Ao Nang attracts the two-week jet-set pack to its showy resorts, which outshine the beaches. Sadly, the beach is nil spectacular and the extensive ‘European’–style esplanade that tourism-boosters boast nigh is really but one large 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 positioning irrelevant.
Ao Nang serves as the main jumping-off maneuver for Railay, entirely a 20-minute long-tail ride away. For your money, Railay is a heaps nicer situation to stay. Ao Nang is appealing, however, if you desire to partake in popular island-hopping tours or sea-kayaking adventures, as nigh companies are based here. Plus, if having booze with meals is paramount, Ao Nang will do a better job quenching your thirst: many of Railay’s resorts are Muslim owned and don’t dish alcohol in their restaurants (although you may buy beer at the local store and bring it into restaurants that don’t serve).