I spent hours researching hotels in the Krabi/Ao Nang area before finally settling on the Tipa. The children loved the look of the Teak Bungalow in the jungle setting and we weren't disappionted.
On our arrival at Phuket, we had booked a transfer by car to Ao Nang. It took about two and half hours through some quite stunning mountain scenery. On arrival at the resort, I began to wonder if we would be disappionted - the main street looked very ordinary, full of tourist shops and travel agencies. The Tipa was tucked just behind this,and looks rather like an oriental palace from the outside! We were greeted in reception with welcome tea, amd invited to take a seat as we were early and our Bungalow not quite ready. All this was very cordial, but I did find it a little disconcerting that, despite our having a paid voucher print-out, they insisted on a deposit less the payment had not gone through.
A golf buggy took us to our bungalow, set up a steep incline, but on one of the lower slopes. It was truely a tropical setting, the bungalow having a wooden terrace which overlooked lush vegetation beyond which was even a swamp! The Bungalow itself was slightly tired looking, but certainly nothing to moan about. The aircon was fine, the bathroom very smart, the fridge funtional and the bed comfortable. One of the children also had a fairly comfortable additional bed.
We ordered room service on our first evening as we were too tired to venture out. The prices were amazing for a hotel - around £3 for a very nice Thai Green Curry, and no service charge or tax added!
Breakfast, well yes, that was disappionting, but we were prepared for that after reading all the other reviews. It isn't really an American breakfast as described, more an Asian one. Many of the guests there were Asian so perhaps they were pleasing the majority? At any rate, we didn't allow it to ruin our stay, there were plenty of other reasonably priced restaurants to eat in, even Macdonalds if you were so inclined.
We spent a week at the Tipa, visiting many of the beautiful islands and beaches by Long boat from Ao Nang, and going on a few day trips. Phra Nang cave is definitely worth a visit as is Bamboo island with it's simply stunning beach. I'd forget Maya Bay though - mass tourism has ruined this once beautiful bay. Try to visit the islands late afternoon when the hoardes of tourists are leaving.
In between the island visits and trips, we often lazed by the pool at the Tipa. It was a very pleasant pool, nice views, not many people around it. No one hassled you to buy drinks constantly, but they were reasonably priced anyway as was the delicious Pad Tai noodles we often ordered at the pool!
If you are looking for something different to your average looking hotel, the jungle setting of the bungalows is a great appeal here. As an adult, however, I would have perhaps have chosen a room facing the swimming pool - not so far to walk for a cool dip! The Tipa also has a great location - right in by the main street with it's many good reasonably priced restaurants, and only a five minute walk to the beach and the Long Tail boats which visit the other islands and beaches.
The only slight negative I think was the lack of English spoken by some of the staff. Don't rely on them to remember wake up calls either!
Food - can't remember the name of it, but there was a great restaurant on the opposite side of the road to the Tipa, (it had a pink "Hello Kitty" tuk tuk permanently parked outside). Lovely Thai food as well as great pizzas.
Room Tip: Teak Bungalow - request one that isn't to high up as the walk an absolute killer in the heat!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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