J Mansion

Forty-eight metres from the Ao Nang beachfront, J Mansion is a no-frills inn on Moo 2 that puts guests within walking distance of the long-tail boat piers serving Railay Beach and the four islands tour departures.

Airport transfers run both ways, and the tour desk handles island-hopping packages directly from the property. Upper floors are stairs-only, worth noting for heavy luggage. Car rental and a shuttle service cover the 45-minute drive to Krabi Town.

Ao Nang sits at the western gateway to Phang Nga Bay's limestone karst coast — closer to Railay's cliffs than most of Krabi's resort strip. Check-in opens at 14:00.