To kick 2020 to the curb and welcome 2021, we drove down to Krabi. This province was parts unexplored for us but we had always been captivated by karsts and coasts of Phang Nga bay. With the start of January, Thailand experienced a spike in COVID numbers and a coloured tier system of restrictions soon limited everyday life. Rather than rushing home to Bangkok, which was in the red, we decided to stay in Krabi Province. The yellow status meant we could still take our kids outdoors, and unlike The Big Mango, Krabi’s superior air quality meant that being out didn’t risk our lungs! With some online home hunting and with suggestions from friends, we landed on the steps of Eden Villas and we’re so gad that we did. With the duration of the restrictions unclear, we originally booked in for a week and then stayed for a month.
The property includes 3 villas – the Mountain View, Sunset View, and Master. We stayed in the Mountain View and we spent hours soaking in the scenery. There are flora and fauna between the villas for privacy, but our kids made friends with the other families and everything is open enough that outside became communal play space. There is a small playground and volleyball net that were also put to good use. Also shared between the villas is an open air bar / dining area and we enjoyed the occasional card game there.
Tucked back from the road, the property is bordered by a palm plantation, a farm, and a massive wall of limestone draped in trees and vines. A true highlight was watching the monkeys come down the mountain to steal fruit from the palm plantation. Though they were close enough to spot, the monkeys never crossed the driveway into the villas. Coexistence has clearly been established. With roosters and “jungle cows” around, our kids were exposed to a pace of life so very different from the sois and sounds of Bangkok. Our days began with sunrise from over the mountains and the stars in the night sky were like the skies of our own childhoods camping in Canada. Our city-slicker kiddos had never seen the night sky be so alive.
PICTURED ABOVE: Sunset View Villa
Each villa has it’s own pool, patio, and lawn. With the dining table outside, the purchase of some pool toys, balls, and a frisbee, these outdoor spaces quickly became extensions of our living space. With an outdoor shower and a washing machine behind the kitchen, hosing down the littles and then putting their stuff directly into the wash became standard operating practice after messier playtimes. The two other villas have adjacent parking spaces and ours was a 1 minute walk to the end of the driveway. Not to worry as we would load / unload the big stuff at our villa before parking.
The Sunset and Mountain View villas were purpose built as rentals and are nearly identical. The Master Villa is larger with more amenities and has a distinct style. Tinted windows keep your villa cooler and private during the day. They also let you appreciate the view from each room. Shaped like the letter C, the open kitchen and living room occupy one side of the C. The middle is a bedroom, bathroom, and bedroom while the other end of the C is a bathroom and the main bedroom. The two centre bedrooms have built-in desks and closets with bedside tables and lamps. The main bedroom has a closet, dressing table, bedside tables and two sliding glass doors that access the patio or the outdoor shower area. The bathrooms have showers delineated from the rest of the space with partial walls. Poured concrete makes up the floors and countertops throughout. The kitchen is well appointed so you can prepare meals at home. There is a microwave, kettle, coffeemaker, toaster, and dual-burner gas cooktop. The full size refrigerator was a huge win for our family of 6.
Wifi and cable TV is included – both were helpful as the kids were doing school online and we needed the TV to parent the little littles while we helped school the big littles. The villa also has an iron and ironing board. We were so grateful for all of the laundry facilities as we had packed minimal clothes thinking we would only be gone for a week. Daily housekeeping (except for Sundays) and a fresh set of sheets and towels every 8 days made living in a space, other than our home, a smooth process. The property managers, a wife and husband team, were great hosts and they were quick to answer any questions or needs we had.
Overall, these villas are not high society luxury and we believe that is by design. Rather than feeling afraid that your kid may bump a decorative statue, Eden Villas welcomes you with a sense of home and relaxed comfort. Your family can be themselves here. We caught ourselves imagining when Thailand reopens to tourists and how we could rent all 3 villas and have a big family get together surrounded by all the beauty of nature.
Looking for adventure while here? Check our blog – Out and About in Krabi.
Having a car is a must when staying at Eden Villas. We had our own, but a car hire is actually included with the villa! The villas are 31 kms from Krabi Airport, 26 kms from Krabi Town, and 23 kms from Ao Nang. The nearest notable village (7 kms or about 8 minutes in the car), has a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays where you can buy great local produce. There are a few small shops, a bakery, and a 7-11 (which in Thailand has almost everything you’ll need). With the Sa Kaeo Caves and pools and Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam National Park not far away, there are places to explore nearby. If you are wanting to hit the beach, then leave yourself 25-30 minutes of driving time. Eden Villas is a comfortable home base for your family to explore all that Krabi Province has to offer.