*This is not sponsored content and all views are my own.

As far as Krabi goes, Aonang Fiore is definitely the pinnacle of an unchartered eco hideaway. I use the term ‘eco’ only in the most abstract sense- the hotel does not have official green credentials nor do I think it intends itself to be that way; but something about its unique 70-acre terrain situated right in the middle of the jungle can really make you feel like you’ve blended into your surroundings and are at one with nature. This is essentially a rainforest retreat, cocooned by a chorus of trees, hilly walks, scenic views, exotic flora and fauna; and your stay here will be bathed in the hues of a slower and more immersive travel experience that will bring self-care and mindfulness back to the fore.

There are 79 treetop bungalows and villas dotted around the grounds at Aonang Fiore, all hidden between meandering palm trees and perfectly manicured paths that will take you around the hotel’s vast landscape if you’re game for a walk.

While here, we stayed at the Jacuzzi Villa, which comes with an outdoor jacuzzi and a balcony offering a lush, panoramic view of Krabi’s iconic limestone cliffs and beyond. Its spacious layout of 55m² also means plenty of room to go around, and I couldn’t have been better served.

Don’t forget to look up when you’re lying on the bed; a skylight allows for some pretty breathtaking stargazing at night. But don’t underestimate the amount of time you can while away during the day either, just looking out this window and watching the clouds float by.

HOW DO YOU GET HERE?

Krabi does not have a train network and I don’t think the city buses run here; so if you’re looking for public transportation, you best bet is a shuttle bus or a minivan that will take you to Aonang.

If you can spare USD30, just hire a private car – it’ll drive you straight to your hotel (ours even gave us a complimentary tour around Aonang before dropping us off!).

WHAT’S THE AMENITIES?

The infinity pool is decidedly the trump card of Aonang Fiore. Situated in the middle of the property, this prime perch is the perfect spot from which to take in a sweeping view of Krabi’s craggy cliffs, accompanied by the sights and sounds of nature’s lush foliage.

One of the key perks of travelling immediately after a country reopens, is that you pretty much get entire pockets of places to yourself as the place slowly starts to rouse back to life. Here, it means that we had the luxury of having the full pool to ourselves every day that we were there, and being able to really slip away into seclusion as if we were truly cut off from the rest of the world.

What an experience it was.

Because we were there barely a month into its reopening, many of its amenities like the pool bar and the massage were closed. The main restaurant only serves lunch and closes at 4pm – so if you want room service, that’s also the latest you can stretch your requests to.

A well-manicured garden-ish area scores points for landscaping and thoughtful kitsch (it’s decorated with miniature versions of iconic Asian landmarks), and proves interesting to idyll by perhaps once during your stay.

(P.S.: Muslims, there is a dedicated indoor prayer room nestled amidst this garden too – just follow the sign!)

WHERE’S THE CROWD?

At Krabi, the crowd is, naturally, almost always at Aonang. It’s a hotspot for food, shopping, and the general beachside nightlife scene; but more importantly, it is a gateway to nearby islands, with longtail boats peppering the shores, ever ready to scoot you off at sun-drowsed speed for another chapter of adventure at an offshore tropical isle.

Personally speaking, Krabi is not the kind of place you spend full days on end at. You can bookmark a couple of days to lounge by the pool and bask in the luxury of needing to do nothing; but other than that, your itinerary will more likely consist of day trips out to nearby islands. For inland exploration, head towards Krabi town, where you will be greeted by superbly monumental dusty, offbeat vibes. Along the way, you’ll have the option for a trip to the Tiger Cave Temple, the Emerald Pool, and a smattering of weekend night markets to fill your belly.

WITHIN A SHORT WALK, I CAN FIND….

A compact but well-stocked 7-11 just opposite the road, and a Tesco-like supermarket on the side.

It’s also about a 20-30 minute walk to Aonang from here, and the journey will take you past plenty of authentic, credible – and most importantly- unpretentious digs. One of the most luxurious things we had the privilege of discovering in Krabi is that you can walk in to just about any restaurant on the street and the chances are you’ll find good food in one form of another. We discovered an eating house on our first day that was so brilliant and so modestly unassuming that its name escapes me today. The feelings I had eating there, however, do not; and till this day, my tastebuds continue to sing just at the mere recollection of the food I had when I was there.

(P.S. If you’re looking for Krabi Shooting Range, it’s literally right across the hotel, around where 7-11 is. It’s in the shabby looking farmhouse toward the back – you won’t miss it.)

I SHOULD PROBABLY MENTION THIS…

There is no way I can put this across without sounding like an overindulged spoilt brat – and yet, if you ever find yourself here one day, you will understand exactly what I mean when I say that the compounds at Fiore can prove to be tiringly hilly. We were a little shocked on the first day when we found out the walk that we had to scale to make it back to the lobby by foot. The trip to the pool is slightly better, but I would not call it a walk in the park either. Buggy service is available of course, but not all accommodation clusters are equally accessible, and some might require a bit of a walk after being dropped off.

I will stop rattling on before I get labelled as a tourist karen that cannot even climb a bit of a hill on a holiday without whining left right centre about it; but all things considered, it is a relatively minor shortcoming; and unless there are serious mobility issues you need to consider, it can be overlooked with goodwill – especially if you’re all about seeking a slice of serenity while nestled high admist the jungletop.

Also, one other super plus point that I have to mention: NO MOZZIES HERE. I know, right. I don’t know how the property manages this considering it’s literally in a jungle, but nary a mosquito was found and it was a pretty darn delight.

SHOULD YOU STAY AT FIORE AONANG?

Personally, it’s a hard yes from me. Aonang Fiore is the place to kickstart your journey into slow living if you’ve been pining for a taste of a more immersive travel experience. Situated at the tail end of the main Aonang drag, you will find yourself in the unique position of being close enough to the beating heart of the town; and yet, somehow, distant enough and so remarkably absent from distractions that it feeds a primordial feeling of being an active participant in the natural world.

Connect to Mother Nature’s rhythms while you are here, and flow to the beat of your own heart. I guarantee you will not leave disappointed.

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