.

This accommodation does not offer a pillow menu, but it does provide an abundance of pillows. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

General information about the accommodation ...

• Behind the lobby, there is a "Food & Beverage Information Desk" where you can view the menus of all restaurants. You can also find information about daily promotions and make reservations at various restaurants.

• Nearby is the "Library Lounge," which offers books to borrow, information on tours and attractions, and a waiting area for guests arriving before check-in time.

++ Library ++

* Located next to the library is a Japanese restaurant called Hagi, which features a teppanyaki counter where skilled chefs meticulously prepare dishes right before your eyes.

Adjacent to the Japanese restaurant Hagi is a Thai restaurant named "Rim Saai", offering both a la carte and set menu options. It is open exclusively for dinner service due to its open-air design, as the daytime heat might be excessive.

++ Hello ++

• The library's basement houses a bar called "Deep Blu," which offers a variety of beverages and a buy-one-get-one-free happy hour.

Deep Blue

This is the translation of the phrase "++ Deep Blu ++" from Thai to English.

• On the opposite side of the lobby is the "Lotus Court" restaurant, which serves breakfast from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. After 11:00 AM, it offers a la carte international cuisine, accompanied by the soothing sounds of piano music during meals.

++ Lotus Court ++

• Located next to Lotus Court, this area provides access to The Club Lounge and Kid's Club (Camp Safari) for young children, which features a small ball pit and a selection of toys.

Note: The Club service can be purchased additionally (additional cost of 1,000 baht per person), which will grant you unlimited access to snacks and drinks in the club throughout the day, including beer and cocktails. However, guests staying in villas will receive this service immediately without any additional charges.

++ Camp Safari ++

* Located behind the lobby are a gift shop and an E-Zone for children aged 10 and above.

++ E-Zone ++

• Nearby, there is a Fitness and Spa Cenvaree.
• Let's head to the beachfront…

* The resort features an **On the Rocks restaurant** adjacent to the swimming pool and beachfront, offering fast food options such as burgers, pizzas, pastas, and various beverages. ... On select evenings (Sundays and Tuesdays), a BBQ buffet is available.

The swimming pool here has 2 pools.

1) Main Pool: A two-story swimming pool with a waterfall cascading from the upper level to the lower level.

2) The Relaxing Pool, adjacent to the Rim Saai Restaurant, has a maximum depth of 3 meters.

In addition to the above, there are numerous water activities to choose from, including kayaking, sailing, and paddle surfing. There is also a "Marine Center" near the pier that offers PADI diving services. Personally, I only tried paddle surfing, which is free for the first hour.

Our first meal here was lunch at the On the Rocks restaurant, where we enjoyed stunning views while indulging in an 8-slice Hawaiian Pizza.

The first night's dinner was at the Rim Saai restaurant, where we enjoyed pineapple fried rice and green curry with pork. A special treat was the live music played right at our table, which brought a smile to my face as it reminded me of our 6th wedding anniversary. Back then, a musician also played the guitar and sang a congratulatory song for our anniversary, just like this.

Walked back to the room while admiring the beautiful stars in the sky ... When I arrived at the room, the housekeeper had already done the turndown service. It was a day of relaxation where I felt like I had a full rest and gave myself plenty of time.

The next day, breakfast was served at Lotus Court, a restaurant with both air-conditioned and open-air seating. The open-air section is located next to the pool, where the sound of a waterfall creates a relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant also boasts a large population of friendly fish that frequently swim by, hoping for food. Near the breakfast area, there are bowls of fish food specifically for guests to feed the fish, making it a delightful experience for children.

The Culinary Delights of Egg Florentine: A Breakfast Buffet Revelation

The breakfast buffet offered a special dish of the day: Egg Florentine. This was a novel experience for me, as I had never encountered this dish before. Its appearance bore a striking resemblance to Egg Benedict, a personal favorite. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the key distinction between the two: Egg Benedict features ham, while Egg Florentine incorporates spinach. Both dishes share the common elements of poached eggs atop bread, generously drizzled with Hollandaise sauce. The difference lies solely in the choice of protein accompaniment.

The breakfast on the second day featured a special menu item: fried eggs with sweet and sour sauce. This was a welcome surprise, as I had never encountered this dish on a hotel breakfast menu before.

The second and final night at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi.

Indulge in the joy and deliciousness once more, as Ao Phai Plong's western location offers breathtaking sunset views.

We opted for a refreshing drink from On the Rocks, followed by a romantic "Surf and Turf" (Seafood BBQ Buffet) at the beachfront On the Rocks restaurant. The candlelit dinner was further enhanced by the sound of a guitar playing soft melodies.

A wide variety of seafood, including oysters, scallops, mussels, squid, blue crabs, rock lobsters, lamb, sea bass, etc. ... I was very satisfied and enjoyed this meal very much.

The tranquil ambiance of the beach at dusk, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, provided the perfect backdrop for our conversation. As we reminisced about the early days of our marriage, we savored the precious moments together. From our first trip as husband and wife to the present day, we have journeyed hand-in-hand for over eleven years.

This trip may not be a honeymoon or a wedding anniversary, but it is another journey where we share happiness together again… at Krabi Sea, a place where we have shared good memories together.

Thank you Centara Club for providing this opportunity and wonderful experience.

Thank you for making our special day of relaxation so complete.
Thank you for the wonderful time with the same old person.

Who knows... for our 12th wedding anniversary,
we might just find an excuse to honeymoon in Krabi again. :)

Because this place fills our day with nothing but memorable moments.