16 to 19 August 2022
In my previous trips to Krabi, I have stayed at beach resorts near Ao Nang Beach, Nopparat Tharat Beach and also Klong Muang Beach. On this third visit to Krabi, I decided that I must stay a few nights at the secluded and private Tubkaek Beach.
There are a few 4 and 5 stars luxury resorts located at the exclusive beach. So, there are much lesser people. Compare to Ao Nang beach or Nopparat Tharat Beach, Tubkaek Beach offers serenity everywhere. No crowds, calm sea, secluded beach allowing peaceful watching of spectacular sunset.
After staying a couple of nights at the Panan Krabi Resort in Ao Nang Beach, we transferred to the Amari Vogue Krabi Resort for the remaining of our stay in Krabi. The Amari Vogue Krabi resort is one the luxurious resorts located along the Tubkaek Beach.
Upon arrival, we were treated to views of the Andaman Sea from the lobby. The resort was located on sloping ground, with the road access and lobby located on highest level.
Our room was located at the uppermost floor of the resort. The bathroom came with a tub and an opening that allows users of the tub/bathroom to look into the room and vice versa. We kept this opening shut throughout the duration of our stay.
Getting to the pool area and beach from our room requires the use gentle sloping stairs. More guestrooms are located on both sides of this pathway and the hotel facilities like the Spa, Lotus restaurant and swimming pools are located in the middle. There are no lifts. Usage of the stairs is required each day to get to the swimming pools and beach.
Swimming Pools
There are three swimming pools in Amari Vogue Krabi, including a jet pool at the top level.
Water jet pool at the highest level.
Shallow pool at the middle level. No one was swimming here.
Main swimming pool next to the beach.
The Marco’s Restaurant and Bar is located next to the pool as well.
Infinity edged pool.
Beach
Tubkaek Beach is secluded and quiet, being a private beach. There is little boat traffic. The water is shallow during high tide with little waves. Perfect for kids or non swimmers to take a dip.
Beach area just outside Amari Vogue Krabi.
Lounge chairs at the beach.
Pak Bia and Hong Islands are just across the sea from the resort. In fact, it is nearer and hence faster and cheaper to get to these islands from Tubkaek Beach, than from Ao Nang Beach.
Views of the Hong Islands seen from the poolside at Amari Vogue Krabi Resort.
Long-tail boats to Pak Bia and Hong Islands could be chartered from the beach. Only a few long-tail boats are moored here, with fixed, published rates for a day trip to the offshore islands.
Enjoying the long swing outside the neighbouring Banyan Tree Resort.
What we did at Amari Vogue Krabi
Our typical day at the Amari starts with a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Lotus Restaurant. There are indoor as well as outdoor seats.
Interior of the Lotus Restaurant where buffet breakfast is served daily.
There are options for Thai breakfast that includes Dim Sum prawns, Boiled rice soup with chicken, pork or fish, Thai style omelet with rice, Pad Sie-Ew with chicken or pork and Pad Kapaow with chicken or pork.
My favourite is the noodle station serving up rice noodles, fish and meat balls in delicious broth.
There is also the standard Western Breakfast.
Staff at the egg station can cook up egg Benedict, omelette with fillings of our choice, plus hard and soft boiled eggs. There are pancakes or waffles served with maple syrup or chocolate sauce.
Interesting local egg dish from the egg station.
What we did on Day 1
On our first day after arrival, we went for a couple’s massage at the Chi Spa with the resort while my son chilled in the hotel room.
Lobby of the Chi Spa where we did the paperwork, including choosing the oil to be used for our massage.
A feet scrub and wash before lying down on the massage table.
The massage was okay in my opinion. Not the best we had in Thailand but generally meet my expectations.
In the evening, we took a walk along the 2 km stretch of beach during low tide. There are only a few other people on the beach. All are guests of one of the resorts.
We ate at the Di Mare Italian Trattoria restaurant, one the beachfront restaurants in the Tubkaek Boutique Resort.
I have a separate post on what we did in the evenings in Tubkaek Beach here.
What we did on Day Two
Besides the beach, one of the must do when staying at the Tubkaek Beach area is hiking. Dragon Crest Mountain has one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the south of Thailand.
After breakfast, my son and I to proceed with our plan to hike up Dragon Crest Mountain, while my wife enjoys the facilities at the resort.
Having a well earned rest at the summit of Dragon Crest Mountain.
I have a separate post on our hike up Dragon Crest here.
What we did on Day Three
My original plan was to do a boat trip to the Hongs Islands on this day. The weather was sunny and the sea was calm. However, Sam was feeling a little unwell and he wanted us to proceed without him. My wife and I had been to Hong Islands in our previous trip, so we decided to stay at the hotel and chill by the pool instead.
After my exertions hiking the grueling Dragon Crest Nature Trail the day before, the first thing I did at the swimming pool was to try out the jacuzzi.
After that, we chilled out with cold drinks at the main pool. We had the pool all to ourselves until late in the morning when some other guests arrived.
Drinks from Marco’s Restaurant and Bar
Lunch was at the Marco’s Restaurant and Bar. This restaurant serves both Thai and Western dishes.
Seafood Risotto
We cannot come to a seaside resort and not take a dip in the sea. Tubkaek Beach is perfect for a dip at high tide. With a very gradual slopping sandy beach, we could walk 100 m out to sea and it is only waist deep. There is no boat traffic and gentle waves. Perfect for non swimmers and young children.The weather could turn suddenly in the rainy season in Krabi. Just as we get getting comfortable on the lounger by the sea, rain clouds started approaching from the horizon.
It is fun watching the hotel staff scrambling to tie everything down and prepare for the storm. Similarly we had to abandon our time on the beach and head for our room.
Approaching storm clouds off Tubkaek Beach.
Rain came and went fast. By evening, we were back at the beach for a sundowner before dinner at the Arundina restaurant, located in the neighbouring resort.
Pre-dinner drinks at the Marco’s.
View of the sunset from the Arundina Restaurant located at the Tubkaek Boutique Resort.
I have a separate post on what we did in the evenings in Tubkaek Beach here.
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