Ao Nang attracts the two-week jet-set camp to its showy resorts, which outshine the beaches. Sadly, the beach is aught spectacular and the blanket ‘European’–style esplanade that tourism-boosters boast nearly is really only one big mall with souvenir shops, tailors and restaurants. Still, there are some spiffy midrange and top-end resorts with lovely garden pools, appealing adequate to build the emplacement irrelevant.
Ao Nang serves equally the chief jumping-off channelize for Railay, exclusively a 20-minute long-tail ride away. For your money, Railay is a heaps nicer place to stay. Ao Nang is appealing, however, if you desire to partake in popular island-hopping tours or sea-kayaking adventures, equally nearly companies are based here. Plus, if having booze with meals is paramount, Ao Nang will do a better line quenching your thirst: many of Railay’s resorts are Muslim owned and don’t serve alcohol in their restaurants (although you could buy beer at the local shop and convey it into restaurants that don’t serve).