A central hotel in Ao Nang with spacious rooms, a main pool and a rooftop pool facing the cliffs - and for families, Deluxe Family Pool Access rooms with a balcony right next to the pool.
Panan Krabi Resort is a four-star hotel in the centre of Ao Nang, Krabi, with spacious rooms, a large main pool, a rooftop pool overlooking the limestone cliffs and a great location within walking distance of the beach, restaurants and shops. One of its best options for families is a room with two double beds and direct access to the main pool, which lets you enjoy a resort holiday without giving up the convenience of staying in the middle of town.
Ao Nang is one of the most central and convenient places to stay in Krabi. The town is the starting point for trips to Railay Beach, the Hong Islands and other beaches and islands in the area.
Panan Krabi Resort is right in the centre of town, on the main street leading down to the beach. It is a fairly modern hotel with 199 rooms and suites in a range of categories, from double rooms with cliff views to large family rooms and suites with a jacuzzi.
The hotel is built around a large swimming pool, surrounded by the room wings and tropical planting. On the top floor there is a second, rooftop pool with views of Krabi's striking limestone cliffs.
This hotel combines two significant advantages: on the one hand, resort facilities that let you enjoy a pool holiday, and on the other, a central location that means you do not have to drive every time you go out to a restaurant, the beach or on a trip.
Panan Krabi Resort is at 945 Moo 2, in the centre of Ao Nang, a short walk from Ao Nang Beach.
The streets around the hotel are full of Thai and international restaurants, cafes, shops, massage places, pharmacies and agencies selling day trips.
You can walk out of the hotel and reach a wide range of places within minutes, without needing a scooter or a taxi.
Being close to the beach is also handy if you plan to take a boat to Railay. The longtail boats leave from Ao Nang Beach, and you can walk to the departure point.
For families with children, the central location is a big advantage. You do not have to plan every meal or outing around a drive, and it is easy to pop back to the room during the day.
In the evening, too, the area is pleasant for a stroll, with restaurants, stalls and shops open until late.
One of Panan's standout strengths is the size of the rooms. Even the double room categories are fairly generous, starting at about 40 sq m, while the family rooms are larger.
The rooms are decorated in a pleasant modern style, with light tones, wooden furniture, large beds and private balconies facing the pool, the greenery or the limestone cliffs.
The family rooms are spacious and comfortable, with the option of two double beds and a cot.
Even with that set-up there is still room for suitcases and gear, without feeling cramped. This is one of the hotel's strong points for families with young children, especially when you are staying several nights.
The advantage is not just the size of the beds. A spacious family room lets you get organised comfortably, rest during the day and spend time together in the room when the children need a break from the pool and the trips.
One of the best room categories at Panan is the Deluxe Family Pool Access.
These rooms are about 49 sq m, on the ground floor, with two large beds, a private bathroom and a balcony with direct access to the main pool.
Instead of leaving the room and going through the corridors and lobby, you can step from the balcony straight into the pool area.
Being this close to the water is especially convenient for families. You can go for a swim, come back to the room to rest or get ready, and carry on with the day without going far.
This is also one of the ways Panan compares well with larger hotels: in these rooms the pool is right next to the balcony.
Families with babies and toddlers should confirm the availability of a cot in advance and keep a close eye on little ones, because the balcony leads straight into the water.
Another category is the Deluxe Family Pool View, at about 48 sq m, with two large beds and a balcony overlooking the pool and the tropical garden.
It is a good option for families who want a large room but do not need to step straight into the water.
The difference between the two categories matters: Pool View means a view of the pool, while Pool Access means direct access to it.
Before booking, check the exact name of the category.
Panan also offers double rooms and suites that suit different kinds of holiday.
The Deluxe Cliff View rooms, at about 40 sq m, face Ao Nang's limestone cliffs. They are an especially interesting choice if you love Krabi's dramatic scenery.
The Deluxe Pool View rooms face the pool and the garden, while the Deluxe Sea View rooms look towards the sea.
Alongside these there are upgraded rooms with an outdoor jacuzzi, rooms with an outdoor bath and a sea view, and particularly large family suites.
Among the top categories is the Family Rooftop Jacuzzi, a suite of about 119 sq m with outdoor space and a sea view.
For larger families there is also a two-bedroom suite.
This range lets you choose between a family holiday by the pool and a couple's holiday with an open view and private facilities.
The main pool is one of the most beautiful and lively areas of the hotel.
It is a large pool surrounded by palms, greenery and the room wings. Sun loungers are spread around the water, and nearby there is a bar serving drinks and light snacks.
Some of the ground-floor rooms open directly onto the pool, which makes this area especially convenient if you plan to spend long hours in the water.
The pool suits both families and couples, but it can get fairly crowded when the hotel is busy.
During the day the atmosphere is lively, with families and children, while in the late afternoon it is calmer.
One of the most beautiful features of Panan Krabi Resort is the rooftop pool.
Unlike the main pool, which is surrounded by the hotel buildings, the rooftop pool has an open view of Ao Nang's limestone cliffs and the surrounding landscape.
The tall cliffs, covered in tropical vegetation, are one of the sights most associated with Krabi, and the pool lets you enjoy them while you swim.
Next to the pool is the Catch Up Rooftop Pool Bar, where you can order cocktails, drinks and light snacks.
In the late afternoon, when the light changes over the cliffs, it is one of the loveliest spots in the hotel.
The pool particularly suits couples and anyone looking for a slightly different atmosphere from the main family pool.
Panan is particularly well suited to families thanks to its range of facilities for children.
In addition to the main pools there is a dedicated water area for children, with play features and shallow water.
There is also a kids' club with games, crafts and changing activities.
Being able to combine the pool, play and a rest in the room makes a holiday with young children easier, especially on days when you do not want to go on a long trip.
That said, check the kids' club opening hours and the terms for joining activities in advance.
Panan Krabi Resort serves a buffet breakfast with a mix of Western and Asian dishes.
The choice includes hot dishes, eggs, fruit, breads and pastries, alongside local food.
Breakfast is considered one of the hotel's strengths, but at busy times the area can be full of guests, especially during family holiday periods.
The hotel also has the D-Plee restaurant, serving Thai and international food, and MY-PHO, which focuses on Vietnamese cuisine.
There is also a bar by the main pool and a bar on the roof.
That said, one of the advantages of the location is the huge choice of restaurants outside the hotel. A short walk away there are cafes, Thai restaurants, Indian restaurants, pizzerias and places for light meals.
If you like variety, there is no need to rely only on the hotel restaurants.
Panan is not right on the beach, but Ao Nang Beach is a short walk away.
The beach itself is one of the busiest hubs in the area. Along it there are restaurants, longtail boats and departure points for boat trips.
It is good for a walk and for watching the sunset, but it is not necessarily the most beautiful beach for swimming in Krabi.
If you want impressive beaches with limestone cliffs and clearer water, you can head to Railay Beach, Phra Nang Beach or the nearby islands.
Panan's advantage is that you can walk to the boat departure point.
If you plan to fit day trips into your holiday, Panan's location is especially convenient.
Longtail boats leave Ao Nang Beach for Railay and Phra Nang Beach. There are also agencies in the area offering trips to the Hong Islands, the Four Islands and the Phi Phi Islands.
You can book a tour through one of the agencies on the street or through the hotel.
Before booking, check what is included in the price: transfers, a meal, snorkelling gear and national park entrance fees.
Families with children should also check the length of the boat trip, the type of boat and the expected sea conditions.
Service at Panan gets a lot of positive reviews.
The staff are courteous and help with requests and with arranging activities, and reception is open around the clock.
The hotel can help arrange airport transfers, book activities and handle room requests.
There is also a gym and a spa, so you can fit in a workout or a treatment during your holiday without leaving the hotel.
Despite its size, Panan keeps a fairly pleasant feel, with well-kept public areas and easily accessible facilities.
Panan is a fairly modern hotel, and its rooms and public areas are well maintained.
The pools, gardens and public areas are among its strengths.
That said, there are some differences between rooms, and some units may show signs of damp or one-off maintenance issues.
This is especially relevant for ground-floor rooms and rooms right next to the pool, where the environment is more humid.
If you are sensitive to damp smells, check the condition of the room when you arrive.
It is also worth looking at recent photos of the exact room category, rather than relying only on photos of the expensive suites.
Despite the central location, many of Panan's rooms face inwards towards the grounds rather than the main street.
So you can enjoy being close to restaurants and shops without being directly exposed to all the street activity.
That said, rooms facing the main pool can be noisier during the day, especially when there are children in the water.
Rooms facing the street or service areas may get noise from the surroundings.
If you want a particularly quiet room, check its position before booking.
Absolutely.
Although it suits families very well, Panan Krabi Resort also has great options for couples.
Rooms with views of the limestone cliffs, rooms with an outdoor jacuzzi and the rooftop pool make for a pleasant, romantic holiday.
The central location lets you go out in the evening to a restaurant or bar and walk back to the hotel.
That said, this is a busy family hotel, not a secluded boutique resort. If you want total quiet and very few guests, you may prefer a smaller hotel.
Families with children: large family rooms, two double beds, a children's pool and a kids' club.
Families with babies: cots available, spacious rooms and a family category with direct pool access.
Anyone who would rather not hire a car: the restaurants, shops and the beach are within walking distance.
Couples who love a pool with a view: the rooftop pool overlooks Ao Nang's limestone cliffs.
Anyone planning day trips: the central location makes it easy to head out on boat trips and tours around Krabi.
Panan is less suitable if you are looking for a secluded resort with a private beach.
If you prefer a small boutique hotel with very few guests, you may also prefer another option.
Travellers who are sensitive to noise should choose a room that does not face the main pool directly.
And if you mainly want a beach holiday where you step out of your room straight onto the sand, remember that the hotel is in town, not on the seafront.
Value for money is one of the hotel's strengths, especially for families.
A large family room with two double beds lets you stay together comfortably without necessarily booking two separate rooms.
The pools, the kids' club and the central location also add to the value of the stay.
That said, prices vary with the season and the room category.
If you plan to spend long hours at the hotel, a room with direct pool access can justify the extra cost.
On the other hand, if you plan to go out on trips every day and only come back in the evening, a standard room with a pool or cliff view may be enough.
Panan Krabi Resort is an especially good choice if you are looking for a central hotel in Ao Nang, with spacious rooms, pools and a convenient location.
The main pool suits a family holiday, the rooftop pool offers a beautiful view of the limestone cliffs, and being close to the beach, restaurants and trip departure points makes getting around very easy.
The Deluxe Family Pool Access rooms are one of the most interesting options for families, thanks to the combination of two large beds, comfortable space and a balcony right next to the main pool.
The main drawback is that the hotel is not right on the beach, and some rooms facing the pool can be busy and noisy during the day.
For families looking for a large room with pool access, and for travellers who want to enjoy central Ao Nang without depending on transport, Panan offers a very good combination of comfort, facilities and location.
Thank you to Hodaya Maatuk for the original photos and for sharing her family's stay, which helped us prepare this review and show the rooms and the pool access.
The hotel is at 945 Moo 2, in the centre of Ao Nang, a short walk from the beach.
No. It is in town, a few minutes' walk from Ao Nang Beach.
Yes. The Deluxe Family Pool View and Deluxe Family Pool Access categories have two large beds and suit families.
Yes. The Deluxe Family Pool Access category is a room of about 49 sq m, with two large beds and a balcony with direct access to the main pool.
You can request a cot, subject to availability and the hotel's approval. Arrange it in advance.
The hotel has a main pool, a rooftop pool and a dedicated water area for children.
Yes. The hotel has a kids' club with games and activities.
Yes. The rooftop pool, the rooms with cliff views and the categories with a jacuzzi make it a good fit for a couple's holiday too.
Yes. The beach, restaurants, shops and boat departure points are within walking distance.
Yes. The hotel has a spa and a gym.
The room category, the bed configuration, cot availability, the type of pool access, the room's position and the cancellation terms.
Same level of comfort and price - hotels we stayed at
Another family hotel with large family rooms, pools and a central location, in Patong
