Krabi with Kids: Our Honest Sofitel Krabi Review + Why We'd Skip Phi Phi Next Time
If you are planning a family trip to Thailand, there is a good chance Krabi is already on your list. It should be.
Visiting an Asian elephant that was rescued after being orphaned due to poachers
While also going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khao Sok, and Koh Lanta, we wove in another beach laid back aspect of our trip after leaving the jungle with three nights in Krabi. And honestly, three nights was not enough.
Krabi gave us some of the easiest, happiest family moments of the whole trip. The kids still talk about the pool at the Sofitel Krabi. Benton still talks about the sauna. I still think about the fresh passionfruit at breakfast, the local beach dinners across the street, and the way Hong Island looked like someone turned the water color up too high.
This was not one of those places where everything was perfect. The beach directly in front of the hotel was rocky. The room was fine, but not our favorite of the trip. Phi Phi was beautiful, but farther and busier than we expected.
But when I think about Krabi with kids, I think about our family crossing the road in flip flops for dinner, our kids running through the green spaces at the resort, fries by the pool, and all of us wishing we had just one more day there.
So here is our honest guide to visiting Krabi with kids, including our Sofitel Krabi family review, what we loved, what we would change, and why Hong Island would get a full day if we did it again.
Is Krabi Good for Kids?
Yes. Krabi is a wonderful Thailand destination for families, especially if your kids like a mix of pool time, beach dinners, boat days, animals, and a little adventure.
It felt easy in a way that some destinations do not. We were not constantly loading into cars or trying to force big sightseeing days. We had a resort the kids loved, restaurants within walking distance, private boat tour options, laundry nearby, massages nearby, and 7-Eleven stops that somehow became a highlight.
Krabi also works well at the end of a bigger Thailand itinerary because it gives everyone space to slow down. After jungle cabins, long travel days, temples, elephants, and boats, our kids needed somewhere that felt fun without requiring a lot of effort from us. Sofitel Krabi gave us exactly that.
Where We Stayed: Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
We stayed at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, and for our family of five, it ended up being a great choice.
Before booking, we had seriously considered staying at Railay Beach. We still want to go back and experience Railay one day because it looks beautiful and has such a different feel. But for this trip, with three kids and only three nights in Krabi, the Sofitel made sense.
From the moment we arrived, it felt thoughtful. We were greeted with cold towels and welcome drinks, which felt heavenly after being out in the heat. The lobby area was open air and beautiful, and the whole experience felt calm instead of chaotic.
Lobby looking towards the entry side
It gave us space, an enormous pool, easy boat access, a great breakfast, and local restaurants right across the road. It also gave the kids enough freedom to feel like they could run around and be kids, which matters more than people realize when you are traveling for several weeks.
The gift shop here is exceptional… it had everything you could ever think of needing: thoughtful souvenirs, local products, things you actually want to bring home rather than the usual tourist fare. We spent a decent amount of time in there.
This resort was one of our kids' absolute highlights of Thailand. Not because it was the fanciest hotel room. It was not. Not because the beach was the prettiest. It was not that either. They loved it because it was so kid friendly from start to finish.
Our Room at Sofitel Krabi
Let's talk about the room first, because I want to be honest.
The room itself was probably one of our least favorite hotel rooms of the trip. That sounds worse than I mean it, because it was not bad. It was clean, comfortable, and had what we needed. It just felt a little average compared to some of the other places we stayed in Thailand.
Family Room, 1 King bed, triple bunk beds with private balcony.
The best part was the layout. We had a king bed plus bunk beds with a trundle, which is a huge win when you are traveling as a family of five. Everyone had a real bed, and no one had to sleep on a couch or a random rollaway shoved in a corner.
So while I would not say the room itself is the reason to book this resort, the room setup worked really well for our family. And honestly, once the kids saw the pool, they were not thinking about the room anyway.
The Pool Was the Kids' Favorite Part
The pool is the reason our kids would happily go back to Sofitel Krabi tomorrow.
It is massive. Not just a nice hotel pool. A truly huge pool with plenty of space, lots of pool chairs, and room for families to spread out without feeling crowded.
One small part of the LONG pool
Floating in the middle was a giant inflatable obstacle course, which immediately became the main event. Every afternoon, the kids wanted to go straight back to the resort, change into swimsuits, and climb all over it until they were worn out.
The kids favorite activity!
There were also activities happening around the resort, plus lots of green areas where kids could run and move instead of feeling stuck on a pool deck. That made a big difference for us. It felt like the Sofitel did not just tolerate families. It was actually set up for them.
One afternoon we ordered pool service through the QR code and got fries and butter noodles for the kids. Nothing fancy. Just hot fries and simple noodles by the pool to eat and then they jumped back into the water ten minutes later. But those are the kinds of little travel moments that kids remember forever.
Easy meals = relaxing vacation!
If you are choosing a Krabi family resort based on where your kids will be happiest, the pool at Sofitel Krabi is a very strong reason to book it.
Activities & Programming
Beyond the pool, the resort had a genuinely impressive lineup of things to do on-property including a kids club, a separate teen club (huge win for families with older kids who want their own space), ping pong tables, inflatable bullseye soccer goals, and a playground splash pad area. We loved that there were options for every age. Nobody was ever bored waiting for someone else to be ready.
The activities team kept everyone busy!
Breakfast at Sofitel Krabi
Breakfast was included during our stay, and it was one of the best parts of each morning.
Jed loves baguettes!
There were so many choices for kids and adults. Pastries, eggs, Thai dishes, fresh fruit, juices, and plenty of easy options for picky mornings. Nobody complained about breakfast, which is saying something when you are traveling with kids for three weeks.
My personal favorite was the fresh passionfruit. I had it every single morning and still think about it.
My favorite fruit!
We did not eat at the hotel restaurants for dinner, but breakfast at the resort was absolutely worth it. It made the mornings easy, and easy mornings matter when you are trying to get a family ready for a boat day or an activity in the Thai heat.
Benton's Take on the Gym and Traditional Sauna
Benton always checks out the gym when we travel, and Sofitel Krabi passed his test.
The gym was well equipped, but what he really loved was the traditional sauna. Benton loves anywhere with a great sauna, and this was one of them.
Traditional Sauna
This might not matter to every family, but it mattered to him. After long travel days and full days in the sun, having a good gym and sauna gave him a little routine and a little reset. It is one of those details that made the resort feel more comfortable for us.
The Beach Across from Sofitel Krabi
The beach directly across from the hotel was not the prettiest beach of our trip.
Krabi Beach in front of the Sofitel
Benton said it best. The beach itself was not too impressive and was pretty rocky. I would not book this resort expecting to spend every day lounging on that beach the way you might at a Caribbean resort.
But the location still worked perfectly.
The beach was perfect for walking to dinner, watching the sunset, and getting picked up or dropped off by boat. At the end of our full-day boat tour, we were dropped right back at the beach in front of the hotel, and after a long day on the water, that felt amazing.
So no, the beach was not the star of our time there. But the convenience of the beach absolutely was.
Beachfront Dinners Across the Street
One of our favorite things about staying at Sofitel Krabi was the row of local beachfront restaurants across the road.
We never ate dinner at any of the Sofitel’s restaurants. Not because they looked bad. We just loved the local restaurants across the street so much that we kept going back every night.
This became our Krabi routine. Walk out of the resort. Cross the road. Pick a beachfront restaurant. Let the kids play in the sand while we waited for dinner. Watch the sunset. Eat fresh Thai food with our feet practically in the sand.
It was relaxed, affordable, and exactly what we wanted after busy days.
Baam Tha Ley Cafe Seafood and Grills was one of our favorites. It had beach seating, fresh seafood, and the kind of easy atmosphere where nobody cared if the kids were sandy and happy.
For family travel, that matters. Sometimes the best dinner is not the fanciest one. It is the one where everyone can breathe.
Why We Chose Sofitel Instead of Railay Beach
We debated staying at Railay Beach. I still think Railay would be amazing, and I would love to go back and try it one day.
But for this trip, Sofitel Krabi was the right choice for our family. It gave us a bigger resort setup, an incredible pool, tons of room for the kids, easy meals, and a location that made private boat tours simple.
If you are traveling as a couple or with older kids who want a more tucked-away beach feel, Railay may be worth considering. But if you are traveling with younger kids or a family of five and want space, convenience, and a resort that feels genuinely kid friendly, Sofitel Krabi is a great fit.
Thai Town of Elephant
During our time in Krabi, we also visited Thai Town of Elephant, and it was one of our favorite experiences. They even arranged our transportation to and from the hotel which was awesome!
Thai Town of Elepant - Krabi, Thailand
We walked with the elephants, helped prepare food, and fed them. There were no rides, no performances, and no bathing show. That was important to us. Animal experiences in Southeast Asia can vary a lot, so we try to be careful about what we choose. At the end of the experience, everyone was given coconut water and there were showers available to clean up.
This felt like an experience we could feel good about as a family.
One practical tip: download your photos before the link expires. They took lots of photos during our visit, and I waited too long. Thankfully I had some on my phone, but I wish I had grabbed theirs in time.
Island Hopping from Krabi with Kids
One of the big reasons families visit Krabi is to get out on the water.
We booked a private boat tour through Railay Eco Tour. You will see lots of boat tour options advertised along the beach road, and there are several ways to combine islands. We chose a full-day tour that included Phi Phi and Hong Island.
Boarded at the marina!
The boat itself was wonderful. We were picked up early, taken to the marina, and boarded a beautiful boat with fruit, drinks, and a crew that took great care of us.
Our boat!
The experience was good. But if we could redo one thing from Krabi, we would change this day.
Phi Phi Islands with Kids
Phi Phi is famous for a reason. The scenery is dramatic, the water is beautiful, and it is one of those places people recognize from photos before they ever visit Thailand.
Phi Phi
But from Krabi, Phi Phi is farther than we realized. The ride out was long and a little rough at speed. By the next day, we were all a little sore from the boat ride.
Phi Phi was also busy. The main public areas had lots of boats, lots of people, and that very touristed feeling that can be hard to avoid in famous places.
I am glad we saw it once. I am not sure I would do it again with kids from Krabi unless staying somewhere on Phi Phi or booking a very specific tour that avoided the busiest areas.
I will say, Joy did find some amazing Nutella and strawberry Roti here though! Great snack after our picnic lunch that was included in our boat ride!
Maya Bay
Maya Bay is beautiful. The cliffs, the water, the shape of the cove, all of it is stunning.
Maya Bay, Thailand
It is also crowded, and you cannot swim there. That is something families should know before going. It is a protected area, and the rules are enforced. The bathrooms are primitive (cups of water to flush), and the scene in person versus what you see on Instagram are two very different things once multiple boats arrive at once.
So if Maya Bay is on your list, go for the scenery and the photos, not for a swim stop. It is worth seeing once, but keep expectations realistic.
Monkey Island
We saw monkeys from the boat, and that was plenty for us.
Some boats stop closer, but we were happy watching from a distance. The kids thought it was cool, and I was perfectly fine not having wild monkeys climb anywhere near our snacks or bags.
Monkey Island
Hong Island Was the Winner
Hong Island was the place that made us wish we had planned the day differently.
Hong Islands
The water was crystal clear. The beach felt calmer. The whole setting was peaceful in a way that Phi Phi was not for us.
While I stayed in the water playing with the kids, Benton hiked to the viewpoint at the top of Hong Island. The views were incredible, and he loved that part of the day.
Sadly, Hong Island was our last stop on a full-day boat tour, so we did not have nearly enough time there. By the time we realized how much we loved it, we were almost done.
Lesson learned.
Benton said if we go back, he would cut Phi Phi from the boat day completely and just do Hong Island. I agree. For our family, Hong Island was the better fit.
Our Biggest Krabi Do-Over
If we had one Krabi do-over, it would be this: skip Phi Phi and make Hong Island the focus.
This does not mean Phi Phi is bad. It is iconic, and I understand why people want to see it. But with kids, boat time matters. Crowds matter. Swim time matters.
Hong Island gave us more of what we actually wanted: beautiful water, space to play, a calmer beach, and a viewpoint hike for Benton.
Next time, I would book a private Hong Island tour, leave early, and spend the whole day there without trying to squeeze in famous stops just because they are famous or something you see on an influencers page.
The Real MVP: Thailand 7-Eleven
We cannot write about Thailand with kids and not mention 7-Eleven.
Our kids loved it. The ham and cheese toasties, the ice cream, the snacks, the drinks — all of it became part of the daily routine.
In Krabi, the favorite discovery was sour Skittles. They were around 30 cents, and somehow they were better than the ones back home. No sugary coating, just pure sour candy. We bought them constantly.
Toasties!
Is 7-Eleven a tourist attraction? Technically no. Did our kids treat it like one? Absolutely.
How Many Nights Should You Stay in Krabi with Kids?
We stayed three nights, and I would call that the minimum.
Three nights gave us time for the resort, Thai Town of Elephant, a full-day boat tour, and beach dinners. But it did not give us enough time to slow down or add a second island day.
If you can, I would stay four or five nights in Krabi with kids.
That would give you one full pool and resort day, one Hong Island day, one elephant or local activity day, and time to explore Railay or Ao Nang without feeling rushed.
What We Loved Most About Sofitel Krabi for Families
The massive pool with the inflatable obstacle course was the clear winner for our kids
The breakfast was easy and had plenty of choices for everyone
The green spaces and on-property activities (kids club, teen club, ping pong, soccer goals, splash pad) gave our kids room to move
The beach road made dinner simple every night
The resort felt family friendly without feeling chaotic
The gym and traditional sauna were a win for Benton
The location made private boat tours easy — we were dropped back at the hotel beach at the end of our day
What Was Not Perfect
The room was average for a luxury resort
The beach in front of the hotel was rocky and not the prettiest
Phi Phi was farther and busier than we expected
We did not have enough time at Hong Island
None of those things ruined the trip. In fact, I think they make the recommendation stronger. We still loved Sofitel Krabi, even with those honest notes.
Would We Stay at Sofitel Krabi Again?
Yes, we would.
Sofitel Krabi
Sofitel Krabi was not perfect, but it was one of the easiest family resorts we stayed at in Thailand.
The kids were happy. Benton had his gym and sauna. I had my passionfruit at breakfast and sunset dinners across the street. We had enough space, enough convenience, and enough activities that every day felt simple in the best way.
Sometimes the best family hotels are not the ones with the most beautiful rooms or the most impressive beaches. Sometimes they are the ones where your kids are already asking to go back before you have even packed the suitcases.
For us, Sofitel Krabi was one of those places.
Quick Tips for Visiting Krabi with Kids
Stay at least four nights if your itinerary allows
Book a private Hong Island tour instead of trying to squeeze in too much
Know that Phi Phi is beautiful, but far from Krabi and very crowded
Do not plan on swimming at Maya Bay
Use the pool time. It may be your kids' favorite part.
Eat at the local beachfront restaurants across from Sofitel Krabi including the Baam Tha Ley Cafe Seafood and Grills is a great pick and there’s a local pizza spot that is amazing as well!
Visit Thai Town of Elephant, and download your photos before the link expires
Let 7-Eleven become part of the fun
Pack water shoes (think Chacos) or sandals for rocky beach areas
Give yourself a slow morning after a full-day boat tour
Final Thoughts on Krabi with Kids
Krabi was one of those places that surprised us in the best way.
I knew it would be beautiful. I did not expect it to feel so easy with kids.
We had a resort the kids loved, dinners we looked forward to every night, a boat day that taught us what we would do differently, and enough little moments to make Krabi one of the stops our family still talks about.
If your family is planning a Thailand trip, I would absolutely include Krabi. Just give it more than three nights if you can.
And if you are deciding between a packed Phi Phi tour and a full day at Hong Island, learn from us.
Choose Hong Island.
