Why stay here
Ao Nang is Krabi's tourism hub, and the reasons are practical: it has the widest choice of hotels at every price point, restaurants covering everything from street food to fine dining, and it's the main departure point for boats to Railay, the 4 Island Tour, and Hong Islands. For a first Krabi trip, or if you want a proper "resort town" holiday without decision fatigue, it's the easiest base.
What it's like
Busy, especially along the beachfront road and Ao Nang's central strip, with a fair amount of tourist infrastructure — tour touts, souvenir shops, and traffic during peak hours. The beach itself is pleasant rather than spectacular; most visitors treat Ao Nang as a base for day trips rather than a beach destination in its own right.
Where in Ao Nang to book
Central Ao Nang (near the main pier) puts everything within walking distance but is noisiest. The northern end, toward Nopparat Thara Beach, is quieter with a more local feel and a good beachfront walking street on weekend evenings.
Getting around from Ao Nang
Longtail boats to Railay run constantly from the main pier (~15 min, 100–150 THB). Krabi Airport is about 30–40 minutes by taxi or hotel transfer. Scooters are easy to rent along the main strip if you want to explore Krabi Town, the temples, or the hot springs independently.